Yesterday, I discovered I can load Poser, but the Library returns an LSMGUIAIR.EXE error and crashes.

When try closing Poser, and click on just the LSMGUIAIR.EXE in Poser's Runtime/ui/AIR folder, the Library tries to load, but then reports the attached error message.

I tried removing and re-installing Poser on my boot drive, and then my 3D art drive, but no dice.

I also tried removing and re-installing AIR, but that didn't work, either.

Any ideas?

Reinstall Update ADOBE Air?

That's what clicking on the LSMGUIAIR.EXE is supposed to do.  Instead, it returned the error message I attached in my original post.

Is there a separate AIR.EXE outside of Poser that I can click on to force an update?

Maybe the official Adobe AIR installer can do the job.

You can get it here: https://get.adobe.com/air/

That's where I went to reinstall AIR.

I'm going to try removing both Poser and AIR at the same time, and then reinstall them.

What operating system are you using? I had similar issues when I updated to Windows 8.1. But eventually I got it straightened out.

I use Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.

I was quite eager to try Win8, and picked up my reserved copy on release day.  24 hours after installing, I realized I have zero use for the Metro UI, and switched back to Win7.  I tried going back to Win8 again several times afterward, if for no other reason than to stay up-to-date with the latest version, but couldn't get used to the UI.  It made me wish Macs weren't so expensive.  I even considered switching to Linux for the first time in my life because of the direction MS is apparently taking Windows, but I have too many legacy apps.

Anyway, I solved my problem.  I think my solution was to have Poser's installer remove the previous preference files instead of backing them up or using them.

I'm glad you got it straightened out.

Glad to see your problem is solved.

I just found this article on the SmithMicro support page (for PP 2010 though, but seems to cover the same error message):

https://support.smithmicro.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2294/~/poser-pro-2010-air-error

It says, that the error is caused by Poser not running when LSMGUIAIR.EXE is started.

Quote - I just found this article on the SmithMicro support page (for PP 2010 though, but seems to cover the same error message):

https://support.smithmicro.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2294/~/poser-pro-2010-air-error

It says, that the error is caused by Poser not running when LSMGUIAIR.EXE is started.

Yup, that process is what returned the error message attached to my original post.

That same error message has returned, and I'm getting frustrated now.  The Library won't even load from within Poser.

EDIT:  It appears the Library only works when I configure Poser to embed it now.  Something is corrupting the loading process when I set the Library as an external element.

Have you tried right clicking on the Poser Icon on your desktop and running as administrator? I haven't had Windows 7 in a long while but if you right click do you have troubleshoot compatibility option in the pop up? If you do have you tried that?

Quote - Have you tried right clicking on the Poser Icon on your desktop and running as administrator?

Didn't work.

I believe I've solved the real problem.  I recently replaced Microsoft Security Essentials with a free version of Avast.  AIR was conflicting with Avast.  I've switched back to MSE, and the Library works as an external window again.

Ah that's a good catch. I've heard of Avast and some programs clashing. On a side note how to you like MSE?

MSE doesn't catch everything. I've been running it for a couple of years on Win7, and a few months ago discovered I had several little pests that MSE never detected. It took MalWareBytes to find and remove them - 3 full scans of mwb. By the 4th everything was clean. 

I discovered all that due to problems with my mouse double clicking. Apparently viruses can cause a mouse to seem like it's dying or wearing out when in fact it's just a virus. Everything I was googling kept saying to replace the mouse because the spring was worn out. Once MWB did all it needed to do the mouse worked just fine.

~Shane

There must be a setting in Avast! to let Poser and AIR communicate properly.  Sometimes, that's the issue with all-in-one do-everything security suites.  I used Avast! a LONG time ago.

Currently I run MS Security Essentials, have Malwarebytes (free), and I run Panda Online Scanner manually on occasion.  I also run Adblock Plus and NoScript in FF and try to carefully select what comes through.

Hmm...I may go with MSE and Malware. I like Avast but things are just weird at times. See I learned something new in this thread!

MSE provides a decent firewall, but it's nowhere near as effective a virus scanner.  I thought Avast would be a good alternative, but apparently not.

Time to check out Malware Bytes.

I tried NoScript for FF once, but quickly grew tired of trying to figure out which scripts to allow so I could view the content I wanted to see.

I use PP2014 with the free version of Avast without any issues...

Quote - I use PP2014 with the free version of Avast without any issues...

Did you do anything to Avast to get it to play well with Poser?

Quote - > Quote - I use PP2014 with the free version of Avast without any issues...

Did you do anything to Avast to get it to play well with Poser?

Sorry I'm late replying; I was away. 

I don't think I have done anything; I've had Free Avast on this machine since I built it about three years ago, and have kept it updated.  Looking at the settings, I don't have anything excluded.  I do have Hardened Mode unchecked in the AV settings, but that may be the default.  I also have Software Updater unchecked as it is essentially an ad for the Pro version.

I have Windows Firewall enabled, and have ffrender, ffrender64 and Poser Pro executable allowed...

Quote - Sorry I'm late replying; I was away.

No worries.

Do you keep your Library embedded, or is it an external window?

The error indicates that the very first attempt to communicate a question from the library to Poser itself (main program has an API reached via HTTP) failed.

Both the embedded and external versions use this API to talk to the main program. (Which works also with other SM apps like Anime Studio, not just Poser.)

This rarely means Poser isn't running, although that can be a cause, but not likely in your case.

The more common is a firewall blocking the connection. This can be blocked by at the client app or at the server app or both. It can be blocked for all I/O or just local. (We need local and no actual access to an attached network - it's loopback.)

Now since you report the embedded library works, it hints that nothing blocks the server side. Something is blocking LSMGUIAIR.exe itself. 

This is not certain, but the reported facts imply it.

Quote - Do you keep your Library embedded, or is it an external window?

I use the external library...