HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

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rob.barker@outlook.com
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Last visit: Fri May 05, 2023 8:06 am

HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by rob.barker@outlook.com »

ENV: HelpWriter 1.0.9 (64-bit) running on Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
Problem: I have a psm1-Help.xml file for a functional module with 158 cmdlets. I noticed 2 problems (1) I was able to Import my existing help from the psm1 file to create the initial seeding for further editing in HelpWriter. I can browse but cannot save any new changes to the file without HelpWriter crashing every time. (2) I found that the outputed file psm1-Help.xml file contains <!-- --> tags that are outside of the core schema nodes and this causes a problem when Update-Help tries to read the contains from the cab file. If I remove those specific tags then things work properly through Update-Help.

I have attached the file which is causing the crashes. There is nothing in the file that is not public content that I distribute through GitHub repository.

My issue (1) is critical to get resolved.

Thanks,
barkz
Attachments
PureStoragePowerShell.psm1-Help.xml
File that is causing crashes.
(708.85 KiB) Downloaded 793 times
Last edited by rob.barker@outlook.com on Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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SAPIEN Support Forums
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HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by SAPIEN Support Forums »

This is an automated post. A real person will respond soon.

Thank you for posting, barkz@purestorage.com.

Did you remember to include the following?
  • 1. Product, version and build (e.g. Product: PowerShell Help Writer 2015, Version & Build: 1.0.9. Version and build information can be found in the product's About box accessed by clicking the blue icon with the 'i' in the upper right hand corner of the ribbon.)
    2. Specify if you are running a 32 or 64 bit version
    3. Specify your operating system and if it is 32 or 64 bit.
    4. Attach a screenshot if your issue can be seen on the screen
    5. Attach a zip file if you have multiple files (crash reports, log entries, etc.) related to your issue.
If not, please take a moment to edit your original post or reply to this one.

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juneblender
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by juneblender »

Thanks for the report, barkz. I'm going to try to repro the crash now.

Sorry about the comment issue. For now, please delete the HTML comments.

Thanks,
JuneB
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davidc
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by davidc »

Can you give us a step by step on how to reproduce the crash?

I opened the file and edit the file without a crash.

Please include any error messages or Event logs.

David
David
SAPIEN Technologies, Inc.
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rob.barker@outlook.com
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Last visit: Fri May 05, 2023 8:06 am

Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by rob.barker@outlook.com »

All I have to do is open the file, under Add-PfaHostGroupHosts add a Note enter is some basic text for title/remark. Hit save and get unresponsive dialog (attached). I choose Wait for the program to respond and eventually I have to task manager kill the process as it never responds. My laptop has 8GB RAM and I've repro'd this just running HelpWriter with no other apps running. Nothing in the Event Viewer logs.
Attachments
SAPIEN_PowerShell_HelpWriter_Crash.jpg
SAPIEN_PowerShell_HelpWriter_Crash.jpg (39.37 KiB) Viewed 20628 times
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juneblender
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by juneblender »

I have repro'd that crash. Is there anything other than Notes that cause HelpWriter to hang or crash?
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rob.barker@outlook.com
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by rob.barker@outlook.com »

I think I found my problem. Internally we re-direct to Box folders which are constantly synchronizing on file changes. If I Save As to a local (C:\Folder) location it works fine. If I save it to a Box folder then it crashes consistently.

But now I wonder how you are reproducing the crash b/c I cannot now without using the Box folder.
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rob.barker@outlook.com
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Last visit: Fri May 05, 2023 8:06 am

Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by rob.barker@outlook.com »

The interesting thing in this scenario is that the Box folder is really just a local folder C:\Users\barkz\Box Folders\FOOBAR that then is synchronized through Box services. It saves to the local folder before synchronizing so I'm not sure why the crash happens during the save process.
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davidc
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by davidc »

The Note crash will be resolved in the next service release.

I'm not sure why the Box folder would cause a crash. If you can get the event log on the save crash, that might help us locate the issue.

David
David
SAPIEN Technologies, Inc.
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davidc
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Re: HelpWriter consistently crashes when saving

Post by davidc »

The new build is now available. Please let us know if it resolved the Note issue.

David
David
SAPIEN Technologies, Inc.
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