What I do and do not know about installing Python on Win 7 with regard to IDLE.

[Terry Reedy]

On 11/21/2011 11:39 AM, W. eWatson wrote:
>
> My criterion for success is that it puts IDLE as a choice for editor on
> the menu produced with a right-click on a py file.

Your first criterion for success should be that IDLE runs at all, which 
is apparently does not. How you run it is secondary.

Right-click responses are controlled by Windows using data in the 
registry. Windows modifies the registry in response to installers *and 
users*. The ActiveState installers request 'Edit with PythonWin'. They 
do not request 'Edit with IDLE' and it is foolish to complain to us when 
you use ActiveState and get their choice of context choices.

The PSF .msi installers (.msi = MicroSoftInstall format) from python.org 
request 'Edit with IDLE' but cannot make Windows put it in. If your 
registry is messed up enough, it does not happen. But no error message.

I have explained to you another way to work with IDLE once it runs. It 
you refuse to use it, that is your problem, not ours.

> I know it sets up that way on a 2.5 and 2.4 on other PCs I have.

You installed with the PSF installer with an ok registry.

> I know at one time it worked on my 64-bit Win 7 PC, which likely had a
> 32-bit version installed on it. After something like six months of
> modest use it stopped working as above. No IDLE choice.

So some *other* program messed things up. Stop blaming us.
Heavy or modest use in the meantime is irrelevant.

> I know by installing a 64-bit version, 3.2.2 failed the IDLE criterions
> as described. No IDLE.

Did you uninstall the 32 bit version, and best, all Python versions?

> I do know that IDLE appears on the Win 7 Start menu, but, when used,
> nothing happens. Well, OK, for about 3 seconds the Win 7 "working" icon
> spins around then zip, nothing.

This is your real problem. Stop worrying about the context menu.

 > Further, right-clicking on Properties of
> IDLE (GUI) produces a tabbed dialog. It shows Start in: c:\Python32\,

This is the Shortcut tab. A shortcut is like a bound method. The 
function is the target: 'python 3.2.2 (64 bit)' on my machine. The 
starting directory is like a bound argument, although it is passed to 
the launcher that launches the function. What the Properties dialog does 
not show are the actual 'bound arguments' that are passed to the target 
as options. So one cannot know what the shortcut is actually trying to 
do. This is one of the Really Stupid things about Windows that should 
have been fixed long ago but has not.

> and None for shortcut.

None for Shortcut key, such as alt-I to invoke the shortcut.

> There is a compatibility tab, which I've set to
> Win7. I think there's a troubleshooter there too, but I haven't used it.
> Under the Details tab, it shows Name: IDLE(Python Gui).lnk. Folder Path
> as: c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start... Nothing after the "...".

Details: Folder Path is the same as General: Location. Mouse over the 
latter the the full path appears. That Properties windows are still 
fixed at 480 pixel wide, regardless of screen size, is another Really 
Stupid thing.

> Going directly to ...\Lib\idlelib\idle.pyw produces the spinning icon.
> At least, that's what happens in 3.2.2, but in the 32-bit versions I
> tried, I would get "invalid Win 32 app".

If the registry entry for .pyw is messed up, trying to run the file by 
clicking on it is not likely to work. Try running from Command Prompt, 
as I believe others suggested.

> When I rebooted my system a few hours after installing 3.2.2, because
> the PC was running really slowly--not because of Python, I was greeted
> by a couple of interesting messages as the desktop was populated.
>
> I can execute Python from the command line.
>
> 1. Specified module could not be found: Load Lib, python.dll.
>
> 2. \ProgramFiles(x86)\uniblueDrivers\Scanner (x86) Python26.dll.

The uniblue drivers program will match your drivers against a database 
of up-to-date drivers and offer to upgrade them. I have used uniblue's 
registry scanner program. Treating pythonxy.dll as a driver, if they 
are, is an error. These are paid programs. The free demos only scan to 
tell you what they would do if you bought them.

 > I'm sure this is related to Winamp, which I had installed a month ago.

I do not believe they are the same companies, but they may have a 
cross-promotion deal.

> had some "crazy" choice to scan for new drivers. Of course, if it found
> one-connected with Python, and if you wanted it, $$$. I think this
> message is a red herring. I may re-install Winamp to get rid of that
> uniblue tool that seems like nothing more than an ad.
>
> Some have suggested a registry problem, but I don't have a clue how to
> play with that, or somehow clean it up, if there is a problem. My PC
> behaves normally

If you ran the psf 3.2.2 installer and idle does not run when you click 
the start menu shortcut, something is wrong.

> Someone suggested using the mail list at
> <http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list>. What's different
> about that list than this NG? Does the "org" suggest that the
> inhabitants of that list are more likely associated with the people who
> are responsible for constructing Python?

Python list is mirror to comp.lang.python which is mirrored to a google 
group. It is also mirrored to gmane.comp.python, which is how I read and 
post. There is some spam filtering if you use the python.org list or 
gmane group.

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy