Desktop Connector - Broken C Drive shortcuts

[nbower]

Not sure if this is the correct location for this post.

I downloaded the new Desktop Connector today from the blog posted here...

https://projectdelivery.autodesk.com/blog/desktop-connector/

Installed it, and rebooted when prompted.  Now, my "Computer" is completely broken.  I cannot browse anywhere on my machine without providing an actual address.  The shortcuts are all broken.  Additionally, i am unable to access files on the Revit Server.

My cpu will spin, thinking endlessly.

When trying to reboot, it will not close the Desktop Connector application.  So i have to force close the app to reboot my machine.

[nbower]

Update, i was able to uninstall after forcing somethings to close and hitting the retry button exactly 3 times.  Presto, all of my shortcuts are back and things are functioning normally now.

Lesson learned there....

[nbower]

Another Update...This program is very broken for me.  It is unfortunate because it seems so promising. 

I tried to install the Desktop Connector again this morning because my colleague has it up and running.  Same problem as yesterday.

when Desktop Connector comes up, it will initialize services for a while.  Then, i have the ability to sign in/out, but at that point all access to my C Drive and Revit Server become broken.  If i kill the application, things will come back (uninstall works as well).

I didn't see anywhere on the blog post where i could contact the author, leave feedback or ask questions.  So if anyone from that factory is out there, i would love to find out what is causing this issue and how it can be fixed.

[john.koerner]

Hi Nick,

What operating system are you running? From the screenshots, it looks like it might be Vista, but I am not sure.  Desktop Connector is only supported on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.  

Thanks,

John

[nbower]

Windows 7 Professional SP1

attaching diagnostic logs in case anyone wants to take a look at them.

[john.koerner]

Nick,

Thanks for the logs. We'll take a look at them to see if they offer us any insights and let you know.

Thanks,

John

[nbower]

Thanks John!

[john.koerner]

Hi Nick,

Unfortunately, there is nothing in the logs that is very helpful. We tested on a windows version that is the same service pack as the one you are using and could not replicate the issue, so we are guessing it is something environmental. 

1. What is your UAC level set to? (It shouldn't matter, but it may help us narrow things down)

2. Do you have any other products that behave like a virtual drive that appear in the My Computer area?

3. Do you know if your environment has any odd profile settings or uses roaming profiles?

Thanks,

John

[nbower]

Hey John, thanks for taking a look.  Bummer there wasn't much insight in those logs.

1. What is your UAC level set to? (It shouldn't matter, but it may help us narrow things down) - UAC is at the minimum level

2. Do you have any other products that behave like a virtual drive that appear in the My Computer area? - Not that I am aware of.  I use Google Drive and Dropbox, but neither of those actually show up in the My Computer area.  I used to use A360 Desktop without issue before it went away as well.

3. Do you know if your environment has any odd profile settings or uses roaming profiles? - Not that I am aware of.  We tend to keep things pretty simple here in regards to profiles and whatnot. 

My colleague who sits right next to me is not having any issues with the Desktop Connector.  I would think we would have somewhat similar profiles, settings, hardware, etc.  Apparently there is something different between the two machines though.

Do you have any idea on where I could have my IT Director start diagnosing on our end?  We did some initial troubleshooting before posting to the forum, and he couldn't find anything unusual that would stop the drives from working.  Is there a quick way to clean uninstall the Connector?  Maybe clear the registry and everything, so i can start over from scratch.

[michael_coviello]

Hello @nbower

Have you already tried to log onto the pc with different Windows User account?   This would test if there's a windows profile issue.

Also, Do you currently have any antivirus running? 

[nbower]

@michael_coviello, thanks for the reply.  

We are running Microsoft Endpoint.  I will try disabling it next time I try to test things out.

I will also try logging in as someone else. 

Unfortunately, the software wreaks havoc on my computer when i install it, so i will have to carve out time to test and then uninstall when finished.  I currently have had to be in models all day and when the Connector is installed i can no longer access Revit Server. So....hopefully tomorrow i will have some answers for you.

Thanks, 

Nick

[nbower]

I was able to successfully install the Desktop Connector on my Surface Pro running windows 10.  Signed in as me. 

I have not trying signing into my machine as a different user, but hope to try that this afternoon.

[michael_coviello]

Thank you @nbower for the update.  I look forward to hearing your results. 

By the way, Which version and build of Windows do you have?

From the start button, type "Winver"  Please send a screenshot.  Thank you.

[nbower]

@michael_coviello, for the machine i am having trouble with...

Successful install to the my surface....

[nbower]

***Update***

I logged into my machine as another user.  The user profile i used has the Connector install correctly on his machine without issue.  Unfortunately, the program still does not work properly.  The same issues persist. 

So it looks to be something specific to my machine.  More specifically it looks to be something very specific to creating the virtual drive under 'Computer'.  I am able to browse to the various folders under the library shortcuts, but not the Computer.

I uninstalled again so I can get back to being able to work....

[michael_coviello]

Thank you for the update @nbower, 

If I understand correctly, Are you finding that desktop connector does not work if you have a virtual drive listed under 'Computer' 

If you remove the virtual drive, does Desktop connector work?   

Is Desktop Connector installed on the C: drive and is this drive virtual or physical?

I look forward to your reply!

[nbower]

@michael_coviello, the Desktop Connector does not work at all on my machine.  Once is it installed, the ability to browse to the 'Computer' is broken completely.  I only referenced the term virtual drive, because that is what i am assuming Desktop Connector uses/creates in the 'Computer' section.  My apologies for confusing language.  I do not have any virtual drives on my machine currently.

My C: Drive is a physical Solid State drive on my machine.  For reference this is what my 'Computer' looks like without Desktop Connector installed (see image below).  Perhaps if i get more time this afternoon i will do a screencast to show exactly what is happening.

Thanks Michael!  

[michael_coviello]

Hello @nbower

I sent you and email and IM to continue troubleshooting this problem. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

[nbower]

Just replied.  Thanks Michael!

[Anonymous]

We have a user that is having the same issue (uses Windows 7 SP1)

Was there any success on troubleshooting the issue?

David Haynes