Circle Dock Multiple instances startup...

[Archon of Fate]

I am at a loss, I just got 1.5 and loved it but wanted to start multiple docks i was able to start each one and put unique shortcuts in each one. when I logged off and logged on though my docks merged according to the 1st instance (I think), so basically I lost my shortcuts in my other 3 (basically had 4 docks that were the same after i started the other 3  ). I went and enabled protability mode for each instance, and put shortcuts of each circle dock in my startup folder, but to no avail. Not only that but only one of my four docks will load on startup even though all of them are in  my startup folder(because you can't enable auto startup with protability mode on). I read the help file on multiple instances and it don't tell me how to autostart all of my instances. I really like this program, but am completely lost on how to run multiple instances in 1.5. Any help would be appriciated.  

[sgtevmckay]

Let me run some tests over the next few days and see if I can get a working solution

Tell me more about your current set-up and how you have built your file structure

[Archon of Fate]

i installed my circle docks to alternate program files directory, circle dock 1, 2, etc.. initially it would work when i put my shortcuts in each instance but it has the habit of "cloneing" the first instance on startup, settings and all while the others are lost forever. I checked portability mode and it worked... kind of 2 of my instances would start up while the other wouldn't initially but it appears the settings and data in instances 2-4 are still lost.

I do have .net frame work 2.0 but ill see if there is i higher version, if so maybe a capability problem on my part.

I did have it set to act like .9 if that helps...

thanks for the help  

[Archon of Fate]

oops I have .net 3.5.1  

maybe give circle dock admin privileges?

[Archon of Fate]

the admin option didn't work and my comp appears to be fighting me every step of the way...

I just got an error with my circle docks after i turned behave like .9 and portability options off





I don't appear to have too much luck with this application do I?

[Markham]

The reason you are having problems and triggered that error is that all your instances are installed in System-protected folders and they are all trying to access the same configuration files.

Try installing each instance into a non-System-protected folder, such as C:\CircleDock 1 ...


Mark

[Archon of Fate]

I thought the folder i had them in wasn't system protected but it appears I was wrong I gave each dock its own background to see it they'd all copy one instance it didnt. So my docks wont copy themselves anymore that looks like it has been solved all I can say is thank you for your help 

my other problem still confuses me though all of my instances won't start with my comp, only one will. Is there any way to fix this? 

[dazzaa]

Hello,

Suggestion.
It's not multi instances but still a sort of multidock
The idea is to be able to set up several docks. Have ur keyboard shortcut cycle thru the docks over a given amount of time as the keys are held down.
eg 4 dock set up.
press shortcut, the 1st dock appears (or "1" etc), then after a pause the 2nd one replaces it etc. If i wanted the 3rd i would just release keys before it changes to the 4th. Being able to enable/disable each dock would be good

[Archon of Fate]

Thanks for the tip  I'll use hot keys till I get or find a solution to get the docks to all startup with windows. 

[sgtevmckay]

I have yet to try it, and it will not be until much later today or tomorrow.
I would try a batch file to start the instances of Circle Dock, and then put a shortcut of the batch file in the startup folder

[Archon of Fate]

Batching the file worked perfectly 

here is the code I used

start C:\"Circle Dock4"\"CircleDock.exe"
timeout 7
start C:\"Circle Dock3"\"CircleDock.exe"
timeout 7
start C:\"Circle Dock2"\"CircleDock.exe"
timeout 7
start C:\"Circle Dock1"\"CircleDock.exe"

exit


I had to use a timer because if the docks were all started at the same time I'd get an error...

Also found out that you have to start your last instance first, if you do it from fist instance to last you'll get an error...

thanks! 

[sgtevmckay]

were you able to run them all from the same .bat ???

[Markham]

Regardless of the order in which you start them, the instances will be numbered (identified) in the order in which they are started. If you load the main settings dialog for the instance loaded from "C:\Circle Dock1", the dialog's caption should include the phrase "Instance 4 of 4".

And yes, you will need to include a delay between loading each instance to allow for each instance to load, initialise itself and begin processing (Windows) messages.



Mark

[Archon of Fate]

Yeah I was able to run all from the same bat, through trial and error I got it to work  
I didnt know that about the instances though i thought there was a cirtain order to load them, thanks for telling me  

[Markham]

And to think I go to a lot of trouble explaining this in the help system....