Plan-G won't work after Win 8.1 updates

[mdavis]

I've been running Plan-G v.3.1.2.101 now for many weeks on my Windows 8.1 computer with no problems of any kind.  This morning it will not load and the only thing I've changed is the routine Windows 8.1 updates that I run every morning before I load any apps.  I uninstalled Plan-G and reinstalled it.  Same problem.  I get a small window that simply says "Plan-G has stopped working."  I do see the "spash screen" and the flight plan window momentarily but the map window does not load and the whole thing disappears leaving the window.

Has Microsoft done something in the past day to screw things up???

[tim arnot]

I haven't heard anything, but I don't use Windows 8. Maybe some other Win8.1 users can comment?

[mdavis]

Thanks, Tim.  What is totally strange is that I've used it (since I built the new computer in late November) and it has worked for months with no problems.  I use it as a full screen toggle with X-Plane 10.35 and link it with XPUIPC which works (worked) beautifully.  My OS is running on an SSD but both Plan-G and XP are running from a huge 4TB HD.  Plan-G appears to be loading but never shows the map screen before it crashes with a windows warning.  I have installed a few new files into X-Plane but the only thing that is "new" on the computer (which is more of less a dedicated simming computer) are the daily checks for Windows Defender updates.  I disabled WD and no joy.  There is no other AV running on the computer as I don't use it to access the internet except for weather and updates from Microsoft.

I uninstalled Plan-G using RevoUninstaller which also purges registry entries (if any).  I tried re-installing it from the original download file (which I keep on a backup disk).  No difference.  The only thing I can think to do now is to uninstall it again, remove all .plg and .fmc flightplans and try installing it on the SSD to see if there is some new security "fix" that Microsoft has added that is blocking access to the OSM data or blocking access to the .Net files over on the SSD.  I'll report back later when I have time to try again.

[mdavis]

FOLLOW UP for Plan-G in Win 8.1

I used the Windows 8.1 uninstaller to again remove Plan-G 3.1.2.101 from my computer (4TB E:\ drive) where it has lived happily for months and where I reinstalled it attempting to get it working again.  I did not use RevoUninstaller this time to remove trash in the registry, but I don't think that was a factor - just being as detailed as I can.

I then ran the Windows updater and found an "optional" update of some kind that had not been installed as one of the "recommended" updates.

I then reinstalled Plan-G, this time putting it on my SSD (C:\) and it is working - I'm rebuilding my X-Plane database as I type this.

SO...two possible solutions.  The "optional" Win 8.1 updates (KB3013769 or Intel Management Engine Interface) might have been a "fix" for some problem in a previous Win 8.1 update,

OR...putting Plan-G on the C:\ drive enabled Plan-G to "find" necessary .NET Framework files needed to run.

I'm not a programmer, but I'm an "advanced" user familiar with getting around the file system.  If it would help you to have a dump of my OS failure log, I'd be happy to send it.  On the other hand, it is working again after a very mysterious failure, so perhaps the solution(s) are sufficient.

Thanks again for a fantastic program.  I hope this helps others.