I need help with this folks.  When I load Carrara 5 Pro, the file, edit menus do not work (when clicking on them, they normally expand, now they don't).

I have a Gateway tower (2002), XP, 2.0Gigahertz CPU, 40Gigbytes of Disk space, 512MBytes of RAM, and a 32MByte NVida graphics card

So, here is a list of the stuff I did which didn't cure the problem

• Closed down program and reopened (usually fixes everthing)
• Did a cold boot (leaving the computer off for a couple of minutes
• loaded Vue 5 (has same drop down menus - works fine
• loaded Poser 5 (has same drop down menus - works fine
• uninstalled Carrara 5 Pro via its uninstaller and cleaned up fragments-used cleansweep
     again
• loaded Carrara 5 Pro to external hard drive-worse
• When to Best Buy and ordered a Dell X430-121B Tower for $990 with 6GBytes of RAM (will have it tomorrow.

Oh yes, the Carrara 5 Pro CD is not scratched nor does it have greasy finger prints on it (handle the CD by the edges).

Gang, did I leave anything out--Jan

• defragged computer.
• Installed Carrara 5 Pro via CD
• Installed Carrara 5 Pro to my external hard drive.
• Computer system's check indicates that I have my 512MBytes of RAM-Carrara 5 uses 128MBytes
  -Ran Virus check

This happened to me with C7Pro. Here's a little test for you to try: Find the Carrara executable, then RIGHT click on it and "Run as.. Administrator". If you can now use Carrara as usual, then it has to do with permissions and security software and secret license files.
In my case, DAZ thinks that it is zone alarm messing up my install. I have had to set up a workaround for myself.
If executing the program as "administrator" (NOT your usual ID, even if you have administrator rights!) makes it work, then I can point you to what worked for me.

Thanks Sue, I'll try it.  Jan 

Sue, I don't have the administrator option-the two I have are JAN/owner and other person.  Under mine, I have two options, protection against nasties and no protection.  Under protection, Carrara comes up with 3/4 of everything missing.  However all the menus work, but I can't render etc.  With no protection, I get everthing.  However 29 times out of 30, the file and edit menus aren't working. On perhaps the 30th try everything works fine.  Freezes and menus not working have been getting progessively worse for the last couple of months.  If its fine tomorrow morning like it was this morning, it may be a computer heating problem.  Well, tomorrow, I've decided to get a new one for around $990 bucks ($899.99 plus 89.99 tax).  Its gonna be a Dell XPS430-121B-6Gigabytes DDR3 RAM, Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8300, a budget Radeon HD 3650 Video card 512 MBytes  (I have a Nvida something 32 MByte one now).  Funny thing, the new one costs less than the old one with 10 times the RAM.  Jan 

Have fun with the new computer! That is quite a deal you found. Before I got into CG art, I laughed at all the super-high power home computers. Now, I find myself comparison-shopping video cards.
Note that DAZ is advising loading their software BEFORE even installing any security applications. Especially Zone Alarm.
 

"Note that DAZ is advising loading their software BEFORE even installing any security applications. Especially Zone Alarm."

That's pretty bold of Daz to think they are more important than your security. With most having all of it already installed, you would think Daz would have thier software work without uninstalling everything first and then having to install it back in again.

Though I have not had a problem with installing Carrara to my system.Though I don't have C5pro installed anymore, don't even have c6Pro installed anymore, I have the C6pro fixed/ C7pro version installed. LOL.

I did not have a problem with installing C7Pro exactly as I have done with versions --at least --from C4? (I am on Windows XP Pro)

I wonder if everyone is making sure to to have thier computers kept updated?

Brian

(Basically, I doubt if the problems that seem to be encountered have anything to do with this Carrara version?)

Um.  Normally I don't recommend name brand machines.  In my experience, they are lower quality machines and proprietary (harder to upgrade and non-standard parts).  I have been building, servicing and upgrading ,machines since the late 80's.  Dells can be very proprietary.  I just got through upgrading one for my sister in law and it was not fun.  BTW are you planning on running a 64Bit OS?  If not, you will only be able to use just over half of that 6GB RAM you are getting.  All 32Bit OS' can only address a grand total of 4GB of memory, this Includes your video card memory and any virtual memory files that might be created by any software.  Since you are getting a 512MB video card, this means you can only access 3.5GB of RAM for main system memory.  Also you didn't mention Hard Drive Space.  Get as large a drive as you can afford.  Never ever ever bargain hunt for a PC.  There is no other product you can by that adheres more to the phrase "You get what you pay fore."  Oh, you should consider a custom clone machine with an AMD CPU.  They are usually less expensive than a name brand system with the same specs.  And always better built.  As an example, here is my system.

AMD Phenom X4 9600 Quad CoreCPU
MSI K9A2 Platuinum Motherboard (The most highly recommended motherboard for AMD CPUs.
4GB Corsair DDR2 RAM
ATI Radeon HD 3650
1TB in 2 Seagate 500GB Drives. (I also have another 500GB Drive I took out of my last machine, and another 500GB drive I just got for Xmas for a total of 2TB storage.  But only the first two drives were in it when I built it.  All drivbes are the newer faster SATA II interface type.  Avoid older IDE drives.  Dell usually uses these because they are cheaper, but much slower.  And never buy Western Digital drives.  With IDE Drives, the only way to get more than 4 hard drives in the machine is to add on another IDE controller card which is a hassle.  SATA II drive motherboards typically have between 6 and 10 SATA II interface jacks.
Soundblaster Xi-Fi PCIE sound card.
NEC SATA II DVD-RW
I reused a case from my old machine.  You can do that as well as long as it is a standard PC case and not a proprietary brand name case.
I have a nice Viewsonic 22" widescreen monitor.

Now I built my own machine as I usually recommend others do.  It only takes a few hours to get it put together and have the OS installed.  I have seen many people fall for some sales pitch and grab a "Bargain" machine, only to find out weeks or months later that they didn't get such a bargain after all.  If you can't build your own or don't want to try and learn it, then go to a custom PC shop in your area, or get one built online.

I got all of the above parts for about $1076.00.  Its a little more than you plan on spending on the Dell but it's worth the extra bit to same money and hassle in the future.  I got my parts mostly at Newegg.com and Ebay.  If you use Ebay, make to check out the Seller's Feedback.  i hope this helps.  I hate to see people fall into the name brand trap.  Remember anything over 4GB of RAM and you have to use a 64Bit OS, either XP or Vista. Otherwise you are wasting money and don't let some sales guy tell you different.  There is no work around to this, it's simply the limit of memory which is accessable by ANY 32Bit OS.

On the C7 install trouble:
Yes, everything is up to date on my computer and I installed C7 as usual on my XP system. What went wrong next, according to DAZ, is that Zone Alarm was running (as always!). This was not unusual, but that is their only explanation for the fact that the only way I can run the program is with the administrator ID. Uninstalling the security is only for the initial install of the program, to be turned on again afterwards, but this has never been required before. Supposedly Zone Alarm continues running in the background, even when "turned off".
DAZ says no one else had such a problem as mine (!) There are times when you don't want to be special ;)

Hi Sparrow, its a 750 GB serial ATA hard drive (manufacturer unknown) 7200 RPM

Right now, 32 Bit only (when software that I want ramps up to 64 Bit, I'll switch to 64 Bit
Yep know about the RAM limitations for 32 bit operation, didn't know about the Graphics card RAM being part of it-don't really need a coprocessor graphics card with a quad-when I get graphics software that can use multi threading.

Sue, I'll try and delete all my firewalls and virus checkers again and see if that will work.  I really think though that it was the latest two OS updates that did me in--and somehow all my restore points were deleted except the latest two.  Haven't gotten the SP3 service pack yet (what I can tell from it is that it is a collection of all the updates since SP2 plus a few minor additions-well if that is true, I don't need to get it).  The others are networking-I don't do networking, others are outlook express-don't use that either.  I do believe that it is an OS problem.  Carrara worked just great a couple of days ago.  I'm going to do a Google search on this problem--Jan                          

I would also run a few extra AntiVirus scans.  It could be a virus or worm.  Also, it's always better and faster to rely more on hardware than software for graphics.  Software based solutions use up too many CPU cycles to be efficient.  With Carrara as with any other 3D program, the Video subsystem is pretty much the most important thing next to a fast CPU.  The AMD Quad Core CPU I use is faster than heck with Carrara.  Noticeably faster than my old Dual Core system.  Three quarters of the annoying memory allocation errors, as well as the unknown error errors have disappeared since I got this system put together.  I use the same graphics card you are thinking of.  It's a great chipset.  And ever since AMD took over ATI, their CPUs have been much faster when paired with a good ATI card.  I recommend the Sapphire Radeon HD 3650 card with the 512MB of RAM.  I compared a bunch of brands of that particular chipset and the Sapphire one was the fastest in benchmarks.  That's why I picked the Sapphire and I have been nothing but happy with it ever since.  Like I said though, steer away from Name Brands, get a clone.  Ever since the floor fell out of the economy, most of the name brands have switched to using cheaper and usually lower quality components to keep their profit margins up.  Good luck.

