App Inventor won't open my Project

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

App Inventor won't open my project when I click on it. And when I think it will work, the browser freezes and it gives me the option to stop a script. It then tells me that "An Internal Error Has Occurred. Report a Bug?". I'm able to start a new project and click the checkbox of my other project. I can even get into the new project I started, but the drag-and-drop screen won't show up. This wasn't doing this yesterday.

[M. Hossein Amerkashi]

Use Chrome.

-Hossein.

http://Amerkashi.Wordpress.com

[SteveJG]

This could be a browser issue, but might not.  Firefox was recently upgraded.  That could be your issue as Hossein recommends Chrome.

You are on a school system, so using Chrome might not be possible.  Here are some things to try:

1) Close and restart Firefox, then try to load the project again. This might clear the issue.

2) Restart your PC.  This might clear the issue

3) If your project is large (over 5Mb) then you have reached a limit with AI2.  It can not compile and sometimes even load projects larger than 5Mb.  Do you have lots of screens and or image or sound files?

Are other student's having issues with their projects?    If they are working OK, it is probable the issue is something with your code.

Did anything listed above help you?    Please let us know what you tried and what happened and we will probably get you producing blocks again.

Incidentally, I am using Firefox 29.0.1 and have no issues.

Regards,

Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I tried to restart Firefox, that didn't work. I tried restarting my PC, that didn't work either. I have a about 5 screens or so, and I uploaded one image but haven't used it. I also don't know how to check how large my project is. I have also sent in a report when it tells me the internal error thing. I can also post the data the error gives in the report if it would help. Thanks for your help so far.

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I have also tried to use app inventor on the school computer with Firefox and it worked.

[SteveJG]

OK.  Sorry the simple stuff did not work.

Is this issue on your home PC or on the school's PC?     You said the project loads on the school PC..that is great.  Now we need to find out what might be wrong on 

your home PC.

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I'm using a laptop on the school's Wi-Fi network. I can get the error report data if you would like me to.

[SteveJG]

" can also post the data the error gives " ... yes, please do that.

Is your home PC Windows 8 or Xp or something else?

You can find out how large your project is by downloading the aia file. 

Sharing your app so that others can remix (.aia file)

Make sure you are viewing the list of all of your projects (if you are not, choose Projects | My Projects). Select the project you wish to share by checking the box next to it. Choose Project | Export selected project (.aia) to my computer to export the source code (blocks) for your project. The source code is downloaded in a .aia file.

After you download the file to your PC, it will look like:     yourProjectsName.aia        then right-click on it, when the window opens, click on Properties (at the bottom of the window)  and note the Size.  That is the info needed.

[SteveJG]

Thank you.      If you can capture a screen image of your Designer screen, that would be helpful ... can you provide a png or jpg image?

You might also look at this link:  http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ai2/support/troubleshooting

I suspect the school laptop may not have the most recent version of AICompanion on it.  It should have version 2.17  .   AI2 may have to be re-installed 

on the laptop.  Another possible issue is, if it is an older laptop, it may not have sufficient memory to run the browser, AI2 and your project at the same time.

You said you have an image in the Media resources but are not using it.  If it is a large file size, 1 or 2 Mb, you might try deleting it.

On the laptop, can you see your project listed in the Projects?   

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

The script that is having problems is http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/ode/0B0352CED3C3B30DD6AC4019DC98EBAF.cache.html:3399

The error info:

notes = Browser: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:29.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/29.0
foundIn = nb132c
faultData = com.google.gwt.core.client.JavaScriptException: (TypeError) : a is null
projectId = -1

My laptop is running windows 8.1 64-bit

The project is 21.8 kb and 24.0 on the disk

[SteveJG]

This is a 404 error.     It means that something is probably blocking access to the school's network.  The laptop might be blocked by the school's IT protocols.   If that is the case, you will have to discuss the issue with someone responsible for maintaining the school's network.    I suspect a firewall is blocking access but do not know.

It might not be possible to use that laptop on your school's network.   Are other students successfully using laptops to run AI2 at your school?

The project is 21.8 kb and 24.0 on the disk ... that is good. Unless that image in the resources is about 3Mb in size, the project size is probably not an issue.

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

Sorry for the late reply, I don't have much chance at school to use my laptop.

Yes, other kids are using this on their laptops and are not having any troubles at all (as far as I know).

Is there a desktop or downloadable version of app inventor that I could use?

And with the support page, I tried again just now on my home Wi-Fi and it still happened.

How critical is that picture? I don't know when the next time I'll be on a desktop computer. If it is critical, maybe I could describe what is there.

Hope that answers some things.

[Taifun]

Is there a desktop or downloadable version of app inventor that I could use?

  Ai2LiveComplete by Hossein

 AI2 Ultimate by krupong

Taifun

---

Trying to push the limits of App Inventor! Snippets and Tutorials from Pura Vida Apps by Taifun.         

[SteveJG]

Something is wrong with the App Inventor setup on your laptop.  Other students are able to connect and so should you.  In your circumstances, I would talk to my instructor and see if he/she could get your laptop working correctly with app inventor.

You do not want to have a stand-alone set up in my opinion.  If you can not get the regular AI2 running, installing and using the stand-alone version will be a nightmare.  It is something for teckies.  If you have a Internet connection at home, you should be able to connect easily.

No, the image is not critical, however it would provide additional information.  So, we can get some of it another way.

If you can see any of the AI2 Screen at all on Firefox (It would be better if you tried a Chrome browser)  find the Help at the top of the screen, click it, then click about and you will see the following screen;

Let me know what you see where indicated.  This is the AICompanion version...if your version is not this version, this is the probable issue.

If you get this far, then do the following as shown on the next image:

find where it indicates Connects, then do a Hard Reset.    You may see additional screens that ask you to do things... do what the screen indicates.  If you have the wrong software, sometimes this corrects the issue.   Now, shut down and restart your laptop.    Use Chrome instead of Firefox if possible, and try to start AI2 again on your PC.

Let me know if any of this makes a difference.

Regards,

Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I checked the version and it is the same as was in the picture.

Should I still do the hard reset?

[ballyc...@gmail.com]

I am having this exact same issue an my computer is almost identical to the OP's computer. It used to be working fine but then within the past few days I started getting that same error. It's not the school blocking it because I have the same problem at home as well. I will try all of the above fixes but I'm not hopeful.

[ballyc...@gmail.com]

I cannot open the about screen or use the hard reset option. It appears that none of those buttons work for me. Any suggestions?

[SteveJG]

I have asked someone on the MIT tech team to comment.   

@tmb.al      Can you capture your AI2 browser screen and please post.  Also, what is the name of your project?       Try a hard reset?  Certainly do that.  Be aware MIT upgraded AI2 last night and this will also implement the changes that will provide you more tools.    I suspect you NEED to reinstall AI2 on your laptop.  Follow all the uninstall instructions from the links provided earlier.  

@ballyc...   You are going to need to provide the same information.  Be hopeful.

Are you both at the same school?

Regards,

Steve

[ballyc...@gmail.com]

As far as I know we don't go to the same school. It would be weird if we did... o.o Anyways, what do I need to screenshot? The name of my project is "Test". I will try and redownload AI2 on my laptop. Tell me if you need more info!

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

Here's a picture of basically the only thing I can access that has to with my account:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UPBJ0wQRros/U3pyg19ap4I/AAAAAAAAAts/BpHvSAaTg3M/s1600/Screen.png

As far as the Hard Reset, I clicked on it and proceeded to restart as you suggested, but that didn't do anything. Clicking on it also might not have worked, since I didn't see any other things pop up when it was pressed.

The main project I have trouble with is called Myriad Math Solver.

What do you mean by reinstalling AI2? I haven't downloaded any of the stand alone ones. And which post was the link in for the uninstalling?

[Enis]

When you click on Hard Reset, nothing happens visually until you try to use the Emulator again, at which time, you'll be presented with the instructions on how to proceed.

[SteveJG]

@ tmb.al....    Thanks for the image.    Your MyridMathSolver should load automatically.   You are telling me it does not.  Try clicking on the words MyridMathSolver.  That should load the designer screen.  Does it?      You show a second project.  Does clicking on it load the SwitchScreens project?

Hard Reset  ... see Enis' comments.    If you click on the Help, then About, you will see the following.  Do you?

If you did the Hard Reset today, you should see version nb133  and Companion 2.18.     Do you?

Reinstalling AI2  is described here:  http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ai2/update-setup-software.html      If you use an emulator you need to do that?     I expect you are only using WIFI?   I am not talking about the stand alone versions of AI2,  I am talking about the Web version.    If you try to use the emulator and have not gone through these steps, you can not use AI2 unless the aiCompanion is installed to your PC.

I am alerting one of the MIT staff of your project and info.   He will look to see if he can find it on the server at MIT and may offer some suggestions.

Regards,

Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

When I click on the Myriad Math Solver project, it does nothing. When I click on the SwitchScreens project, it will load, BUT that is only if it is the project that was last selected. When I have been using the MMS project and I click on the SwitchScreens project, my browser freezes up (doesn't respond) and then it comes back to tell me that the same script (http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/ode/0B0352CED3C3B30DD6AC4019DC98EBAF.cache.html:3399) isn't working and that I can either Continue it or Stop Script. I usually hit stop Script, mainly due to the fact that continue does nothing. This script trouble also occurs when I refresh the page with the MMS project as main.

