Bug 498488

Summary: KDiff3 does not start with "procedure entry point could not be located" error
Product: [Applications] kdiff3 Reporter: Erich <erich.public+bugs.kde.org>
Component: applicationAssignee: michael <reeves.87>
Status: RESOLVED FIXED    
Severity: normal    
Priority: NOR    
Version First Reported In: 1.12.0   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Microsoft Windows   
OS: Microsoft Windows   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed/Implemented In: 1.12.2
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments: Screenshot of "Entry Point Not Found" dialog boxes

Description Erich 2025-01-10 18:48:21 UTC
Created attachment 177264 [details]
Screenshot of "Entry Point Not Found" dialog boxes

SUMMARY

KDiff3 fails to start on Windows with the following dialogs popping up:

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point ??0QString@@QEAA@VQStringView@@@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\KF6ConfigCore.dll.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point ?hasRegisteredMutableViewFunctionToIterableMetaSequence@QtPrivate@@YA_NVQMetaType@@@Z could not be in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\KF6ItemViews.dll.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point qt_version_tag_6_8 could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\kdiff3.exe.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point qt_version_tag_6_8 could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\KF6ColorScheme.dll.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Download and install https://download.kde.org/stable/kdiff3/kdiff3-1.12.0-windows-cl.exe
2. Attempt to launch KDiff3 from the Start Menu

OBSERVED RESULT
"Entry Point Not Found" dialog boxes appear and KDiff3 fails to start.

EXPECTED RESULT
KDiff3 starts normally.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: Windows 11 Enterprise 23H2, OS build 22631.4602
KDE Plasma Version: Unknown
KDE Frameworks Version: Unknown
Qt Version: Unknown

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1.11.1, 1.11.4, 1.11.5, and 1.12.0 all fail to launch with similar errors.  1.11.2 works for me.  It appears this is related to https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=487973 and/or https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=487893
Comment 1 Erich 2025-04-07 20:55:00 UTC
Slightly different dialog box messages, but same problem with 1.12.2.  The following dialog boxes appear when trying to launch KDiff3:

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point qt_version_tag_6_8 could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\kdiff3.exe.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point ??0QString@@QEAA@VQStringView@@@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\KF6ConfigCore.dll.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point ?hasRegisteredMutableViewFunctionToIterableMetaSequence@QtPrivate@@YA_NVQMetaType@@@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\KDiff3\bin\KF6ItemViews.dll.

kdiff3.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point ?qt_QMetaEnum_flagDebugOperator@@YAXAEAVQDebug@@_KI@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files\Kdiff3\bin\KF6XmlGui.dll.
Comment 2 michael 2025-04-10 14:30:29 UTC
Looks to be fixed with 1.12.2. Upgrade from 1.12.1 and clean install tested. This type of issue can sometimes come up during upgrades from older versions as the underlying frameworks have been updated. Uninstalling and reinstall KDiff3 will not destroy the settings file but should clear any residual from an old version causing a conflict. For the record was this an upgrade or first time install?
Comment 3 Erich 2025-04-10 14:36:15 UTC
(In reply to michael from comment #2)
> Looks to be fixed with 1.12.2. Upgrade from 1.12.1 and clean install tested.
> This type of issue can sometimes come up during upgrades from older versions
> as the underlying frameworks have been updated. Uninstalling and reinstall
> KDiff3 will not destroy the settings file but should clear any residual from
> an old version causing a conflict. For the record was this an upgrade or
> first time install?

This was an upgrade.  Thanks for the tip about uninstall and reinstall; I will try that.
Comment 4 Erich 2025-04-10 14:45:16 UTC
Thank you!  It works now.

A simple uninstall, fresh install didn't work, but I noticed files were still left behind in C:\Program Files\KDiff3.  Trying to delete the folder failed because some of the files were still in use.

This is what I did:

1. Uninstall KDiff3
2. Restart the Windows Explorer process:
  2.a. Start -> Task Manager
  2.b. Select the "Windows Explorer" process
  3.c. Right click -> Restart
3. Delete C:\Program Files\KDiff3 folder (now it succeeds).
4. Install KDiff3 (new version)
Comment 5 michael 2025-04-17 15:08:38 UTC
Yes the template provide doesn't have good way to ask for but the context menu sometimes needs explorer to restart. Rebooting should also clear any residual files that were in use as they are schedule to removal at that time.