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birchvessel · Guest

When I log off or shut down the computer, I get a CardReaderLookupWindow error and I have to manually end that task. What is CardReaderLookupWindow and why won't it shut down? I have had a difficult time finding any info on what to do. I even tried to use System Restore which briefly worked. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated!

aamersal · Guest

I have had the same problem on my computer since the last couple of days. Would appreciate any help with resolving it.

ITGlobal · Member Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

This question was also raised in the "Windows XP" forum ... and the solution / explanation is as follows:

First of all, the "CardReaderLookupWindow" message is not a big issue ... you can safely ignore it ... there is NO NEED to modify your hard disk, boot sector, reinstall Windows or anything like that ... unless this is your life's passion.

This issue occurs if you shut-down your system when USB devices are still connected and active on your system ... could be USB printer, USB thumb drive, maybe even a USB Card Reader! ... etc...). This may also occur with Firewire (IEEE 1394) connected devices (I rarely use Firewire, but I would assume the same applied).

In typical Microsoft fashion, the "error message" is utterly cryptic and gives no clue to the user what Windows is bitching about. This message, if it is to have any meaning at all should say "USB device(s) still active" or something similar ... but, hey, I'm not Bill Gates. wink

There are two ways to avoid this:

(a) To "unmount" all USB devices prior to shutting the system down. This can be done by clicking on the "Safely Remove Hardware." After unmounting all external devices ... Microsoft calls this either "Safely Remove Hardware" or "Stop" (external device) ... then you can shut down the system without any messages.

(b) Modify Windows Registry to automatically close all applications not responding at shutdown. This will, of course, cause a "Forced Exit" for any and all applications that do not respond at shutdown. Note, this is reversible; but, if you do this there are two things to consider:

(i) For some motherboards, the USB systems are set-up during boot ... if this is the case, the system may report that the external device is not connected to the system on your next boot, even if it is. If this hapens, simply unplug and replug the USB device.

(ii) This will force an exit to ALL non-responsive applications without you knowing it happened. I generally like to know what applications are not responding, because it may indicate an application that needs attention or possibly that some malware is lurking in the system and refuses to respond to system commands (I don't know of specific malware that would not respond to system shut-down ... but it is a possibility).

If you want to do this (cause forced shutdown of all non-responsive applications), you need to edit the registry:

(i) Start | Run | Regedit
(ii) Depending whether you want to do this for all users or just current user, select either:
HKEY_USERS (for all users)
or
HKEY_CURRENT_USER (just for current user)
(iii) Click on "Control Panel"
(iv) Click on "Desktop"
(v) There you will see an entry:
AutoEndTasks (type: REG_SZ) (Data = 0 or 1)

If you are having the above problem, you will see a data value "0"

To enable "AutoEndTasks" you need to change that value to "1"

To do this, continue as follows"

(vi) Left-click on "AutoEndTasks"
(vii) Right click on "Modify"
(viii) Change "Value data" from "0" to "1"
(ix) Click "OK" ... you will see "Data" for "AutoEndTasks" is now "1"
(x) Exit Regedit

From now on, you will not see the "CardReaderLookupWindow" message ... but also you will not see any other messages about other non-responsive applications (where, invariably, Windows will tell you specifically what application is non-responsive).

You can then, at any time in the future, follow the same steps, and change "AutoEndTasks" data value back to "0" ... in which case you would be back in the same configuration as you started.

This should deal with this issue completely. Let us know! smile

--

Irishman · Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Hi!
I saw this on another site and cannot find it now to say thanks! I was plagued with this problem too. I had installed Photoshop Album SE version 3 from a magazine disk. Remove it and the problem disappears.
John

mijcar · Member Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

My problem with this also started right after installing Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0. (BTW, I've already found conflicts between Elements 4.0 and IE7 Beta 3. Adobe really seems to go its own way when it comes to working with other software and OS's.)

Moreover, there are no USB products that need disconnecting; so using the Safely Remove Hardware won't do anything for me.

Like the poster two posts back, I don't want to miss any programs that are giving problems, so I prefer not to set the registry for forced close-downs.

Any other suggestions.
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Mij

mijcar · Member Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Here's what a little research and trial-and-error has come with.

Adobe's various photo programs all include an organizing subprogram that creates photo albums. It seems that Adobe transfers photos into its organizing program from various storage devices (camera disks, memory sticks, etc) using a subprogram that remains resident: apdproxy.exe.

It also seems that apdproxy.exe treats all sources of photo images as though they were USB drives (and perhaps flashdrives), even if the source is the photoshop program itself. (To see this, open your photoshop program, select preferences, then organizer, then card reader -- you will see that one of the "disk" options is the photoshop program itself.)

Whatever Adobe's intent, Windows seems to "think" of apdproxy.exe as though it was an open device; it won't shut off of its own accord, so you get the message at shutdown.

Here are your various choices:
1. Open your Adobe photo program (mine is Elements 4.0), go to edit preferences, work your way to the preferences for the organizer or photo album and get to something like "Camera or Card reader".
In this screen I have the option of using or not using Adobe Photo Downloader (apdproxy.exe, in other words). Uncheck the option and everything will now work fine.
2. If you want Adobe Photo Downloader to be resident for the times you plug in your camera or any other USB memory device, then ignore 1 above. You have the following sub-options.
a. The simplest is just live with it. When you get the CardReaderLookupWindow message, just elect to close it -- no damage will happen (uh, make sure your camera or memory stick aren't still connected, though).
b. You can hunt in the display area in the lower left for the icon for Adobe Photo Downloader before shutting down, click on it and select "exit". (This would have been the simplest choice, but as many of you already know, the display area in Windows XP frequently "forgets" to show various icons for active programs. In that case, move to step c.)
c. Open the Task Manager>Processes, find and close apdproxy.exe.

BTW: I have noticed that Photoshop Elements can really slow down the fastest of systems. I haven't tested this assumption yet, but it does seem that disabling the CardReader in Adobe preferences speeds up the program.

Good luck

P.S. Now if someone would find a workaround for the conflict between Internet Explorer 7 Beta and Adobe Updater (in Photo Elements), I would sure be pleased.
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Mij

petersoar · Member Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

Thanks, ITGlobal. A really useful post that put me straight right away.