Emulator waiting for blocks and update after I just downloaded the code?

[leebni...@gmail.com]

Per the attached images in the Word document, my emulator seems to freeze waiting for "blocks" and also wants to get an update (and I just downloaded from the site a few minutes prior).  What can I do about this?  I need the emulator to work for my classroom.

[SteveJG]

Thanks for the images.  What it indicates is that your aiCompanion did not update for some reason.

Did you press the Yes button.

Yes, this stuff is frustrating, here is a resource:   Click here to resolve emulator issues               Try the stuff in the link, when it requests you to reboot your PC, please reboot, that is important.

Another thing to try is go to Connect > Hard reset.    Do everything it suggests.

From you image, it shows you are using aiCompanion version 2.11    at the present the most current is 2.16.

If you still have issues, return HERE.   Someone will help.

Regards,

Steve

[Lee Nicholson]

Steve,

I've tried several things with spotty results. (Won't even connect to allow me to get to the update steps now, e.g.) Where do I just go get the 2.16 aiCompanion so I can install it directly?

Thank you,

Lee

[SteveJG]

Sorry the issues continue>

The direct install ...    aiCompanion Install     Try the procedure there.  Before you do that however, if is probably a good idea to reboot your PC.

Once you load the Chrome browser, you can go to the ai2 site and look at the AI2 compiler screen. and from the MENU on top go to Help ... that should lead you to a form that says something like:   Built March 11,2014 Version nb 127      use Companion 2.16aizxl.      

If there are still issues, note the following:

When aiCompanion installs on your Win7 PC, it will go here: Program Files (x86) > AppInventor > 

In that folder you should see  aiStarter.exe   .  In the folder commands-for-Appinventor, I believe there should be the file MITAI2Companion.apk.     Is that stuff there?

Do you see the aiStarter icon?   There is probably one on your desktop and another on your Windows Start menu.  If it is running, you should see a black form with white letters showing time/date and other info..

If there are still issues, there is a way to load the latest companion using the command line.  Do you know how to use the Windows Command Line?   If you do, I will forward instructions on how to get running doing that.

Regards,

Steve

[SteveJG]

Lee, please reply to the forum here.  If I am away, you will not get a response, however, others in the team can help if you post here.  Thanks.  A specific recommendation to your email request  follows the reproduction of your email where you provided more details.

Regarding your email direct:

I've tried all of this again and the emulator still needs to get an update even with the 2.16... showing in the Help.

I've always had the  aiStarter icons and have been able to see the black window.

The emulator froze or caused a browser error when it tried to update the first time.  I tried it again, and it worked

I would like the command file install instructions for the latest code anyway.  I can do this and I also need to have something that is quick because I have to install this on 42 computers once we get something that works reliably.

(The live Android connection works great, by the way, but we have a few puzzling wireless network issues and we just don't have enough of the Android phones in the classes to let everyone test.)

Thank you,

Lee"

This is what worked for me Lee:

You may need to update that companion on the emulator.  Do you know how to do that with the adb?

Download the companion apk...http://qyv.me/xAI2cf34

Copy it from your download folder to the "Program Files <x86>\AppInventor\commands-for-appinventor\" folder.

open up a Command prompt window.

go to Program Files (x86)\AppInventor\commands-for-appinventor\       in the Command Window.

type adb -e install -r MITAI2Companion.apk  in the command window

Now, it should be installed on your emulator.

Before you do the above procedure, you probably will have to delete aistarter.exe  (use the uninstall.exe) after you do that,

Reboot, then return to the C:\Program Files (x86)/AppInventor\commands-for-Appinventor folder, open the folder and 

from there  run kill-emulator.bat  ; then then run  run-emulator.bat   ; just double click them and wait.

The above procedure did not work on my Win7 box unless the emulator was already running. 

Something that may be inhibiting the install may be your network firewall etc.  Have you installed on a PC not part of your network?  Normally, this is fairly straight forward.  The vast majority of users have little or no issues ever, so sorry you are having difficulty.

I am also bringing this to the attention of the MIT staff.  Someone there may be able to provide additional advice.

---Steve

[jeffrey.schiller]

Here are some steps you should try. I'm assuming that you did a "Hard Reset". If so your will have Companion version 2.11ai2zx1 installed in your emulator. This version will work, even though it is not the most up-to-date. It will, however, let us debug what is going on:

• Start the emulator (Connect->Emulator). When you get the dialog asking you to update the Companion, select "Not Now."
  
• Can you use the Emulator/Companion at this point?
• If not, then something is likely blocking access to port 8001 on your computer. Your computer attempts to connect to itself on port 8001. The low level "adb" command, automatically called by the aiStarter should arrange to forward this port to port 8001 in the emulator where it will be picked up by the Companion.
• YOU MUST FIX THIS BEFORE CONTINUING. If your PC cannot talk to the Emulator/Companion on port 8001, then nothing will work!
• If the blocks are not loading, you are looking at the Companion "white screen" where it says it is waiting for the blocks, you can point your local web browser at http://127.0.0.1:8001/ You should see a directory listing with at least the phase "Directory /". If you don't see this, or you get an error from your browser, that is another good indication that port 8001 is blocked.
• If this is the case, you will need to figure out which program or settings on your computers is blocking this port. You will likely need assistance from your local IT staff. There are many ways this port can be blocked and without having local "hands and eyes" it is almost impossible for us to tell you which program/setting is the cause.

Once you can get to the Companion on port 8001, you should be able to start the emulator normally and have it do the automatic upgrade of the Companion.

Hope this helps.

-Jeff (Maintainer of the Companion and general App Inventor wizard).

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014 8:39:12 PM UTC-4, Lee Nicholson wrote: