FlashFolder 1.10.227 TEST VERSION
Status: Beta
Brought to you by:
zett42
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I have developed a solution that should fix the problem with autostart of FlashFolder after Windows boot that some users experienced.
The problem has been discussed in this thread:
http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?thread_id=1867074&forum_id=690366
As a "side-effect" this solution should also enable FlashFolder to work for multiple users logged on to the computer at the same time (known as the "Fast User Switching" feature of Windows XP).
Since I could never reproduce the bug myself I need your help for testing.
The TEST VERSION can be downloaded here:
http://zett42.de/_temp/FlashFolder_TEST_1.10.227.zip
(Requires Windows XP)
Please install this version for testing purposes only. Although I have carefully developed it I cannot guarantee that it will work for you.
If you experience autostart-related problems with this version please send me the log files (*.txt) which are created in the FlashFolder program directory (usually c:\program files\FlashFolder).
Thanks!
Does not work for me, FF does not start I have to stop and restart the service.
Fast user Switching service is not started in my pc, but putting in auto and start it does not change FlashFolder.
Now I have TWO process FlashFolder.exe in task manager not one.
Thanks,
Xenio
The logs:
hook:
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (24): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (24): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (24): Cmd: "C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe" /sethook
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (24): Task: Starting hook
2009-01-05 13:17:13.171 (24): Hook installed (6095741)
2009-01-05 13:17:13.171 (24): Waiting for termination event...
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (24): Termination event received
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (24): Toolbar window not found (2)
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (24): Removing hook...
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (24): Exiting process
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (24): ===== Logging ended =====
2009-01-05 17:17:23.281 (0C): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:17:23.312 (0C): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:17:23.312 (0C): Cmd: "C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe" /sethook
2009-01-05 17:17:23.312 (0C): Task: Starting hook
2009-01-05 17:17:23.453 (0C): Hook installed (65855)
2009-01-05 17:17:23.453 (0C): Waiting for termination event...
2009-01-05 17:40:06.531 (A4): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:40:06.578 (A4): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:40:06.578 (A4): Cmd: "C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe" /sethook
2009-01-05 17:40:06.578 (A4): Task: Starting hook
2009-01-05 17:40:06.656 (A4): Hook installed (65803)
2009-01-05 17:40:06.656 (A4): Waiting for termination event...
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (A4): Termination event received
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (A4): Toolbar window not found (2)
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (A4): Removing hook...
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (A4): Exiting process
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (A4): ===== Logging ended =====
2009-01-05 17:43:58.296 (A0): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:43:58.296 (A0): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:43:58.296 (A0): Cmd: "C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe" /sethook
2009-01-05 17:43:58.296 (A0): Task: Starting hook
2009-01-05 17:43:58.312 (A0): Hook installed (459143)
2009-01-05 17:43:58.312 (A0): Waiting for termination event...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Service:
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): Cmd: C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe /startservice
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): Task: Starting service
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): ServiceMain()
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): StartHookInCurrentSessions()
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): Session ID: 0, state: 0, WinStation: Console
2009-01-05 13:17:13.140 (C8): Starting hook process in session (0)
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (C8): Hook process created
2009-01-05 13:17:13.156 (C8): Service running, waiting for events...
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (C8): SERVICE_CONTROL_SHUTDOWN event received
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (C8): Setting hook termination event
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (C8): Service stopped.
2009-01-05 13:17:23.062 (C8): ===== Logging ended =====
2009-01-05 17:17:04.750 (58): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:17:04.750 (58): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:17:04.750 (58): Cmd: C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe /startservice
2009-01-05 17:17:04.750 (58): Task: Starting service
2009-01-05 17:17:04.765 (58): ServiceMain()
2009-01-05 17:17:04.765 (58): StartHookInCurrentSessions()
2009-01-05 17:17:04.781 (58): WTSEnumerateSessions() error (1702)
2009-01-05 17:17:04.781 (58): Service running, waiting for events...
2009-01-05 17:17:23.140 (58): WTS_SESSION_LOGON event received (0)
2009-01-05 17:17:23.140 (58): Starting hook process in session (0)
2009-01-05 17:17:23.265 (58): Hook process created
2009-01-05 17:28:51.750 (5C): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): Cmd: C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe /startservice
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): Task: Starting service
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): ServiceMain()
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): StartHookInCurrentSessions()
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): WTSEnumerateSessions() error (1702)
2009-01-05 17:28:51.765 (5C): Service running, waiting for events...
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): Cmd: C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe /startservice
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): Task: Starting service
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): ServiceMain()
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): StartHookInCurrentSessions()
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): WTSEnumerateSessions() error (1702)
2009-01-05 17:39:58.359 (54): Service running, waiting for events...
2009-01-05 17:40:06.359 (54): WTS_SESSION_LOGON event received (0)
2009-01-05 17:40:06.359 (54): Starting hook process in session (0)
2009-01-05 17:40:06.453 (54): Hook process created
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (54): SERVICE_CONTROL_STOP event received
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (54): Setting hook termination event
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (54): Service stopped.
2009-01-05 17:43:56.953 (54): ===== Logging ended =====
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): ===== Logging started =====
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Process version: 1.10.227.0, 2009/01/02 04:04:35
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Cmd: C:\Programmi\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe /startservice
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Task: Starting service
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): ServiceMain()
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): StartHookInCurrentSessions()
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Session ID: 0, state: 0, WinStation: Console
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Starting hook process in session (0)
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Hook process created
2009-01-05 17:43:58.281 (24): Service running, waiting for events...
Thanks for testing!
So far the logs look as expected. The Windows functions used to start the hook do not report any error.
It is also expected that there are two FlashFolder processes. Thinking of Vista, service processes are isolated from user sessions so the FlashFolder service could not start the hook since this must be done in the user session. The only recommended way to do so is to start a separate process in the user session. This is what the 2nd process is for.
It could possibly be optimized for XP but I would rather have one solution that works for both OS.
Could you please try the following with the test version:
1. Deactivate the FlashFolder service
2. Create a new REG_SZ value under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Name the value "FlashFolder", enter the following as content:
"C:\Programme\FlashFolder\FlashFolder.exe" /sethook
(Of course, enter the path where FlashFolder is actually installed).
3. Reboot your system
Thanks!
Same problem,
I set the flashfolder service to "disabled"
created the key in the registry a restarted windows, but the result is the same
Flash folder is not started at startup.
Now I have only one FlashFolder.exe in task list
You can look at my services started picture at this address:
http://www.maraeforbes.com/services.jpg
I have windows XP in Italian I hope you can translate the services.
Thanks
Xenio
Is the FlashFolder toolbar visible when you run FlashFolder manually?
Please check if it works when you run this command line directly:
FlashFolder.exe /sethook
(Please terminate any running FlashFolder.exe before).
You seem to have virus scanner and personal firewall services running - you can try to temporarily disable them to see if this has any effect on FlashFolder. Some virus scanners stop other programs from using hooks because this technique can also be abused.
If you have SysInternals Process Explorer, you can also look if the FlashFolder Hook DLL is loaded on your system: Open Menu "Find" -> "Find Handle or DLL" -> enter "fflib6439".
You should then see a list of processes into which the Hook DLL is loaded (usually Explorer.exe and any other program you have started and clicked on at least once).
Again, thanks for testing!
Solved (I think)
Antivirus and Firewall does not make any problem to FF.
Using Process Explorer at startup the FF dll was hooked at this program that I have in autostart:
MIProHst.exe pid:1940,
it is MouseImp Pro an utility to scroll anywhere in the screen, I have a wacom tablet.
removing this utility from autostart at startup, Flash Folder now works perfect.
I have installed the 1.9.181 version and removed the test version (1.10.227) and it works without any problem.
I don't know why, maybe some conflict with that utility.
Thanks.
Xenio
Thanks for tracking this issue down.
I can confirm that there is a conflict with MouseImp Pro. If MouseImp Pro is started _after_ FlashFolder, than it seems to block the FlashFolder hook. If the start order is reverted, there seems to be no problem.
The MouseImp Pro source code seems to further indicate that the cause for the conflict is MouseImp pro. I have commented on the author's blog but comment got eaten by the spam filter. I will try again tomorrow.
I am thinking that it is impossible that the other guys with the same problem with FF have installed on their system Mouse Imp PRO, maybe FF have some problem starting after some application at boot time...
