Software Bug Keeps Crashing Computer

[Former Member]

When designing a Report New or Existing when you Right Click on a control this action will Lock UP the computer preventing any action (Ctrl Alt Delete, Alt Tab, or anything). This problem doesn't happen all the time. From my experience it happens mostly when you Right Click to quick from completing another action (like Left Clicking the control etc). This is causing so many problems that the application can't be used. Because when the Computer Locks Up your only option is turn off the computer thus losing all your work and anything else you might have been running on the computer.

This problem existed on a Brand new install. I then installed Service Pack 1 and the problem still existed. I then installed Hot Fix 1 and again the problem is still there. I then installed Hot Fix 2 and I am still having the problem. I like Crystal Reports but I can't afford to play Russian Roulette with my work...

Please help...

[former_member11696]

When posting issues like this it would really help if you also indicated what OS is installed, if you are using anti-virus software, I've seen this caused by Anti-virus software verifying every dll CR loads, and to disable everything and test again.

[Former Member]

>

> When designing a Report New or Existing when you Right Click on a control this action will Lock UP the computer preventing any action (Ctrl Alt Delete, Alt Tab, or anything).  This problem doesn't happen all the time.  From my experience it happens mostly when you Right Click to quick from completing another action (like Left Clicking the control etc).  This is causing so many problems that the application can't be used.  Because when the Computer Locks Up your only option is turn off the computer thus losing all your work and anything else you might have been running on the computer.
> 
> This problem existed on a Brand new install.  I then installed Service Pack 1 and the problem still existed.  I then installed Hot Fix 1 and again the problem is still there.  I then installed Hot Fix 2 and I am still having the problem.  I like Crystal Reports but I can't afford to play Russian Roulette with my work...  
> 
> Please help...

William,

If you have a support account, you should submit a bug or open a support case with SAP Support.

https://websmp107.sap-ag.de/bosap-supportsw

Sometimes there is a solution from the knowledge base/notes search that you may not find in the forums.

Chad

[Former Member]

My company is a Charity geared to helping Kids and can't afford to Pay for a support ticket for a Software Bug that should be handled by a Tech Support Person. We just spent the money to buy 4 licenses. I don't think we should have to spend more money to have a product that works. I would think that Tech Support would be all over this so they can have a product that they could sell that won't cause people problems. I understand if this was a I don't know how to do something issue. But this is clearly a software bug and from what I have seen some other users have the same problem..... If Crystal isn't going to offer atleast Tech support for program issues maybe it's time to think of other solutions (SQL Report Writer). I have been a avid Crystal Guru for more than 10 years but this is driving me crazy...

Edited by: William Ware on Feb 12, 2009 5:23 PM

[Former Member]

>

> My company is a Charity geared to helping Kids and can't afford to Pay for a support ticket for a Software Bug that should be handled by a Tech Support Person.  We just spent the money to buy 4 licenses.  I don't think we should have to spend more money to have a product that works.  I would think that Tech Support would be all over this so they can have a product that they could sell that won't cause people problems.  I understand if this was a I don't know how to do something issue.  But this is clearly a software bug and from what I have seen some other users have the same problem.....  If Crystal isn't going to offer atleast Tech support for program issues maybe it's time to think of other solutions (SQL Report Writer).  I have been a avid Crystal Guru for more than 10 years but this is driving me crazy...
> 
> Edited by: William Ware on Feb 12, 2009 5:23 PM

I've found my share of bugs, and I agree that you should be given a product that works and offered tech support when it doesn't.

What does your event viewer say?

Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer -> Application

Try to find the instances that relate to crw32 or business objects or maybe even something related to your virus scanner /.net structure/ java. Narrow it down by the time the system crashed. You can even check the system event viewer.

Come back with some error messages if you can, that might help identify the problem. It could even be unrelated to Crystal, perhaps missing a critical package that crystal depends on.

Chad

[Former Member]

I checked all the event logs on my machine. The last entry before the system event log showing how long my up time was has nothing to do with Crystal.... So whatever happens is just locking everything up ...... I don't think you would get anything written to the event log anyways. If something could be written than the OS Core is okay. But this Lock Up is locking the OS Core Level as well.. Because CTRL Alt Delete doesn't work and I can't access the Task Manager....

[Former Member]

>

> I checked all the event logs on my machine.  The last entry before the system event log showing how long my up time was has nothing to do with Crystal....  So whatever happens is just locking everything up ......  I don't think you would get anything written to the event log anyways.  If something could be written than the OS Core is okay.  But this Lock Up is locking the OS Core Level as well..  Because CTRL Alt Delete  doesn't work and I can't access the Task Manager....

What kind of CPU is your computer using? What kind and amount of memory? I have had similar issues with another program (a video game) on a dual core system. Troubleshooting took me through a myriad of steps that included changing the memory (which in the end was not the problem). The only workaround that fixed my issue was to run the program on a single core.

If you are on a multicore system then try this as a test...

1) Start Crystal Reports

2) Once it's loaded, press CONTROL-ALT-DELETE to bring up the Task Manager.

3) Click on the processes tab

4) Select the process crw32.exe

5) Right click on that process to open a shell menu.

6) Select the shell menu option called u201CAffinityu201D

7) Uncheck one of the two-processor cores, which will tell the program to use only a single core.

Try to recreate the problem by right clicking on the fields. If it seems stable, then there are some more steps you can take to force crw32.exe to a single core each time you run it.

Chad

[Former Member]

Also I have a suggestion that may not be the simplest or a permanent solution, but it may give you the time you need to finish your job while a fix or service pack is released.

This is totally an off-the-record suggestion! I doubt BO would support this recommendation!

Certain OS's have been less than reliable in areas (especially Vista). You can always try to install

Crystal Reports on a different OS. You could do this by creating a Virtual Machine on your existing machine within your current OS. My recommendation is for Windows 7 Beta. From my experience it is very stable when it comes to crashes (crashes happen, but unlike previous OS's I have yet to have a "lockup"). MS will give you a free license that will last until August 1st. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

Again, just a suggestion.

Chad

[Former Member]

Okay I know its not my hardware as I have tested it. However I did take your advise and put the application into Single Core mode and it still locked up. I am almost at the point of getting a refund for my purchase of this software and start using the SQL Report Designer..... Because I am hitting a SQL DB anyways.... This is getting under my skin as when it locks I lose everything from the point of my last save. I also when it locked last time waited 10 minutes so nothing would show up in the event logs in a time that could be close. And there isn't a single entry for 2 minutes prior to the lockup.....