Help with locking issue

[Chisel]

Ableton Live has always been a rock solid program for me. I've never had any issues with it until now. I've been using 8.1.1 since it came out and after a few months of hiatus, the program is locking about a minute after I start using it. The only configuration that I can think of that changed during my break from making music was that my 3.5" floppy drive broke. I thought maybe that Live was locking because it couldn't find the A: drive, so I tried substituting a folder on my C: drive using the subst command. That didn't help. I also tried upgrading to 8.2.1 to get the better report logging feature, but the computer locks before I get a chance to create the report! When I say "lock" I mean that the entire computer freezes and requires a reboot. The only thing I noticed is that if I launch Live and don't touch anything, it doesn't lock. Only until I start moving the mouse will it lock. Any suggestions are appreciated. Meanwhile, I'll continue my troubleshooting.

Peace \/
chisel316

[Chisel]

What kind of computer and what type of Live do you use? I assume you're on a PC and using Windows (which version?). As to Live; I'm referring to types like 'Intro' or plain 'Live' or 'Suite'.

I'm running Windows XP Home SP3 with Live 8 non-suite.

I've been using 8.1.1 since it came out and after a few months of hiatus, the program is locking about a minute after I start using it. The only configuration that I can think of that changed during my break from making music was that my 3.5" floppy drive broke.

Broke in what way? I mean; did it stop appearing in your OS or can't you use any floppies anymore or.. ? How did the break down manifest itself?

I started hearing very loud noises coming from the computer followed by BSODs at random times (the computer is left on 24/7). When I realized it was coming from the floppy drive, I turned off the computer and completely unplugged it. So now I no longer have an A: drive. I don't know for sure if this is what's causing Live to suddenly lock when it's been rock solid for so long. I just can't think of any other changes that I've made to the system.

I thought maybe that Live was locking because it couldn't find the A: drive, so I tried substituting a folder on my C: drive using the subst command. That didn't help.

That is a dangerous thing to do; using subst within Windows.

I went down to Frys Electronics to buy a floppy drive replacement and they looked at me like I've been under a rock for the last 10 years. So I tried 'subst' just so I could have an A: drive.

Still, from your description it looks like you're having issues which are triggered by Live. Yet the problem seems to be much deeper than merely Live. What other software do you use?

I use a Creamware Pulsar II as my audio card. I haven't made any changes to that setup in years and I don't have any problems when using the card in the Creamware SFP program, so I ruled out the card.

Do you by any chance use vst's together with Live as well?

I have a handful of VSTs that I use, but I haven't made any changes to them and I've never had any problems before.

Thanks for your help! I hope to figure this out soon so I can get back to making music.

Peace \/
chisel316

[Chisel]

I renamed Preferences.cfg and it appears to have solved the problem.

Peace \/
chisel316