SL-1 still...FREEZING!

Hi Rand!

I would absolutely recommend a repair if you are having erratic and unwanted behavior in your file just as Emily shared with you here.

We recommend that you work locally as well to prevent these type of issues.

As long as your project is saved, you will not have issues with losing work when repairing your software.

Hi Rand,

The repair options won't impact any existing Storyline files, as it's just repairing the application. I'd make sure that you back up your Storyline files regardless in case something goes wrong on your computer as a whole - always good practice before repairing, installing new software. 

As far as additional ideas, I'd defer to the community as I haven't experienced this myself, but I generally recommend closing down any other programs or files that could be taking up memory and I've heard other users who recommend a regular save and reboot. 

Okay, since talking to someone on the phone does not seem to be a viable option (although it should be), I guess I'll take the slow route here.

My first attempt at solving this freezing problem is to try to follow the following instructions...

How to Repair Articulate Storyline

1.  Close Storyline.

     >  not a problem.

2.  Locate your Storyline installation file. If you can't find it, download it again, and save it to your computer. Use the download link in your product confirmation email, or click here.

      a.   I cannot find the original download installation file.

            (although I do have the original Serial Numbers for "Storyline 1": "Replay" and "Character Bundle - Volume 1")

      b.   The above "click here" option just takes me to "Storyline 1 Update 8"...which I have  already done.

3.  Right-click the installation file, and select Run as administrator.

     >  I have found nothing to right-click on that brings up "Run as administrator."

Select the option to Reinstall, and follow the prompts to complete the process.
Reboot your computer.

>   Haven't made it this far.

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Q1. Is this whole "repair process" simply a re-installation of Storyline 1? And if so, am I doing it to repair files that may have been corrupted?

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Q2. Is there a simpler way to do this? Or can the above instructions be clarified?

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Q3. Can I just get a new installation link emailed to me...one that won't affect the files I've been building for the last year?

Q4.  Or...should I just consider upgrading to S2 which I see has an "autosave" feature. It might not solve the freezing issue, but at least I won't lose as much every time it does?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rand

Hi Rand,

The option to go download the update again will provide you with a new installation file, and that's the file that you can right click on to continue going through the repair steps. 

1. The repair process allows for a clean install of Storyline, and it may not repair existing files that have already been corrupted or have issues associated with them, but will allow for normal, expected behavior going forward. 

2 and 3. There is not a simpler repair method, and in regards to clarification - you'll want to re-download the update from the link and then you'll be able to use that install file to conduct the repair. 

4. Considering an upgrade to SL2 will have to be a decision based on your own use, budget, and features. SL2 does have the autorecover feature as you mentioned, so that if Storyline crashing your files are able to be recovered and it can be set up as described here in Storyline 2. 

We don't offer phone support, but in addition to reaching out to staff and community members here you can also always connect with our Support engineers. 

Hey Rand - 

If you're able to share your file, I'm happy to take a look in my installations of SL1 and SL2 to see if anything pops up. I had seen some issues with certain slides hanging things up in SL1. Haven't seen the same in SL2 but that doesn't mean it's not there.

This would at least tell you if there's something in your file or the installation. I haven't had a freeze or crash with Storyline in quite awhile. You can reach me at steve@xpconcept.com if you'd like to share the file.

I understand how frustrating (to put it lightly) it can be when technology fails to cooperate.

Update:

I am currently testing Storyline 2 to see if it helps regarding the freezing problem. So far, it hasn't frozen in the midst of working...as S1 always did. However, it does freeze (every time) I hit the "save" button. Every time. I open Task Manager and it states that Articulate Storyline "is not responding."

Funny thing though...I can just walk away from it for about 5 minutes...and then (magically) it starts saving my program. Not sure what's going on here. But at least with S2's "AutoSave" feature, the potential damage is limited.

Since I'm having this same basic "freezing" problem in both S1 and S2, (and not everyone else is having it)...I guess I can rule-out that this is a problem that requires SL to be "repaired" or "reinstalled."

(However...it might be a SL problem that comes into play when the users SL project becomes a large memory file...such as mine is. I didn't have the freezing problem until my project became larger. And I have read that others were having this same problem with larger SL files.)

My Desktop hardware is fairly new. I've got an I5 processor...16 gb of Ram...and a new 2gb dedicated graphics card. So I think I'm good there. (And I'm saving everything to my main C-Drive)

So my final thoughts are that the problem lies in some 3rd party software that SL interacts with. I've recently updated the Adobe Flash...so I think I'm good there. (Either that...or SL just can't handle large files).

Any other 3rd party software I might need to look at?

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And lest I forget...a big "thanks" for all the help this community provides. Leslie and Ashley...your input is greatly appreciated. And "Steve"...not quite at the point at sending-out my huge project...but with guys like you willing to go above-and-beyond to help someone, I have to be encouraged. Thanks soooo much for even offering to help. I may yet need to email you! :-)

All the best,

Rand

Hi Rand, 

I wouldn't entirely rule out the repair/re-installation issue - as it could be how both were installed. It's worth trying on at least one of them to confirm that you've gone through that step. 

Since Storyline isn't "crashing" I don't think the crash logs will pull anything that will help our team determine a particular issue. But, if you wanted to connect with our Support team they may be able to isolate it to a specific 3rd party software that is interfering. 

So feel free to keep us posted, and let us know how you want to proceed!