Are you using the computer under a different account name, perhaps with less privileges?
Have you undertaken any changes to files on the computer in recent days (copying or moving files, especially in the BB or sub folders)?
If you right-click on the folder, selecting your logged on user name, do you have permission to write to the folder? Also check the write properties of the file itself (right-click on the file, select properties)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Both could happen if you've installed bb to the c: Program Files folder.
BB must be able to Write to certain files automatically and that has been precluded in newer OS's to prevent bad stuff from rogue programs.
If the bb folder is installed to C;\Program Files folder, no need to delete and reinstall, you can copy it to another location such as C:/bb.
--Mac
Hi Mac, Bent mentioned above that the message was: 'Cannot create file "C:\bb\BBhelper\BandInABoxServer_Strings.txt."'
so I think it must not be in the \Program Files\ folder
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Thanks a lot for this - I've learned a lot. Actually, before I'd seen your suggestions, I noticed another problem not related to BB that hadn't been there before, so I tried System Restore - and that took care of both problems!
For me it seems strange that a problem regarding a .txt file within a BB folder should be affected by a System Restore maneuver - but it apparently did. I guess I was just lucky (?)
I suspect it was somehow related to a broader system issue, and probably a user privilege or file protection function.
Great news though, and thanks for providing the feedback, so we know you're running again.
Cheers Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Trevor, I have a reoccurring instance in bb 2014 Win. ET Pk. that happens, not always, but, almost daily. My primary usage is C:\bb. Secondary is F:\bb. Regardless of the fore mentioned drives, I get this message(Access Violation at address 00BE2C63 in module `bbw.exe'. Read of address 00000180 at: 00BE2C63). This message appears when I open a file, midi or RealTracks, and try to select a feature associated with a radio button (guitar,piano etc.). Also I can not right click on a track in in the mixer, with out getting the same message. I have moved my song files from F:\xxxx to Windows Explorer-Music, but the problem remains. During a conversation with support a few days ago, I was ask it the same ting happens when using the original furnished 2014 ET Pk. . When using the original HD no Access Violation signs appeared. Returning to the C:\bb and or F:\bb I was good to go. I e mailed the results to support. Yesterday all was good to go. Today, as I type, same old bull xxxx. I did try to check out security restriction in BB Helper as you had mentioned before. I do not see the same options as in your examples. Any suggestions from you, Mac or any of the first responders on the forum?----Leon Update: I decided to try the original HD test again. No joy today. Resetting to factory settings has no effect. The fact is, I can not edit, so I may just have perfo :)rm a few HONEY DO's today
When you say your primary usage is C:\bb and secondary usage is F:\bb, do you mean that you switch between running from two different installations, or you have the BiaB program on C: drive and RealTracks, RealDrums etc on F: drive?
A/V's can be difficult to track down without the build map of the exe, (which only PG Music will have).
I doubt it is related to the location of your song files.
I am presuming that you have two full installations on C: and F: drive, and both give you the same problem. It may be a missing or corrupt resource file, but one cannot rule out a separate issue with part of Windows O/S, perhaps an outdated DLL or Driver in \Windows\System32\ or similar.
If one BiaB installation was cloned from the other, then it is likely that the fault will be apparent on both, which is what you see.
The controls that enable popup menus, radio button selections etc are integrated into the actual program in BiaB, and in the architecture that the program uses rely very little on external resources for control functions at that level (e.g. selecting a radio button).
You may not see the exact same screen display as I showed previously, depending on your O/S.
What operating system are you running, including Service Packs (right-click on Computer and select Properties).
Do you apply latest Windows Updates?
Do you have anti-virus software installed and what happens if you switch it off temporarily?
Regards Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
As a further thought, do you have UAC turned Off? In Control Panel, search for the letters UAC, then set the slider to the bottom (1,2,3)
And are you running as Administrator? Right-click on desktop icon. Select Properties > Shortcut > Advanced button and select Run as Administrator (4,5)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Trevor, Thanks for the suggestions. Yes I am running as administrator, Windows 7, HP core i7, updates are current, C:\bb and f:\bb are installed from original 2014 HD ET Pk. This thing happens so intermittently that I may have to live with it. To day it works properly. My security is Kaspersky Pure 3.0 and temporally disconnecting it has no effect. Thanks again,-----Leon
I would like to revisit the problem of the original poster, Bent. Is it possible you had changed the BBServer password from its default, "admin"?
Also, when you did a System Restore (from Windows, I presume), this would not have started the BIAB Server running. You should start the BIAB server, and see if the problem reappears.
If it does, I suggest you call PG Music Support.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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