Two questions about PTE4

[LigiaD]

First of all, I would like to thank the wonderful forum contributors who have helped me immensely in preparing my first slide show with music. When I started, I have never seen a music editor in my whole life. Amazingly and luckily, the show is coming along beautifully. Of course, thanks to the help that I have received here. I am in awe and thank you all the time; would have never been able to do it this fast and/or good without your great help. Fourteen segments, all perfectly synchronized. I was able to stitch some music and join segments using black transition frames to make it 14 instead of 16.

I went ahead and tested the show in the laptop that I will be using. At first, there was a slight jump between the segments. For a fraction of a second, the folder with the exe files would be shown on the screen in between the segments. Oddly, after playing it two or three more times, this condition disappeared and the show continued smooothly from one segment to the next.

My first questions is: I have the box, "Close show after last slide" checked. Is that the correct way to do it between all segments or just for the last one? I am afraid that the folder with the exe files would show again in between the segments and I am trying to find the reason why this is happening.

The other question refers to customizing the slides. I have synchronized the slides to the music, but when I wanted to have one particular slide to play for a shorter or longer time, this feature does not seem to work. Does it mean that when I use the music synchronization I would not be able to change the time duration for one particualr slide? This part is not that important, just wonder. The show is playing pretty well the way it is.

Again, A BIG THANKS!

[thedom]

My first questions is: I have the box, "Close show after last slide" checked. Is that the correct way to do it between all segments or just for the last one? I am afraid that the folder with the exe files would show again in between the segments and I am trying to find the reason why this is happening.

This feature is not implemented yet but will in next beta.

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....indpost&p=28861

The other question refers to customizing the slides. I have synchronized the slides to the music, but when I wanted to have one particular slide to play for a shorter or longer time, this feature does not seem to work. Does it mean that when I use the music synchronization I would not be able to change the time duration for one particualr slide? This part is not that important, just wonder. The show is playing pretty well the way it is.

This feature is not implemented yet but will in next beta.

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....indpost&p=29988

Just a little tip for this kind of question :

Go the pinned thread PicturesToExe v5.00 beta #2 and use "Search Topic" (button at the bottom of the page).

That's how I found your answers.

[alrobin]

Ligia,

You are welcome! Glad things are coming together for you.

(I think Dom is assuming you are using v.5.)

First of all, when you say segments, do you mean 12 separate "exe" files? If yes, then do you want to return to the introduction show between segments? If this is yes, then you should choose "... keep last slide on screen" for the intro show, but "close show after last slide" for each segment. This way the intro show will appear after each segment and at the end of the show.

If you are using separate "exe" files, how are you activating each one? With button objects from an "intro" show, or using the option "Run application after last slide" in project options, or setting "Run external application" in "customize slide" for the last slide of a segment? Gets complicated.

If you wish, send me the "pte" project file for your intro show and one or two "segments" (no music or images) so I can see how you are doing this. You would have to use my regular address, alrobin@alrobinson.com, as the forum email system doesn't allow attachments.

And, lastly, if you are synchronizing a show to music, you have to change the duration between slides by moving the transition points on the timeline. You can't use "Own time preference" in "customize slide" or "Display each slide for" in "Project options". If there is not enough music to allow you to lengthen the time between slides, you would have to edit your selection to add more.

Hope this helps.

[LigiaD]

If you are using separate "exe" files, how are you activating each one? With button objects from an "intro" show, or using the option "Run application after last slide" in project options, or setting "Run external application" in "customize slide" for the last slide of a segment? Gets complicated.

Will get into PTE5 in three months, not yet, not a chance!

Al,

You are exactly right, it gets complicated; I am quite confused. I created 14 separated exe files; had no idea that there are several ways to activate them. I just used the "Run application after last slide." I then saved them on a DVD and played them on the laptop.

And I would not like to go back to the Introduction. I would like the 14 exe files to play one after the other until the end. I placed black frames in between the exe files so that there is time to fade the music and there is a little transition in between the exe files.

Actually, the slide show run perfectly well on the laptop once ot twice from beginning to end (have been testing it while I work on the regular PC). But then, it goes back in between the exe files to showing the exe folder where I have all the exe files. As I mentioned it, just for a fraction of a second, but the show would not look professional if this happens again during a serious presentation. These inconsistencies are worrying me quite a bit; obviously, I am doing something wrong.

