IDLE will not run

When I attempt to run IDLE (on Win32), I get the standard hourglass but then it just quits on me. I have tried repairing and uninstalling but it does not fix the problem. Anyone have any idea how to solve this?

Some questions:

1) what version of Python are you running?

2) have you tried running it from the command line? It is probably throwing an exception that you won't be able to see when you double click on it.

3) can you run other Tkinter programs OK?

4) Have you installed anything that uses a different version of Tk? I had this problem after installing Ruby and had to re-install Python to get it to work.

Dave - The Developers' Coach

It is the latest version of Python, 2.3.4. I have not run any other Tkinter programs and the command line does work. I have installed Ruby as well and the SciTE editor (I believe that is written with Tkinter) does operate just fine.

It was some time ago, but, the last time I installed Ruby it trashed the TCL/TK installation for my Python installation. This may be the problem you are having. (Was Ruby installed after Python?).

When you say the command line works - are you able to create a Tkinter window in the interpreter:
>>>from Tkinter import *
>>>A = Tk()

If this does not work I would recommend un-installing Ruby and re-installing python.

grim

SciTE is based on th Scintilla editor (you can find it bundled with wxPython) - it doesn't use Tkinter.

Grim -- I think that is in fact the problem. when I call the Tk class it gives me a bunch of errors that have paths to the Ruby installation (which was installed after Python). Thanks!

Yup, problem solved. Thanks a lot Grim.