BIAB 2019 won't start after upgrade to Windows 10. BIAB logo shows briefly, then turns into black rectangle and that's all. Any suggestions?

Try right-clicking on the BIAB shortcut and selecting "Run as administrator" -- this might help.

Also, did you fully power down and re-boot your computer after the upgrade?

If the above doesn’t help, try navigating to /BB and run as administrator the file BBW64.exe

Can we make the assumption that you had Windows 7 or 8 and BIAB worked fine, and the only thing you’ve changed is to upgrade to Windows 10?

What are you using for an audio interface? That would be the most likely culprit for a driver problem moving up to Windows 10.

Running BBW64.exe as administrator doesn't work either. Yes, my computer was fully powered down and re-booted several times after the upgrade.

BIAB worked fine on Windows 7. I use Lexicon Lambda for audio interface. Updated driver today, still the same problem.

I'm puzzled because RealBand works fine.

Another user encountered this issue recently and we were able to fix it. It is most likely due to PG Music chord and notation fonts that aren't installed properly - for some reason, upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10 sometimes causes a condition where fonts are present but are not recognized by the system. This issue might affect other fonts on your system as well that aren't part of the standard Windows 10 install.

Download the build 639 patch from here:
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/support/patches/bb2019_win_update_build639.exe
This should allow Band-in-a-Box to open, however you'll notice that the chordsheet and notation window don't display properly.

Here is a procedure that should fix it.

1. Close Band-in-a-Box.

2. Navigate to the Fonts folder. The Fonts folder is located here: C:\Windows\Fonts. However, this is a "special" folder in that it shows you the title and groups of the fonts installed (e.g. "PGMusic F Regular"), but doesn't show you the actual individual files that are present.

We need to see these individual files. To do this, enter the following into the Windows Explorer address bar.

\\localhost\C$\Windows\Fonts

Here is a screenshot of this, to clarify. Note that the folder view in this image is set to details - this might help you find the files (click on the View tab, select details).



One symptom of this font problem is that the files do not display in the "fancy" font display (i.e. the font folder that you access via C:\Windows\Fonts) even though the files are present when viewed as a regular folder.

3. Locate and delete the following files if present. If the system won't let you delete them, then reboot your PC.

Pgchords.ttf
Pgjazz__.ttf
pgmus.ttf
Pgtext.ttf
Pgtextj_.tt
Pgtextje.ttf
BeStPlainXZ.ttf
RealScoreChord.ttf
BigBandChord.ttf

4. Reboot your PC.

5. Run the file C:\bb\Data\Installers\bbfonts.exe to install the PG Music fonts.

6. If the notation display is still blank in BB, then Reboot again

It could be the USB-connected Lexicon Lambda that is creating the stumbling block at the moment.

Just for the moment, close BIAB and then unplug any musical device that is connected to the computer including the Lexicon.

Now let's see if it's possible to get BIAB running using the computer's internal system. (We'll plug the devices back in later when things are going.)

Click on the URL link below, and setup the Audio and MIDI drivers exactly as shown. This is a good starting place to get things up and running.

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=461558#Post461558

I've always found it good practice to start with the very basic and then add things one at a time until we find what is creating the issue.

Let us know how you go.

Regards,
Noel

• my latest song: The Day You Stepped Into My Life

I downloaded and installed build 639 patch, and BIAB still won't open.

Tried unplugging my audio interface (Lexicon). No change.

When I try to open BIAB I see the logo, then it's replaced by a black rectangle, and it stays that way. If I click, "bbw64.com is not responding" message pops up.

Hi again,

The next thing I'd try is the ultimate reset.

To do this...

1. Use Windows explorer to navigate to \bb\Preferences

2. rename the file INTRFACE.BBW to INTRFACE.BBW.OLD

3. Rename the file MYSETUP.DK to MYSETUP.DK.OLD

These are BIAB's preferences files and by renaming them, you are forcing BIAB to create new ones when it boots up.

4. Unplug the Lexicon

5. Start BIAB

All settings will be reset and audio and midi will need to be configured. To do this, just use the setup that I gave you at the link in my previous post.

NOTE: by renaming the above two files, it means that it's possible to get them back if needed.

Regards,
Noel

• one of my songs: The Way Of The World (Life’s Carousel)

Another thing to try is to disable your Network Adapter, your anti-virus and anything else that is running in the background like Anti-malware programs.

Ok, did you follow the instructions I posted?



Edit: Open RealBand and try opening a notation window. If RealBand gives you an error message mentioning GetCharWidth, then we know it's the font problem that I suspect it is. If not, perhaps it is a different problem.

I did, still the same effect, BIAB gets stuck on opening screen (BIAB logo).

Also, I disabled Network Adapter, anti-virus, firewall, etc., that didn't help either.

As for removing interface/setup files, I don't see INTRFACE.BBW or MYSETUP.DK in \bb\Preferences
I found BBW2exe_Intrface.bbw in Data folder but removing it did not help.

Thank you for all your help so far!

Hi,

Does the Notation Window in RealBand open properly? The answer will help alot.

To test, open RealBand and press Alt+F2 (hotkey to open a Notation Window).

No, the Notation Window in RealBand does not open. I get an error message "GetCharWidth function call unsuccessful...".

Exactly, so it's the font problem like I suspected.
All you should need to do is follow the instructions that I posted a few days ago, the part that starts with "Here is a procedure that should fix it."

I've added a screenshot and tried to clarify the wording a bit. If this doesn't fix the problem, you'll need to tell us specifically what you found so we can isolate what the problem step is. e.g. Did you find the files and delete them? Did you run the font installer? etc. Once the fonts are installed and displaying in the the C:\Windows\Fonts window (the "fancy" fonts window) then the problem will be fixed.

Hi, just a quick update on my BIAB problems. While trying to implement Andrew's solution I ran into a problem - Windows wouldn't let me delete font files. I was trying different things (changing permissions, file ownership, etc.) but couldn't delete the files. At some point I lost internet access, and then I started BIAB. It started without any problems.

So, I still don't know what was the problem, but BIAB is working for now and that's good enough for me. Thank you for all your help!