Rich

P.S.  The AMD Phenom X4 is a CPU, not a graphics processor.  And you do need a multicore CPU to take advantage of multithreading.  Multithreading just lets the software use those multiple cores.

Hi Sparrow, thats the video card that comes with the Dell.  The  $900 price tag is for the tower only.  In my former life, the purchase price included a 19 inch monitor, a printer, lots of software that I didn't need or wanted and that ran it up to around $1200.  

Sue, "dun"  found the problem (I think).  There was a script located in Documents and Settings>owner>application data > Eovia>Carrara 5> preferences etc.  I deleted everything beginning with the file Eovia.  I was wondering why when I did a new install, I bypassed all the tips, wizard/new file, tips etc and when directly to my previous presets-

Ever wondered where the computer kept the info on previous works (under file you have a list of previous works that you can click on).  Well's its there.

Still have a problem, can't close out the software, hangs. However, I can save everything and close all windows.  So there is another little cubby hole that has that info.

I really wish that when one uses the software's uninstaller it wipes everything-with Carrara, it doesn't.  However most software leaves bits and pieces behind that even a Clean Sweep doesn't pick up--above is a case in point.   Jan

I know about the preferences folder.  Cleaning that out is normally what you do for when the system starts having tons of crashes, but the odd missing dialog menus problem you were having threw me I guess.  I have never seen that particular problem before.

I asked DAZ how I could delete those secret hidden files to do a completely, truly-fresh install. They refused to say for "security reasons".

LMAO... :)

Sue, from the "expert" on menus not working guy (looking around to see if other folks are ROFLOL), here is what I did after discovering that puppy.  I did an Eovia search which came up with about five of those puppies that didn't delete not in that folder, so I deleted them manually-at that time I had nothing to lose.  Everything now is working fine including properly closing down.  Security reasons my hind quarters.  Jan

I think some of the files may have to do with internal security preferences.  That may be why they don't like to discuss it. ROFLOL!

I never spend more than five hundred dollars on my machines.  But they are only dual core AMD boxes.  I get my parts from Fry's Electronics, newegg.com and tigerdirect.com.  Carrara 5, 6, 6 Pro, and 7 Pro run fine on both my boxes.  I have 3 gigs of memory on one, and 4 on the other and run XP-Pro 64 bit.  I have NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE video cards.   NVIDIA cards let you choose the options to run each of your programs.   I have written a tut about doing that here.

Quote - "Note that DAZ is advising loading their software BEFORE even installing any security applications. Especially Zone Alarm."

That's pretty bold of Daz to think they are more important than your security. With most having all of it already installed, you would think Daz would have thier software work without uninstalling everything first and then having to install it back in again.

Though I have not had a problem with installing Carrara to my system.Though I don't have C5pro installed anymore, don't even have c6Pro installed anymore, I have the C6pro fixed/ C7pro version installed. LOL.

I think it's good they did say that. AntiVirus software can be worse than the malware and spyware they are trying to save you from. They hog system resources, prevent apps from doing normally safe functions, like installation, and a bunch of other things like mess up your hard-drive.

Other apps have you disable virus scan software before you install. There are known issues with virus scanners. And they won't stop everything from getting on your computer if you insist on surfing the internet as an admin. Best to get an e-mail service that scans your e-mail and attachments before you open them or even download them and operate like a very smart IT guy I know says to - only surf the internet in a user mode with no administrative priveleges. Nothing can install by itself and access the registry if you do that.

Surfing in user mode.  I like that idea.

UVDan
"Forum Moderator"?

Curious about the content of your questions and the digging up of very old threads?

Brian

I moderate the Rhino and UV Mapping forums.  I am here as a curious and wet behind the ears Carrara USER.  I do not always get to these threads in real time.

Quote - only surf the internet in a user mode with no administrative priveleges. Nothing can install by itself and access the registry if you do that.

Unless you're an online hacker that writes code to ignore profile settings.