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Frequently Asked Questions    

Search on Solutions and Discussions at the   PokerHound Forum  

For latest features and setup info also see:    New To PH

  Vista and Windows 7 Setting Demos:

        Vista Quick Start for PokerHound and PH_Stars               Detailed steps for flawless setup on Vista-64. For Vista-32 setup  skip over

                                                                                             part that details manual install of 64 bit sql express. For XP, skip security settings

                                                                                             and manual sql express install.

        Windows 7:  pre-install the 2008 version of SQL Express http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/  instead of 2005

        Instructions on how to run PokerHound as Administrator    (Run as Admin: If not set, Vista will block injection into Poker Site)

        Vista Settings for Smooth Operation                                 (Folder security: If not set, Vista may block library and file access)

  Other useful setup demos:

       Vista Settings for Smooth Operation
       Troubleshoot PokerHound setup

  Setup documentation:

      Installation and Setup Instructions for XP and 2K  in pdf format

      Installation and Setup Instructions for Vista in pdf format

If FAQS doesn't answer your issue. Please send problem report to support@insight-pokerhound.com

Specify Operating System, problematic Poker Site,  Screen resolution and brief description of problem in your email. We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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On UB and AP,  make sure PH points to Top level folder for Hand History location, as in picture below. (If you point to lower folder with your player name, PH will not exit Silent mode.)

On open first table after Replacing iPoker cards, I get an error message?

If you get an error message from iPoker client, upon opening first table after replacing cards; just close and re-open iPoker. It can happen if iPoker wasn't completely finished loading table data before replacement.

A good practice is to open and close a table then Replace Cards that way you are ensured that iPoker is finished loading.

Also, please note I have only tested Titan and Poker Plex so far. The other iPoker sites should work the same way. If you have problems, please specify site so that I can see if adjustments are needed for some of the other sites.
 

On Startup, I get this message?

Note:
The most likely cause of this problem is manually deleting the C:\PokerHound_SQL\Data folder or the files within it. Doing so, causes files to not properly detach and, hence, makes it impossible to correctly re-initialize the default db files. Problem can be corrected via SQL admin studio, but easiest fix is to just create a new database, as mentioned above. Also, it is good idea to periodically make backup of database using Data --> Backup Database and Data --> Restore. Then if you accidentally corrupt database in future, you can get it back.
 

On Scan, I get one of these messages?

See FAQ above. Open Data --> Manage Databases. Create and Load a new database If that doesn't fix problem, check that Folder security is set to give User Full privileges and that all exe in install folder are set to run as admin.

Calculators are not loading game action? 

1. Most common cause for new users is not Removing Pencil when switching mode (see diagram below)
2. Second is Dealer Messages not set to Everything
3. Third is Name in PH options not exactly matching Poker Site (It is case sensitive)
4. Fourth is Deck not set to standard on Poker Stars. On Full Tilt or Party, deck can be any type.
5. Fifth is system color not set to 32 bit (i.e. High) on Poker Stars.
6. Sixth is leaving stats in setup mode. Right mouse click puts stats in setup and Pauses scan until a Second right click in black area returns stats to run mode. See Demo: http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/Stat_Overview.html  and http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/V_37_Overview.html
7. Final is Windows or Firewall security settings.
8. Lastly, if on Vista make sure display is not in Aero mode

Is Vista Aero mode OK to use?

NO. Vista Aero mode assigns multiple handles to windows, which breaks PokerHound tracking of game table. PokerHound requires only one handle be assigned per game table. Go into Windows Appearance Settings and select any option but Aero. Vista Basic is a good choice.

HUD Stats are not lining up with correct player? 

You need to set preferred seating. See Demo: http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/V-38_Overview.html

I am playing at table, but I get the following error message when I try to switch out of Silent mode. What do I do?

