X4 Intermittently Unstable

My program (CD X4) is again beginning to be unstable.  I had this problem before and reinstalled it a few times.  I updated as soon as I reinstalled a few months ago.

It started when I was using the eclipse tool.  I was using the arc and pie shapes, and when I'd change it back to a circle and go to make another shape, it resorted back to the previous selection.  This same thing happened with the smart fill tool.  I set it to no fill, and it kept filling my objects.

Now the insert character is acting up again.  As I scroll through the fonts, it takes over and starts scrolling on its own.  I was unable to access some of the fonts in the lower end of the alpabet, but after a few attempts, it did stabilize again.

I am using XP Pro OS.  I had this same issue when I tried using CD 12 on a laptop with Vista.  When I learned that Corel wasn't providing any updates for that OS, I bought this version. 

I am not having any other computer problems.  I posted a while ago that when I used the SAVE button on a new file, it replaced my desktop icon with that file and even added a backup file to my desktop.  Yes, I know I'm "supposed" to use SAVE AS, but this program is 'supposed' to have a built in protection so my desktop icon target is not changed unless I reset it.  I am NOT having this problem at the moment, but then...I'm not anxious to try it again to see.

This instability has caused me a great deal of wasted time, plus the added grief of not knowing on a given day if the program will act up.  I think the issue has to do with the built-in intelligence, where the program itself makes changes on the fly while I'm making selections, i.e. scrolling through font sizes, the selected font changes to each size scrolled through without actually selecting it.

Am I the only person in the whole world having these stability problems?  I nearly trashed this program (I've been a user since CD7, and have purchased CD9, CD12, and CD X4.) 

Could there be an issue with my particular processing chip?  I have an Intel Core 2 CPU 4300 at 1.8GHz.  I can't think of anything else it could be because as I said, I have absolutely no issues with any other program.

A new problem just occurred.  While I was attempting to add characters from other font sets, the selector continued to scroll through fonts rapidly in the font name box as I moved my mouse pointer down the slide selector without holding down any controls, buttons, etc.  It's almost like it does not disengage the font selection process after I have already selected a font.  And then...it on its own went ape scrolling through font names while my mouse was idle.

This computer came with 1GB RAM.  I am installing more.  I did not have other programs open when I was experiencing these problems.  And I did not have any problems at all until I started using the fill tool.  I am a light-user, using CD mostly to make charts and diagrams and rarely use it for graphic design.

EDIT:  And just now, when I went back to work some more, I am finding the font selection completely unusable.  It scrolls through font names by itself and I am unable to select the font I need.

It is begining to sound like a mouse problem. If you have installed a mouse driver (such as Logitech), remove the driver and use only the Windows supplied driver. If that does not work, or if you have not applied a third party driver, then change the mouse for another.

The symptoms that you are describing sound like a mouse button that is either stuck or intermittently shorting out.

Thanks for responding, but that's not the problem.  My mouse functions fine with all my other computer usage, and I've had these stability problems with CD 12 and this version, X4.  And on different computers.

As I'm paying closer attention to symptoms, I'm noticing that for whatever reason, the program seems to have a problem going back to some sort of default level.  Like I mentioned, it takes multiple attempts to get it to reset certain features.  For instance, I selected the graph paper grid (I use it to create the frets of a guitar neck) and it continually fills up with a fill color, even after I go and deselect any colors.  And then deselect it again.  And again.  Finally, it worked. 

Regarding this font scrolling, I rebooted, tried again, same thing.  Then I closed the program and the second time, it was stable again.

As for my fonts, without my intervention, the program had my paragraph font size set to '24,' whereas it always has been '12' in the past.  I have never set a font size preference.

 

 

Then I suggest that you reset everything (CorelDRAW-wise) back to factory defaults. Press and hold down the F8 key while starting CorelDRAW. When it asks you if you want to reset to factory defaults, answer "Yes".

