Port Explorer won't open 2.1

[JW Clements]

I just installed PE 2.1 and have found that it will open on the first boot after the install, but not thereafter. I checked PG settings and I allow everything for PE, drivers, hooks, etc. But it stalls during Open, I see the skeletal box only. When checking Task Manager, I see "PortExplorer.ex" please note that the last "e" on ".exe" is missing. I checked the shortcut and it has the dorrect full name "PortExplorer.exe".
Uninstalling, reboot, install, reboot gets it running again, but this is not a workable solution. Since I don't use PE regularly, I only found this yesterday for the first time, and then again today.

W2K SP4 patched.

Jim

I'll try again tonight and if it's still a problem, then I'll go back to 2.0.

[JW Clements]

Strange, but it works just fine today.

JC

[Blackcat]

Originally Posted by JW Clements

I just installed PE 2.1 and have found that it will open on the first boot after the install, but not thereafter.
Uninstalling, reboot, install, reboot gets it running again, but this is not a workable solution. Since I don't use PE regularly, I only found this yesterday for the first time, and then again today.

I had same problem yesterday; on a fully patched Win XP Home computer.

[bcool2]

Actually I haven't been on Port Explorer (Diamond Computer Systems Pty. Ltd.) ver2.1.0.0 for a while. But this evening I needed it and it won't launch. Of course I reinstalled it - ok. Still it will not start up and it will not generate an Event error so as to give me a clue. You will allow me a little paranoia here. To be clear, when I say it will not launch, I mean P.E.'s gui does not appear and it is not even online long enough to register in Task Manager.

WINXP SP1 H.E.
IE6 SP1
(current on all updates/patches)

Can someone please give me a couple of things to check. I can't remember the last time an application plainly refused to even start up.

Same here it launched after the first install but it wont open anymore.
i m using a french version of windows xp home.
I never had this problem with version 2.0

i forgot to mention that its the sp1 version with all the patch installed except sp2.

[bcool2]

I'm sorry that you're experiencing the same difficulties - yet I'm delighted that I am not the only one. Maybe we can get some help soon.

[JW Clements]

Hi guys, since I had my bad, but temporary experience I realized that I needed to provide more info, so here goes.
I'd installed PE 2.1, had opened it, everything was OK.
Then I logged off and sometime later logged back on and wanted to check my e-mail (boring so far) but, while my dial-up connection was connecting, it hadn't finished!, I clicked on the PE icon. That's when the bare bones PE screen came up and nothing more. I tried a couple of times, with the dial-up still connected, with the same results. Later on I re-installed PE 2.1 (off-line) but had the same problem. I shut down for the night. The next day I logged on, then connected and only after getting my connection, I tried PE and it's worked ever since. I didn't do anything that I know of other than initially trying to start PE during the connection process. Or, later, only opening PE after the connection was complete. If you're on high-speed always on, then my situation is different and this may not help. But, I hope you get it sorted out,

Jim Clements

[bcool2]

Originally Posted by bcool2

Actually I haven't been on Port Explorer (Diamond Computer Systems Pty. Ltd.) ver2.1.0.0 for a while. But this evening I needed it and it won't launch. Of course I reinstalled it - ok. Still it will not start up and it will not generate an Event error so as to give me a clue. You will allow me a little paranoia here. To be clear, when I say it will not launch, I mean P.E.'s gui does not appear and it is not even online long enough to register in Task Manager.

WINXP SP1 H.E.
IE6 SP1
(current on all updates/patches)

Can someone please give me a couple of things to check. I can't remember the last time an application plainly refused to even start up.

I should add here that I did follow the suggestions in Troubleshooting, i.e.,
(1.) Unregistered PE winsock .dll, dcsws2.dll and rebooted
(2.) Registered PE winsock .dll, dcsws2.dll
and rebooted
(3.) When PE still would not launch, I proceeded to UNINSTALL PE and reboot
(4.) Reinstalled PE and rebooted.
STILL NO JOY! PE will not even show me a window.

