Panic Button: Impulse

Thursday, July 10, 2008 by DorkCoffeez | Discussion: Stardock Support General


Panic Button
The support news letter of Stardock

Feature Article:  Impulse

In our continued efforts to improve support for all our customers we have created Panic Button, the support newsletter. This newsletter is designed to update everyone on the top most (top = reoccurring/popular) troubles that people are experiencing, and the solutions or work arounds that we can provide at this time. Please keep in mind that this is a generalized list and that all the info is subject to change due to updates after the date of posting. As always if you have any questions you can always contact us at support@stardock.com. If these solutions do not work for you please do the same.




    This feature issue of Panic Button surrounds support and questions about Impulse. As Impulse evolves and more features are added support for the software does as well. This article should be considered the latest in troubleshooting and previous suggestions should be disregarded at this time.  

Connectivity Issues
    (Including downloading troubles, updating troubles, or even error reading current account information)

    Previously to this writing support would often suggest clearing the XML data to clear the downloading troubles described above. Now under the current file structure that is no longer suggested. To get the same result only a few files need to be deleted and rebuilt by Impulse.

From within Impulse:

-Click the blue Help icon in the upper right.
-Choose 'Open Impulse ProgramData folder'
-When the folder pops up, navigate to \InstalledXML\impulse_main.ini and delete it. Close the window.
-Repeat the first 2 steps, but this time navigate to the \Temporary directory and remove the \DownloadQueue and \ExtractedFiles folders.
-Close impulse and relaunch it. You may notice a long update time, which is normal as it is rebuilding the deleted info.
If after these steps you still have troubles please contact support directly by email.


Known Bug


    There is an intermittent bug that occurs in some installs of Impulse where you will get an error message stating that you do not have enough space to install the software. This occurs because Impulse may not have updated correctly or could be checking the default location for installs by mistake. Not everyone experiences this problem but the instructions above for clearing files from the XML data should correct this for you. This will force Impulse to check updates, update itself, and check all current settings.

If this does occur for you and the XML data refresh does not work please let us know at support@stardock.com.

'How To' for common problems

Problem:
Running WindowBlinds (or any software) calls for activation then crashes.

Solution:
 In Impulse you can right click on an installed application and click on Re-Activate.  This will attempt to activate the installed product.  The product should then not try to activate again when it is run.

-

Problem:
Cannot find backup/archive directories.

Solution:
Click on the Stardock Orb in the top left corner of Impulse > Preferences.  Click Folders on the left hand side.  Archive File Location lists where the backup/archive directories can be found.

-

Problem:
Impulse Help and FAQ gives the error: Page Cannot Be Found.

Solution:
Use either of these links:
http://www.impulsedriven.com/help/default.htm for Help and http://www.impulsedriven.com/help/faq.htm for FAQ.

-

Problem:
How to change the installation path of games.

Solution:
Click on the Stardock Logo in the top left corner > Preferences > Folders.  At the top select My Games from the dropdown under Install Location.  Click Change and navigate to the folder you would like them installed to.  Click ok when you are finished.  You can also have Impulse prompt for the install directory on every install by checking "Prompt for install directory" on Preferences -> Folders. Once this option is set Impulse will ask you every time what directory you want to install to.

Side note to problems:
If you have repeat troubles with Impulse or you wish to install to an offline computer it is advised to get the full version instead of the web version of Impulse. Simply uninstall the software, restart your machine and download the current version from here:
http://www.impulsedriven.com/impulse_setup_full.exe


News

BITS
-For people interested in the BITS system used by Impulse a new download code is in testing to get around BITS downloading if needed. Once the update is in place BITS will still be the default downloader. A option will be available under the Stardock Logo > Preferences > Connection and mechanism to change the option should you be having any trouble with BITS. Until this update is in place please be certain that BITS is running on your computer should you be having downloading troubles.

EDIT: This feature has now been implemented in the latest update.

To enable BITS:
-Click on Start and Select Run (or in Vista, Use the Start Search field)
-Type 'services.msc' and hit enter (No Quotes)
-In the window that appears, locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service
-Right click on the entry and choose 'Start'
-Right click again and choose 'Properties'
-From the Startup type drop down, select 'Automatic'
-Click 'Apply'
-Click 'OK'
-Reboot your machine and try Impulse again.

Multiple Icons
-Some people have reported seeing two versions of SkinStudio in their Impulse My Desktop page. This is normal if you have purchased multiple versions of SkinStudio over the years. For instance if you have Skin Studio 5 Professional and Skin Studio 6 Professional on your account you will see one labeled as SkinStudio Pro and another SkinStudio 6 Pro. To add to that if you ever purchased Skin Studio Standard this will also have its own icon in Impulse.

I hope this has helped everyone!
Should you need any further help please contact us at support@stardock.com.

Seabass

Support: Shirley, Milksama, Highlander, Seabass

First Previous Page 2 of 2 Next Last
ZubaZ
Reply #21 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:15 PM
Wiz, more input here or to support is needed to resolve.
DorkCoffeez
Reply #22 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:38 PM
I have WinXP, is the latest version only Vista compatible then?


No Impulse will work on both fine.

Please try this download link to install with: http://www.impulsedriven.com/impulse_setup_full.exe
whisper2ascream
Reply #23 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:26 PM
Already downloaded the full version of Impulse as well, and again. Windows crash report window pops up, though Impulse seems to install. But every time I try to start the program, again Windows crash report window immediately pops up, and no Impulse.

I'm on HP Pavilion laptop, with 1.99Gb Ram memory, Centrino Duo processor, 1.66 GHz. It's WinXP Media Edition to be exact for the OS.
DorkCoffeez
Reply #24 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:37 PM
We will need more information to best help you in this issue. Please contact us through the support lines at support@stardock.com. Please list this forum thread as reference in the email. My apologies for the trouble thus far.
whisper2ascream
Reply #25 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:52 PM
Thank you for help anyway. Just emailed with specs and info.
DorkCoffeez
Reply #26 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 8:32 PM
Oh we are not done yet. We are just talking through another means now. Don't worry we will figure this out for you. I prefer that after a few trials and some guess work we work more personal and indepth through email. 
Wizard1956
Reply #27 Wednesday, August 20, 2008 8:47 PM
Wiz, more input here or to support is needed to resolve.


You must have gotten into the Birthday grog already. I'm good here.

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