Audacity Is Already Running..

[Japhy]

The system has detected that another copy of audacity is running.Running two copies of audacity may cause data loss or cause your system to crash.
Use the New or Open commands in the currently running audacity process to open multiple projects simultaneously.

I keep getting this error when trying to open audacity. I just downloaded an installed 1.3 beta. I uninstalled 1.2. Restarted a few times. Went to task manager. Nothing running in applications but it does show audacity running in the processes tab. Very strange. I'm stumped and need some help here. I'm Vista by the way. Thanks.

[steve]

Audacity 1.2 is known to have problems on modern machines. The recommended version is 1.3.13.
If you've not done so already, try rebooting your computer, then try launching Audacity.
If you still have a problem you may need to reset the Audacity Preferences (see here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audac ... defaults_2 )

[Japhy]

That's what's strange. I had no trouble when running 1.2 . But now that I've installed the "compatible" version I'm having trouble. Also, that link doesn't help me much. I'm not sure what to do with that info.

[steve]

It would probably be more accurate to say that you've had no trouble "yet".

I'm not sure what to do with that info.

So I assume that you have rebooted and you still have the same problem? (if not, try that first).

1. Reboot the computer and do not open Audacity.
2. Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, and then click OK.
5. Close the Control Panel
6. Go to Users<user name>AppDataRoamingAudacity
7. Find the file audacity.cfg and open it in Notepad
8. Remove all the content except the line NewPrefsInitialized=1
9. Save the changes to audacity.cfg

Now try launching Audacity.

[Japhy]

Ok followed your instructions. Now I'm not getting the error or anything at all. Show audacity.exe running in processes but I see nothing. Program won't open at all. Now what?

[steve]

Is Audacity showing up in the Task bar?

[Japhy]

Nope. only in task manager under processes.

[steve]

Are you running Audacity in compatibility mode?
To check, or change the compatibility mode, right-click over audacity.exe in Windows Explorer, then click Properties.
Force Audacity to quit (from the Task Manager) before you try restarting it.
First try running NOT in compatibility mode, and if that does not work, try running in XP compatibility mode.

[steve]

Another thing - do you have other music production software installed?

[Japhy]

No other recording software installed. Took it in and out of compatibility mode. Went through all the options. Have uninstalled and reinstalled and restarted my computer about 50 times today. Reinstalled 1.2 version after uninstalling 1.3 and it gave me the same error. Before I originally uninstalled 1.2 the only problem I ever had with it was it would crash sometimes after hitting stop button. I could manage that problem. But now it appears my audacity days are over. I appreciate all your help though. And loved the program while it worked for me. Thanks again.