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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 54
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OP
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I have BIAB 2009.5. My system: XP SP3 laptop, T2300 1.66 GHz, with 2.5 Gigs of RAM.
My laptop is connected to my Yamaha P90 with a simple USB MIDI device.
BIAB runs a bass sound through the piano, and the realtracks drums are played through speakers connected to the laptop audio out.
This works great, except that often BIAB will crash. I haven't taken the time to determine what things actually cause the crash -- it's not straightforward.
The problem is that once this happens, the bbw.exe process cannot be end tasked. I must reboot my system.
I'd upgrade, except that I can't be sure the problem will be solved. Also, I've also found workarounds for the different quirks (e.g. incorrect number of staves when printing, problems with Save/Save As, etc.).
Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Al
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Quote:
there have been times when I thought BIAB hung, but it turned out there was a modal dialog box open in the background. Next time it hangs, try to tab through the open instances to see if a dialog appears. If one comes up, close it.
have you tried this yet?
inability to <CTRL><ALT><DEL> out of an application indicates one of two things:
a memory problem (and I have never seen a thread here suggesting that BIAB has ever had memory access problems) or an open modal dialog box. (which HAS been reported in version 2009.5 more than once)
If you try the TAB procedure and a dialog box eventually comes up and lets you get out of the freeze... that problem is fixed in version 2012
FWIW... when this problem happened to me, I eventually discovered what caused it:
you know the text box where the current style is displayed? You probably already know that clicking on that text box will open the style picker. But in ver 2009.5 when I DOUBLE clicked on that text box, the style picker would open in the background where I couldn't see it, and the computer acted like it was locked up
in summary:
Single click works
double click locks up.
Or maybe it's something else, who knows?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Al, Have you got the latest update installed? For 2009.5, the latest is #288. This can be checked under Help | About Band In A Box. The update is given in brackets after 2009.5. If you need the update, it can be found at ... http://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#288Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I previously said to TAB through the open applications... but its actually <ALT><TAB> (hold down <ALT> continuously and press <TAB>... a window should appear that shows all open apps... each time you hit <TAB> a different one is highlighted. When you stop pressing <ALT> whichever one is highlighted comes forward)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have no such grief. Everything works.
And for What it's worth, never seen or heard of this in beta testing or after.
So something is amiss.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
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Quote:
I have no such grief. Everything works.
And for What it's worth, never seen or heard of this in beta testing or after.
So something is amiss.
John,
Of course you don't have this problem... you're using version 2012
he's using version 2009.5, not 2012
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Well, I just upgraded to 2012 and the problem is still there. The very first time I ran it, it crashed, and the bbw.exe process cannot be end-tasked. You can say "oh, there's something wrong with your system," but that's not it: if an app can't be killed, it is doing something wrong.
Sorry, PGMusic, but you have just programmed this the wrong way to have an app that, on XP, cannot be killed. There are lots of signs (e.g. default folder of c:\bb) that you are ignorant of Windows programming and practices.
Quick testing shows that you have the same old bugs that you've had for years (for example, tell it to print 9 staves, and it prints 8).
Can you tell that I'm ticked off? What a waste of time. I'll be requesting a refund.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Al,
I hear your frustration.
I wonder why it crashes for you? When you say, "The very first time I ran it, it crashed", how long did you wait to determine that it had actually crashed? The very first time I ran 2012, it seemed like it had to do a few things to set itself up and it took longer to start. After that first time, though, it is now quicker to start. To be honest, I cannot remember the last time that BIAB crashed on me and I use it around 4+ hours most days of the week.
Regarding the setting of staves ... Are you counting the staves on the first page or subsequent pages? My experience is that the first page is always less one stave because the title takes up a line. Subsequent pages, on the other hand, give the correct number of staves.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826 |
Quote:
Sorry, PGMusic, but you have just programmed this the wrong way to have an app that, on XP, cannot be killed. There are lots of signs (e.g. default folder of c:\bb) that you are ignorant of Windows programming and practices.
I realize it's frustration talking here but silly statements like this won't help you get helpful advice. There are at least a few dozen regular posters on this site that are experiencing no such problem. I'm one. My system is very similar to yours and BiaB runs fine and can be closed down with the task manager.
Quote:
Well, I just upgraded to 2012 and the problem is still there. The very first time I ran it, it crashed, and the bbw.exe process cannot be end-tasked.
Now, if you'd like some help to find the problem then describe the exact circumstances that lead to the 'crash'.
Did you reboot after installation?
Did you start BiaB, wait until it is completely loaded, and then try to exit without opening and playing a song?
Have you tried 'Return to factory settings'? BiaB does not overwrite previous ini and cfg files. Therefor any issue lurking in the setup will transfer to the new version. 'Return to factory settings' will fix any errors in the configuration.
What audio and midi drivers did you use on the previus version?
I, and I'm sure others, will be happy to try and help you if you drop the frustration and try to work with us. I guarantee BiaB can be made to work on your system.
BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2. BiaB Wiki
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 54
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OP
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Posts: 54 |
Thanks for the help.
The thing is that it is easier just to work around the problems than to figure out exactly what is causing them. I can just try to remember to always exit BIAB before suspending the computer. There is an error message around 30% of the time after I exit BIAB, but I can just ignore it and click "Close."
I can remember to set the staves to one more than I need (I posted more on that in another thread). I can remember that under some circumstances, clicking the close button in the upper right will close the app, and in other circumstances it will just close the window. I can remember that if I choose File/Print from the initial screen, then click Cancel, I will be toggled to the notation window. I can remember that "Save" and "Save as" work differently from other apps if I've added or removed a melody.
As a retired programmer, I stand by my statement that something was done incorrectly if a process cannot be killed.
So, if I have some free time at some point, I'll take you up on your gracious offer to help me get to the bottom of these errors.
Last edited by TromboneAl; 12/20/11 11:07 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 54
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OP
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I have found a solution!
Although the crash still happens frequently, I've found that all I need to do is unplug the piano (that is the USB connector to the MIDI device connected to the piano), and BIAB will exit.
I wish I'd found this years ago.
So, if you're having the same problem, try unplugging.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
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Cool ! Glad you found a 'solution'
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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