By the way, my teacher would not be able to help with an of this because she is learning how to use it as well. And I also know my way around a computer pretty well, just as a note.

As far as the emulator, I do not use one. I use the Wi-Fi and the AI2Companion. What do you mean download the companion to my PC/laptop? I have been able to use the combo with just the webpage "Connect" menu and the app on my Android.

I (maybe) did the hard reset today and do see the nb133 and Companion 2.18 .

[SteveJG]

Because the SwitchScreens project does load and MMS does not, I suspect the MMS file may be corrupted.  You said earlier that you can use the Project from a school PC.  In that case, I suggest you download the MMS aia from the school PC to a flash drive; insert the flash drive into your laptop and Import the MMS aia file.  You might have to give the aia file a different name when you make the aia for this to be successful.  Will it work?   Perhaps.   In the meanwhile, I hope we get a response from one of the MIT technical staff.

"By the way, my teacher would not be able to help with an of this because she is learning how to use it as well. And I also know my way around a computer pretty well, just as a note.

---interesting.  How do you know?  If you do not ask her you will never know what she knows.  The two of you together might have been able to figure this out.

What I mean is you also have the possibility of running your app on the emulator on your laptop instead of your phone/tablet.

If you see nb133 etc., you did the Hard Reset successfully.

If you can get an aia from the school desktop, that might solve your issue.  Try it   but also return to see if someone here will have other suggestions.

Regards,

Steve

[SteveJG]

@ballyc    To post an image, if you have Windows, either use the Sniping tool (Win 7 +) or  do a Ctrl + PrtScn, then copy the image to the Paint program, save as a png or jpg image and post to the forum using the colored Insert Image icon (next to the Link icon) in the message box.

Your project is called Test ... on your screen at the top is a project number,    something like #1234567etc.

@ Hal .... be aware, there are two different students in this thread.  Ballyc is still providing information.  They both have the issue they can access their projects using the school network but not from home.

-- Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I have just tried to export and import the same project under a new name. It didn't work. I think this problem has something to do with the script that keeps acting up when load into the My Projects screen.

I also just tried to switch to the SwitchScreens again and just the "Internal Error" showed up. BUT then App Inventor let me into the SwitchScreens project. The only thing is that the designer screen's xml representations of the layout will not show. Might it also be helpful to mention that when the script and internal errors occur, there is multiple internal error boxes that show up?

Again with my teacher, no offense to her but she didn't now how to switch screens in an app. That's why I came here first, and I thank you for your help so far.

[SteveJG]

Did you attempt the export under a new name from your laptop or did you try it from the school desktop?   I intended you create the aia from the desktop, save to a flash drive, then use the flash to import it on your lapttop.  When you do that, I think the project will have to have a different name.   You cannot just change the file name using an editor.

So, did you try this from the laptop?   Or did I misunderstand what you did?

Confirm that you accessed your project from the school desktop, saved it with a new name from the Project screen, perhaps newMyriadMathSolver?   Now create an aia for newMyriadMathSolver.  Save the aia to a flash drive  then use that to laod the newMyriadMathSolver into your laptop...   

OK about SwitchScreens.

LOTS of people do not know how to safely switch screens.  Look at the threads in the forum.  There are several ways to do it, some of the ways do not release memory and can cause issues with the app crashing on phones etc.   Glad you figured that out.

Regards,

Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I just took exported the .aia from the school computer and re-uploaded it to App Inventor using the school computer. I don't think corruption should be a problem, since I'm able to access it just fine from the school computer.

Should I just try the flash drive thing anyway to see if it makes any difference?

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

Great, now it just did the same thing on my school computer! This problem is really bugging me.

Could it be how I'm saving the project? I sometimes click the "Save Project" button while I'm editing it.

I decided to try Chrome on the school computer (we can use it at our school, I just don't really like Chrome).

[SteveJG]

@tmb.al...       You now have an aia from the school desktop.  Yes, try loading the aia into your laptop   using   Project > Import project (aia) from my computer and guard the file aia.   It may be the only usable copy of your Project.

Also, you should NOT have the Project open on both your laptop and the desktop at the SAME time.  Doing that can cause bad problems.

[SteveJG]

Saving the project using "Save Project"  should always be OK.  That probably is not the issue.

Chrome usually has less issues than Firefox based on experience of most issues and the experts here agree.  What you do not want to do is to have the Project open on two browsers at the same time...ever.   If you do that, the project on one of them will NEVER save.  There is a warning about multiple access in the forum threads items posted at the very top.

The school computer project does not load either?   A more complete explanation of what is happening or not happening would be appreciated.