[Rainwalker]

Originally Posted by JW Clements

Hi guys, since I had my bad, but temporary experience I realized that I needed to provide more info, so here goes.
I'd installed PE 2.1, had opened it, everything was OK.
Then I logged off and sometime later logged back on and wanted to check my e-mail (boring so far) but, while my dial-up connection was connecting, it hadn't finished!, I clicked on the PE icon. That's when the bare bones PE screen came up and nothing more. I tried a couple of times, with the dial-up still connected, with the same results. Later on I re-installed PE 2.1 (off-line) but had the same problem. I shut down for the night. The next day I logged on, then connected and only after getting my connection, I tried PE and it's worked ever since. I didn't do anything that I know of other than initially trying to start PE during the connection process. Or, later, only opening PE after the connection was complete. If you're on high-speed always on, then my situation is different and this may not help. But, I hope you get it sorted out,

Jim Clements

This has got to be a bug..........this will happen to me (barebones) if i try to dial up and load PE at the same time or visa versa .....so i either load PE first or wait until i have my internet connection, then load PE....

An answer from Diamondcs would be nice its been a few days since several persons posted about this problem and still nothing. I'd like to be able to use what I paid for.

[bcool2]

I'm trying to be patient but it sure would be nice to hear something from Wayne. I've personally never had an application simply not launch at all. Not so much as a bleep on the screen. Nada, zip!

[Gavin - DiamondCS]

Very strange problem, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Hawat, please let us know what other programs you have on your system - especially firewall, antivirus and other security programs. Please email us as much information as you can, and use v2.000 until we get a new testing version ready to try and find your problems.

There have been some other problems found, and it may already be fixed so please email us soon ! thanks

This is the list of what i m running. I didn't update anything other than the critial windows xp update since the last time I managed to open port explorer.
also kaspersky autoupdate itself ever few hours.
System Idle Process 0 N/A
System 4 N/A
smss.exe 640 N/A
csrss.exe 696 N/A
winlogon.exe 728 N/A
services.exe 776 Eventlog, PlugPlay
lsass.exe 788 PolicyAgent, ProtectedStorage, SamSs
ati2evxx.exe 940 Ati HotKey Poller
svchost.exe 996 RpcSs
svchost.exe 1124 AudioSrv, Browser, CryptSvc, Dhcp, ERSvc,
EventSystem, FastUserSwitchingCompatibility,
helpsvc, lanmanserver, lanmanworkstation,
Messenger, Netman, Nla, RasMan, Schedule,
seclogon, SENS, ShellHWDetection, srservice,
TapiSrv, TermService, Themes, TrkWks,
uploadmgr, W32Time, winmgmt, wuauserv, WZCSVC
Smc.exe 1212 SmcService
svchost.exe 1392 Dnscache
svchost.exe 1436 LmHosts, SSDPSRV, WebClient
spoolsv.exe 1816 Spooler
ati2evxx.exe 304 N/A
explorer.exe 396 N/A
kavsvc.exe 668 kavsvc
kav.exe 1116 N/A
CTXFIHLP.EXE 1232 N/A
AsusProb.exe 1244 N/A
RegKillTray.exe 1288 N/A
jusched.exe 1316 N/A
CTXFISPI.EXE 1340 N/A
DLLML.exe 1344 N/A
DLLML.exe 1364 N/A
CTHELPER.EXE 1380 N/A
VolPanel.exe 1452 N/A
NetLimiter.exe 1484 N/A
QuickATLAS.exe 1480 N/A
issch.exe 1544 N/A
CLI.exe 1556 N/A
ctfmon.exe 1636 N/A
pg2.exe 1644 N/A
StarWindService.exe 1960 StarWindService
CLI.exe 2012 N/A
SetPoint.exe 2040 N/A
svchost.exe 168 stisvc
wdfmgr.exe 520 UMWdf
NotiMan.exe 1608 N/A
KHALMNPR.EXE 2000 N/A
CLI.exe 3308 N/A
wuauclt.exe 1712 N/A
notepad.exe 2632 N/A
firefox.exe 3204 N/A
cmd.exe 3320 N/A
wmiprvse.exe 3716 N/A
tasklist.exe 2924 N/A

a bit more info on the startup programs.