This message means that PokerHound cannot access hand history file:

1. Make sure hand history is being stored locally:

    

2. Make sure Chat options set correctly:

   

3. Make sure your system is not blocking PokerHound from accessing the file and windows registry.
4. If the above checks out, setup Team View support, as follows:

   Download Team View:  http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/TeamViewerQS.exe

    

   Save to desktop, run it, and send me partner ID and password. That will allow me to connect to, view, and control your PC. Then we can see what problem is.

    

   Also, if possible, call on Skype (insight-pokerhound) or send me your Skype ID

I get the following error message. What do I do?

You need to set Vista security: i.e.

1. Set all the .exe files in PokerHound install folder to run as administrator. (see demo: http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/How_To_Run_As_Admin.html)

nash.exe
poker1.exe
pokerhound.exe
progress.exe
replayer.exe
 

2. And set your Vista folder security settings: (see demo:  Vista Settings for Smooth Operation )

I get the following message. What do I do?

This message appears when there has been no new chat text detected for over 10 minutes. If  the game is paused or on break, just close the message window and ignore it. If, however, the game has NOT paused and chat text is scrolling in the game window, it means that PokerHound is not reading Chat. See Calculators are not loading game action? Also, Please explain process hook and what can impact its operation? . Lastly, demos on security settings at Video Demos . If none of those items resolve your issue, contact support@insight-pokerhound.com .We'll use WebEx, for Desk Top sharing, to identify what you need to change.

When a new player joins the table, is his action immediately included in calculators? 

No. PokerHound must first acquire the player's name from hand history, at end of first hand played, before it can detect the player's action in Chat. There is always a one hand lag before a new player's Real-Time action is included in calculations. This fact should be kept in mind especially for +EV calculations. If a new player bets out on the first hand after joining the table, his bet for that hand will not be included in the +EV calculation.

On Vista, PokerHound freezes when I switch out of Silent mode? 

Problem most likely is that your Vista Security or Firewall settings are blocking PokerHound from hooking into the Poker Site's chat control:

1. Set PokerHound to run as Administrator:  How to Run PokerHound as Admin in Vista.
2. Check your Vista folder security settings: Vista Settings for Smooth Operation
3. Make sure your Anti-Virus or Fire-Wall applications are not blocking TextBoxHook from injecting into Poker Site process.
4. Make sure Dealer Messages are set to Everything.
5. Make sure your Player Name in PH options exactly matches your name as it appears in Chat text.

How do I move the integrated stats while scanning? 

1. Click right mouse button within body of stat. This will set stats into setup mode.
2. Drag stat title bars with left mouse button to position body of stat as desired.
3. Click within body of stat with right mouse button a second time to return to scan mode.

Please explain process hook and what can impact its operation? 

Getting live action entails the complexity of hooking into the Poker Site process in RAM as it communicates with windows. It is the most challenging and difficult part of PokerHound. I have many secondary methods built in that retry on failure of first. Most competitor’s products do not even attempt to get live action. PokerHound's main focus, however, is on live action.

A potential cause of problems in process hook is a partially corrupt windows system. PokerHound must monitor in live process memory interactions between the Poker Site and your Operating system at a very base level. If there are problems in your operating system they will cause breakage of the monitoring. For example, on one of my test systems, windows started to act up and consequentially I began to experience disconnect from chat. It was corrected by restoring windows on that system.

A symptom of Operating System issues is that on Stars the Game Tables chat text will spin. This spinning is NOT normal operation. It is the result of corruption in the windows operating system. It means that TextBoxHook is repeatedly trying to buffer messaging between the game table and Windows, but is failing because of corruption in the message buffers.

Another cause is Fire-Wall,  Anti-Virus, or Vista security settings blocking or interfering with process hook. Make sure you are NOT Blocking Execution of TextBoxHook.DLL., vic32.dll,  MiniComm.dll, vic32.dll, Victw32.dll, msvcr71.dll, PokerLoader.exe, poker1.exe. If you need help with settings, watch demos http://www.insight-pokerhound.com/Demos.htm or contact me for WebEx support.