If you have any added or modified tool-bars, save those (Export Workspace and select only the toolbars) before resetting your workspace. Once you have reset to factory defaults, you may import the saved toolbars back into Corel.

I'll give that a try, Hugh.  I haven't really changed anything from factory settings other than the nudge.

I discovered something VERY interesting with my font character insert issue.  It mostly works fine except for one font I use all the time, Webdings.   I tried other fonts and everything worked fine, but as soon as I select this one, it goes bonkers.  What could that be about?
Have there been any program bugs where the program does not reset to default positions?  That would explain the other problems.

I will do as you suggest and let you know if it did any good.

Thanks.

UPDATE:  No go.  It's still doing it after the reset.

Try to find a replacement for Webdings font. Sounds like it is a corrupt font if that one font is the one that seems to cause problems.

Just so you know that you are not alone, I've had the scrolling font
list problem in the past. I have to reboot to clear it out. I haven't
found any underlying issue to cause it so I've had no luck trying to
report the problem. If you can find the root cause on your system, you
can report your issue directly to Corel so they can work on fixing the
problem.

Steve
www.brutefish.com



LittleGreenDots wrote:
> A new problem just occurred. While I was attempting to add characters
> from other font sets, the selector continued to scroll through fonts
> rapidly in the font name box as I moved my mouse pointer down the slide
> selector without holding down any controls, buttons, etc. It's almost
> like it does not disengage the font selection process after I have
> already selected a font. And then...it on its own went ape scrolling
> through font names while my mouse was idle.
>
> This computer came with 1GB RAM. I am installing more. I did not have
> other programs open when I was experiencing these problems. And I did
> not have any problems at all until I started using the fill tool. I am
> a light-user, using CD mostly to make charts and diagrams and rarely use
> it for graphic design.
>
> EDIT: And just now, when I went back to work some more, I am finding
> the font selection completely unusable. It scrolls through font names
> by itself and I am unable to select the font I need.
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> http://coreldraw.com/forums/p/18382/78403.aspx#78403
>

No, I don't think it's the font.  I checked it's size and it looks 'normal.'  I just read that most corrupt fonts will have 0 content.  I tried using the font in a word processing program, all the Webdings (3), and there was no problem at all. 

I don't know that the Webdings are the problem, but only that they are at least part of the problem.  And the Webdings have nothing to do with something in the program resetting my paragraph text to 24, or having problems with the fill. 

You're focusing on just one of the issues I have been having.  It's not just a font thing. 

My first 'issue' months ago was when I went to save a new document file and hit 'save' instead of 'save as.'  In EVERY other program I own, if I do that, a window pops up and asks me where I want to save that file.  But not CorelDraw.  It replaced my desktop icon, and added a back-up file of that onto my desktop.  THAT is not normal behavior for a program.  I had this scrolling issue with another computer using Vista.  And it was worse.  That was on CD12.  So I went out and bought X4 so it would be compatible with Vista, which I heard Corel was not supplying updates to make CD12 compatible with Vista.

It's not just fonts.  We got onto fonts because you suspected it might be a mouse problem, and I am having trouble with the fonts...and with the fills, and with the SAVE feature.

I do appreciate you trying to help.

 

Now I'm finding more problems with this program!  When using the fill tool, clicking outside of the area I'm trying to fill produces a fill of a color I did not select, or for that matter, ever used. 

Instead of getting all goo-goo for the new release, how about fixing the old one first?  I upgraded last time thinking I'd get rid of some problems, and got more!  I'm fearful of what X5 would do on my computer.

Do the Corel people read these forums?

Please don't contact me out of the forums.  I think my problem here is out of the realm of this forum to resolve.  I have contacted Corel on my own.  Someone sent me an invitation to try X5.  I think I'll wait and see if X4 works.  I'd be a fool to try to resolve my problem here by sinking yet another $200.  There is definitely something wrong and if I can't resolve it, perhaps it is time to bite the bullet, suck in the gut, and buy the Adobe Creative Suite.

