PG Music Home Forums PG Music Product Forums Band-in-a-Box for Windows Overwriting BIAB files?

This is more likely a general computer question, but It's not "off-topic" so I'm asking here.

The issues I reported in this thread:

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=578353#Post578353

...are not resolved. I can only open BIAB from the .exe's in my Audiophile HD or through a shortcut I created that leads to it. No other icon or shortcut will open a functioning program, not even song files I've created. Opening the program from those files results in a normally behaving program (as best I can tell so far). I've been working in it a good portion of the day so far.

My program is installed in a BB folder on my F: drive (my C: drive is an SSD, but is not very big). This F: drive is an internal HD. Real Tracks and Real Drums reside on the drive that shipped with the program--in my case, the H: drive.

I am wondering if I can fix this by replacing the relevant program files (bbw.exe and others) that are on F:bb with those on the Audiophile drive? If so, which ones should I be replacing so that both the 32 and 64 bit versions work?

If I go this route, I can create and replace desktop shortcuts. I will want to open the program from song files. I don't care much about other ways to open that might not work with this "fix".

I won't do anything until a PG staff tells me it's ok and what exactly to replace. Also open to better ideas that get me where I want to be.

Thanks.

If you have an old version of BB on F: you can rename F:\bb to F:\bb_old
then create a new folder bb
go to H:\bb and select all files in that folder
then using Ctrl + click deselect Drums and RealTracks
now Copy the selected files & folders
got to F:\bb and paste
delete your current BB 64 32 shortcuts
in the F:\bb folder right click bbw64.exe and bbw.exe > Send to Desktop create shortcut.
When you run them set the Drums and RealTracks folder to the H:\ drive.
File > File Utilities... > Associate file types...

So is the problem that when you try to load in a song file by double-clicking on the song file, it doesn't open into Band-in-a-Box?

No link to the exe's on the drive where BIAB is installed opens the program. This includes, but is not limited to, song files that I created and sit on the same drive, in a different folder. The initial screen shows up (the BIAB logo and version 32 or 64), but the program never loads.

The only thing that opens the program is double-clicking the .exe on the Audiophile drive or a shortcut I made to that/those.

When you say shortcut here, could you describe one specific shortcut that doesn't work (not a song file, but a shortcut that is supposed to open Band-in-a-Box. Is this a desktop shortcut, a shortcut in the Start menu, or something else? Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties and go to the Shortcut tab. What is the "Target"? Probably pointing to the wrong location...

Desktop shortcut #1 >> F:\bb\bbw64.exe

Desktop shortcut #2 >> F:\bb\bbw.exe

Start menu >> A Shortcut entitled Band-in-a-Box in C:/ ProgramData >> Microsoft >> Windows >> StartMenu >> Programs >> Band-in-a-Box.

That short cut leads to F:\bb\bbw.exe

F: is my internal HDD and the correct drive for my installation (except RT and RD)

H: is the Audiophile HD.

My last saved song file: Properties >> General >> opens with bbw64.exe (except it doesn't open)

And are you saying that if you actually go to F:\bb and double-click on bbw64.exe, it opens?

No. Even doing that does nothing but bring up that first "screen (BIAB Logo 2019 64bit)". Nothing happens after that.

The only way I can get the program to load is by double-clicking on the icons in the H: bb folder or through a desktop short cut I created to go there after this problem started. THAT will open the program, but it's still buggy acting. Not so bad that I can't work in it, but...not so good that I want to. That's a true thing, but may not be an issue for today.

Which build of 2019 is that specific file F:\bb\bbw64.exe? Right-click on it and select properties - details.

Create this file:
F:\bb\Data\WriteBootupLog.txt
Now try to run the program, and it should create BootupLog.txt in the same folder. This may tell us what's happening.

2019.0.0.644



F:\bb\Data\BootupLog.txt= Log file of bootup times. Paste into Excel for best viewing
LogThis: Start of this: Init Start Init1 [2/7/2020 7:48:10 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 15 ], since last LogThis function = 15
LogThis: Start of this: InitCompleted. bbw.dpr started [2/7/2020 7:48:10 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 93 ], since last LogThis function = 78
LogThis: Start of this: possibly showing splash screen... [2/7/2020 7:48:10 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 93 ], since last LogThis function = 0

Can you create this file and repeat that test?
F:\bb\NoSplashDuringIDE.txt

The icon appears on the taskbar (?) Sorry, I am not very computer literate. At the bottom next to all the other open and available stuff. But the program doesn't open.


F:\bb\Data\BootupLog.txt= Log file of bootup times. Paste into Excel for best viewing
LogThis: Start of this: Init Start Init1 [2/8/2020 4:22:20 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 37 ], since last LogThis function = 37
LogThis: Start of this: InitCompleted. bbw.dpr started [2/8/2020 4:22:20 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 230 ], since last LogThis function = 193
LogThis: Start of this: possibly showing splash screen... [2/8/2020 4:22:20 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 231 ], since last LogThis function = 1

If I recall from another thread you could get it working in a different install by simulating factory settings. Can you do that again, and repeat this test? Add the file F:\bb\Preferences\safemode.txt
This is for troubleshooting, not intended to be a permanent solution.

Andrew I will do that later. But I can get the program to open:

1. from the desktop shortcuts with that safemode.txt in place.

2. by double-clicking on the bb/bbw64.exe on the Audiophile drive without that safemode.txt in place..

That doesn't mean all is well when it opens, but it does open.

Which one of those do you want me to do? And do you want me to report the bootuplog?

