QuarK 7.3.1 quits at startup

Question

QuarK 7.3.1 quits at startup

Greetings:

I posted this on the Quark forum earlier this week, but have not received any responses. Hoping someone here might help.

I just upgraded to QXP 7.31 for the Quark 8 promo. After fully installing Quark 7.31 , it quits at startup. I spent a better part of 2 days on the phone with tech support, going thru every conflict check they could come up with:

1. Tossing all Quark prefs
2. Creating a prefs folder in the Quark folder
3. Tossing various framework files and running Quark component installer
4. Moving all QXP extensions to disabled folder
5. Running Disk Warrior, rebuilding the directory (which only found a couple of broken icon flags)
6. Moved PPDs out of Library folder
7. Ran QXP Installer logged in as Root User
8. Creating a new user and running QXP installer
9. Moving fonts in/out of various folders
10. Downloading a fresh copy of the installer.

Nothing has worked.

I am using Mac OS X 10.4.11, with over 400 GB available & 4 GB RAM. The last tech I spoke with had me send them a crash log for further investigation. I'm waiting for a response. Meanwhile, any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm feeling like I just threw $300.00 down the sewer.

Just a thought....this installer was from a download link Quark sent me. I'm thinking--maybe it's buggy? The installer never asks for my previous serial number from QXP 6, it only asks for the activation number & then goes to the user info screen. I kept mentioning this to tech support and and they were like: "really, it doesn't?" but by the second day they were like: oh, that doesn't matter because you have 6 installed, implying that it's picking up the previous serial number. Is that correct?

I'm hoping the installer disk being shipped to me will work. Until then, any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dual 2 GHz Power PC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 4 GB SDRAM WD500GB HD

Posted on Aug 2, 2008 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 2, 2008 10:57 AM in response to James Deangelis

HI James,

Did you by chance remove the "promo" version before you upgraded? If not, you most likely have two sets of preferences lurking and according to the Quark forums, preferences can cause the upgraded version to quit at startup. And yes, an installer package can be buggy. UNinstall the promo and the upgraded version. Don't just drag the application folder to the Trash, that misses components. Use AppZapper available here: http://www.appzapper.com/ Just download and follow the instructions.

Also, here's Quark's contact Support info: http://www.quark.com/service/desktop/support/english_support.cfm
Tell them you need a new installer.

*If the original upgraded Quark installer package is still on the drive, it's probably here:
/User/Library/Receipts. Drag ANY Quark installers to the Trash and empty the Trash*

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Aug 2, 2008 12:52 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hi Carolyn

I didn't have a promo version of QXP 7 installed, just my Quark 6.5.

I've asked tech support if maybe I was supposed to have an earlier version of 7 on my machine, since this was an upgrade purchase, and that there may have been a misunderstanding when I made the purchase that I was upgrading from QXP 6 but they said no- and the installer radio button says "full install".

The installer for 7.31 they gave me does not have uninstall feature (kind of odd). The uninstall instructions only state to drag the Quark app to the trash. Once I get the "real" installer disks, I'm hoping it will feature an uninstaller. I'll check into appzapper meanwhile.

I'm going to try calling tech support again, and I just thought now, that I should check my settings for VirusBarrier, although that program has never given me issues with any other application installations before.

Thanks for your help!

Jim

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Answer 3

LilyLC

Level 4

2,834 points

Aug 2, 2008 7:39 PM in response to James Deangelis

James,

What a frustrating experience. Carolyn's suggestions are great. Did you repair disk permissions as I did not see it in your list. With the release of OS X, the mac "gurus" recommend to repair permissions before and after upgrades and updates. I have taken this recommendation with updating/upgrading any major application. The Quark framework files and components may need their permissions set after installation.

That said, before you try installing again, run Repair Disk Permissions first, re-boot the computer, install and then repair disk permissions afterwards.

Hope this helps.

BTW: If you are still using Quark 6.x, you may want to check inside your Quark preference folder (~/Users/{yourusername}/Library/Preferences/Quark) to see if there is a QuarkXPress 6.0 folder that you may want to keep.

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Answer 4

Aug 3, 2008 11:12 AM in response to LilyLC

LilyLC

Thanks for your response. I've tried your suggestions, but to no avail. What I think the problem is might be worse - I'm thinking that even though the 7.31 installer is a full install, it may have needed an earlier version of 7 installed, which if that is the case, the sales rep overlooked that detail when I ordered it.

I've got a letter e-mailed to Quark Support, but will not hear back until business hours tomorrow. I plan on calling them tomorrow also.

By the way, I've gotten more support on this Quark problem from posting to this Apple discussion group than Quark's. Have not had one response over there so far.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Jim

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