Consider sending a cop of the aia...I will look at it   use the paperclip Attach a file   icon to do that.

Regards,

Steve

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

The multiple access thing could play a role, but I only loaded App Inventor on my laptop to see if it worked or not, I was never able to access the files. Plus I only started doing that after I started having problems on my laptop and had to move to the school computer. 

I have included a copy of the current aia from when this message was sent. (Hopefully no one decides  to use it as his or her own project!)

As far as the School Computer Firefox problem, it started yesterday with only one internal error message. After it showed that, it loaded the project and I could see it in the background. I used App Inventor on the school computer the whole period yesterday. I found no other problems. Today I came and loaded up App Inventor on my laptop, but still couldn't get into my project. Then I loaded it up onto my school computer since I knew that was the only one that would be able to get into the project. When it logged in, there was a small "freeze" with the welcome popup (the one with the update release notes and stuff). Then the script error popup came up and the internal errors along with it. I already knew that Firefox was now out of the picture for both of the computers. So now I guess I'll use Chrome, and now I'll try to not have open more than one browser open with App Inventor at a time. The two browser things shouldn't be a factor in this really, since the problem occurred before I started doing that.

Hopefully that helps, I tried to remember everything that happened.

[SteveJG]

I am going to look at your file; then remove the file from your message.

[SteveJG]

I just loaded your Project.     I got a momentary server error, then the app worked and I was able to use the Pythagorian button to calculate the missing side of a triangle.using the emulator.

I will also try it on my tablet.

Smile.     I expect with the aia in hand, you can try deleting the MyriadMathSolver from your LAPTOP, making sure the project is NOT open on a School desktop while you do this.After you delete the project from your laptop., Import the aia file you got from the desktop.     It loaded fine here, however, you will first delete the project on your LAPTOP...this step is important.

I will look at more of your code.

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

I tried what you suggested, it didn't work. I logged out and closed all browsers I was using, on both computers. I had put the aia on my flash drive, which I downloaded from chrome on the school computer. I logged into AI2 on my laptop, using Firefox, deleted both of the MMS projects, and imported the one from my flash drive. When I did, it gave me that script error thing and internal errors. I tried to click on it and it didn't work.

[SteveJG]

Perhaps a FF issue.   Do you have Chrome on your laptop?     I would try it with Chrome.  Please do that and let me know what happens.

Also, your laptop, that is Win 8?    How much memory?        I am running your app fine on my tablet.    I did not check the math for accuracy, however your program works pretty good.

You do use 13 screens.   MIT recommends a max of 10.    I notice that several of the screens have no code blocks yet.   I suggest you delete those screens until you actually use them or 

find a way to repurpose some of the screens.

OK... does ur laptop work with Chrome (and the project NOT open on a school lapttop)?   

[tmb.al...@gmail.com]

Oops, that last message must not have sent.

I've tried chrome and it works, for now. I would really like to have it work on Firefox, but it isn't too big of a deal.

My laptop has Windows 8.1 64-bit and has 4GB RAM. 

I have tried to implement you suggestion of one screen that I change as needed, but I can't seem to be able to set the text of buttons from inside the blocks. I also can't seem to use the value of a start value to check which screen to configure for.

Sorry about that, I really thought I sent an update.

[SteveJG]

No problem.  Happy your laptop is working with AI2 "normally."   Why FF does not work for you I do not know.   Many users find issues with FF.  Do you have the latest version?

Fine on your PC...I was concerned if you had enough RAM.and that was causing issues of the browser using lots of memory.. you have more than enough.

"can't seem to be able to set the text of buttons from inside the blocks." ... what are you trying ....don't bother sending an image..   set Button1.Text to  Chemistry works but you probably are trying to get Chemistry from another screen perhaps?     Instead of Buttons to call your math routine 'pages', you might consider a listpicker.  Eliminates the need for multiple buttons and works almost like a dropdown menu in Windows.

Rather than use the  when close screen start value Control options (many of which do not work properly in Development mode and only after you compile an apk and install it), have you tried TinyDB?     If you have a TinyDB on each screen, you can use it to pass info between screens .  The tag you give on one screen is accessible under the same name on the second screen.     I have also been experimenting with the new File control.   It can be used in a similar way, allows you to capture CSV files   (a great way to capture lots of info) and can make it available on various screens.

Also, be sure you do NOT have your project open in both your laptop AND your school desktop PC... doing so having multiple instances of your Project open simultaneously has caused corruption of some Projects.    Also,   save copies of your aia frequently and rename your latest version of the Project.    Your project is starting to get complicated and since there is no undo, if you make a mistake and can not undo it, you will have the aia to fall back on.

-- Steve