PC/Cricut problems again!

[maureenmcn]

Can anyone help me again? Lots of you tried to help me in June regarding the problem of my PC not recognising my Cricut Expression and I only managed to resolve the issue by completely re-installing Windows 7. However I have now developed the same issue although it had been running ok until this week. I now have lots of info stored on my PC and various network sharing set ups so am reluctant to go down this path again. Have sent the following info to Craft Edge support but wondered if anyone else has had this problem:

Windows 7 Ultimate

Cricut Expression v2.31

SCAL - had latest version but reverted to v 2.012 today to try and resolve issue.

Computer not recognising Cricut (as before).

Downloaded latest drivers.

Can see the Cricut under Devices and Windows troubleshooter confirms working correctly.

Connected directly to PC via USB.

Have no other devices connected to PC and no USB hub.

Have tried different cable and ports.

Have tried in Virtual XP Mode with no success.

Have cartridge inserted.

On starting Cricut it beeps then Cricut screen stays on name of loaded cartridge and I cannot load paper.

Cricut works correctly when used independently of the PC.

Have downloaded trial version of Design Studio previously so assume the drivers are up to date as cannot download now because of the above.

If you have any ideas I would be very grateful as I have several projects to finish!

I do hope you are able to help with this problem

regards

Maureen

[talanhart]

Do you have any software running in the background. SCAL likes to run by itself. Cell phone or maybe GPS software or something that isn't necessarily open, but might still be running could be causing a problem.

[maureenmcn]

Hi Todd

Nice to hear from you again.

Have just finished putting my PC back to a system restore point at a date I knew it was working. (Lesson 1 - remind myself to always create regular system restore points!)
Guess what PC sees the Cricut!
Am now cutting one of my projects but don't know what I have installed/downloaded in the intervening weeks that messed it up so badly. Will have to check it out.
I love lots of things about Win 7 but would seem that there are just too many issues with 64 bit still. I am hoping that everything will continue working tomorrow so I can complete some more projects.
Just to confirm that previously there were no other applications etc in the background as I made sure I completely turned off the PC and restarted and no cellphone in the room.

Think maybe I just have one of those computers you love to hate.......

Thanks for the advice and will keep you posted on how it goes.

Maureen

[talanhart]

Glad to hear you are up and running.

[pscaulkins]

Glad you have it back up and running. I am running Win 7 on 64-bit and have had no problems. The only issue I had was downloading 2.24 version. It would not weld and was freezing up. I then installed the latest 2.28 v and it works great for me. Maybe it's your circut. How old is it? Mine is 2-1/2 years old and it has glitches when I use it without my laptop. Yesterday, I wanted to cut one thing off a cart and it cut like 6 of the same until I stopped it.

[maureenmcn]

Pleased to say that just switched everything on again this morning and still working

My Cricut expression is less than a year old and purchased here in the UK. It works perfectly when using the carts but have had several problems in the past (besides the above) with various versions of SCAL freezing, stopping at cutting mat and not doing multiple cuts. Did have the latest version installed which was great, especially with the ability to move objects around without clicking top corner but have now gone back to v2.012. It is really strange the way some members have problems while others don't. I am fairly computer savvy but I find this particular problem really frustrating!

Craft Edge support have been great but I still need to find out what caused it to crash. Think most likely culprit was Norton 360 antivirus programme which I renewed and updated to newer version. Even with it disabled the PC and Cricut couldn't communicate. Needless to say I am running at the moment with just free AVG rather than risk it. Trouble is I use the PC for business and really need a good antivirus programme that doesn't interfere with the Cricut/SCAL. What do other forum members use for Antivirus when running Win 7 64 bit with SCAL?

As always many thanks for the help and useful ideas.

Maureen (from UK)

[pscaulkins]

Currently, I am using McAfee but when it expires will go with the paid verison of AVG. Norton is a joke. I actually know someone that works for Symantac in the tech capacity. He couldn't even fix a very simple problem. Norton causes all kinds of issues and acts like a virus itself.