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Asked — Edited
Resolved Resolved by DJ Sures!

Unable To Open Project

I just tried to open my project and I get a Windows error box on the screen saying "Unable to load project. Object reference not set to an instance of an object".
So then I tried to load it from the Cloud and I get the same thing. I have a gazillion hours in my project and I can't imagine it all for not.


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Synthiam
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United Kingdom
#1  
Upload your project (on the right of the reply box is attach file, use that to upload it). DJ may have time to check it out, if not or in the mean time I'll take a look at it.
Canada
#2  
Have you try to uninstall and reload ARC?
Canada
#4  
I am having the same error message when trying to load your project on my laptop windows 8.1
Your file looks corrupted, do you have any backup/ older version of it to try on ?

Hopfully DJ or someone would be able to open an edit it
United Kingdom
#5  
How many controls should the project have?

Looking at the project it seems like you only have the Interface Builder and the Sound Servo. Yet the interface builder shows controlcommands to scripts which are not in the project file...

By removing the sound servo control manually (not with ARC) I can get it to load however all it loads up is the interface builder. Is this correct?

If not, do you have a back up of one with more in it? The save file doesn't contain any EZ-Scripts or any other controls.
United Kingdom
#7  
DJ may be able to see more than I can since he will understand more of the save file than I do so wait and see if he can do anything before writing it off.

But from what I can see in the save all that's there is the interface builder (with all buttons set up to ControlCommand() scripts etc.) and the sound servo. Removing the sound servo from the project will make it open again.

I've attached a "fixed" version of all I can salvage. Again, wait to see if DJ can do more.Junior-635458720809126250-noss.ezb
#8  
I will wait for DJ and I sure hope he has some magical cure. I guess worst case is I will just have to type it in again. The cloud file must update with the local one because they both are that way.
United Kingdom
#9  
A little late and not much comfort but always keep backups.

I keep 2 older versions as backups for all important projects. For instance I have MelvinA, MelvinB and MelvinC. I'll open the latest, say MelvinB, save as Melvin C (which is the oldest of the three) and that way I'll have at least 2 steps backwards in case of problems like this one or in case I accidently delete something I needed.
#10  
You can try starting with a empty project and merging your project one part at a time.
Hope that works for you.
That is what I had to do.
#11  
I just noticed something. The file that is saved on my computer looks bad but the one on the Cloud looks okay. It is still corrupt when I try to open it. Sorry to say it is set as private but maybe DJ could access it. If so there is still a chance it may be okay.
#12  
Well here I go again. I downloaded the latest ARC (after deleting KB2918614 again) and now my new program won't run. Once connected the program freezes. I tried someone else's and it seemed to work. Here is a copy. Junior2.EZB
#13  
here is the debug report:

EZB 0:
EZB 1:
EZB 2:
EZB 3:
EZB 4:
9/13/2014 4:32 PM - TCP Server stopped
9/13/2014 4:32 PM - TCP Server stopped
9/13/2014 4:32 PM - TCP Server stopped
9/13/2014 4:32 PM - TCP Server stopped
9/13/2014 4:32 PM - TCP Server stopped
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Attempting connection on 192.168.0.3:23
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Connected to 192.168.0.3:23
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - EZ-B reports EZ-B v4 OS
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Welcome to EZ-B v4 Beta!
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - EZ-B v4 ID: 25-54-0-0-47-255-59-57-59-37-37-37
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Connected
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Setting battery monitor voltage: 6.6
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Setting battery protection: True
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Setting i2c rate: 100000
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Comm Err: System.IO.IOException: Unable to read data from the transport connection: A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond. ---> System.Net.Sockets.SocketException: A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond
at System.Net.Sockets.Socket.Receive(Byte[] buffer, Int32 offset, Int32 size, SocketFlags socketFlags)
at System.Net.Sockets.NetworkStream.Read(Byte[] buffer, Int32 offset, Int32 size)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Net.Sockets.NetworkStream.Read(Byte[] buffer, Int32 offset, Int32 size)
at System.IO.Stream.ReadByte()
at EZ_B.EZB.(Int32 , Byte[] )
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - BbytesToExpect: 5
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - a
Received:
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Disconnected
9/13/2014 4:33 PM - Disconnected
PRO
Synthiam
#14  
It's not easy for me to access it but I can sure take a look to try.
PRO
Synthiam
#15  
Is this it?

