ZAR hangs on load

[WillisIT]

Hi.

ZAR always used to work. Now when I click the icon I see the splash screen, followed by nothing. Task Manager shows 2 entries for zar.exe , one consumes 0% CPU, the other 50%. It is a dual core CPU. If I end the task and re-try it makes no difference.

I run Vista Ultimate x64 SP2 with all latest updates.

I have also tried this under XP Pro SP3 on a different computer. Same problem.

I am running Avast Anti-virus and Windows Firewall. I have tried disabling both. It makes no difference.

I have downloaded and installed the latest version. It makes no difference.

The only way I managed to successfully make the program run, was to load the Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows, which is a boot-able live XP Pro CD-ROM using BartPE. I then launched ZAR from a flash drive. Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows was compiled using Windows XP Pro SP3.

Has a Windows Update crippled it or something?

ZAR is fantastic. I rather need it for my business, so any help would be much appreciated.

Alex.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

If you delete the log file, C:\Program Files\ZAR\logfile.txt,
run ZAR, then kill it with Task Manager, does it create any log file?

Also, if you try Safe Mode on XP Pro SP3, does it work?

[WillisIT]

Sorry for the delay. I was expecting the forum to automatically email me with new replies.

I have already tried deleting the log file, so it could create a new one. However, it doesn't add, change, or create a log file.

I will try it in Safe Mode on both OS's.

[Cheena]

Hi.

ZAR always used to work. Now when I click the icon I see the splash screen, followed by nothing. Task Manager shows 2 entries for zar.exe , one consumes 0% CPU, the other 50%. It is a dual core CPU. If I end the task and re-try it makes no difference.

I run Vista Ultimate x64 SP2 with all latest updates.

I have also tried this under XP Pro SP3 on a different computer. Same problem.

I am running Avast Anti-virus and Windows Firewall. I have tried disabling both. It makes no difference.

I have downloaded and installed the latest version. It makes no difference.

The only way I managed to successfully make the program run, was to load the Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows, which is a boot-able live XP Pro CD-ROM using BartPE. I then launched ZAR from a flash drive. Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows was compiled using Windows XP Pro SP3.

Has a Windows Update crippled it or something?

ZAR is fantastic. I rather need it for my business, so any help would be much appreciated.

Alex.

I too am having the same problem never had this befor with the software now it seems to be not loading right with windows. I put it also on my lap top and got the same problem. There is a glitch in the software I may have to get difffrent software now I am not having good results Like I use to in the past I am sad cuss I had so many pictures most not being able to open now not sure why I havn't even re written over the drive.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

We know of certain cosmetic issues in Windows 7, but otherwise it should be okay. If you experience a hung start, try in the Safe Mode.

[WillisIT]

I have now had the opportunity to try and run ZAR in safe mode on XP Pro SP3, and unfortunately it still does the same thing. What can I do? Re-install Windows?

Is there a manual uninstall or repair method for ZAR that will delete all directories, shared files and registry entries?

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I presume you running the latest version? There was a build several month ago which had a similar issue.

To uninstall fully:
1. Perform normal uninstall.
2. Delete C:\Program Files\ZAR with all content and subfolders.
3. In registry, delete HKLM\Software\ZAR with all values and subkeys.

[WillisIT]

I'm afraid I'm still having trouble.

I have experimented with the Windows XP PC as it has less other software and drivers installed.

I uninstalled ZAR, deleted the directory under Program Files, and also found Registry data in HKCU/Software/ZAR but nothing under HKLM/Software/ZAR
I then rebooted, downloaded the latest copy of ZAR from your website, installed it, ran it, same problem. Splash screen appears, then disappears, program stays in task manager using up 50% CPU.

I even tried ending all processes and programs except Windows and Anti-virus services.

I hope you can find a solution so I can continue using ZAR. It is great software when it works.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Ah and please tell me if it is 64bit or 32-bit XP?

[WillisIT]

XP 32-bit, but I also used to run it on Vista 64-bit and that now has the same problem.

[activePDF]

I'm having the same issue. I even tried loading an auto-save and it went a bit and then hung which means a re-scan. Unfortunately it takes 5 hours to run against my drive because of all the VM's on it....that I don't need. Other than that it looks like it will save most of my drive where the MFT got hammered (bad sector right in the middle).

[Alexey V. Gubin]

This looks like a different problem as you were able to get to the point where auto save is loaded, and then it hangs during processing.

So could you please clarify that ZAR starts OK, you then load a save file, and it locks up, and same thing with the autosave?

Please note: the "Loading save file" window goes away once the loading is complete. I need to know if it locks up before or after that. Also, keep in mind that loading itself may take up to ten minutes on older machine.

[WillisIT]

Hi Alexey,

Do you have any further suggestions with my problem?

I'm very surprised this hasn't happened to anyone else, since it has occurred on 2 of my computers, and these 2 computers are so different from each other.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

We cannot reproduce it.
However, there is a significant update due in about three-four days, which I expect to fix most of the "Access violation at XX YY" and also hope that we either fix a startup problem, or at least get a precise diagnostic output.

[WillisIT]

I look forward to the update in that case. Is there any easy way to know when you have released the update?

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I will drop you an email then.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I've emailed you yesterday with an URL, just in case it did not get through, could you please download and try http://www.z-a-recovery.com/zar-85-001.exe

[WillisIT]

I'm sorry Alexey, I did not get your email, and haven't been regularly checking the forum. It appears the link you posted is currently down.

I'm pleased to see that you have released an updated version. I'm keen to try it if you can make it available again please.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Use this for now - http://www.z-a-recovery.com/zar-85-003.exe

[WillisIT]

Good news. The new build of the program appears to work fine on my Vista computer. The only odd thing it does is force a bluetooth connection to my phone!

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I'm not familiar with bluetooth operations, but if you have a COM port setup as a part of a bluetooth connectivity, this may be caused by ZAR polling all the COM ports at startup. Hindsight is that we should not be doing that without prompting first.