Unable to launch Inkscape

[John Diacono]

I've just installed Inkscape using Install Wizard however the program won't launch. I've tried several times, even rebooted the computer.
My computer is a Dell laptop using Windows 10 and the Inkscape version I've installed is the 32bit version.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I finally found a version that works. I had to try several different versions before finding one that works.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

The version I downloaded opened a page when it was finishing downloading, having been satisfied that it opened I closed the application. I have reported in a separate Bug that when it opened I set up an A2 page however horizontal scroll wasn't available. Then when I just now tried to reopen the application it didn't open. I don't know what to do next.
I reiterate:
Computer: Dell Vostro laptop
Operating system: Windows 10
Inkscape Version: Windows : 32-bit : exe Aug. 7, 2017, 4:13 p.m.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I just tried to do a troubleshoot on the desktop shortcut and obtained this error report.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Just realised that the version that opened on installation was:
Windows : 32-bit : portable app Sept. 3, 2017, 5:57 p.m.
However when I try to reopen it it doesn't open and it is also the version with the horizontal scroll problem.
I also read the 'readme' file in the installed package and it states a number of scripts/files that may need to be installed. Am I to search for and install these files or are they supposed to already be installed?

Please be aware that although I'm sorry to be a 'bug bear' with all these posts, I am serious about this program. I have in the past had Adobe programs installed under a cheap program however if I want them back I may need to pay full price and as we all know it's expensive. So a Freeware alternative is a very viable alternative.

[Alvin Penner (apenner)]

are you getting your Inkscape installation file from this site:
https://inkscape.org/en/release/0.92.2/windows/32-bit/
the normal choice on this page would be "Installer in .exe format", is this what you chose?

if not, could you give the web address where you got your install from, and the complete filename that you downloaded?

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Original download yes. Subsequently went to
https://inkscape.org/en/release/0.92.2/platforms/
At present what I have found I need to do in order to open the portable app is to save the initial page to desktop and then open the app from the page. Ass about but it's working.

[Hachmann (marenhachmann)]

John, do you have many fonts installed?
How exactly did it look like when Inkscape didn't launch?
Have you checked in the task manager if Inkscape was running, but hadn't loaded the interface yet?

There is a known issue on computers with lots of fonts installed, that makes Inkscape take a lot of time on the first startup. This can amount do several minutes. You can see Inkscape running in the task manager, though, or you can start it from the command line, and then see if it terminates (and if so, get a more useful error message, hopefully).

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Hi Hachmann, I only have the basic Windows/Office/Adobe fonts no extras. It didn't look like anything. I double clicked on the shortcut icon and nothing happened. I then tried the icon on the start menu, same result. Then I tried the program icon on C drive, same. I've looked at task manager and nothing shows. As it shows in the trouble shooter screen shot there seems to be a fatal error in the program start script.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

When I used command line the program immediately launched.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Just tried again to start inkview. Again no luck double clicking icon so went to command prompt however this time it came up with a message - see attachment

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I keep trying to launch Inkscape but no luck. I've now tried everything that has been asked of me with no result. I would welcome any ideas. I'm prepared to re-download the program if I can be assured that doing so will get it working however unfortunately so far this hasn't proved productive. The only other thing I think it could be is Windows Defender. If it's seeing the program as a possible infection it may be blocking.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I've just been to Answers and saw 660468 fail to start windows 10/64-bit
Janette was given a new version download that hopefully solved her problem
Is there a similar solution for a Windows 10/32bit?

[Alvin Penner (apenner)]

yes, the latest version of the 0.92.x branch is available at:
https://ci.appveyor.com/project/inkscape/inkscape/build/0.92.x-934

at this location you can choose either 32 bit or 64 bit builds.
then choose the Artifacts tab and it should show you the appropriate 7z file, which you will need to decrunch

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Sorry Alvin I don't understand. I'm not a code writer, I don't have any idea what I'm supposed to do. Can you help me please?

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

Hi Alvin,
OK so that file is a walk through of history and future hopes. Doesn't help me. Now I'm not saying I know anything about code however in regards to program getting too big (it may be a bit of teaching you how to suck eggs) have you tried compartmentalising the different sections so they are only loaded as needed?
Thanks very much to everyone who is trying to help with this situation. I still need a solution.

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I've tried a clean install again but still to no avail.

[Alvin Penner (apenner)]

I would suggest the following:
- first go to Control Panel->Programs and Features and uninstall Inkscape
- then go to https://inkscape.org/en/release/0.92.2/platforms/ and download the version that says: Windows : 32-bit : exe Aug. 7, 2017, 4:13 p.m.
- the file name for this download should be inkscape-0.92.2-x86.exe
- this will normally install into the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape>
- if the installed version does not run correctly when double-clicking on it, you could try running it from a DOS prompt. You will need to issue the command:
cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape to change to this directory
and then issue the command Inkscape.
- You can double-check the version by issuing the command:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape>inkscape -V
Inkscape 0.92.2 (5c3e80d, 2017-08-06)

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

I've solved the problem, thanks everyone for your help.
What I did:
Uninstalled Inkscape and did clean install with Defender turned off.
The program launched on start up.
I then restarted the computer and Inkscape started.
I did a recheck just now and it started again.
Problem solved

[John Diacono (johnbd)]

It seems there is some code in the start up of the program that Defender doesn't like and won't let be downloaded properly.

[Alvin Penner (apenner)]

good to hear!
in that case, if there is no objection, I'll mark this as invalid, in order to get it off the list of things to do.

please feel free to re-issue the report if the problem reappears.