A well running windows environment  and correctly, set security should make the process problem free. I maintain a problem free windows on all of my test systems and never have problems on any of them. Many users that had problems found that their problems were corrected when they re-installed windows.

One final note. Running other CPU heavy applications can sometimes halt connection to chat. For example, when I start-up Camtasia, it dominates CPU and can interfere with hook into chat until if is opened and running. Once CPU spike passes, hook again proceeds.

I get the following error message when PokerHound attempts to install SQL Express on initial Install?

            Component SQL Server 2005 Express Edition has failed to install with the following error message:
            An error occurred attempting to install SQL Server 2005 Express Edition." Then under "Details" it says: there is an error in the "WMI Configuration"

   A PokerHound user corrected this problem by using Microsoft Cleanup Utility:

"The only "Fix" that worked was to use the "Microsoft Cleanup utility".
Also it won't harm to check after uninstall that everything is removed as it should be. On my system this is located at -
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server.
Make sure that you remove all trace of this - even if you have to do it manually in safe mode."

You can download Microsoft Cleanup Utility from here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

If you get this error, you have corrupted WMI in your Windows system. I think it is also related to Dell OEM build. Most users reporting this problem are on a Dell with OEM build. On my Dell, for example, when it came with factory OEM load. Visual Studio would almost completely install then suddenly stop and report an obscure error, much the same as SQL Express does on machines that have this problem. Once I replaced the OEM build with a install from Windows disk, the problem disappeared.

SQL Express Hogs a lot of memory on my system?

• Some users have complained that SQL Express hogs their system memory. This memory consumption is not a bug, but normal SQL express operation. The SQL express grabs as much memory as it can get and only releases memory when other system processes need it. To force SQL Express to dump its memory store, you need to Stop and Restart the SQL express service from the MS SQL Server Configuration Manager from the Start menu, after closing PokerHound. However, that is not necessary as the SQL Express memory manager will release memory as other processes need it. See MS article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321363  .

Does removing data from History impact the stats I see at game-time for players?

• NO. To maintain a smaller History database size, set the option “Delete Table/Hand data for Games older Than x days” to a value less than the default of 360 days. The first time you close PH after reducing that number, it may take quite a while to close, as it will be deleting considerable data from the History view. Note, even after reducing the History view, you will still have all player strategic data contained in the player's view. The players view is a much more compact, summary level view by player and category, optimized for fast access. It is the view that PH accesses principally during game time.
   

Can Anti-Virus and Firewall programs interfere with PokerHound operation?

• Yes. Make sure they are configured to not block operation of  TextBoxHook.DLL and poker1.exe. Symptoms are PH freeze-up, Chat box reading problems, File Not found errors.  I have seen problems with Zone Alarm stopping launch of poker1.exe table monitoring and NOD interfering with TextBoxHook.DLL reading of chat. I have not noticed any issues with any of the Norton products. Note, to read the chat, TextBoxHook.DLL must inject into the Poker Site's process, to monitor chat control messaging between the Poker Site and Windows. Some anti-virus software sees that as suspicious activity and blocks it. Also, having NOD set to monitor memory , can cause buffering errors as TextBoxHook attempts to Buffer contents of chat from messaging between the Poker Site and Windows.
   

The integrated stats are not displaying?

• Make sure that Dealer Messages are set to Everything
• Make sure that Hand Histories are being saved under Lobby options.
• Try restoring HUD defaults under setup
• Ensure that your security settings allow TextboxHook.dll to execute. The DLL monitors and writes to disk Chat box contents for game tables in all active modes.
• In Setup Of Integrated stats, click Restore Defaults for the problematic table size.

Pot Odds and ICM is not showing data?

