Startup Solutions

On this page, some problems that can occur when starting BridgeComposer are addressed.

  1. The BridgeComposer main window never appears on the screen

    Cause: The previous location of the main window is now off-screen. (This problem most often occurs after the computer's monitor configuration has changed.)

    Solution:

    • With BridgeComposer still running, right click its icon in the Windows task bar and select the "Center windows" task.

  2. The message "Please wait for printer connection" appears when you have no printer and problems ensue

    This message comes from Windows, not BridgeComposer.

    Solution:

    1. In Windows, go to "Settings→Home→Printers & Scanners".
    2. Toggle off "Let Windows manage my default printer".
    3. Choose "Microsoft Print to PDF".
    4. Click "Set as default".

  3. The message "Loading printer driver" appears and does not go away promptly

    Cause: BridgeComposer has called the Windows OpenPrinter function referencing the same printer as you last used with BridgeComposer, and for some reason this function is not returning promptly. (This problem most often occurs after the computer's printer configuration has changed.)

    Solution:

    1. Use Ctrl + Alt + Delete to start Windows Task Manager, select the BridgeComposer app, and click the "End task" button.
    2. Hold down the keyboard "right shift" key as you restart BridgeComposer. (This causes the OpenPrinter call to be skipped, or [beginning with version 5.105], clears the "last-used printer" setting.)
    3. Use the BridgeComposer File→Print Setup menu command to select a working printer (or a "print to PDF" app).

  4. The pointer cursor is a "big gray box"

    Cause: The BridgeComposer Edit→Options, Advanced tab "Resize cursors" option is set to "Yes", and BridgeComposer does not support this option for the system default cursor on your computer.

    Solution:

    1. Use Alt + F4 to exit the BridgeComposer app.
    2. Hold down the keyboard "right shift" key as you restart BridgeComposer. (This forces the "Resize cursors" option to "No".)
  5. The main menu and/or toolbar are not operating properly

    Cause: There is a problem with the menu and toolbar configuration loaded from the system registry. (This problem can occur when switching back and forth between different versions of BridgeComposer.)

    Solution:

    1. Click the Close button (X in the upper right corner of the main window) to exit the BridgeComposer app.
    2. Hold down the keyboard "right shift" key as you restart BridgeComposer. (This resets the menu and toolbar to the factory defaults, except for the keyboard shortcuts.)
  6. The main window flashes black and white, and/or other odd behavior

    Cause: BridgeComposer diagnostic modes have been inadvertently activated.

    Solution:

    1. Click the Close button (X in the upper right corner of the main window) to exit the BridgeComposer app.
    2. Hold down the keyboard "right shift" key as you restart BridgeComposer. (This deactivates all BridgeComposer diagnostic modes.)

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