Roxio: Creator NXT launches but program components do not

Symptom

The Roxio Creator NXT launcher (Roxio Central) opens, but when one of the program components is selected, such as Edit Video-Advanced (VideoWave) or Edit Photos (PhotoSuite), it doesn't launch. The button clicks, but nothing happens. The issue affects only the standalone program components, i.e., the programs that launch in their own application window (e.g., VideoWave, PhotoSuite, SlideShow Assistant, etc.). This issue does not affect the integrated programs, i.e., those that open within the Creator NXT user interface (e.g., Burn Audio CD, Burn Disc Image, Copy Disc to Image, etc.).

On navigating to the folder location of the program component’s executable, and double-clicking the .exe file, it fails to launch with the error message “C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio Creator NXT Pro 6\%name of application module%\%name of executable%.exe: Windows cannot find ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio Creator NXT Pro 6\%name of application module%\%name of executable%.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.”

 Example: running the PhotoSuite executable in its program folder brings up an error message...

A closer look at the error message...

Cause

An installed (or previously installed) antivirus software or registry tune-up utility have placed the applications’ executable in a “sleep” or hybernation state. After the antivirus or registry utility was removed from the system, the procedure code for launching these applications no longer exists. As such, the normal execute call fails and the application cannot be started up.

In this example AVG TuneUp was the culprit, which is a system and registry optimizer from AVG. Reinstalling AVG TuneUp to reverse the state does not work. If you have been using this, or any similar utility, to improve your computer’s performance, this article applies to you.

Resolution

You will need to go into the registry editor and search for the key containing your disabled programs, then delete the data value that is placing those programs in their hybernate state. Follow the steps below.

• Step #1
  Open the Windows Registry Editor by typing in “regedit” in the Search tool on your taskbar and select the “Registry Editor” application from the search results list. Or, press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog box and type in “regedit” or “regedit.exe” in the “Open” field and click OK. Click “Yes” in the User Account Control dialog box if it comes up.
• Step #2
  Once the Registry Editor window is up, navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
• Step #3
  Under the Image File Execution Options key, locate the sub-key folder bearing the executable filename of the Roxio Creator application module you are trying to open. For example, the “Edit Photos” or PhotoSuite executable filename is “photosuite15.exe”. The “Edit Video-Advanced” or VideoWave executable filename is “videowave15.exe”.
• Step #4
  Once the executable has been located, select its sub-key folder, and check if there is a “Debugger” item listed on the right-hand pane. If there is, does it show a value under the “Data” column? If so, double-click on the Debugger item to open it’s “Edit String” dialog box. In the dialog box, delete the value data, and click OK.

  

   

  

   

  

• Step #5
  The corresponding Roxio Creator application module should now launch when selected in Roxio Creator launcher window, or when double-clicked from its folder location. Test this and see if it worked.
• Step #6
  Repeat the same procedures for the other affected application modules.

That’s it. All your Creator NXT application modules should now be back to working condition.

A note on System and Registry Optimizers

These powerful utilities should always be used with caution. Making too many changes at the same time could potentially cause irrecoverable damage to your operating system. If you can avoid these type of utilities, do so. It is always better to go the physical upgrade route (add more RAM or replace your slow hard disk drive with a solid-state drive, or SSD) than gamble system stability with utilities that modify or “tune” your operating system settings.