Hi Arjen the most common cause of this is the lack of a directory for the log file for either artemis or athena to write to. in windows 7. see the link bruce sent. if that directory doesn't exist ( or for some bizarre reason they cant write to it) ,neither program will create it and when you attempt to start them a "dos" window " opens then closes as it finds it cant create the log file. Obviously there could well be a different reason but the symptoms you describe are associated with this problem. Cheers Fred -- This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, copyright and or privileged material, and are for the use of the intended addressee only. If you are not the intended addressee or an authorised recipient of the addressee please notify us of receipt by returning the e-mail and do not use, copy, retain, distribute or disclose the information in or attached to the e-mail. Any opinions expressed within this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily of Diamond Light Source Ltd. Diamond Light Source Ltd. cannot guarantee that this e-mail or any attachments are free from viruses and we cannot accept liability for any damage which you may sustain as a result of software viruses which may be transmitted in or with the message. Diamond Light Source Limited (company no. 4375679). Registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom