Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg

Started by Kenny Danielson

Kenny Danielson

Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   17 March 2013, 14:25

Something freezes Win 8 with the drive light on. Only cold boot recovers.

This may have connection with -
Error message at infrequent times: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg (line 1 pos 1).
Press OK to ignore, etc.
Kenny Danielson

invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   20 March 2013, 04:06

Fixed after disk defrag and optimization.
Lohn M

invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   22 April 2013, 17:42

Have the same error. Uninstalled, rebooted and reinstalled. Same error. Also on Win8
Can anyone help
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   22 April 2013, 20:15

Which one?

Quote

Kenny Danielson

Something freezes Win 8 with the drive light on.


or

Quote

Kenny Danielson

Error message at infrequent times: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg

John M

invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   23 April 2013, 17:15

Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg (line 1 pos 1).
Press OK to ignore, etc.
Found the .cfg file and it is empty.
Try and red x the prog and error comes up "Access violation". Press cancel to terminate prog.Press OK to ignore error.
Pressing ok runs the prog. but bloody annoying
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   29 April 2013, 10:55

It means the file has somehow been damaged. Just delete the empty CFG file and a new one will be created.
Fabian

Solved!   02 April 2014, 06:16

It helped!
Thanks!
Sam

Re: invalid character WiFiGuard.cfg   07 June 2014, 20:15

How can you delete the empty CFG file ?
Thanks
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   09 June 2014, 14:55

Open the folder where the file is, right-click and choose Delete or drag it to the recycle bin.
Jim - Denver

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   25 November 2014, 06:32

I am having a similar problem. Where do I find the CFG file?
Thank You.
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   25 November 2014, 08:25

The path is in the error message.
Jim - Denver

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   26 November 2014, 02:08

Thanks, Andrew. Next time I will read the ... Seems to be working fine now.
ed1

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   22 December 2014, 13:25

I have been receiving the same error message every time my Win7-x64 system started lately. I reinstalled WIFI Guard before I saw this thread. That did not solve the problem.

After seeing this thread and deleting the noted .cfg file, the problem seems to be resolved. Unfortunately, in the process I lost all of the device information in the All Devices section. But I am glad to have WIFI Guard working again.

I am wondering why this issue cropped up and whether it is likely to happen again.
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   22 December 2014, 14:21

It's unclear why and when this happens, but until we have fixed it, I recommend to backup the file from time to time.
aninterestedparty

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   29 December 2014, 06:00

Hi Everyone,

I had an older version running and I updated recently to 1.0.5. (12/23/14). I am not sure when the error about appdata/local/WiFi invalid character started. I don't think it happened until after I updated the "Registry Trash Keys Finder Application" to v.3.9.3.0 (12/26/14) and ran it. In any case I uninstalled and re installed 1.0.5 and still get the error. The problem is that when I go to the appdata/local folder it contains nothing. What do I do now? Wait for a new update? I have deleted 1.05 form my PC.

W7 SP1 x64
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   29 December 2014, 14:32

You may have to turn on showing hidden files to access those folders and here is how to do so.
aninterestedparty

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   30 December 2014, 03:50

Thanks for the reminder about hidden files. When I turned off hidden files I was able to find the cfg. file and delete it. WiFiGuard is up and running. Thank you.
Luis

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   13 February 2015, 15:13

Today this error message appear after win 7 started. This fixed the issue, thanks.
Not sure if this helps but yesterday my laptop got some updates from windows update. Maybe one of these interfered?
Here is the list:

Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3034196)
Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime (KB3001652)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3021952)
Update for Microsoft Outlook 2010 (KB2956128) 32-Bit Edition
Definition Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB2956079) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Microsoft Excel 2010 (KB2956081) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 (KB2956129) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3029944)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3023562)
Security Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB2920748) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3004394)
Security Update for Microsoft Word 2010 (KB2956066) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft OneNote 2010 (KB2956075) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3020338)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3004375)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3004361)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - February 2015 (KB890830)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3031432)
Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB2956054) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3013455)
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   13 February 2015, 15:16

Probably not. It seems to be happening from time to time even without updates, but so far we've been unable to determine why it happens.

I recommend to delete the file as advised above and the issue should go away.
cfam

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   19 March 2015, 18:41

Just to log that this error is occurring each time wifi guard is started.

Platform HP Pavilion, OS Windows 8.1, User permissions = Administrator

In - <file> (line 1 pos1): Invalid Character
Press OK to ignore and risk data corruption
Press Cancel to kill the program


On selecting OK - user interface initiated. Apply settings for wifi card. scan now. stop scan. A further warning dialog:

Access violation
Press OK to ignore and risk data corruption
Press Cancel to kill the program


Cannot see any problem with file permissions - all read/ write/ execute permissions set correctly.

Opened .cfg file using a text editor (notepad++) - file contains a string of <nulls>
closed wifi guard
deleted .cfg file
restarted wifi guard
- now presented with dialog box for language selection
- now presented with dialog box for wireless card selection
opened .cfg file (as above) now contains configuration details.

- possible cause when .cfg file is first created a string containing <nulls> is written to the file. The application tries to read this file hence encounters the string of <nulls> rather then the xml header, so generating the error.
SoftPerfect Support forum - Andrew avatar image

Re: Invalid character in WiFiGuard.cfg   19 March 2015, 20:04

You're mostly correct, except for the part when the nulls are written. Somehow at a random moment the .CFG file gets damaged and rewritten with zeros. Problem is, it doesn't happen every time and is hard to trace. I guess we will just switch to a more reliable storage in the future like SQLite.

Sometimes you can find a solution faster if you try the forum search, have a look at the knowledge base, or check the software user manual to see if your question has already been answered.

Our forum rules are simple:

  • Be polite.
  • Do not spam.
  • Write in English. If possible, check your spelling and grammar.

Author:

Subject

A brief and informative title for your message, approximately 4–8 words:

     

Spam prevention: please enter the following code in the input field below.

 **     **        **  **     **  ********  **    ** 
  **   **         **  **     **     **     **   **  
   ** **          **  **     **     **     **  **   
    ***           **  **     **     **     *****    
   ** **    **    **   **   **      **     **  **   
  **   **   **    **    ** **       **     **   **  
 **     **   ******      ***        **     **    ** 

Message: