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1-Visitor
November 27, 2017
Solved

Mathcad Prime 4.0 doesn't start anymore.

  • November 27, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 25250 views

Hi, I'm using the Mathcad Prime 4.0 free version. The programm was working perfectly fine, but now when I try to run the program it doesn't work anymore. The mathcad logo appears, but then it disappears again and a main window never shows up.

 

Then if I check the Task Manager, I can see that the program is running in the background.

 

I already tried to reinstall mathcad but it also doesn't work.

 

Best answer by VladimirN

1. Create a backup (or just archive) of the config file (in this directory: C:\Users\CurrentUser\AppData\Local\PTC\).
2. Delete the current config file (in this directory: C:\Users\CurrentUser\AppData\Local\PTC\).
3. Run Mathcad Prime again.

6 replies

23-Emerald IV
November 27, 2017

I would not know a reason for this behaviour right away. Some points of attention:

What did you change to your Operating System (Windows) installation between where it still worked, and where it didn't anymore?

Any updates, installation of additional software or drivers?

Did you delete the entire Prime directory before re-installing Prime?

And what about the C:\PTC\DiagnosticTools directory. Did you clean that away as well?

 

Luc

Maxo1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
November 28, 2017

Hi, first of all thanks for all the replies!

 

Actually I didn't change anything to my operating system, maybe there was an automatic windows update. Have to check that. The thing is that I was regulary using Mathcad, since I'm working on an uni project 😕

I didn't use the program for maybe a week and now I have the issue..

 

I tried to delete all files linked to mathcad + the diagnostic tools, but it also didn't help.

16-Pearl
November 27, 2017

I had this once in 4.0 also.  It was infact open, just completely off the screen somehow.  I think I right-clicked the icon in the task menu and maximized or something and got it to appear.  Back in the day this would happen in windows and you had to use MOVE to shift it back onto the screen, so that might be an option also if it still exists.

23-Emerald IV
November 27, 2017

I would not expect this to persist over a re-installation...

16-Pearl
November 27, 2017

I won't disagree, but there must be a preferences file somewhere it reads when it opens up - if that isn't wiped out then it might come across to the new install.  When I reinstall Chrome or similar programs all my previous preferences come across.  Anyway, it's still something to try.

24-Ruby III
November 28, 2017

Hi,

 

it looks like the main window is displayed on second monitor and this monitor is not available. If this is the case then you can follow steps mentioned on https://superuser.com/questions/53585/how-to-move-windows-that-open-up-offscreen page:

 

  • Use ALTTAB to switch to the off-screen application.
  • Press ALTSPACE to bring up the system menu (you won't see it because it is off screen)
  • Press R to select the "Restore" menu choice to ensure the windows isn't is maximized (you can not move it if it is maximized)
  • Press ALTSPACE again, then M to select the "Move" menu choice.
  • Press one of the arrow keys to initiate the movement.
  • Now just use the mouse to place the window where you want.

If you are using a non-english version of Windows, the "R" and "M" menu choices probably wil be different.

Maxo1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
November 28, 2017

Hey Martin,

 

thanks for your reply!

 

Unfortunately it also doesn't resolve the issue, since I can't find Mathcad in the "off-screen application list" (when using ALT and TAB). 

 

But I was using a second monitor the last time mathcad was working properly. Do you think that the issue is linked to that ?

24-Ruby III
November 28, 2017

Hi,

 

if you want to test, whether the problem is related to to second monitor, you have to connect it 🙂

 

I do not have MATHCAD Prime on my PC, now, therefore I tried to test Notepad++. In case of this editor, information about its window position is save in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\config.xml file. When I removed this file, Notepad++ window was displayed on first monitor.

 

Maybe MATHCAD Prime has similar file somewhere in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming directory (or MATHCAD sub-directory or PTC sub-directory) ...

1-Visitor
November 30, 2017

I have excactly the same Problem (OS: Windows 7) and I am not able to find any solution for it.

21-Topaz II
November 30, 2017

Hi Maxo,

your hard drive is about to break. So I advise you to save everything and replace it with a new one, and after installing the operating system, purchase and install a good antivirus (The others, the free ones do not serve anything), then install mathcad.

Greetings -MF-

1-Visitor
November 30, 2017

This Problem has nothing to do with a corrupt hard drive.

24-Ruby III
November 30, 2017

What Windows OS are you using?

Maxo1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
November 30, 2017

Windows 10, just installed the latest update (win10 fall creators update)