Flowcode 6.1 for PIC not compiling

[TomC]

Today I upgraded from Flowcode 6.0 to V6.1 and programs that previously compiled and produced hex code are no longer doing so. Even simple programs created in V6.1 don't compile.

Two errors are displayed when the "Compile to Chip" option is selected:
ERROR: GetShortPathName().The system cannot find the file specified.

ERROR: Can not launch process: The system cannot find the file specified.

Completed Boost C compilation, Return = 255.

boostc_16f.exe reported error code 255

[medelec35]

Hi Tom,
Welcome to Matrix forums,

ERROR: GetShortPathName()

can be cause by Flowcode not able to find compiler location.
Take a look here
and check your settings match.
If no joy then can you post the compiler settings and we can check them out for you.

I have deleted your other duplicate post.

Martin

[SteveM]

Hi Tom,
It may also be worth checking your anti-virus software - some are rather over-zealous, treating certain FS files as viruses and moving them into "quarantine". We have made good progress getting the anti-virus makers to 'white list' all of the Flowcode files, but it does still happen from time to time. If this is the case, there's usually a setting somewhere in the anti-virus software where you can tell it to ignore files that you know to be safe.
Cheers,
Steve.

[Benj]

Hello Tom,

Are you using Avast by any chance?

[DavidA]

Hello Tom,

As Martin suggested, maybe your short path names are disabled, sometimes network admins disable this.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/210638

The compiler Flowcode uses require short path names.

[TomC]

Thanks for the help folks. The problem is Avast anti-virus.

[TomC]

Hello Tom,

Are you using Avast by any chance?

Yes I am and that's what caused the problem.

[JohnCrow]

I've had a similar problem with the latest Kaspersky.

First it kept deleting the licence file. I managed to cure this by adding it to the exclusions.

But then it started to freeze while compiling.
As of now I've not got a fix for this, as I've not had time.
Had to uninstall Kaspersky and currently running trial versions of AVG internet security on the main system and Norton on the laptop until I can see if I can sort it.

These both seem to work fine with FC6.1
Not tried Kaspersky the last release though.
Will give it a try soon and report back.

[DavidA]

Hi John,

We sent off the fc_licensing.exe to Kaspersky, is it still that which is being deleted or is it something else now?

[JohnCrow]

Hi David
Ive not tried it with FC 6.1 but I will in the next day or so/
Previously it was hanging when compiling.This is on KIS 2015.Never had problems before with KIS 2014

Will try it again very soon as the trial of AVG is almost over, and personally I prefer Kaspersky to any of the other packages.
Will let you know

[JohnCrow]

Hi David

Ive just reinstalled KIS
Version 15.0.0.463EN_6665.exe
Downloaded the latest patches and rebooted.

Flowcode wont compile a PIC flowchart.

After starting the pre-processor
HTU21DF Thermo_Hum Sensor V1.c
Starting preprocessor: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Multimedia\Flowcode V6\compilers\pic\boostc\pp.exe" "HTU21DF Thermo_Hum Sensor V1.c" -i "C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Multimedia\Flowcode V6\compilers\pic\boostc\include" -d _PIC16F1937 -la -c2 -o "HTU21DF Thermo_Hum Sensor V1.pp" -v -d _BOOSTC -d _PIC16 -d _PIC16x -d _CHAR_INDEX

I get a line of ...............

If I turn off protection, the file will compile normally.
The pp file is showing as allowed along with the rest of FC.

Other chip families compile ok. Looks like its something to do with boost C and the PP.exe file.

Ive just tried installing KIS 2014 on the laptop, and get the same results.

I believe you have recently updated the version of boost c included with FC, could be related to this

[murd0ch]

I'm new to flowcode but having installed it all I have a similar problem to the original poster. I'm trying to use flowcode with Arduino so its an AVR as apposed to PIC. It doesn't seem to help if I disable the antivirus though. I'm running an up to date version 6.1.0.0.
The error message I get if I attempt to compile to chip reads: ERROR: Can not launch process: The system cannot find the file specified.

[murd0ch]

... all the compiler settings are greyed out. My understanding from another thread elsewhere is that on the new version instead of editing the compiler options you edit the project options and select your arduino device from the programmer port drop down box and it should work. Mine still has the error from my pevious post. I also tried running flowcode as an administrator but that made no difference.

[Benj]

Hello Murd0ch,

In Avast have you checked the quarantined files. You might need to white list one or more of the Flowcode files to get this working.

