Eraser Causes freeze of XP when right clicking

[Joel]

If anyone of you who is experiencing this problem is comfortable with using debugging tools please PM me I'll try to debug your computer instead of mine since I can't reproduce it using case #1 and case #2. If installing all updates don't cause the problem I don't know what would.

Joel

[Joel]

Sorry for the verboseness of my posts. I thought I'd like to keep you guys updated on my thought processes.

I've checked the Eraser 5 settings and the Eraser 6 settings. Eraser 6 shell extension uses ATL which is affected by the Microsoft update. Eraser 5 does not. For those affected, perhaps they may like to try installing Eraser 6 and see if the shell extension works.

Joel

[huuzzuu]

I have had the same problem when using 5.8.7 and 5.8.8 beta1. The fix for me was to disable the eraser shell extension - context menu.

Windows Explorer now works with right clicks.

[Joel]

Are you using any antivirus software? What version of Windows are you using? Is DEP on? Is Windows Defender running?

Joel

[CmdrX3]

I don't know if you have solved this problem, but I thought I'd throw a little information at you. I have tried using the updated 588 beta with the same problem reoccuring (I am using Windows 7 x64).

This problem was driving me nuts and I read that the context menus are usually the cause of right click freezes. I tried disabling the eraser context menu in the settings, and while it did indeed remove the menu, it still froze so I assumed eraser was not at fault. I then went on to others including a Scan option for Avast Antivirus. I couldn't disable the menu in the settings so I uninstalled Avast, and the problem went away. When I reinstalled it, the problem returned. I then went to the Avast website, and they were pretty certain that Avast wasn't at fault, and that there was possibly a conflict with another program using a context menu, so I had another look. This time instead of simply disabling Erasers context menu I uninstalled the program itself and the problem disappeared. Again when I reinstalled, the problem returned. I have yet to try the Eraser 6 RC5, however I will let you know about that. I have the freezing with both 587 and 588 beta although the freeze only occurs on the first right click when the PC is switched on. It will be fine on every other right click until the next restart.

I don't know if a conflict with Avast Antivirus has any part to play, although I find it odd that the right click is fine if either one of the two is uninstalled.

(Note: I have since tried Eraser 6 RC5 and the freezing is still occuring)

[CmdrX3]

I decided to follow another posters method in this thread regarding the Visual C++ runtimes. I uninstalled ALL the VC++ runtimes and Eraser then rebooted. I reinstalled Eraser and installed only the x64 core files, and it's working fine with no right click freezing, so I guess the problem is down to the VC++ runtime updates in some form or fashion.

[Joel]

I've installed Avast in my test machine and the context menu entry still works. I had a hunch it was potentially due to DEP (Data Execution Prevention) -- any one of you have that turned on? What CPUs are you using?

Joel

[CmdrX3]

Well as far as I know it's on by default, mine is set at Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only. I'm using an Athlon 64 X2 5000+

Whatever Microsoft have done in the VC++ update has broken Erasers context menu from what I can see. As it now stands, I am using Avast & Eraser 5.8.7 together with no issues under the VC++ x64 core files. Now if you wish I could run the VC++ updates to see when it breaks. I'm not a programmer so I can in no way tell you whats breaking it, only when it gets broken. I love the program and really don't want to stop using it so I'm certainly happy to do what I can to help narrow the problem down.

Ok - I've now discovered something that is even more annoying - it's only fixed for one reboot. On the first restart after installing Eraser and the VC++ redist the right click works fine & dandy. Any restart after the first doesn't, and thats WITHOUT any updates installed. Only Eraser & Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.17 are instaled. So it probably has nothing to do with the update after all.

[MarkReaves]

Are you using any antivirus software? What version of Windows are you using? Is DEP on? Is Windows Defender running?

Joel

Well I remember when I was having this issue, I was running Avast antivirus, Windows defender wasn't installed or was off, Windows XP and not sure what DEP is so not sure if it was on or off.

[CmdrX3]

I've been messing about with this all day, and from what I can see the problem lies is the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable SP1 - 9.0.30729.17 rather than in the update.

After uninstalling, reinstalling and restarting all day I've found a way that works for me that fixes the problem, and hopefully will for you too.

If you already have eraser installed, then uninstall all the VC Runtimes than starts with Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable (you don't need to remove Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 if it's installed)

If you haven't installed Eraser yet, then install it, but cancel the installation of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable when it starts to install. Again if the2008 Redistributables have already been installed by possibly another program, remove them.

Download the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributables and you MUST install them in the order of the links below.

1. Choose the version for your OS 32 bit or 64 bit and install this first

64 bit Version - http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=BD2A6171-E2D6-4230-B809-9A8D7548C1B6&displaylang=en
32 bit Version -http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=9B2DA534-3E03-4391-8A4D-074B9F2BC1BF&displaylang=en

2. Choose the version for your OS 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) from the webpage and install this second

Keep this file handy we will be using it again at Step 4

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2051a0c1-c9b5-4b0a-a8f5-770a549fd78c

3. Choose the version for your OS 32 bit or 64 bit and install this third

64 bit Version - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=BA9257CA-337F-4B40-8C14-157CFDFFEE4E&displaylang=en
32 bit Version - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A5C84275-3B97-4AB7-A40D-3802B2AF5FC2&displaylang=en

4. Run the file again that you downloaded at Step 2 (the ATL security Update). You will be given the option to Repair or Uninstall, so select Repair and Next and cary on installing it.

