How to fix WD SmartWare if it seems to launch for a few seconds and then exits.

[maaxiim]

I recently bought the WD MyBook Live 3TB and had installed SmartWare on my Windows 7 box. 

I have 2 internal hard drives that I was intending to back up, when I launched SmartWare and specified the first drive to backup, the backup proceeded smoothly and I could see the data showing up in the device backup view. Then, the next morning, I selected WD SmartWare from the taskbar and waited.... Nothing happened.

I fired up ProcExp.exe and then checked to ensure it was launching and sure enough, I would see it appear in the process list for a few seconds and then die.

I fired up ProcMon and filtered on only SmartWare and only log files and saw that it was writing to some FrontParlor log file in the installation directory before dying, so I cracked open the log file and saw lots of stack traces talking about badly formed XML in some user.config file in the AppData folder... when I cracked open that file, it appeared to be full of binary zeros, like something had zeroed out the contents. Thank goodness there was another copy of user.config in another location, I copied it over the other file and saved... hey presto, the tool launched properly again.

Not sure if anyone else has seen a similar problem,but I thought I'd post just to share my experience in the hopes it will save someone some frustrations.

regards

maaxiim 

[Bill_S]

Do you still have that log file?  I'd like to have someone look at them.

[maaxiim]

Yes, I do. I'll attach it to this thread when I get home from work this afternoon (EST)

[Bill_S]

I doubt you'll be able to attach it, but you might be able to post it, if it's not too long. 

[maaxiim]

Here is a chunk of the log file: FrontParlorLog.txt

07-16-2011 04:29:20>> Language file used: C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\Front Parlor\Locale\en_US.lproj\Localizable.Strings

07-16-2011 04:29:20>> WD SmartWare Version: 1.4.2.5

07-16-2011 04:29:20>> .NET Framework Version: 2.0.50727.5420 SP 2, 3.0.30729.5420 SP 2, 3.5.30729.5420 SP 1

07-16-2011 04:29:20>> OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

07-16-2011 05:20:44>> Language file used: C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\Front Parlor\Locale\en_US.lproj\Localizable.Strings

07-16-2011 05:20:44>> WD SmartWare Version: 1.4.2.5

07-16-2011 05:20:44>> .NET Framework Version: 2.0.50727.5420 SP 2, 3.0.30729.5420 SP 2, 3.5.30729.5420 SP 1

07-16-2011 05:20:44>> OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> WD SmartWare Version: 1.5.0.17

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> .NET Framework Version: 4.0.30319.1

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Home folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Roaming

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Local Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Documents and Settings folder: C:\Users\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> System folder: C:\Windows\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Programs folder: C:\Program Files\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Programs (x86) folder: C:\Program Files\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Public folder: C:\Users\Public\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Program Data folder: C:\ProgramData\

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Internet Cache folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

07-16-2011 06:20:46>> Temp folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Temp\

07-16-2011 06:20:47>> Language file used: C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\Locale\en_US.lproj\Localizable.Strings

07-16-2011 06:20:47>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-16-2011 06:20:47>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-16-2011 06:22:26>> NetUseAdd - \\?\UNC\192.168.1.4\SmartWare\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> WD SmartWare Version: 1.5.0.17

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> .NET Framework Version: 4.0.30319.1

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Home folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Roaming

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Local Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Documents and Settings folder: C:\Users\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> System folder: C:\Windows\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Programs folder: C:\Program Files\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Programs (x86) folder: C:\Program Files\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Public folder: C:\Users\Public\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Program Data folder: C:\ProgramData\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Internet Cache folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Temp folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Temp\

07-17-2011 09:29:47>> Language file used: C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\Locale\en_US.lproj\Localizable.Strings

07-17-2011 09:29:48>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 09:29:48>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 09:29:59>> NetUseAdd - \\?\UNC\192.168.1.4\SmartWare\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> WD SmartWare Version: 1.5.0.17

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> .NET Framework Version: 4.0.30319.1

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Home folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Roaming

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Local Application Data folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Documents and Settings folder: C:\Users\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> System folder: C:\Windows\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Programs folder: C:\Program Files\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Programs (x86) folder: C:\Program Files\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Public folder: C:\Users\Public\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Program Data folder: C:\ProgramData\

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Internet Cache folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

07-17-2011 05:28:24>> Temp folder: C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Temp\

07-17-2011 05:28:26>> Language file used: C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\Locale\en_US.lproj\Localizable.Strings

