On 11/21/2011 11:39 AM, W. eWatson wrote:

My criterion for success is that it puts IDLE as a choice for editor on
the menu produced with a right-click on a py file.

Your first criterion for success should be that IDLE runs at all, which is apparently does not. How you run it is secondary.

Right-click responses are controlled by Windows using data in the registry. Windows modifies the registry in response to installers *and users*. The ActiveState installers request 'Edit with PythonWin'. They do not request 'Edit with IDLE' and it is foolish to complain to us when you use ActiveState and get their choice of context choices.

The PSF .msi installers (.msi = MicroSoftInstall format) from python.org request 'Edit with IDLE' but cannot make Windows put it in. If your registry is messed up enough, it does not happen. But no error message.

I have explained to you another way to work with IDLE once it runs. It you refuse to use it, that is your problem, not ours.

I know it sets up that way on a 2.5 and 2.4 on other PCs I have.

You installed with the PSF installer with an ok registry.

I know at one time it worked on my 64-bit Win 7 PC, which likely had a
32-bit version installed on it. After something like six months of
modest use it stopped working as above. No IDLE choice.

So some *other* program messed things up. Stop blaming us.
Heavy or modest use in the meantime is irrelevant.

I know by installing a 64-bit version, 3.2.2 failed the IDLE criterions
as described. No IDLE.

Did you uninstall the 32 bit version, and best, all Python versions?

I do know that IDLE appears on the Win 7 Start menu, but, when used,
nothing happens. Well, OK, for about 3 seconds the Win 7 "working" icon
spins around then zip, nothing.

This is your real problem. Stop worrying about the context menu.

> Further, right-clicking on Properties of
IDLE (GUI) produces a tabbed dialog. It shows Start in: c:\Python32\,

This is the Shortcut tab. A shortcut is like a bound method. The function is the target: 'python 3.2.2 (64 bit)' on my machine. The starting directory is like a bound argument, although it is passed to the launcher that launches the function. What the Properties dialog does not show are the actual 'bound arguments' that are passed to the target as options. So one cannot know what the shortcut is actually trying to do. This is one of the Really Stupid things about Windows that should have been fixed long ago but has not.

and None for shortcut.

None for Shortcut key, such as alt-I to invoke the shortcut.

There is a compatibility tab, which I've set to
Win7. I think there's a troubleshooter there too, but I haven't used it.
Under the Details tab, it shows Name: IDLE(Python Gui).lnk. Folder Path
as: c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start... Nothing after the "...".

Details: Folder Path is the same as General: Location. Mouse over the latter the the full path appears. That Properties windows are still fixed at 480 pixel wide, regardless of screen size, is another Really Stupid thing.

Going directly to ...\Lib\idlelib\idle.pyw produces the spinning icon.
At least, that's what happens in 3.2.2, but in the 32-bit versions I
tried, I would get "invalid Win 32 app".

If the registry entry for .pyw is messed up, trying to run the file by clicking on it is not likely to work. Try running from Command Prompt, as I believe others suggested.

When I rebooted my system a few hours after installing 3.2.2, because
the PC was running really slowly--not because of Python, I was greeted
by a couple of interesting messages as the desktop was populated.

I can execute Python from the command line.

1. Specified module could not be found: Load Lib, python.dll.

2. \ProgramFiles(x86)\uniblueDrivers\Scanner (x86) Python26.dll.

The uniblue drivers program will match your drivers against a database of up-to-date drivers and offer to upgrade them. I have used uniblue's registry scanner program. Treating pythonxy.dll as a driver, if they are, is an error. These are paid programs. The free demos only scan to tell you what they would do if you bought them.

> I'm sure this is related to Winamp, which I had installed a month ago.

I do not believe they are the same companies, but they may have a cross-promotion deal.

had some "crazy" choice to scan for new drivers. Of course, if it found
one-connected with Python, and if you wanted it, $$$. I think this
message is a red herring. I may re-install Winamp to get rid of that
uniblue tool that seems like nothing more than an ad.

Some have suggested a registry problem, but I don't have a clue how to
play with that, or somehow clean it up, if there is a problem. My PC
behaves normally

If you ran the psf 3.2.2 installer and idle does not run when you click the start menu shortcut, something is wrong.

Someone suggested using the mail list at
<http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list>. What's different
about that list than this NG? Does the "org" suggest that the
inhabitants of that list are more likely associated with the people who
are responsible for constructing Python?

Python list is mirror to comp.lang.python which is mirrored to a google group. It is also mirrored to gmane.comp.python, which is how I read and post. There is some spam filtering if you use the python.org list or gmane group.

--
Terry Jan Reedy

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