If I put Avast antivirus in a delay start (there is an option to delay it to start after all the service and without Mouse Imp Pro anyway) FF does not start again...
Xenio
Bizarre....Flash Folder always worked for me in XP SP2...it's SP3 that's I've had problems, and that seems to be mostly related to using nLite and the tweaking of some non essential services.
But even in SP3 with the use of nLite, FlashFolder still properly starts, but the service must always be restarted if explorer is crashed or restarted.
I'll test this and try to give some useful feedback.
Thanks for the effort. :)
Could you please give a list of which services you have running?
I will try to reproduce the issue with restarted explorer later...
Thanks
Well, these are basically the same services (windows services) that I used in SP2. Something in SP3 doesn't like FlashFolder very much. I built a computer for a friend and wanted to get FlashFolder working so I left all the services on his version of windows and it seems to work fine. What I don't get is it worked fine WITHOUT those services in SP2.
Anyway, here's the list:
http://stashbox.org/356344/proclist.txt
Thank you - have you tried if the new test version solves the problem?
If not, can you please provide the list of processes as seen in task manager?
Perhaps you installed some other utility program after SP3 that might interfere with FlashFolder. Possible candidates are programs that provide additional functionality that is available in other programs (like FlashFolder), because these programs often use Windows hooks to accomplish this.
Hooks are installed in a chain, where each hook must call the previous hook. If one hook has a bug, it can block all other hooks (as it seems to be the case with MouseImp Pro).
Please also look with SysInternals ProcessExplorer if the FlashFolder Hook DLL is loaded on your system: Open Menu "Find" -> "Find Handle or DLL" -> enter "fflib6439".
You should then see a list of processes into which the Hook DLL is loaded (usually Explorer.exe and any other programs you have started and clicked on at least once).
This should provide a hint if the FlashFolder hook is somehow blocked.
Thanks!
I'm using the test version now and FlashFolder still doesn't appear in open dialogs.
I can't really think of any new software that would be blocking it. When I search my processes it shows up hooked to several programs. I'll test that after removing as much as I can from startups.
I'll check and see if it's still working on my friend's machine, as I have to go over and image a drive tonight. Only difference between my setup and his are those services I left in.
Processes.txt: http://stashbox.org/357111/Processes.txt
Seems to be something to do with MouseIMP.
Hmm...strange. I got it working on my friends machine just fine. Flash Folder is working great on mine too now, but only when MouseIMP isn't running.
I'll mess around with the startup order of these 2 programs and see what happens.
Well, got it working but I had to kill the service and add FlashFolder.exe /sethook to startups manually.
I would be nice if you gave novice users more control over the way FlashFolder starts.
Seems to work just fine without the service running and now even persists through explorer crashes...although that's probably more to do with the test build than anything else.
MouseIMP can be a major pain in the ass. It's wreaked havoc on uTorrent before also. Indispensable program though. Someone should really write another one from scratch. :)
Ideally you should start MouseImp before any other program that uses hooks to minimize the risk of collisions. MouseImp does not call the previous hook, therefore it propably blocks all other programs that use the same kind of hook and were started before MouseImp.
FlashFolder without the service should be sufficient if you always use an admin account or if you use a restricted account but never start any processes as admin from this account.
I'm thinking about adding an advanced install option where you can choose between either installing the service or start the hook process directly from the autorun regkey.
Excellent, thanks!
The Link is dead:
http://zett42.de/_temp/FlashFolder_TEST_1.10.227.zip
Does not exist anymore :-(
bo*
Here's the test build: http://stashbox.org/414420/FlashFolder-%5B1.10.227-Test%5D.rar
Not working with Firefox. Anyone else?
its working here on xp home vanilla install and firefox 3.06
Hmmm....I'll try a default Firefox profile.
Yep...must be one of those pesky Firefox extensions. I'll have to go through the list disabling until I find it.
This Fullscreen extension breaks Flashfolder in Firefox:
http://www.krickelkrackel.de/autohide/autohide.htm
I'll sent a quick email to the creator of the extension.
Great, now my favourite tool also works on Vista (except in Firefox) :-)
I just tried this test version on a Windows Server 2003 machine and it works, where the official release version did not. Thanks!