Personal Architect

[garystan]

   Hi everybody :

               Problem.   I just downloaded Personal Architect  It seemed to install correctly.  At first I got the error message that another Cadsoft Product is running.   So I deleted TFP Version 16.  Rebooted.  And, again, I got the same error message.   Personal Architect might be incompatible with Windows 7.  I contacted Personal Architect Support. Waiting for an answer.

                                                                                                                 garystan

[garystan]

      Update :

                  Apparently,  Personal Architect isn't what it seems.  I tried to uninstall it, the re-download it.  Within the software, there's a  "lock" that prevents one from uninstalling it.    I'm in the process of contacting the Better Business Bureau (in the US), and filing a complaint against the sellers (Personal Architect) and Digital River, inc.  This is just to inform any other TFP Forum users about the danger of this software.  And, it does raise a question as  to why the software won't uninstall....something is working in the background.  Either spyware....or a building infection to my System.

                                                                                                                                            garystan

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

Personal Architect is actually the same product as TFP but the current version is a later release based on Envisionneer 9 whereas TFP 16 is Envisioneer 7. You will find, when you are able to open it, that the programs are.identical except for some new features added recently, including a new rendering engine (which should interest you particularly).

Generally the message you got about a Cadsoft product already running is because there is one running that you were not aware about because it was not yet showing on the screen. You did not have to uninstal TFP 16 as this would make no difference - you can have as many Cadsoft products installed as you like (TFP, Envisioneer, ProArchitect, HGTV, Personal Architect etc) as long as only one is running at any one time. I have most previous versions of TFP and Envisioneer installed and use all from time to time, but only one at a time.

I would suggest that you turn off your PC completely, then start it again and open no other program except Windows Explorer. Navigate to the folder where Personal Architect was installed (probably C :Program Files / Cadsoft / Personal Architect), locate the Personal Architect EXE file, right click it and choose 'Run As Administrator'. This will ensure that you get the correct permissions to run the program. Select this only once and then be patient until it opens fully. It has to collate all your textures, catalogue items etc and can take some time, especially the first time you open it.

Out of interest you may want to open Task Manager before you start PA. If you do you will notice that it appears in the list of running programs long before it appears on screen and you will also notice that it is still loading some time after the opening dialog appears. If you double-clicked a Start icon, for example, you have then started it twice, or if you clicked start again, before the program was FULLY open then you will get the message that it is 'already running' even if you cannot yet see it on the screen.

I do not understand why you had trouble uninstalling it. A recent 'bug patch' to the latest version of Envisioneer required that the previous version be uninstalled first, so there is no way they would have a 'lock' to prevent it being uninstalled or no one would be able to apply the patch (which everyone WAS able to do).

Let us know how it goes and have fun with the new rendering engine when you get it going.

Allan

[Doug.S]

I can confirm what Allan says....I must start PA4 every time using "run as admin" or it does not startup (at least cannot be seen). Otherwise all is fine, runs well, and acts like TFP but updated.
I'm on win7x64.

[garystan]

    Doug S.
    Allan C.  :

                       Currently,  I'm in a dialog with Mr. Charles Pitts (Tech Support).  He "said" that I could try it again.  With the assistance of Tech Support, and "they would walk me through the install process " .   But,  if it DOES happen again,  I AM going to have to pull the plug on this.  Last time, it came VERY close, for me, to destroying my computer.   As described in one of the last posts I did.   Don't get me wrong......I VERY much enjoy TFP version 16.  But, if  TFP is  "coming to the end of its shelf life",  I need an alternate program.

                                                                                                                 garystan
     

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

Stick with it and it should work out fine.  Make sure you follow the recommended installation procedures, especially having no other programs running in the background, including your virus scanner, as this can cause all sorts of problems.

Allan

[thebrian]

If this occurs try the following. Uninstall, then re-install but run the Installer 'as administrator' Generally the most you have to do is run the application once 'as administrator' from there on it should stick.