Desktop shortcut (F:\bb\bbw64.exe), and yes.

I figured. LOL. So I already did.

Program opens. I've left it open.

[2/8/2020 7:30:26 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 101 ], since last LogThis function = 97
LogThis: Start of this: possibly showing splash screen... [2/8/2020 7:30:26 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 101 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: booting in SAFE MODE [2/8/2020 7:30:26 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 102 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: slowww...TBandWindowFormCreate 5.2 slowww TBBToolPanel.installPanel [2/8/2020 7:30:27 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 541 ], since last LogThis function = 439
LogThis: Start of this: TBandWindowFormCreate 5.21 [2/8/2020 7:30:29 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 3,162 ], since last LogThis function = 2,621
LogThis: Start of this: SelectWorkingAudioDriver WASAPI [2/8/2020 7:30:31 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 4,829 ], since last LogThis function = 1,667
LogThis: Start of this: sending postpaint message... [2/8/2020 7:30:31 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 4,881 ], since last LogThis function = 52
LogThis: Start of this: TCSform.RunDialog [2/8/2020 7:30:31 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 4,882 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: Application.Run [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,759 ], since last LogThis function = 877
LogThis: Start of this: BEGIN PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect_MySetup_SysEx_Cache [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,768 ], since last LogThis function = 9
LogThis: Start of this: slowww...PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect 2.1 CreateTheDXPlugHost slowww [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,769 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: Tip: check data\Logs\PluginScanLog.log for a detailed report about plugin scan. [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,769 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: CreateThePGReverbForm... [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,770 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: ...CreateThePGReverbForm [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,796 ], since last LogThis function = 26
LogThis: Start of this: CheckForDirectX... [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,797 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: creating DXPluginHostBBWForm [2/8/2020 7:30:32 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 5,813 ], since last LogThis function = 16
LogThis: Start of this: LoadCoyoteWT [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,462 ], since last LogThis function = 649
LogThis: Start of this: CoyoteWT is installed [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,463 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: DX DetailResult 1 = 0 [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,859 ], since last LogThis function = 396
LogThis: Start of this: DX DetailResult 2 = 0 [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,860 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: slowww...PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect 2.2 DetailCreateDXPlugHostResult slowww [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,860 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: ReInitMidiForOut... [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 6,871 ], since last LogThis function = 11
LogThis: Start of this: ...ReInitMidiForOut [2/8/2020 7:30:33 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 7,257 ], since last LogThis function = 386
LogThis: Start of this: CachePatchesNOW [2/8/2020 7:30:39 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,163 ], since last LogThis function = 5,906
LogThis: Start of this: SetUpPluginsMenus [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,625 ], since last LogThis function = 462
LogThis: Start of this: AskAboutArchiving [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,736 ], since last LogThis function = 111
LogThis: Start of this: DosizeCheck [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,737 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: slowww...PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect 11.7 activation slowww [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,739 ], since last LogThis function = 2
LogThis: Start of this: MaxPlugins.MaybeShowWarningMessage [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,748 ], since last LogThis function = 9
LogThis: Start of this: PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect VariousShowFlashTip [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,749 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: MaybeActivateFretLight [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,752 ], since last LogThis function = 3
LogThis: Start of this: RepositionMainWindow [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,758 ], since last LogThis function = 6
LogThis: Start of this: wasapi.possiblyStartMainStream [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,759 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: InitRTVideoExists [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,890 ], since last LogThis function = 131
LogThis: Start of this: Checking if main window is visible... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,905 ], since last LogThis function = 15
LogThis: Start of this: Main window is not visible. [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,906 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: PostPaintMIDIDialog_MIDIConnect 20 DONE that is it! [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,997 ], since last LogThis function = 91
LogThis: Start of this: WriteSongStyleName... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 13,998 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: ...WriteSongStyleName [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,275 ], since last LogThis function = 277
LogThis: Start of this: explorerCommand 0 [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,275 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: AskAboutFileAssociations... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,308 ], since last LogThis function = 33
LogThis: Start of this: ...AskAboutFileAssociations [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,309 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: SetTimer... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,309 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: ...SetTimer [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,310 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: adjustWindowSizes... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,310 ], since last LogThis function = 0
LogThis: Start of this: ...adjustWindowSizes [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,311 ], since last LogThis function = 1
LogThis: Start of this: BOOTUP LOG COMPLETE. Asking to display the log... [2/8/2020 7:30:40 AM] [ms since LogStart(boot)= 14,312 ], since last LogThis function = 1

I suggest that you duplicate your Preferences folder (F:\bb\Preferences) and name it "Preferences_old". Zip that folder and email the zip to us (refer to this thread in the email). Then delete all files from your "Preferences" folder and run the program like you normally would. Does everything seem to work? It seems like there is a program setting that is causing the program not to boot up correctly, but I'm not sure what it is at this point.

Seems to start normally, but is buggy in a number of ways I will detail later.

Primarily.

1. It won't recognize on opening where my RT's and RD's are.

2. It will allow me to set a "temporary" location for RT's and for RD's.

3. It will revert to #1 when the program is closed and reopened.

4. Repeat ad nauseum.

edit: FIXED by going to main preferences rather than RT and RD preferences.

Thank you for sending in the Preferences files. I can duplicate the bootup problem using those files so we'll look into that further on our end.

As for this:


This would have been the direct result of having safemode.txt in your preferences folder (program boots up at factory defaults) That file is only for troubleshooting, not intended to be left in there.