This usually means that the file containing the initialization setting (the "ini" file) has become corrupted.  The solution is to delete the ini file.  When the program is re-started, it will generate a new ini file and the program will function again.

In versions of the programs less than 5.40, the ini file will be found in a folder like this:
where "C:" is the root drive for Windows, "Program Files" is the name of the Program Files folder (it sometimes changes with a change in language), and "TibetDocs" is the name of the program folder for the TibetDoc program.  The program folder for TibetD Reader will be named "TibetDRO".  The name of the ini file will be seen in that folder with the name "TibetDoc.ini" in the case of the TibetDoc program and the name "TibetDRO.ini" in the case of the TibetD Reader program.

In versions of the program 5.40 and greater, the ini file will be found in a folder like this for Windows XP: and like this for Windows Vista and later: where "C:" is the root drive for Windows and the other folder names are self-explanatory.  In this case, the ini files of both TibetDoc and TibetD Reader will be found in that one folder, with the name "TibetDoc.ini" in the case of the TibetDoc program and the name "TibetDRO.ini" in the case of the TibetD Reader program.

For many users the ".ini" on the end of the filename will not be visible.  This is because Windows by default is set to not showing the extension to file names.  Either use the folder settings feature of Windows to turn on the view of file name extensions so that you can see the ini file or run your mouse over each of files that you will see in that folder with the name "TibetDoc" or "TibetDRO" until you find the one which will be declared as a "configuration" file and which is the ini file you are seeking.

Simply delete the ini file when you have found it.  As a result, the next time you start the program a fresh ini file will be generated without the settings that were causing the program to freeze.  The only drawback to this is that your previously saved settings will be gone and you will have to reset things like font size, backup folders, and so on again.

What are the folders used by TibetDoc?  In general they are:
1) Program files storage folder(s)
2) Automatic timed backup folder
3) Data storage folder
4) Document storage folder

1) In versions of the program less than 5.40, all program-related files were stored in the Windows "Program Files" folder.  This folder is usually found in the root folder of the Windows installation drive.  The name can change according to the language version of Windows, for example, in British English it is named "Programme Files".

In versions of the program 5.40 and greater, all unchanging program files are located in the program files folder mentioned in the last paragraph.  However, all program files that either are modified--such as ini files--are which must be accessible to the user, are written in an applications data folder.  In Windows XP, this folder is something like this: and in Windows Vista and later is something like this: 2) TibetDoc can do two types of automatic backup while the user is working.  This is a safety feature to prevent loss of work in case of some problem, whether because of the program, Windows, or the user.  When TibetDoc is run for the first time, the automatic backup folder is set to a particular folder.  In versions of the program less than 5.40, that folder is the same as the program files folder.  In versions of the program 5.40 and greater, that folder is the applications data folder shown above.

In general, we recommend that the user start TibetDoc for the first time then immediately create a backup folder in a convenient place such as a sub-folder of the documents folder like this: then use the menu item in TibetDoc to set the folder for automatic backups to the one just created.  Remember that, if you ever have to delete the ini file for the program as described in the previous section, that you will have to reset this setting afterwards.

We also recommend that you set the timed backup settings at the same time as doing this.  The place to set them is also on the Options, File System sub-menu.

3) Data storage does not mean the place for storing your TibetDoc work files.  It means the place that our • free dictionaries and reference texts are stored for use in an electronic reference system.  The files are always installed by the installation program that comes with the files into a folder named: For example, Tibetan Buddhists in general study a group of very famous Indian Buddhist texts, such as the Five Dharmas of Maitreya, the logical works of Nagarjuna, and so on.  We make these available as a complete set called • The Nineteen Main Indian Texts.  These are installed into the folder just mentioned.  By doing this, TibetDoc knows where these files are so that it can use them as a library of texts and do very fast searches in them for whatever you would like to find.  The feature in the program that does this is called "Search in files on disk"; and you will find it on the "Search" menu.  This is one of the most extraordinary features of the program, incredibly useful to serious scholars, translators, and students of the Tibetan language or of Tibetan Buddhism.  Therefore, you want to have it working properly.

We strongly recommend that you leave the data files in their location, as listed above.  However, some people like to move them so that they can be put in a more convenient location, for example, in a folder under the user's documents folder.  We do that ourselves, making a folder called: and then copying the entire data folder to that, so there is now a folder containing all of those texts.  If you do something like that, you have to tell TibetDoc where to look for those data files.  Use the "Options, File System, Default folder for external dictionaries" to tell TibetDoc where those data files can now be found.

Why move those data folders if it is so important that they be in a special place?  The main reason is simply to make them more accessible.

It is worth noting here that we provide many • other Tibetan texts which do not come with an installation program but which you are free to place wherever you like on your computer.  When you use the "Search in files" feature, you will want to set a location not only for the specially installed programs but also for these files that you can install yourself.  We strongly recommend that you put these latter files in a single folder or set of folders in your documents folder and then use the "location of files" setting in the "Search in files" feature to ensure that the program searches through both the specially installed files as well as the ones you have installed for yourself.

4) The document storage folder is simply the folder where you store the work you have done in TibetDoc.  When the program is first run, this defaults to the Windows document folder.  For example, if you choose file open, it will open at that folder.  We strongly recommend making a folder in your documents folder specifically for your TibetDoc work.  You might make something like and then whatever sub-folders you need to contain your work.  We suggest that, if you do something like that, you then make the automatic times backups folder a folder mentioned in section 2 above, something such as: Whatever you do, you can set the default folder for file open to whichever folder you choose using the meni option "Options, File System, Default folder for file open".

What are the folders used by TibetD Reader?  They are the same as for TibetDoc with the exception that, given that TibetD Reader does not save files, there is no automatic timed backup folder involved.  Thus the folders are:
1) Program files storage folder(s)
2) Data storage folder
3) Document storage folder

The explanations of these folders given in the section above applies exactly to TibetD Reader.  We would emphasize again the great value of using downloading and installing our free dictionaries and reference works and using them with the "Search in files" feature in TibetD Reader.

There are six setting to take care of when TibetDoc has just been installed: 1) Document open folder
2) Automatic timed backup folder
3) Automatic timed backup types and duration
4) Dictionary and reference file data folder
5) Default fonts
6) Default font sizes

The first four items can be set using the various items on the "Options, File System" menu.  There is plenty of information about each one in the help file and there is also plenty of information about them in the section just above.

The default fonts for the program can be set using "Format, Document initial font" and again, there is ample help contained within the file system.  The main point here is to set fonts that are suited to your needs.  Allow us to offer the reminder that the font that comes with our software—Tibetan Machine Unicode—is a very high quality font good for general purposes; read more about it • here.  However, we also have much better fonts again for publication purposes.  For more about our special Tibetan typefaces and their purchase point go • here.  In addition to the Tibetan font just indicated, the program also comes with five free English typefaces which have a complete set of the letters with diacriticals needed for representing transliterated Sanskrit.  For more about them, go • here.  You could choose one of these typefaces rather than Times New Roman as your basic non-Tibetan typeface and with the advantage that a full set of Sanskrit diacriticals will be available to you.

The default font sizes for the program can be set using the "Format, Document initial font sizes" menu.  Use this to set font sizes that suit your work.  Note that, if you set a different font size than the default, you might also have to adjust line height settings which can be done on the "Format, Line" menu.

The settings to adjust for TibetD Reader are the same as for TibetDoc, discussed in the previous section, with the exception that automatic timed backups and their storage folder do not need to be set because there is no automatic timed backup feature needed in TibetD Reader.