FileMaker hangs on launching

[MauriceV]

Under Windows 95, I have installed FileMaker 5.5 for the first time. At launch, it scans the fonts and hangs.

I have tried removing the trouble fonts, deleting the fmf file and re-launching, but have essentially gotten to the point where the remaining fonts are system fonts.

Is there any way to turn off the scan or some better explanation and solution to this problem?

If the fonts are indeed corrupt, is there any to reinstall them selectively, that is, without having to reinstall all of W95?

[Gerry888]

I'm having a similar problem, but with FM 5.0 v.3, under Windows 98. The launch process actually gets through all the fonts, then says the network protocol has installed successfully -- and then hangs. Are you sure yours is hanging at the fonts, or does it get to the network reference?

Regardless, I tried a solution suggested on the FM website, which was to reinstall FileMaker with a network protocol preference of "None." Now the launch process hangs at the last font (just as yours does).

So -- I don't think my problem is font-related, and based on what you've tried, I doubt yours is, either. An article on the FM website suggested another reason the launch process might hang at the startup screen is if you choose TCP/IP as the network protocol, and your server doesn't assign IP addresses dynamically (or something like that; it didn't apply to my situation because I had chosen IPX/SPX). You might consider that, too -- but again, I think it's something else.

If anyone has any ideas on what that something might be, I'd really appreciate hearing about it. Thanks.

--Gerry

[Anatoli]

People, I will not repeat the famous "Get the Mac" and another nasty thing those Mac people are sometimes using on us but I would NEVER EVER trust the W95, W98 or ME with my data.

Get some professional systems like NT or W2K, or Mac < 9.1 and probably all problems will disappear.

[MauriceV]

You are correct. It's the TCP. I installed it and now it hangs there (and we have static IP). I will try to reach FileMaker support and see what they say now.

Unfortunately, I cannot convert the user to using a Mac

[Gerry888]

If you find out anything, Maurice, please pass it along. I'm stumped.

--Gerry

[Gerry888]

For what it's worth, Maurice, I finally got back to that client's computer. Tried all the recommended stuff, including reinstalling FM with no network preference, dumping fonts, etc., but nothing worked. In the process, though, I discovered the guy had 16,000 files in his Windows/Temp folder (yes, 16,000!). After I dumped those and cleaned things up a bit, I reinstalled FileMaker -- and it now launches and runs fine. I don't know if the two things are related or if I just got lucky, but I thought I'd pass it along.

[ August 22, 2001: Message edited by: Gerry888 ]

[MauriceV]

You are brilliant! Just over 8300 files in this case. FileMaker is now launching with all the fonts and no networking component installed. I called tech suport and requested they add your insight to their knowledgebase.

[ August 22, 2001: Message edited by: MauriceV ]