Detected: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

G:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
G:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
G:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
G:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
G:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
G:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
G:\WINDOWS\System32\CTXFIHLP.EXE
G:\Program Files\ASUS\Probe\AsusProb.exe
G:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\RegKillTray.exe
G:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
G:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CTXFISPI.EXE
G:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\Module Loader\DLLML.exe
G:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\Module Loader\DLLML.exe
G:\WINDOWS\CTHELPER.EXE
G:\Program Files\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanel.exe
G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\NetLimiter.exe
G:\Program Files\ATLAS V11\QuickATLAS.exe
G:\Program Files\Fichiers communs\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
G:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe
G:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE
G:\Program Files\PeerGuardian2\pg2.exe
G:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
J:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
G:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.exe
G:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
G:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
G:\Program Files\Creative\ShareDLL\CADI\NotiMan.exe
G:\Program Files\Fichiers communs\Logitech\KHAL\KHALMNPR.EXE
G:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe
G:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
H:\utils\hijackthis startuplist\StartupList.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Common Startup:
[G:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Menu Démarrer\Programmes\Démarrage]
Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = J:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
ATI CATALYST System Tray.lnk = G:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.exe
Logitech SetPoint.lnk = G:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Checking Windows NT UserInit:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
UserInit = G:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

IMJPMIG8.1 = "G:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
PHIME2002ASync = G:\WINDOWS\System32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
PHIME2002A = G:\WINDOWS\System32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
SmcService = G:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
KAVPersonal50 = "G:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal Pro\kav.exe" /minimize
Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer = KHALMNPR.EXE
PtiuPbmd = Rundll32.exe ptipbm.dll,SetWriteBack
CTxfiHlp = CTXFIHLP.EXE
ASUS Probe = g:\Program Files\ASUS\Probe\AsusProb.exe
NeroFilterCheck = G:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
RegKillElbyCheck = "G:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\ElbyCheck.exe" /L RegKill
RegKillTray = "G:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\RegKillTray.exe"
SunJavaUpdateSched = G:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
RCSystem = "G:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\Module Loader\DLLML.exe" RCSystem * -Startup
AudioDrvEmulator = "G:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\Module Loader\DLLML.exe" -1 AudioDrvEmulator "G:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\Module Loader\Audio Emulator\AudDrvEm.dll"
CTHelper = CTHELPER.EXE
UpdReg = G:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
VolPanel = "G:\Program Files\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanel.exe" /r
NetLimiter = G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\NetLimiter.exe /s
QuickATLASV11 = "G:\Program Files\ATLAS V11\QuickATLAS.exe"
ISUSPM Startup = G:\PROGRA~1\FICHIE~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\isuspm.exe -startup
ISUSScheduler = "G:\Program Files\Fichiers communs\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
ATICCC = "G:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe" runtime
PowerDirector = G:\WINDOWS\Temp\TPDIR\setup.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

CTFMON.EXE = G:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
HDDHealth = J:\Program Files\HDD Health\hddhealth.exe -wl
PeerGuardian = G:\Program Files\PeerGuardian2\pg2.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from G:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=*INI section not found*
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*INI section not found*
drivers=*INI section not found*

Shell & screensaver key from Registry:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*Registry value not found*
drivers=*Registry value not found*

Policies Shell key:

HKCU\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry key not found*
HKLM\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry value not found*

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - J:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3}
ATLAS Translation Bar - G:\Program Files\ATLAS V11\ATLIECP.DLL - {3C6301ED-0F78-4AF2-8150-D9C052361A8E}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Creative Software AutoUpdate]
InProcServer32 = G:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\CTSUEng.ocx
CODEBASE = http://creative.com/su/ocx/15015/CTSUEng.cab

