errorcode: "object not set to an instance of an object" and then errorcode: "TM update failed"

Question

I created a new project and started translating. The next day I wanted to resume the translation and opened Trados Studio 2014. When I click into the next new segment (or any segment) the errorcode "object not set to an instance of an object" appears and when I save the translated segment by using the shortcuts for saving and going to the next segment, the errorcode: "TM update failed" appears. I looked for the problem online and found an instruction sying one has to chnage the name of the 3 setting files, deinstall Studio and run a repair instalation. But I fear that my translated part will be gone after a repeair installation because the programm is supposed to get repairinstalled as a complete new version where all previous settings/translations are going to be deleted/gone ...? 
 Further, I do not know WHICH file needs to be deinstalled and repairinstalled (repair installation means a normal, new installation?) 
 I already changed the name of these 3 setting files by adding an underscore in front (I just followed the online instruction). 
 
 But: There is no indication what exactly happens to the programme with a repair installation, i.e. I do not know whether my translated text will begone or not (I think, yes, it will be gone) ... and the reason for this error is not explained - we just would need more information to the HOW and WHY and the consequences of running a repair installation. 
 
 The problem still persists - I would appreciate it very much getting help - ideally without installing and re-installing the whole programm, if possible ...? 
 
 Thank you very much! Kind regards 
 Willi Meutzner Prologos Sprachendienste GmbH

Jerzy Czopik · Accepted Answer

First try to reset the window layout (View - Reset window layout or Ansicht - Fensterlayout zurücksetzen) 
 Should this not help, remove the xml files from C:\Users\Your username\AppData\Roaming\SDL\SDL Trados Studio\11.0.0.0 
 Then restart Studio and use the reset window layout option once again. 
 Now the program should behave normally. 
 Removing these files (or renaming like you did) does not do any harm. Only some settings get lost. 
 These files will have no influence on your text, TMs and TBs, as these are stored as separate files where you decided them to bo. So even uninstalling Studio would not remove them. Exactly as uninstalling Word does NOT remove any Word files from your system. This is most probably also the reason there is no explanation what happens - because nothing happens.

Walter Blaser · Answer

Willi 
 The method consisting of deleting the settings files in the user profile that you mentioned first is described in KB article 4457. 
 kb.sdl.com/.../article 
 The article is for Studio 2011 but ist still valid for 2014, the only thing that changes is that the folder will not be called SDL "Trados Studio\10.0.0.0, but "...\11.0.0.0". 
 You can safely try this, it will not have any impact on your projects, meaning you will not loose any work. The only thing you may lose are user-specific settings such as the arrangement of the windows within Studio or changes in keyboard shortcuts (which you can simply redefine later). 
 To be on the safe side, make a copy of your current SDLXLIFF file, so that you can always update your TM later. 
 If this does not solve your problem, you may then try a repair installation (which you launch from "Systemsteuerung - Programme und Funktionen", go to SDL Trados Studio 2014, select the line, right-click and select "Reparieren"). This also will not delete any of your projects, but it will take longer than the method described above. Personally, I do not think that you need to do a repair installation, the problem you describe seems to be related to the access to your TM. Are you using a file-based or a server-based TM? Did you try to remove the TM in your project settings and add it again? 
 Walter

Akke Wagenaar · Answer

You can also make a backup folder with the 3 xml files - do it at a moment in time when everything works fine. 
 As soon as you get the 'Object reference ...' problem, copy the backed up xml files into the folder 10.0.0.0 or 11.0.0.0, and keep the backups in place for the next time... This works, I use it regularly.

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errorcode: "object not set to an instance of an object" and then errorcode: "TM update failed"