Error at startup of Optimizer: "Input string was not in a correct format" (4327646)

The following error occurs at startup of Optimizer:

The following unhandled error has occurred:
"Input string was not in a correct format"

WORKAROUND1

The following Microsoft article refers to this error: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942460.

1. Go to Start | Run and type in "regedit."
2. In Registry, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Control Panel | International.
3. In the right panel, open up the key sPositiveSign.
4. In the Value Data field press "delete" key a couple of times.
5. Run Optimizer again.

Note: Please get permission first from a System Admin because modifying registry settings may have adverse effect on the system.

WORKAROUND2

It could be that the auto check for updates on startup causes the error.  Please go to registry to turn off the key "Perform Check for Updates at startup", just set it to "F" which is located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Quest Software\Quest SQL Optimizer for Oracle\8.7.1\Preferences\Common.

WORKAROUND 3:

Please perform below:
a. Start | Run | and enter REGEDIT
b. Navigate to this node:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Quest Software\Quest SQL Optimizer for Oracle\8.7.0\Preferences\Common
c. On the right hand side look for "Perform Check for Updates at startup" node
d. Right-click on it and select Modify
e. Change Value Data field from 'T' to 'F'
f. Close registry and reopen SQL Optimizer

STATUS

Issue is fixed in version 8.8. The latest version of SQL Optimizer for Oracle can be downloaded at: https://support.quest.com/support_download/Downloads.asp