[NB] Imatch 2023 hang when I click on preferences

[scfonline]

I just updated to 2023. Only issue so far that I can't resolve is a hang problem.

Initially it would hang when i clicked on check for update.  That somehow resolved itself.

Now it hangs consistently when i try to look at preferences.  The only way to get out is to kill with task manager.

I have attached both a regular logfile and a debug log file.

Stan

[Mario]

Nothing in the log files that would indicate any problem.
The imatch_log20230715.txt log ends with IMatch performing a check for off-line folders.

Which virus checker do you use?
To check if this is related to some setting or something, try this:

1. Close IMatch.

2. Rename the file
"C:\ProgramData\photools.com\IMatch6\config\imatch.pts" to
"C:\ProgramData\photools.com\IMatch6\config\imatch.pts.TEST"

3. Start IMatch. It will come up with factory default settings.
Can you now open the preferences?

4. To get your settings back, close IMatch and
Delete the newly created "C:\ProgramData\photools.com\IMatch6\config\imatch.pts" and then rename
"C:\ProgramData\photools.com\IMatch6\config\imatch.pts.TEST" 
back to
"C:\ProgramData\photools.com\IMatch6\config\imatch.pts"

[scfonline]

3.  I can now open preferences.

4.  It again hangs.

What are my next steps to correct this?

Stan

[scfonline]

My virus checker is Norton.  I turned this off when I did the install as it give an error.

[Mario]

You can open the preferences after resetting all settings.
Did you load a database before opening the preferences?
On which tab in the preferences are you when IMatch hangs?

Is Norton AV still active? If so, make sure to setup an exception for the IMatch executable since Norton (and only Norton) is prone to cause all sorts of random issues. I've had at least 5 reports with Norton-related issues, from the installation failing at some point to IMatch becoming unresponsive as soon as a database was loaded.

At least exclude 'C:\Program Files\photools.com\imatch6\IMatch2023x64.exe' from on-access checks in Norton AV.

[scfonline]

I put Imatach2023x64.exe into Norton Real time Exclusions list.  I can now access the preferences.

To answer your questions in case you have more questions:

I tried to open preferences both before and after loading a database -- same hang
I was trying to open preferences and it hung

So it looks like Norton was causing the problem.  It was not causing this problem with earlier versions of Imatch.

Thank you for your help,

[Mario]

Good result in the end.
I wonder what upsets Norton so much. Did it not tell you that it interfered and blocked IMatch?
Maybe such messages are now suppressed in order to not confuse the user...?

IMatch gets a 100% clean from Google's VirusTotal!

Since the built-in Windows Defender became so good, anti virus software vendors have a hard time justifying their annual cost - and come up with all kinds of "extra security" and voodoo...

I use different commercial anti virus products on different computers - just to be extra safe. And I test each new release with VirusTotal before shipping.

It's always only Norton products which cause issues. Strange.
I've tried to reach them but they have only a contact form (no developer contact I could find). The form allows you to provide a link to the executable in question or upload it. Both methods are limited to only 90 MB - and IMatch 2023 has almost 350 MB. I then gave up.

[scfonline]

When installing Imatch it gives me a message that it is blocking the installation so I turn off Antivirus Data Protector whenever I install.

In this case, it gave no indication that it was blocking anything so it was your suggestion that led me to the right place.

I will start looking at alternative antivirus programs.  Norton seems to be getting more expensive every year and the warning and blocking that i produces are not always helpful.

Thanks for your help and suggestions

[Mario]

For most people, the built-in Windows Defender anti-virus is sufficient, I think.
Unless you need extra things like email scanning or similar.