Fences has detected that Explorer was not closed properly ...

Cannot open Fences

from Stardock Forums

Problem Description

Fences is enabled but displays an error message, see screenshot.

No Fences visible, status is Enabled, dragging mouse does not activate Fences.

Screenshot of error.

Fences version

  • Fences version 3.1.3.3

Windows version

  • OS Name      Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
  • Version         10.0.19043 Build 19043
  • Other OS Description         Not Available
  • OS Manufacturer     Microsoft Corporation

Anti-virus version

  • Trend Micro Internet Security Version 17.0.1333

Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen

  • Issue just appeared, presumably from an update done via

If there are specific apps that Groupy does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

  • None applicable

Monitor Configuration

  • Monitor 1 – 3840 x 2160
  • Monitor 2  – 2560 x 1440
  • Monitor 3 – 2560 x 1440

Conflicting software status check

  • nView Desktop Manager – DISABLED
  • DisplayFusion – UNINSTALLED

Actions taken

  • Attempt #1:
    • Ran the Purge_Fences.bat
    • uninstalled and reinstalled via Steam
    • error remained.
  • Attempt #2: Managed to get it working again by doing the following steps:
    • Run the Purge_Fences.bat (in Administrator mode)
    • reboot
    • Uninstall using Steam
    • reboot
    • Re-install using Steam
    • Lost all my settings but Fences is functioning again.
    • Created a fence then lost settings again.
  • Attempt #3:
    • Run the Purge_Fences.bat (in Administrator mode)
    • reboot
    • Uninstall using Steam
    • reboot
    • Re-install using Steam
    • Recreated  all my settings and folder portals
    • Appears to function correctly.
    • Restart of PC in the morning, everything lost and back to the error message. (Current state)

Fault finding

  • Right Click and Enable fences – fail
  • Task Manager Startups – both Fences entries enabled
  • Restore a snapshot – fail (note: this action has always scrambled my fences across monitors)
  • Delete and reinstall Fences - fail

 

fences
12,939 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

+1 Loading…
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Review this thread please and comment on it where applicable - that you do use Folder portals and that doing the test in post #10 produced results for you.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

From the post #10:

Is this a Fences folder portal?

Some of the Fences are, some are not.

If so, there is a rather detailed test that we would like you to perform. 

That understates the issue a bit. I have 30 fences, a number of which go to network shares. Those shares contain over 100,000 files of all descriptions in multiple subdirectories.

To make matters worse, Fences is not currently working, and is not exhibiting the same failure mode as the other poster (when moving files). My error can occur when not using the fences and is currently appearing at startup. When it was working, it had essentially the same shares for nearly a year. Following a recent change/upgrade it started giving the error.

Note that on my 3rd attempt above the fences were recreated and working. It was in the following morning during startup that it failed.

Can Steam versions be rolled back to a previous version?

In that folder - let's call it folder A, create a new folder called 'temp'. Place all the files from folder A into it.

In a small group - say 5 files at a time - move them from temp to folder A again. Test that the Fences Folder Portal does \ does not crash.

Once you have found the file that is crashing the Fences Folder Portal, what is it, what are the characteristics of it (web link, Network shortcut, etc)?

Thanks for the report, effort, and time.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Same here, one reboot ago. It happened out of the blue after weeks of proper functionality. v3.1.3.3


EDIT: Fixed (until next crash?)

uninstall

reboot

purge fences.bat

reinstall Fences

works

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

There may be a conflict between Fences and a program called 'Qsirch PC Edition'. I noticed that some attributes on random files had changed and also saw an unfamiliar security message at the end of the dialogue box:

Note on this picture - it is from the web and is not from my PC. The message at the end is the same.

Qsirch has been uninstalled but I can't say yet whether it was definitely this item, after a few days I should know. For now, Fences has been re-installed for a fourth time and is working.

EDIT: Two weeks later and still working. Qsirch looks like it was the culprit.