Will send you the Project Options' attachment right away. Thanks!

[alrobin]

I created 14 separated exe files; had no idea that there are several ways to activate them. I just used the "Run application after last slide." I then saved them on a DVD and played them on the laptop.

And I would not like to go back to the Introduction. I would like the 14 exe files to play one after the other until the end. I placed black frames in between the exe files so that there is time to fade the music and there is a little transition in between the exe files.

Ligia,

It sounds like you are doing everything right. This should be a perfectly good way to link your shows.

One thing you might try is to remove any pathname in the reference to the next show. Just type in the name of the show, and see if it moves to the next one without flashing the desktop. Make sure all your shows' "exe" files are in the same folder.

When you transfer to the laptop, do you copy the shows from the dvd to the hard-drive? If not, try it and see if it helps.

Your Project Options screenshots look OK. One thing, and I don't know if it makes a difference, you might try unchecking "Repeat music after playing" on the music tab.

Speaking of music, are you using mp3's? Also, how large are your music files and also your image files?

[alrobin]

Ligia,

Just thought of something else.

You don't have "Project Options / Screen / Show first transition from desktop" or "... to desktop" checked, by any chance, do you?

If you do, try unckecking these options.

Also, check the timeline to make sure there is a bit of "space" after the end of the last transition, before the music ends.

Also, how up to date is your laptop? What processor, how much RAM, video RAM, etc.?

[LigiaD]

Latest:

I went ahead and tested the same DVD with the 14 exe files on the regular PC where it was created, instead of the laptop; it is working perfectly well.

This leads me to think that I am having problems with the laptop video card. This is good and bad. Good because I now know that I had followed the instruction well and chosen the correct settings for the exe files. Bad because I ordered this laptop only because I needed it for the PTE presentations; I already had two other laptops that I could not use for the PTE slide shows. I had also checked before I ordered it that the video card would be good enough for this purpose. Well, I was supposed to receive the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950. On checking the laptop just now, this is what I found for Display: "Plug and Play Monitor on Mobile Intel ® 945 GM Express Chipset Family". It looks like there is a discrepancy here. I am heartbroken. There might not be too much time for me to straighten all this out with Dell before the presentation.

The only other theory that comes to mind for the exe files not working on the laptop is that there are several programs that came with the laptop sending pop ups at times. These programs might be interfering while running constantly behind. I am not sure about this theory. Will talking to Dell today.

Talking to the Dell customer service or support is usually a nightmare. Cross my fingers that it would not be that bad this time.

Al, thanks very much for your time; you have helped me a lot. The idea of testing the DVD/exe files on another computer actually came after I read that you could not find any thing wrong with the settings of the exe files. Up to that point, I kept thinking that it was just my mistake.

Best regards, --------------------------Ligia

[Ken Cox]

see

http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Graphics_Cards.201.0.html

and see if you can see your card, so when you are talking to Dell you can refer them

how were you going to do your show --laptop/projector/screen

do you have a standard dvd player -- hook it up to the projector screen setup and try the dvd that works in the pc

ken

[alrobin]

Ligia,

You're welcome - every time I help someone on the Forum I learn something myself.

Too bad about the laptop. It could be that you don't have the latest drivers, or even the wrong drivers.

Here is another web page with some useful information about your graphics chipset:

intel.com

There is one for the 950 graphics core too if you do a search in Google for it.

This page helps you identify your chipset:

http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/ . According to it, the 945 is top of the line, so I don't se why it would be hindering proper operation of you shows, unless they provided the wrong software drivers. From these pages, it looks to me that the 945 is the name of the chipset, which contains the 950 Intel "graphics engine", so I suspect you do have what you ordered.

Best of luck!

Ligia,

Here is another page describing the 945 in more detail, and the 950 is included in it.

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/945g/index.htm

I think you may have hit on the answer - sounds like the activity in the background programs may be interfering with proper operation of the shows. Try closing down everything, including the antivirus software, email, web browser, and anything else that runs in the background.

A handy program called "EndItAll" (do a search on the forum, as it was described on one of the other threads) is useful for quickly closing everything that is not essential to running of your shows.