[WUWebControl Class]
InProcServer32 = G:\WINDOWS\System32\wuweb.dll
CODEBASE = http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1127300337968

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = G:\WINDOWS\System32\Macromed\Flash\Flash8.ocx
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...sh/swflash.cab

[Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package]
InProcServer32 = G:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\CTPID.ocx
CODEBASE = http://creative.com/su/ocx/15016/CTPID.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Winsock LSP files:

Protocol #1: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #2: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #3: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #4: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #5: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #6: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #7: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #8: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #12: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #13: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #14: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #15: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #16: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #17: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #35: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items:

PostBootReminder: G:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
CDBurn: G:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
WebCheck: G:\WINDOWS\System32\webcheck.dll
SysTray: G:\WINDOWS\System32\stobject.dll

[bcool2]

Originally Posted by Gavin - DiamondCS

Very strange problem, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Hawat, please let us know what other programs you have on your system - especially firewall, antivirus and other security programs. Please email us as much information as you can, and use v2.000 until we get a new testing version ready to try and find your problems.

There have been some other problems found, and it may already be fixed so please email us soon ! thanks

Do you want similar information from me via e-mail or should I revert to version 2.00 until you guys get this figured out?
Thanks.

EDIT: I should mention that version 2.00 launches without incident. It's nice to have Port Explorer back albeit an older version.

do you have any link to version 2.0?
i deleted mine after i installed 2.1 and everything was running fine the first days.

[bcool2]

Originally Posted by hawat

do you have any link to version 2.0?
i deleted mine after i installed 2.1 and everything was running fine the first days.

No I don't. All I could do is attempt to send you the demo version of 2.00 and I say "attempt" because I'm having some connection problems currently and sadly I'm still on dialup. But I'm happy to try. If you want me to try, you can write me on: GLAD YOU GOT YOUR COPY OK.

thanks bcool2 but i finally managed to grab an old version of pe after a bit of search.

[bcool2]

So the last word on this issue for now is DiamondCS will be conducting some tests to determine why all of sudden PE 2.1 stops executing in Windows XP platform? I guess I'll keep an eye out here for word on sucess downunder.

[Gavin - DiamondCS]

Originally Posted by hawat

Enumerating Winsock LSP files:

Protocol #1: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll
Protocol #2: G:\Program Files\NetLimiter\nl_lsp.dll

This with PE not installed ?
It could be a conflict with Netlimiter, or with PeerGuardian. If possible, uninstall both those and reboot, then install PE and run it BEFORE rebooting. Does it run ? Then reboot, does it run now ?

Sygate should be compatible.. but I might test with it on a machine now just in case.

[Gavin - DiamondCS]

bcool2 : please do post or email us your info..

[Gavin - DiamondCS]

Hawat, what version of NetLimiter are you using ? The LSP nl_lsp.dll doesn't exist in the version I'm testing. If you still have problems with the old version, please try the latest version instead and let us know how it goes.

Tested on XP Home (with SP1) - Sygate 5.6, NetLimiter 2 Pro (demo) and PE 2.100. No problems..

im using old 1.3 version of netlimiter i dont like the new version its missing some feature that were in 1.3.
Netlimter and sygate firewall was here even before i started using pe 2.0 and never conflicted with this version.
But i ll try to uninstall them.

Originally Posted by Gavin - DiamondCS

This with PE not installed ?
It could be a conflict with Netlimiter, or with PeerGuardian. If possible, uninstall both those and reboot, then install PE and run it BEFORE rebooting. Does it run ? Then reboot, does it run now ?

Sygate should be compatible.. but I might test with it on a machine now just in case.

before i did all this i reinstalled 2.0 and 2.0 works.
then i uninstalled all 3 programs and reboot then installled 2.1. 2.1 doesnt work before reboot and doesnt work after reboot.uninstalled 2.1 and reinstalled 2.0 and netlimiter and everthing works.