Virtual Desktop #1
User-inserted image


Virtual Desktop #2
User-inserted image
#16  
That seems to be it DJ... Works fine on my PC (no freezing)....
#17  
Yes guys, that is it. I tried this AM and it still freezes. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling ARC to no avail. I also installed ARC on my other computer with the older version and it reacts the same on that computer so I don't think it has anything to do with yesterdays update. I am truly at a miss, stuck and frustrated.
PRO
Synthiam
#18  
Are you connected to ezb when you load the project or not?

I am not connected when loading successfully.
#19  
DJ, My issue is when I connect the program freezes. I can load, make changes, run scripts and all is fine however when I connect it freezes. Same issue on two other computers. One had the old version of ARC.
#20  
This may sound like a stupid statment but the problem seems to be with the conntion to WIFI. Maybe updating your Network drivers on your device ARC is on or resetting your router? First turn off all your devices attached to the router and unplug it for 30 seconds. Then turn on each device to reconnect. You may have a conflict somewhere. Just a guess...........
#21  
Dave, that did help a little. Before when I got the chime that the EZ-B was connected the entire program froze. Now that I have rebooted my router, when I get the chime it allows me to do a few things but there is no voltage to the CPU and naturally nothing works but at least I do have control over the file choice etc. and I don't have to go to the task manager to quit. Still not working. Other projects still work.
#22  
I tried rebooting the EZ-B now I can't connect in either mode. *stress*
PRO
Synthiam
#23  
If you reboot the ezb, it will default to AP mode. The learn section has videos on how it works and what AP mode means. In the meantime, please answer these questions...

1) Are you able to connect to the ezb wifi in ap mode?

2) Are you able to connect to the ezb web server?

3) What lights are on the ezb?

4) Does the ezb chime when powered on?

5) Does the ezb speak and inform you of resetting to default values when the reset button is pressed?

6) Does the ezb chime when an ARC connection is executed?

I can state this enough to ppl who have trouble - but connecting in default AP mode before making any network changes is a good idea. There are many videos on the learn section to help. But it's best to diagnose issues with AP mode before making network changes.

That way, you can let us know if it works in AP mode to rule out a defective ezb

If it works in AP mode, then it's either an issue with your router or network configuration.
#24  
This is very frustrating. I tried to go to 192.168.1.1 and I get "can't show this page". I tried to search available networks and mine doesn't show up. I tried turning off my connection to my network and when I click on the EZ-B in my WiFi list is says it can't connect. It was all just fine and now nothing. Very frustrating. To say nothing of the fact that my project won't work even if I could access it.
PRO
Belgium
#25  
bookmaker

i dony know if it would help.i had same problem and aldebaran recomended,
to erase your browser history.and it did help for me.
#26  
You first need to confirm that you are in AP mode.... What colour is the led on the ezb4 controller? Blue led = AP mode... Green led = client mode.... Confirm that you are in AP mode then start from the beginning.... Step one... Reboot your PC... turn on the ezb controller.... Then locate your ezb in your list of wifi networks... connect to it then open ARC... If you need to, watch the connecting ezb video in the learn section again....
#27  
What Anti-virus / Firewall software do you use? There is another thread where Avast has been identified as interfering with EZ-B communication. If you still have an issue after following Richard's suggestion, you might want to try with your AV disabled.

Alan
PRO
Synthiam
#28  
Please answer my questions from my last post. The reason I wrote those questions is to help you. I am unable to help you if you don't answer the questions. Thanks:)
United Kingdom
#29  
This may seem like a stupid answer, but I had a similar issue - it was caused by low power in my batteries. Not sure if that helps, but worth checking.
PRO
Belgium
#30  
mgodsell1973 checking batts at regular basis is a must.
ones they drop below surten point the connection can dissepear or,
motion dont work.
#31  
When trying to get my project to work I reset my EZ-B. I am now in AP mode and when I click on EZ-B in my WiFi list it tells me it can not connect. When I click on the round Globe to be abel to set it to Client mode it can't find the IP address and it comes back "page can not be displayed". I would love to answer DJ's questions but it seems a rather mute point until I can manage to get connected but here they are.
1) Are you able to connect to the ezb wifi in ap mode? NO

2) Are you able to connect to the ezb web server? NO

3) What lights are on the ezb? Blue

4) Does the ezb chime when powered on? Yes

5) Does the ezb speak and inform you of resetting to default values when the reset button is pressed? Yes

6) Does the ezb chime when an ARC connection is executed? It used too when I had a connection.

This is not an EZ-B issue. The EZ-B works just fine. At the moment it is a connection issue. Once I solve this issue I will get back to my project issues.
Any help on what in the world is going on with my connectivity problem would be greatly appreciated.
PRO
Synthiam
#32  
Okay the answers to those questions identify the problem to be with the pc's wireless connection/settings/firewall/virus software.

1) Do you have virus software or firewall? (Other than the Microsoft firewall)

Another thing to try is to remove the existing ezb wireless configuration from windows. Follow these instructions:

1) click the wireless icon in the system tray near the clock

2) select the menu option at the bottom "network settings and sharing"

3) a new window will open with options along the left. Select Manage Wireless Networks

4) locate any instances of ezb. Select and remove them.
#33  
I did as you instructed and there are no instances of ezb. I have always connected in client mode. I have never been able to connect in AP mode.
PRO
Synthiam
#34  
In order to configure client mode, you must have been able to access the web server therefore working in AP Mode. To clarify, the default mode for the EZB is AP Mode.

Have you always used that computer or is there another computer that you connected to for the configuration change on the EZB?
#35  
just a idea...

With my desktop wired and wireless connections my subnet is 192.168.1.1-255. i was unable to connect too.

but tried on laptop only connect wireless to connect and set my v4. it works fine.

after that able to connect with desktop after v4 was on my subnet.

j

:D
#36  
DJ, I have always used that computer for EZ-B.
#37  
You must have initially (at some point) connected to your EZB in WP mode because that is how they are shipped... And you can't connect in client mode until you first connect your PC to your EZB in WP mode.... Then, from WP mode you can then access the ezb web server in order to put your EZB in Client mode...
#38  
Can you use/find another computer to try and connect to your ezb? All you need to do is use the other PC to connect in wp mode then to set the ezb in client mode. After that you should be able to now go back to using the pc that was giving you the connection problems (because now the ezb4 would be back in client mode)
#39  
Thanks Richard, I have tried two different computers. Going to try my wife's laptop next. To answer your question my first connection was on a friends laptop which happened to be here the day v4 came. I couldn't connect with my computers then either.
PRO
Synthiam
#40  
Bookmaker, you always used your friends computer? But your friends computer worked the first day? If you can clarify with specifics, tbay would help. We want to get you up and running:)
#41  
Yes it is a bit confusing. I could not connect so my friend had his laptop with him and we tried it and presto. No problem. So we went in and set up client mode and all was well until I reset my EZ-B. I have two computers with WiFi and both show the EZ-B on the WiFi list but will not connect. I just tried my wife's laptop and it hooked up fine but I can't install ARC because I don't have the admin pass word at the moment.
#42  
Do the computers that won't connect also have wired connections (plugged into your LAN, not just built into the machines)? It could be an IP address conflict. Even unplugged, if the wired LAN ports have static IP addresses in the 192.168.1.x subnet they could conflict with a connection.

You never answered the question about what virus scan you are running. There have been several reports that Avast is interfering with EZ-B connections.

Alan
PRO
Synthiam
#43  
Thanks Alan, I didn't realize Bookmaker was using a desktop.

Bookmaker, can you clarify if you are using a Laptop or a Desktop?

If so, can you disconnect the Ethernet cable and try connecting to the EZB?

What alan is stating is that you may have an ip address conflict because your Ethernet and Wireless are both attempting to 192.168.1.x addresses.
#44  

Quote:

Thanks Alan, I didn't realize Bookmaker was using a desktop.


Not sure he is, but the symptoms fit an address conflict pretty well. They also fit an overly aggressive firewall or AV app too.

Eventually we'll have a large enough community that EZ-B owners will be able to arrange meetups to help each other out. I would offer to do a screen share, but you need Internet access for that, and in AP mode, you won't have internet access, so that won't help.

That being said (and not meaning to hijack the thread) a web site suggestion: we should be able to share our state or locale in our profile (maybe under our names where we show country now) so that it would be easier for community members to find local help.

I think Bookmaker is in Texas. If he was in the greater DC/Baltimore megalopolis, I would volunteer to meet to help figure this out in person.

Alan
PRO
Belgium
#45  
alan about the screen sharing,you can easly do that whit skype.
#46  

Quote:

alan about the screen sharing,you can easly do that whit skype.


There are many ways to screen share if you have Internet access, but when connecting to an EZ-B in AP mode, you won't have Internet access, so it doesn't matter.

Alan
#47  
I can report some progress. I managed to connect on my wife's laptop, get client set up and I am back on. I have an IT guy coming over later to resolve the IP issue so I will be able to connect in AP mode. Back to the original post and my project. I still have the same issue. I load the project and it is fine. I can make changes, add things and all is as it should be but if I connect it freezes. No voltage to the CPU. There is something not right with the project and it happened when I did the next to last update but I don't think that had anything to do with it. This is the second time I have had an issue with a project. I would like to know what is going on before I type it in again for the third time.
PRO
Synthiam
#48  
Can you delete or pause the Compass control before connecting to the ezb? If you do not have the compass connected to the ezb, it will lock up.

The ARM chip being used on the ezb is not as friendly toward i2c devices as the microchip PIC was. With the ARM, if the i2c is not responsive it will lock up. Silly I know, but that's how it was physically designed by STM Electronics.
#49  
Compass deleted and now the project is working fine. My deepest thanks and gratitude. I will try UART compass connection. Bye the way. The compass was not even hooked up. I had just added it to the project with intentions of getting it working.
#50  
WOOT!

That was a challenging one.

Alan
PRO
Synthiam
#51  
Great to hear bookmaker! If you do not have the compass connected to the ezb, it will lock up.

The ARM chip being used on the ezb is not as friendly toward i2c devices as the microchip PIC was. With the ARM, if the i2c is not responsive it will lock up. Silly I know, but that's how it was physically designed by STM Electronics.
Australia
#52  
I can't open my project either. Spent many hours on it. This is my first day using EZB. I love it but this is very scary. I want my robots to be on public display and I won't be there when they are. Untrained people will control my 'foolproof' robots. There cannot be glitches as major as this. "System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object." It seems to reference Sound Servo, which is one of the buttons I pressed in the menu at some point. I don't have a mouth on my robot so its not something I need, but this should not prevent my project from loading, surely?
Australia
#53  
Thank goodness its fixed.

I merged my saved project that wasn't loading together with an empty project as mcsdaver said, and then checked all controls except the Sound Servo. Then it worked.

This shouldn't happen though. Its a major bug in the software. Next ARC update please.
Australia
#55  
Man that's efficient! :)
#56  
Glad I was able to help even tho my post was a year ago!
Australia
#57  
Goes to show how important forums are as a source of information. Thanks:)
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