Process Explorer Window will not close and it is unresponsive

[rockenrog]

Hi,
Searching the forum first, I did not see any answers, so I ask.
I recently moved to a new Dell XPS15 Windows 10 computer, reinstalled PI 1.08.06.1457 and checked there are no updates. I have not done any real PI processing since reinstall because of the below problem...:

-- If my mouse goes over the Process Explorer tab, the window opens, but will not close. All the buttons at the top right inside the window are unresponsive. Then the other explorer windows will not open.
-- In the Process Explorer window I can click on the different documentations ok. But if search for something that does not exist in the PE window, (like type in forum), I get a new dialogue window asking to open an image file after I double click any where within PI.

Other info...
I have uninstalled and reinstalled PI and the same issues appear.
Before my mouse went over the PE tab I could mouse over the other Explorer Tabs and open and close them automatically.
If the PE window is locked open the PI pull down windows at top of main window all seem to work.
Please advise any questions or what you want me to try.
Thank you,
   Roger

[rockenrog]

Hi,
I went back to my old computer, uninstalled the out of date PI, and the downloaded and reinstalled latest version.
The Process Explorer window works correctly. Other things seem okay.
So I am having a compatibility problem with my machine.
Now I asking what can I try to solve this problem?

Thanks,
     Roger

[pfile]

it used to be that dell shipped some utilities preinstalled that utilized Qt, and the DLLs that were pre-existing on the machine conflicted with the PI Qt DLLs, leading to some serious problems.

i don't know if this is the case anymore on windows 10.

i think juan uses a plain-vanilla W10 environment straight from microsoft, rather than any OEM version of the OS. so that's probably the best way to ensure compatibility.

rob

[rockenrog]

Yes Rob, I am using the Dell supplied Windows 10 Pro with their utilities/bloatware, etc. This is my real world. I uninstalled the bloatware, and the remaining Dell apps/utilities help control the machine. It is a huge effort to reinstall all the programs, data, etc if I put in a clean install. Probably 30+ hours. I have reinstalled everything once already after something totally crashed my machine.

I want to get some more direction for how to fix this (my) problem. If it is conflicting DLL's, how to find? Maybe something else?

Thks,
Roger

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Roger,

I understand that a system reinstall can be a huge pain. But, as Rob says, a clean installation is often the only solution to these problems.

Before going that route you can make sure you have the latest version of your graphics driver installed. On machines using integrated Intel graphics, the latest versions of Intel graphics drivers may solve these issues. Let me know if this helps.

[rockenrog]

Hi Juan,
Thank you for your response. I also read back other posts about possible DLL problems. They are mostly on Windows 7. I am using Windows 10 pro. Referring to these January posts:
https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=13096.15 I also can duplicate Susan's problems with PE, ie second instance seems to work okay until try run a video tutorial. Then PE locks (not black). Did not try the HT workaround yet. I will check drivers first:

Windows says my display drivers are up to date. But going to Intel website for UHD 630, my driver is not the latest.
To document, the  OLD driver on my machine is 24.20.100.6287 Dated 15Aug2018.
The NEW one I am going to install is: 25.20.100.6577 Dated 25Feb2019

I will feed back my findings shortly.
Roger

[rockenrog]

Hi,
After going to the Intel download page I decided to use their Driver &Support Assist. The support assist said there was a new driver, but the new driver would not work with my Dell computer since my current driver was custom made for Dell, and I should check with them. Well Dell's update program says my drivers are up to date.

Since my XPS15 9570 also has a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti I am going to try to get PI to use it. This is just random playing around for a solution! Let's see.
I am beginning to understand Juan's viewpoint on Windows. I should create a VirtualBox on my XPS15 with Linux installed on it, then install PI there. Just sayin.
Roger

[rockenrog]

Update...
I updated the Nvidia graphic driver for the GTX 1050 Ti video card. Now PI Process Explorer does not have a problem with my early testing!
I really thank Juan and all the supporting team members for creating an open and positive Forum that really gets attention, responses, and results.
A good role model for commercial astronomy hardware and software companies!
Thank you,
    Roger