[Ronniebootwest]

Hello Ligia,

You are always talking about linking 14 exe files so that they play one after the other. If this is correct, then I fear that your audience may well become a little bored and fidgity. It is not a good idea to have too many slides in one presentation - much better to keep each show down to a maximum of about 10 minutes.

Ron

[Hawk]

LigiaD

What version of PTE 4. are you running.

I went ahead and tested the same DVD with the 14 exe files on the regular PC where it was created, instead of the laptop; it is working perfectly well.

As Al mentions if you used a path in the " Run application after last slide ", the computer that it was created on will find it and work ok due to the fact the path does exist on that system.

The lap top may be searching for the path. - try it without any path.

Also I sent you a PM yesterday in regards to a menu show I have that will run manually or auto sequence same as you are creating ( daisy chain ). You may want to verify by burning all the files to DVD and give it a try.

Check you personal messages.

Regards

[LigiaD]

Al, Ken,

Thanks for the links. You are right, the 945 contains the 950 Intel; it is the best video card that the Inspiron notebooks offer. I was on the phone with Dell for about three hours this morning. We disabled all the programs in the BG (I also went ahead and uninstalled the program that was popping up), then tested the exe files again; the showing of the desktop (and window with all the exe files) in between is still happening. At one point, the music was all messed up as well; the problem with the music has happened only once though.

Ronnie,

The show does not look bad at all. I stayed within the guidelines given; most of the segments are less than five minutes long. I have the feeling that you would like it and would enjoy the music as well; would be glad to show it to you if I could.

Ralph,

Very good show, thanks! I went ahead and did a test, hope you do not mind: I placed four of your exe files in a folder and burn into a CD (PC); then tested them on the laptop. The exact same thing is happening: the desktop and window with the exe files is showing in between them. It runs smoothly on my PC.

Resuming: I am puzzled. As Al said, I should not have any problems with this video card. Dell offered me a refund or an exchange. Considering that they cannot offer a better video card, I had to settle for a refund. However, this is not the best solution for me at this point; do not have much time to seek for and test another suitable laptop. Almost tempted to call Dell again and ask them for an exchange instead; perhaps there is only something wrong with this particular video card that I received.

[alrobin]

Almost tempted to call Dell again and ask them for an exchange instead; perhaps there is only something wrong with this particular video card that I received.

That's always possible, and it is probably the route I would go first. Is there any way you can test out the show on someone else's laptop?

Are you by any chance running the shows from the CD player on your laptop rather than copying them over to the hard drive first? This can sometimes pose problems. Also, make sure there is nothing else running in the background. I have the feeling that the problem is more software-related than hardware, but everything is possible. Good luck!

[Hawk]

LigiaD

Could we try one more time, I have revised the menu that you downloaded.

Same site - file

LigiaD_menu_2.zip

3.181 KB

Burn all 5 files to CD

This will run on a Pent II - with low price graphic card.

See if runs off CD & also copy files to Hard Drive on laptop and check also.

Possibly a security issue with running .exe's in sequence. ?

Does a pop indicate anything at all ?.

[LigiaD]

Al,

Thanks for the good wishes; need lots of luck to solve this issue soon! I have tried my show both ways: directly from the CD or hard drive. It does not work properly directly from the hard drive either.

By the way, the processor is a dual core T2500 (2MB cache); 2.0GHz; 1.99 GB of RAM.

Ralph,

Very nice from you to create this test specially for me, thanks! I followed your instruction, while crossing my fingers that it would work smoothly this time. Your show is working fine directly from the laptop hard drive.

In regard to the pop and the problem with my show, there are no indications whatsoever. It is only that the desktop shows up in between the exe files; like it is taking extra time to open the next exe file and it has to go back to the desktop. It does it very fast, but this would not look good during a serious presentation; instead, it gives it a sloppy look. Plus it would be quite distracting for the viewers. Wouldn't you agree?

[Hawk]

LigiaD

Ralph,

Very nice from you to create this test specially for me, thanks! I followed your instruction, while crossing my fingers that it would work smoothly this time. Your show is working fine directly from the laptop hard drive.

** Well one step in the right direction !!!!, lets hope it is not a graphic card problem.

If you would be so kind as to answer the following it may help to figure out were the problem is, if it is in your construction of shows or not.

1 – Are you using .JPG images ?

2 – What is the average file size ?

3 – Are you showing a path in “ Run application after last slide “

4 – What version of PTE ( is it the latest Ver 4.48 ) ?