5. Restart you computer and hopefully Eraser will not be freezing anymore on the right click.

I have not tested this on a 32 bit system only 64 bit, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work in either. I can only go by my own system, so although it worked for me, I can't guarantee it will work for you. If however, you found the problem as annoying as me, then you have nothing to lose by trying it other than 10 or 15 minutes.

As to what is causing the problem I don't know, and I'm happy to help continue find out, all I know is this solved it for me.

[calintexas]

cmdrx3 - thanks, I'll try your method. Did you try it omitting step 2 and not installing the security update until after the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) update was installed? The security update does say that it's for SP1, or is installing the security update before the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) update and then re-installing the security update after the SP1 install what for some reason made everything work?

[calintexas]

Kapow - I can back up what Joel says. I have one computer that works fine with 5.8.7 installed and another that crashes at the most inopportune moments with 5.8.7 installed. Works on most, doesn't work on some makes it very difficult for the developer; especially, when the computers he has access to work just fine.

You might want to try the method suggested today by by CmdrX3 (Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:08 pm) with the thread that Joel referred to above (http://bbs.heidi.ie/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5616). I haven't tried it yet, but plan to.

[CmdrX3]

cmdrx3 - thanks, I'll try your method. Did you try it omitting step 2 and not installing the security update until after the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) update was installed?

I did try it, and I had the freezing problem when I did it that way, I HAD to install the ATL security update BEFORE SP1 otherwise I had the freezing. That is why I tested and included Step 4 to repair the security update. I know it seems totally bizarre, and I'm not a programmer so I really have no idea why it works, I just know that for me it does work. I have installed and uninstalled those redists practically all day, and this was the only way I could do it.

Incidently - I could also use Eraser fine with nothing but 4148 ATL update installed, but I wasn't 100% sure if other programs on peoples systems use the other bits as well so I wanted to have all the redists installed and Eraser working. I know Logitech setpoint required the 2005 runtimes and wouldn't work with just the 2008 runtimes installed.

Programming was never my strong point in school (yes I'm that old I went to school at a time when we had to write programs in BASIC for our exams) so I don't know which bits of the runtimes are required by what and when. I'm more hardware orientated.

[calintexas]

I followed CmdrX3's method, and after several hours and many right clicks including erasing files from the recycle Bin using the right click menu, I've had no issues. I'm using Eraser version 5.8.7.

So, thank you CmdrX3. You obviously went through a lot of iterations and testing to arrive at your successful method. Don't be concerned about your age. My first programing experience involved keypunch cards, Fortran IV, and results the next day. I'm far from an expert in either software or hardware.

For the record, my specs are as follows:
Hardware: Dell I600M laptop (2004 vintage), Centrino 1.8, 1.5 GB ram, Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics card w/64 MB video memory.
Software: XP SP3 Pro (32 Bit), Norton 360V3.5, Malwarebytes (paid), WinPatrol (paid), Secunia PSI 1.5, Intel PROSet/Wireless 11.1, Eraser 5.8.7

[TechHarmony]

Hi,
I too have been having Right-Click context menu causing my Windows Explorer interface to mostly hang. -- though sometimes it allows me to drag the windows around, giving an etch-a-sketch kind of cool visual effect ....

My response to those freezes has been : Ctr-Alt-Del (since rt-click on task bar fails...) to bring up Task Manager, then Quit the one or two Explorer processes, then wait 5 seconds, then start a New Task Run Explorer. And things are usually good ... for a while ... till next time of freezing ...

I have used Nirsoft wonderful ShellExView to disable a number of things, but had not disabled Eraser...
Mostly, it had gotten so irksome I decided to modify my 'user experience' to start using keyboard shortcuts whenever possible instead of right-clicking things.
I will try the uninstall of 5.8.7, try running a bit without it, and then later plan to fresh install 588.b1.

Update : Eraser 5.8.7 uninstalled. Rebooted. So far,(short time tho), no hangups or freezing...

Computer environment: Sony Vaio RS530G minitower, 2GB RAM, re-loaded with:
- Windows XP Pro, (32bit), SP3, up-to-date with all of MS officially recommended updates
- Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable and 2008 SP1 (needed for some other sw I have installed - I'm not a developer (any more...)
- Avira Antivir 9.0.408
- no Windows Defender on this one,
- WinPatrol 16.2009.5 is running in background (love that it alerts me to unexpected services and processes starting... )
- other things usually running all the time: FastStone Capture 5.3, MacDrive 7.2.6.1, SearchEverything 1.2.1.371, Sunbelt Personal Firewall 4.6.1856 (which may be causing other non-Context-menu-related issues... but that's another story)

Just FYI... (sorry for long post, but since issue seems tricky, thought I'd put in all the details)