MC 17.0.165
My MC PC has been off for a few weeks (been traveling). Yesterday I started the PC, then started MC, which auto-updated to 17.0.165, then auto-started MC -- partially.
After MC appeared in the Windows title bar along with the name of the previously-used library, it hung. MC never opened, and eventually the computer locked up. (MC shows as running in Windows Task Manager, so that would be a way to shut down MC except the hang soon spreads to the entire computer and locks up everything.)
I've rebooted many times, and the above behavior happens exactly the same every time I try to start MC.
Obviously MC insists on opening the previously-used library. Guessing the library it's trying to open is somehow damaged,
I tried MC's Command Line options to start with a different library. But no matter what other library I specify, MC seems to be opening the previous "bad" library, as indicated by its name in the title bar.
So I am completely stuck.
The PC seems fine in all other respects. I've tried reinstalling MC, no help. Using Windows Explorer I checked the media files of the library are in the correct path and seem OK -- I can view the photos. This is why I'm guessing the library itself is damaged.
Possibly important: The library MC keeps trying to open is of PHOTOS, lots of photos. I never had a problem with this library or the photos until now.
QUESTIONS:
-- Does the Command Line work to load a specified library? Not that I can tell... For instance, I don't use the default library, though it exists by default, so it's likely empty or nearly so. Opening the default library seems like the best choice to open to get past the "bad" library, so I can at least get into MC and figure out what's happening. (I can use the Command Line to Start and Close and Restart MC, so I know it is listening, but I can't it to start without the "bad" library.)
I'm using this Command Line: mc17.exe /Library default, which always results in the above hang-then-crash behavior, with the "bad" library showing in the title bar. It doesn't work if I use the name of another existing library either. The Wiki isn't clear on required syntax, but putting the library name inquotation marks doesn't work either (am I goofing up syntax?). Is there more to know about MC's Command Line than the Wiki states?
-- Is there a Command Line option to load NO LIBRARY, just bare MC?
-- Is there a way to change the library MC wants to load, perhaps by hacking the Registry?
-- Is there a Command Line option for MC to evaluate and possibly rebuild/repair library and other key files?
-- URGENT SUGGESTION: There should be a Command Line option to start MC in "pure" mode -- no library or an empty library, etc. I know that MC will sometimes offer this after it crashes, but I never get to that point. There needs to be a Command Line way to invoke starting MC in a "safe mode".
It's been two days of experimentation with absolutely no progress. Any suggestions are appreciated.