You guys are great. Thanks for all your help.
Today I was at the club that's been giving me problems. (2013 Gateway laptop, X-Factor interface)
Last week I was forced to jump back to win 6.3.2. after multiple problems with upgrading to 7 two weeks ago
After I overcame the android tablet issues and thoroughly tested the system, I decided to take a chance and try upgrading to 7.1.5 again.
I completely un-installed all previous versions, deleted "the lighting controller" folder from C:/Users/Admin and proceeded with a fresh download and install of ShowXpres_win7.1.5.
After starting the program, importing the show files and loading the show, right away all fixtures went completely buggy. Random spikes of all channels full on.
The longer it ran, the worse and more frequent the problem became.
I checked the data stream speed 1st. It was set to Med. Tried both other settings but no difference (yes, I closed and re-started the program after each speed change).
I then unplugged the DMX OUT from the X-Factor.
All of my led pars froze on the last color scene and stopped bugging out. The problem stopped which means it's not a ground loop in my DMX chain. In fact, I'm using an isolated active splitter just after the X-Factor which further decreases the chances of a ground loop reaching the X-Factor at all.
Plugged DMX back in and everything went buggy again.
Un-installed 7 again, dis connected usb to X-Factor, deleted TLC folder and re-installed 6.3.2 and viola! Everything worked fine.
My conclusion:
My X-Factor and rack plus units seem to work fine with 7, but this client's X-Factor doesn't.
The DLL file fix- efk_hardware.dll doesn't seem to work on all older interfaces.
Could this be because of differences in firmware versions among these 1st gen interfaces?
It won't break my heart if I can't upgrade this venue. I really just needed the 4 master faders which I have now so no biggie.
My client decided to take the cheap road and buy a dis-continued piece of gear. Neither one of us should be expected to support it forever.
Now about losing the page fade option, sorry, but I have to say BOOOO!!
OMG, this was one of the best features ever. Without it, I'm forced to create 2 wash pages- 1 fade and 1- snap.
The real inconvenience of this is realized while busking for a band on a tablet.
Just sayin.