When loading Civtools Microstation freezes. Any ideas on a fix?

Hi Levi,

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing these issues.
Here are some recommendations I think would be worth a try in no particular order:

1. Try opening MicroStation files with a different user/project/interface combination. Try something like "examples" User, "No Project" for Project, & "default" set for Interface.


2. Try resetting prefs and deleting temp files
https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/8978/how-to-reset-user-preferences-and-delete-microstation-s-temporary-files

3. Restore MicroStation to factory defaults
https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/8671/restore-microstation-to-factory-defaults

4. Check the version of Civtools and ensure it is compatible with the version of MicroStation you are running.

If none of those steps work, do you know if there are any machines at the organization that are not experiencing the issue?

Hello Jayson,

Thank you for the reply

1.  Where do I find the user user/project/interface combination? 

2. Reset my prefs and deleted the temp files but no change

3. Restored MIcrostation to factory defaults but no change

4. How do I check the version of Civtools and where do I find a compatiblity chart?

5. Of the 4 people in my department that currently use microstation 3 of the 4 are having the freezing issue and 1 is not, the one that isn't is using the same version of microstation as me (08.11.09.919) we are all using the same .ma file because it is located on our server.

Apologies, looks like my link did not work in the previous post.

For next steps, follow the steps here for v8i on the "good" machine and then a "bad" machine. 
You can post the resulting msdebug.txt files to your reply so we can analyze. Be sure to rename them so they are discernible (i.e. GOODmsdebug.txt & BADmsdebug.txt).

I redownloaded civtools and placed it on my desktop and will load from there

1. changing the user/project/interface combination did not change the issue.

BADmsdebug.txtGOODmsdebug.txt

Here are the debug files named the way that you asked.

Hi Levi,
Thanks for supplying those msdebug log files.
I took a look at them, and I did not see anything that jumped out to me. I'll let you know if I can find anything further.

Note that I was able to reproduce this issue as well using a v8i SS10 build. It seems like this could potentially be a Windows OS issue caused by an update, the OS version, etc.

Since MicroStation v8i is no longer a supported version, no fix can be made programmatically on Bentley's side, but you might have a few options since you have a working machine available. 

First, I would recommend to temporarily freeze all Windows updates to the working machine's OS.
Second, compare the Update History on the non-working machine to the working machine (Windows Settings>Update & Security>View update history). Try uninstalling any recent updates on the non-working machine so that the history matches the working machine. Keep in mind, your IT admin may need to get involved depending on your organization's security and procedures.

That is the issue for sure

All of the troubled computers were updated last week and the one that was still working was last updated 2 months ago.

He has frozen his updates, I do have access to a connect version of microstation that I have used a little bit, (just more use to the old) so this may force me to start using it more often

Hi Levi,

Thanks for the update.

There are some methods available to make CONNECT "feel" like v8i. 
Should you need assistance with migrating to CONNECT, I would recommend filing a Service Request online via https://apps.bentley.com/srmanager/ProductSupport

If you choose to file a Service Request, let me know and our team will be on the lookout to assist.

-Jayson P.

Hi Levi,

Thanks for the update.

There are some methods available to make CONNECT "feel" like v8i. 
Should you need assistance with migrating to CONNECT, I would recommend filing a Service Request online via https://apps.bentley.com/srmanager/ProductSupport

If you choose to file a Service Request, let me know and our team will be on the lookout to assist.

-Jayson P.

I will go ahead and file that request now

Thank you for all of the help!!

Anytime I feel a recent Windows Update breaks something in MicroStation V8i (as the case here), I simply reinstall the latest Bentley V8i prerequisite pack (version 08.11.09.03) - and it usually resolves whatever V8i functionality was broken by the recently installed Windows update. Others recently reported this issue at my company. Without testing, I simply reinstalled the Bentley V8i prerequisite Pack - and the CivTools appears to be working OK in MicroStation V8i (SS10).

HTH

Do you know where to find a download link for the prerequisite pack. We are having this same issue however given v8i support has been discontinued I am unable to find the pack for download.

Hi Seth, 

Unfortunately, the prerequisite pack is no longer available for download from the Software Downloads portal as v8i is no longer supported by Bentley.

You might try repairing your MicroStation installation via the Windows Apps & Features section while connected to a stable internet connection:

Another thing to try would be to uninstall and then reinstall MicroStation via deployment image. I believe that a properly configured deployment image will include the prereq pack and will not need an internet connection.

A Deployment Guide can be found in the Readme documentation. For v8i SS10, it will be located here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries)\MicroStation\readme_MicroStation.chm


Here is a snippet from the Readme FAQ:

Question:

Do I need to install the Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications manually before I install MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 10)?

Answer:

You have the option of installing the Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications manually prior to installing MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 10) or you can allow the MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 10) installer to download and install them during the MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 10) installation. You can also include the Prerequisites for Bentley Desktop Applications in the deployment image. For more information on creating a deployment image, see the Deployment Guide.

Hope this helps!

-Jayson P.