Another option would be to temporarily disable Avast and then re-install Flowcode and see if that works.

Let us know how your getting on.

[murd0ch]

Hi Benj. I'm running Kaspersky. I'll try reinstalling flowcode and let you know if it makes any difference.

[murd0ch]

After some trial and error I think my problem was to with the install location of Flowcode. I am running windows 7 64 bit which has 2 'program files' folders one is titled 'program files (x86)'. The latter is apparently for 32 bit and the other is 64 bit. It had been installed in the 'x86' option (I'm not sure if this was default or if it was something I selected but I usually leave this alone) and after uninstalling, then reinstalling it in 'Program files' it seemed to start working.

[medelec35]

Hi murd0ch,
The default path for windows applications on a 64bit pc (including flowcode) is:

Code: Select all

C:\Program Files (x86)\

Which is where all my versions of flowcode from V3 have been placed.
Just Program Files is windows 32 bit

Martin

[kersing]

On 64 bit version of Windows the Flowcode software should be installed in the "Program Files (x86)" folder on your system as it is 32 bit software. I have Flowcode 6 installed in that folder on multiple systems without any issues when compiling for PIC and PIC16.

[murd0ch]

Thanks for the replies. It seems like it doesnt matter which program files folder it is installed in then, but must have been something else that made it start working. I tried a reinstall into x86 but it still wouldn't work. Once I reinstalled into 'program files' it started to work hence why I thought that might have been the cause. It seems like for some reason in my case a couple of reinstall attempts were required before it would compile. I didn't change anyting else.

[Tengers]

Hello, Im using Flowcode 6.1.2.0 and windows 7 and kaspersky, I have hit a brick wall with trying to compile hex files! just spent the last five hours adjusting kaspersky settings and also have uninstalled and reloaded and reactivated the flowcode software several times. Tearing my hair out. It does the BoostC compilation and says 255 for that, then it does the next bit and simply very slowly write a load of dots gradually from left to right. I cancelled the compiler and this is what it says " C:\Program Files (x86)\compilers\pic\boostc\boostc_16F.exe reported error code 255 " The previous version of flowcode6 seemed to compile a hexfile, although I'd only done one before updating. So, please help, I'm just a beginner and all this is a bit much, frankly.

[Benj]

Hello,

Could you attach your .fcfx program or send to me via a PM and I will check this for you.

Also the msg.txt file from your project directory might help so I can see exactly what Flowcode is outputting.

[medelec35]

Hi,
I recently have experienced the same issue with windows 7 and kaspersky.
How I got around the issue was to add files to the exclusion options.
You can confirm this is case by disabling kaspersky for 15mins then recompile flowchart.
The files adding are to do with Boost C including PP.exe, boostc_16f.exe,boostc_18f.exe etc.
When I get home I will see if I can pinpoint the exact file/s that is causing issues with kaspersky as I just added a group of files then Flowcode V5 and V6 started compiling normally.

Martin

[medelec35]

As promised here are my finding with kaspersky antivirus V15.0.0.463
The two files causing issues are:
boostc_16f.exe
&
boostc_18f.exe

You will need to add both of these to Threats and exclusions trusted application's
To do that:
1) Open kaspersky antivirus & select settings
2) Select Additional from the left options then select Threats and Exclusions
3) Select Specify trusted applications, then Add from the bottom right.
4) Select Browse from the bottom left, then browse to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Flowcode 6\compilers\pic\boostc
if 64bit Windows
or
C:\Program Files\Flowcode 6\compilers\pic\boostc
if 32bit Windows
Select boostc_16f.exe then Open
I just select all five boxes:

Kasp AV.png

(40.36 KiB) Downloaded 8201 times

Then select save.

Add boostc_18f.exe and repeat.

Hope this helps

Martin

[Tengers]

Hi, I have just adjusted Kaspersky, setting it to allow (and not to scan) anything to do with boostc and pp.exe and flowcode while I was at it (as you suggested Martin) - also - in addition - I had to do these settings to "boostlink" This has cured the problem. Solved. Happy. I guess I've learnt that kaspersky can be a bit strict with us flowcode enthusiasts. Now I know to look out for this type of antivirus mayhem in future Thanks to folks rushing to my aid and to the folks posting previously about this issue, you've all been amazingly helpful.

[medelec35]

Hi Tengers,
You only need to add the two files since pp.exe and flowcode V6.exe are not affected.
Glad you're all sorted. thanks for letting us know.

Martin