However, since I don't have that kind of spare money right now, I'd sure like to get back to a stable version of CD.

LittleGreenDots:

Now I'm finding more problems with this program!  When using the fill tool, clicking outside of the area I'm trying to fill produces a fill of a color I did not select, or for that matter, ever used. 

The problems you describe in this thread are very rare, to say the least. Or rather; I've never heard of anything like them before. I understand that they are real problems to you, and believe me I know how you feel, but from your descriptions I also get a feeling that you either have a hardware problem (mouse was suggested) or a conflict with some other software, or a corrupt install.
Do these problem appear on more than one computer, i.e.can you replicate the exact same problem on more than one?

Just came to think of one thing; the problem described in this post has an easy solution: There is no such thing as a fill tool so I assume you are talking about the Smart Fill tool. This tool creates objects (not fills) from enclosed areas, but if you click outside all objects, it creates an object from the outer edge of all objects. The fill color is set on the Property Bar and by default it is a grayish blue.

I'm not ruling out anything.  My Vista laptop, which had the same problems with the font on CD 12, is pretty much dead now and wouldn't be a reliable test.  I do have a new laptop with Windows 7, but I'll have to check to see if it's supported.  I was very happy with CD 12 and only migrated to X4 when I learned Corel wasn't offering any fixes for compatibility with Vista.

Just to be sure, I will buy a new mouse and see if that is an issue.  I don't have any other problems with my hardware on any other program, and I'm on this computer quite a bit doing photo editing, sound projects, and general office applications. 

What sorts of programs could have compatibility problems with CD?  And how could I discover that?  My main programs are MS Word apps, MS Expression Web, Paint Shop Pro, Finale (a music notation program), a stand-alone HTML editor called HTML-Kit, Sony Acid Studio, Roxio (burning CDs/DVDs.) and I've been sampling a number of music loop programs. 

As I stated earlier, I first noticed the problems when I tried to save a new file using SAVE instead of SAVE AS and it replaced my desktop program icon with that file.  MS says CD X4 is compatible with Windows 7, so I'll start using it on that computer and see what happens.  I still need to resolve the issues on my Desktop (XP) as that is the computer I use the most.

Yes, I am not good with properly naming objects in the program.  Since I don't talk shop with others and don't name the tools.  I think earlier versions called it a fill tool.  I've been using CD since CD 7, and have purchased updates CD 8, CD9 (my favorite), CD12, and now X4.  But you are describing the correct tool.  I was having intermittent problems with that, and the bevel tool as well.

Thanks for taking an interest in my problem.  I'm really frustrated and have a great deal of work to do now.

LittleGreenDots:

I think earlier versions called it a fill tool.  I've been using CD since CD 7, and have purchased updates CD 8, CD9 (my favorite), CD12, and now X4.  But you are describing the correct tool.  I was having intermittent problems with that, and the bevel tool as well.

The smart fill tool is excellent for what it does. I suspect you really want the interactive fill tool, a very different thing.

the smart fill tool creates new objects, I think what you want to do is fill existing objects. So,

1. select a  circle / square  etc.
2. Press G.
3. look at property bar options.

LittleGreenDots:

What sorts of programs could have compatibility problems with CD?

Not sure. What I do know is that it is important to turn off anti virus programs while installing Draw. There's also a problem with Logitech mouse drivers. I doubt there should be any issues with common programs, like MS Office or Paint Shop Pro. Possibly with some smaller and more obscure software, but I have no idea.
It's just that your problems are so odd. Like when Save do a replacement of your desktop program icon (?), it just cannot happen.

LittleGreenDots:

MS says CD X4 is compatible with Windows 7

X4 works fine on Windows 7, should not be any problem, and I suspect CD12 will too. Haven't tried it though, so I can't say for sure.
What do you say, Jeff? Heard anyone saying otherwise?

Do you have all available service packs installed, for both Windows and CorelDraw?