07-17-2011 05:28:26>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 05:28:26>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot be included in a name.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CheckName(String name)
   at System.Xml.XmlElement..ctor(XmlName name, Boolean empty, XmlDocument doc)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String prefix, String localName, String namespaceURI)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.CreateElement(String name)
   at WDSmartWare.Utilities.LocaleMgr.CreateDataProvider()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 05:28:34>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
Root element is missing.
Stack trace:
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReader.Read()
   at System.Configuration.XmlUtil..ctor(Stream stream, String name, Boolean readToFirstElement, ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
   at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile()
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 05:28:34>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
Root element is missing. (C:\Users\maaxiim\AppData\Local\Western_Digital\WDSmartWare.exe_Url_ackbus3cjmvhea2wvdizi25dxpxmajer\1.5.0.17\user.config)
Stack trace:
   at System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean ignoreLocal)
   at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
   at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfInitErrors()
   at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
Inner exception:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 05:28:34>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
Configuration system failed to initialize
Stack trace:
   at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.PrepareConfigSystem()
   at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection(String sectionName)
   at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
   at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
   at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
   at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
   at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
   at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
   at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
   at WDSmartWare.Properties.Settings.get_SoftwareUpdateText()
   at WDSmartWare.Support.Support..ctor()
   at System.Xaml.Schema.XamlTypeInvoker.DefaultCtorXamlActivator.InvokeDelegate(Action`1 action, Object argument)
   at System.Xaml.Schema.XamlTypeInvoker.DefaultCtorXamlActivator.CallCtorDelegate(XamlTypeInvoker type)
   at System.Xaml.Schema.XamlTypeInvoker.DefaultCtorXamlActivator.CreateInstance(XamlTypeInvoker type)
   at System.Xaml.Schema.XamlTypeInvoker.CreateInstance(Object[] arguments)
   at MS.Internal.Xaml.Runtime.ClrObjectRuntime.CreateInstanceWithCtor(XamlType xamlType, Object[] args)
   at MS.Internal.Xaml.Runtime.ClrObjectRuntime.CreateInstance(XamlType xamlType, Object[] args)
Inner exception:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



07-17-2011 05:28:34>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application exception:
The invocation of the constructor on type 'WDSmartWare.Support.Support' that matches the specified binding constraints threw an exception.
Stack trace:
   at System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader.RewrapException(Exception e, IXamlLineInfo lineInfo, Uri baseUri)
   at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.Load(XamlReader xamlReader, IXamlObjectWriterFactory writerFactory, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlObjectWriterSettings settings, Uri baseUri)
   at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.LoadBaml(XamlReader xamlReader, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlAccessLevel accessLevel, Uri baseUri)
   at System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader.LoadBaml(Stream stream, ParserContext parserContext, Object parent, Boolean closeStream)
   at System.Windows.Application.LoadComponent(Object component, Uri resourceLocator)
   at WDSmartWare.FrontParlor.InitializeComponent()
   at WDSmartWare.FrontParlor..ctor()
   at WDSmartWare.Program.OnStartup(StartupEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Application.<.ctor>b__1(Object unused)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)
   at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeImpl()
   at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeInSecurityContext(Object state)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.runTryCode(Object userData)
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.RuntimeHelpers.ExecuteCodeWithGuaranteedCleanup(TryCode code, CleanupCode backoutCode, Object userData)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state, Boolean ignoreSyncCtx)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
   at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.Invoke()
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.ProcessQueue()
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.WndProcHook(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.InvokeImpl(DispatcherPriority priority, TimeSpan timeout, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.SubclassWndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam)
   at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessage(MSG& msg)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrameImpl(DispatcherFrame frame)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrame(DispatcherFrame frame)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.Run()
   at System.Windows.Application.RunDispatcher(Object ignore)
   at System.Windows.Application.RunInternal(Window window)
   at System.Windows.Application.Run(Window window)
   at WDSmartWare.Program.Main(String[] args)
Inner exception:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Bill_S]

I forwarded your post to support to look at.

[Bill_S]

This is what I got told you should do...

Uninstall, download the app, and reinstall.  Software is right here:

http://download.wdc.com/smartware/WDSmartWare_Software_Upgrader_for_Windows_1.5.0.18.zip

And in case you need to know, here's how you uninstall Smartware:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5373

[maaxiim]

Hi,

I don't need to do that as my original post explained, once I restored the user.config file it started to work again.

[Bill_S]

So, it could be that the user.config file is getting damaged during installation.  That's why the recommendation is to reinstall.  Interesting.