5 - Music on all of your sequences ? - MP3 ?

6 - When Menu_2 worked on your laptop were all the normal programs running in the background or did you shut some down as suggested by Al.

The only differnce between the two test you have were.

In the first Menu show I asked you to download and test I did have a path to all “ Run application after last slide “, you say it did not work correctly on laptop but Ok on your other PC ( on older versions of PTE I believe this sometimes caused a flash to desktop when starting a linked show. )

On the Menu_2 download, you copied to laptop Hard drive it worked fine.

In this test I had No Path - No Quotation Marks in “ Run application after last slide “

Keep in mind the file name entered has to be exact - I must caution you if any spaces in file name.

Best to use an "underscore" - ( LigiaD_Great_Presentation.exe )

[LigiaD]

If you would be so kind as to answer the following it may help to figure out were the problem is, if it is in your construction of shows or not.

1 – Are you using .JPG images ?

2 – What is the average file size ?

3 – Are you showing a path in “ Run application after last slide “

4 – What version of PTE ( is it the latest Ver 4.48 ) ?

5 - Music on all of your sequences ? - MP3 ?

6 - When Menu_2 worked on your laptop were all the normal programs running in the background or did you shut some down as suggested by Al.

Ralph,

My hopes in solving the problem are rising as we speak. A few discrepancies in the construction of my show come to mind immediately.

Here are the responses to your questions:

1 – Yes, I am using JPGs; 72 dpi.

2 – Only a few horizontals are more than 700 KB. Verticals are between 220 and 450 KB. I think that I could not afford to compress them further, as in “save for the web”, because the screen where they are going to be shown is pretty large.

3 – Yes, I have been using a path. Al had warned me as well; I just did not know how to get rid of it. Will do it next.

4 – PTE 4.48

5 – Those that I had to edit in Audacity are MP3, BUT! I also used some wma; will change those.

6 – There were no programs running in the background. The 1_Menu Show test was done directly from the CD, though. I did not want to infringe your copyright, so I scratched the CD and threw it away. Will copy it on a CD again and perform another test directly from the laptop hard drive; it might also run smoothly this way.

On the Menu_2 download, you copied to laptop Hard drive it worked fine.

In this test I had No Path - No Quotation Marks in “ Run application after last slide “

Keep in mind the file name entered has to be exact - I must caution you if any spaces in file name.

Best to use an "underscore" - ( LigiaD_Great_Presentation.exe )

This sounds quite important. I do have spaces in the file names.

By the way, your graphic examples are excellent. Thanks again and again !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hawk]

If you would, make a few changes as to no “ Path “ and change the .wma files to Mp3.

Leave all the image size as they are for now.

Lets see if it runs.

Maybe someone else can recommend some other changes.

*** Before making any changes.

I would .zip all that you have at present and tuck it a side, do not want to see you mess up your projects.

Have to run, out of town right now

Download “ 1_MenuShow_Demo_All_Files.zip “ again if you wish for reference however keep in mind – it does contain “ Paths “

There are no copyrights ! on any of our shows, but thanks for consideration.

When I return I will create another small demo for you to test - using larger images.

[Hawk]

LigiaD

Well for the good news !! – I have duplicated your problem and it is NOT your laptop or your graphic card. ( hope I am right )

When PTE executes a “ Run application after last slide “ it is much faster than your DVD burner or your CD-Rom drive. So until it has time to read / search for your next presentation you will get a flash to the desktop.

I have created you another small with larger file test demo. I burned this to CD and I get the flash to desktop with DVD burner and also my 52 X speed CD-Rom.

I have uploaded a new test for you ( all files )

LigiaD_Menu_3_June_21.zip

11.469 KB

Copy all 3 .EXE files to the hard drive – click “ Start_Show.exe “ ( no music )

With the files on your hard drive I see no problem.

I would highly recommend you create a 1 image show as a Menu ( button link to your starting show ) that could sit on screen until you are ready to show your presentation on projector if this is your intension at your club meeting or event.

I am sure Al ( alrobin ) / Ron (ronwil ) or other members that are more familiar with this procedure will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I understand you wanted to use the DVD / CD, but I see no other option rather than copy to hard drive, unless someone else has an idea.

Also you may ? – get a security warning screen running .exe files in sequence.

