"Invalid Stream Format" and "Access Violation" error when connecting or starting a Session Browser (4229588)

When opening the Session Browser or connecting to a database, the error is generated:  "Invalid Stream Format”.

It is followed by the error: Access violation at address 019F5043 in module 'Toad.exe'. Read of address 0000038C.

Toad for Oracle was working fine and suddenly stopped working.

System/database updates and abrupt/forced closing Toad for Oracle may have led to corrupted user files and conflicts which may be causing unexpected errors and exceptions.

If database server maintenance or updates (or Windows Updates) are expected and proper closing of the session over the network or in the environment is not possible; it is recommended that Toad for Oracle be closed properly.

RESOLUTION:

Note: Make sure to back up your Toad Authorization Key and Site Message.

1) Fully Exit Toad for Oracle.

2) Drill to the Toad for Oracle version folder in the Application Data Directory.

For Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\<user_name>\Application Data\Quest Software\Toad for Oracle\<version>\

For Windows Vista / 7:
C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Roaming\Quest Software\Toad for Oracle\<version>\

3) Rename the <version> folder (i.e. ...\Toad for Oracle\11.6_OLD).

4) Start Toad for Oracle.

5) If prompted to migrate Toad settings from a previous install, do not choose to migrate any settings (choose Clean Install).

This applies to older versions of Toad for Oracle.

6) Connect to a database (check the 'Save Passwords' box in the login screen if preferred), then fully exit Toad.

7) Start Toad and test the issue.

Note: Renaming the folder clears out previous settings and forces Toad default values on the next start of Toad.

If needed, some previous settings can be manually migrated into the new settings directory from the original/renamed directory. IMPORTANT - migrating previous settings could potentially carry over the previous issue. It is advisable to migrate one file at a time and test the install after each file is moved.

Most common settings files of interest:
- Toad.ini (View | Options settings in Toad)
- Connections.ini (Connection history)
- Connectionpwds.ini (Connection history's associated passwords)*
- SavedSQL.xml (SQL history, Named and Personal SQL)
- EditorLayout_<TYPE>.lay (Editor layout settings; Only applies to older versions of Toad)

*Connection passwords may not be transferable between installs of Toad on different computers for security purposes. Starting with Toad for Oracle 10.1 it is possible to migrate saved connection passwords from one computer to another as long as it is the same OS user being used on the system. Please refer to solution, SOL38988 "How to migrate saved connections passwords from one version to another", for more info about carrying over connection passwords.