• Make sure that Dealer Messages are set to Everything
• Make sure that your Player Name in PH options exactly matches your name in the Poker Site. It is case sensitive.
• Ensure that your security settings allow TextboxHook.dll to execute. The DLL monitors and writes to disk Chat box contents for game tables in all active modes.

PokerHound stops when I switch out of Silent mode?

• Ensure that your security settings allow TextboxHook.dll to execute. The DLL monitors and writes to disk Chat box contents for game tables in all active modes. When you switch to Abbreviated or Full mode, the DLL starts monitoring Chat box content on the Poker Site. If your system doesn't allow the DLL to execute, PokerHound will freeze-up.

How do the Integrated Stats work?

I am having trouble grabbing stats and/or cards on Poker Stars?

The problem is most likely one or more of the following:

  1. Make sure you have PH V 3.35.5 or higher.

  2. Make sure that Dealer Messages are set to Everything.

  3. Make sure that your windows color is set to High (32 bit) under Control Panel --> Appearance and Themes --> Display --> Settings

  4. Make sure that you are using the Standard Deck in Poker Stars

  5. Make sure that your Player Name in PH options exactly matches your name in the Poker Site. It is case sensitive.

  6. Make sure that your integrated stats are NOT positioned so that they cover the Cards

If none of the preceding fixes your problem:

  1. Try re-installing Stars. Re-install has corrected similar problem for other users.

  2. After re-installing, go to Stars Instant Hand History options and change the save location to something like C:\Stars_HH

  3. If you are running Vista 64 Bit, you will be unable to grab cards and run in-hand calculations. There are compatibility issues of the

       card and text grabbing modules  used in active modes on Vista 64 Bit. Vista 32 Bit, however, works fine and Abbreviated/Silent modes work fine in 64 Bit.

       The Vista 64 Bit Full Mode issues are scheduled for resolution in  2008.

I am having trouble grabbing stats and/or cards on Full Tilt?

The problem is most likely one or more of the following:

  1. Make sure that Dealer Messages are set to Everything.

  2. Make sure that your Player Name in PH options exactly matches your name in the Poker Site. It is case sensitive.

If none of the preceding fixes your problem:

  1. Try re-installing Full Tilt. Re-install has corrected similar problem for other users.

  2. After re-installing, go to Full Tilt Hand History options and change the save location to something like C:\FT_HH

  3. If you are running Vista 64 Bit, you will be unable to grab cards and run in-hand calculations. There are compatibility issues of the

      card and text grabbing modules  used in Full Mode on Vista 64 Bit. Vista 32 Bit, however, works fine and Abbreviated/Silent modes work fine in 64 Bit.

      The Vista 64 Bit Full Mode issues are scheduled for resolution in Late 2008.

Is the Player Name that I enter into PokerHound Options case sensitive?

• Yes. The name entered into options must exactly match your name as it appears in the Poker Site. If it does not match then PokerHound will not collect your cards and will not fill in Push Fold or Pot Odds strategy windows.

PokerHound  will not detect a specific table on Party Poker, but it is detecting other Party tables without issue?

• Open C:\FreePHG_HandHistories and see if FPHG is listing a hand history for the table. If it is not, which is the most likely cause

           of this problem, Take a screenshot of the table and Report the issue on the 2+2 thread dedicated to resolving FPHG problems:  

           http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=7439546&an=0&page=0#Post7439546 

• If FPHG is writing a hand history file, then report the problem to: support@insight-pokerhound.com

What is the fourth number in the First line of the integrated stats?

• It is the player's current M value = Stack Size / Cost Per Round.

On Initial PokerHound Install, the installer says Cabinet is corrupt after Install of Net Framework and SQL Express completes?

1. If you get this error, it means that your system requires a Reboot after installing Net Framework and SQL Express.
2. Reboot your computer and re-run the PokerHound Installer. On second run it will skip over Net Framework and SQL express sections and then install PH without error.
3. Note it is only on initial install that PH needs to download and install Net Framework and SQL Express.