Inkscapes Question

[EdeeJohnson]

I downloaded this program but everytime I go to open it I have to uninstall, it in order to reinstall it, in order to use it. Anyone know what I can do to fix this? Someone said something about a driver? Not sure what that is.

Thanks in advance.

[wreed06]

That doesn't make sense. What operating system do you have? Once you install Inkscape successfully, you should not have to uninstall it ever unless YOU CHOOSE to do for some reason.

What happens exactly when you double click on the Inkscape shortcut on your desktop (if Windows, don't know about Mac), or choose Start -> All Programs -> Inkscape (again in Windows)? Do you get a message? If so, what does it say EXACTLY? If you do not get a message, what EXACTLY happens? If it shuts down, why do you think you need to uninstall it?

I don't know that I'll have your answer, but more information would sure be helpful!

[EdeeJohnson]

When I double click the shortcut icon for it, it asks me if I want to run, I push run. Then, it comes up

previous installation detected at C:/ProgramFiles/inkscapes.
Required file Uninstall.dat is missing.

It is highly recommended to select an empty directory and perform a fresh installation.

Then if you push ok it goes to uninstall the program.

[wreed06]

Sounds like you are clicking on the shortcut that will INSTALL Inkscape, rather than RUN Inkscape. After successfully installing Inkscape, you should have an icon that looks like the picture below. Is that the icon you are clicking on?

[EdeeJohnson]

no mine is different. It is a circle that looks like a disc.

[EdeeJohnson]

When downloading what do I need to checkmark?

[wreed06]

The icon with you describe is the installation program. You only run that once. You need to find the icon I showed you in the picture above and click on it. You have been rerunning the installation program which is not the Inkscape program itself. I know what is wrong on your system, but I don't have time to explain just now - I can tell you in a couple of hours.

[HeatherM]

If it's installed on your computer, you can always (assuming you have windows) go Start/All programs/Inkscape. I don't have (or want) a shortcut on my desktop.

[EdeeJohnson]

Thankyou, I think I understand. I can go to the programs and open it now, just can't do it from the shortcut. Thankyou all for your help. I really appreciate it.

[wreed06]

When I double click the shortcut icon for it, it asks me if I want to run, I push run. Then, it comes up

previous installation detected at C:/ProgramFiles/inkscapes.
Required file Uninstall.dat is missing.

It is highly recommended to select an empty directory and perform a fresh installation.

Then if you push ok it goes to uninstall the program.

Ok, here's the problem: When you click on the icon, it tries to install Inkscape but sees that you already have it there. When you click on Ok and Yes to the popup windows below, you do indeed uninstall Inkscape from your system. When it finishes, the wizard tries to install Inkscape. That is when you get another message saying that Inkscape must be installed in an empty directory, and it cannot continue with the installation and you have to click on Cancel.

Here's the problem: This uninstall process does not delete the Inkscape folder on your computer and it may not delete everything in the Inkscape folder. Because at least the Inkscape folder is still there, the install program thinks you have an good installation.

Here's the fix: Right click on Start and click Explore. Click on the + sign next to the C: drive so that it expands. Look for Program Files, then Inkscape. Double click on Inkscape so that its contents displays on the right side. If you have a lot of files on the right, then you likely have a valid copy of Inkscape and should be able to use it. If you have a few or none, you need to delete the Inkscape folder. Click on the Inkscape folder on the left side to make it active, then press the delete key on your keyboard.

Run the installation program (the icon with the disc that you have been using). Just click Next through all of the windows until the program starts to install Inkscape. When the installation is complete you can have the wizard run Inkscape - there is a checkbox on the finished window. You can keep that box checked if you like and when you click on the Finish button, Inkscape will start.

I see why you may be confused. (I'm doing these instructions as I write them). The installation wizard did not create a desktop icon, so you may not have that either. So, as Heather says, you can click on Start and you may have an Inkscape icon on the Start menu. If it is there, double click on it to start Inkscape. Otherwise, click on All Programs, and you should see Inkscape in the program list. Click on the Inkscape in the program to start it.

If you do not have an icon on your desktop and would like one, go to Start, All Programs, right-click on Inkscape, and click on Create Shortcut on the menu. A second shortcut will appear on the menu. Find the second one, called Inkscape(2), and drag it to your desktop. You can rename the icon to get rid of the (2) if you like - right click on the icon and click on Rename. Your cursor is now in the icon name text box and you can type in it as you would in Notepad. Move your cursor to the (2) and delete those characters. I recommend you keep Inkscape as the shortcut name to keep things consistent.

HTH