If you do, you may have to turn it off.

Let us know if the new test demo works on laptop as I did place files ranging from 344 KB to 1.357 KB just to check your graphic card.

[LigiaD]

Ralph,

I did as instructed. LigiaD_Menu_3 is running perfectly well from the laptop hard drive. I also tested it directly from the CD and it flashed back to desktop again.

What you are saying about the DVD burner or CD-Rom drive not being fast enough to catch up with the presentation makes much sense; thanks to your explanation, I now understand the flashing to desktop clearly. My exe files still have to be corrected though, because they do not work smoothly from the hard drive either. I will work on at least the first five segments tonight and will post the results afterwards.

By the way, I was about to call Dell this morning to cancel the return of the laptop when I found out that the Function Key is not working at all. They immediately offered an exchange and we settled for it; I should receive it in 4 or 5 days.

In regard to creating 1 image show as a menu, I have not gotten there yet! I would be the most happy with just seeing the show running smoothly. I am guessing that I could always cover the projector lens until the Introduction starts.

Many thanks! I enjoyed seeing your images as well.

[Hawk]

LigiaD

I did as instructed. LigiaD_Menu_3 is running perfectly well from the laptop hard drive.

Glad to hear.

Running a PTE show from the CD-Rom is not always the most ideal way. Especially when you are running 14 shows in sequence. At least you also discovered you had a few other errors with construction of presentations. I am sure that once corrected everything will run, as it should.

I have created a few DVD’s for TV using images right from my digital camera with large file size 1.5 KB but only as a single show. Two of those files in the test were I think around 1.3 KB and it seems the laptop graphic card did handle with no problem. I still think it would be best in your 14 sequences being ( daisy chained ) to still keep the file size down to 700 KB or even less.

As to the 1 Image Menu suggested, that is the fun – easy part, you will only require 1 image or button with an action “ Run application or open file “ linked to your first show.

Yes – Please post back here your final results and let us know how you made out.

Many thanks!

On behalf of all members on the thread – you’re more than welcome.

[LigiaD]

Good news !!!!!!!!!!

I converted all the music to MP3, then created three new projects and 3 new exe files, eliminating the spaces in their tiles. Basically, they are the same as the first 3 exe files from before, but I have yet to organize the sequence of the slides. All the paths are gone as well. They are working fine from the laptop hard drive !!!!!!!!!

Next, I will make copies of the previous projects and fix those. Going to get some sleep first.

What a relief! I am very thankfull.

[Ronniebootwest]

Hi LigiaD,

It seems that Ralph is managing to help ypou aout on this one but I wonder if you could post your show (with menu) so we could all see the problem that you are experiencing. Perhaps you could use Beechbrook or Yousendit ?

Ron

[alrobin]

Good news !!!!!!!!!!

Ligia,

Glad to hear you have finally ironed out the bugs on this one. It was a real mystery!

[LigiaD]

Hello Al, Ralph, Ken, Ronnie and "thedom" who also tried to help me,

Yes, it is a huge relief to see that the show is now running well without the "offending" flashing in between the exe files.

Ralph, you did a great job! I very much appreciate all the time you invested in creating the sample exe files for me; they are so clear that I could not go wrong, simply fantastic! You even found the time to help immediately after having to go out of town!!!!! I was very much aware of that. Nevertheless, I cannot underestimate all the help that I have received from each and every one of you. Just the sole fact of showing concern and providing the links has helped me a lot in seeing things clearer. And Al, you have always been extremely generous with your time and help as well. I owe a lot of my PTE learning experience to you. I cannot leave Andre behind; wonder where he is. He has also provided great and explicit, step-by-step information. Working with Audacity has been like a piece of cake after following his instructions.

Ronnie,

I would gladly post the show later on. I do not know how to do that yet and still have quite a task to complete. I have to recreate the whole show and give it the final touches. Also, have to check all the images again; realize that some did not go through the resizing step. Considering how much of a neophyte I am in the PTE field, it will be one more week before I have it all ready. Just recreating the three exe files took me several hours last night; it is a miracle that the previous show was working at all. After that, it is off to the out-of-town conference. It would a lot easier and faster if I visit South Wales!

Will give an update after the presentation.

In the mean time, best wishes and all my gratitude. --------------------------- Ligia