Hello,

I am running 3ds Max 2009 64-bit on an xp pro x64 system.  Recently my box has been overheating (as my building manager is now too cheap to run the HVAC at night or over weekends, and I have a small/stuffy office).  After a recent crash I am now unable to run max.

It crashes just after the initial splash screen.

I have tried running 2009 32-bit, and 2008 64-bit, AND THIS WORKS.
I have tried reinstalling, including a full erase of the directory, but to no avail.
I have tried installing the latest graphics drivers, but this didn’t help.
I have tried running it with the -h option / in Change Graphics Mode, but it still crashes during the splash screen.
I have tried running it under a different user account, AND THIS WORKS.
I have tried wiping out my user documents 3dsmax folder, but this doesn’t help

Does anyone have any further suggestions, aside from the disappointing idea of wiping out my user account and creating it anew, or simply running max under the account in which it still works?

Maybe it’s just time I moved on to 2010.

Thanks!
- Scott

Nobody has any thoughts on this?

Scott, looks like you’ve tried most of the obvious things to get this working.  Since it is working under a different user login, it’s definitely a problem with a file specific to your username.  I would check under this folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\3dsmax\2009 - 64bit\enu

I’m guessing it’s a file buried in there that has gone corrupt.  I’d start with the “3dsmax.ini” file, as it’s used quite a bit.  Just rename the existing (most people add .old to the file name) and try running Max.  The next one I would try is plugin.ini since it controls the plugins, which load during the splash screen.

The files ending in .ini are all Configuration files, and can be edited in any text editor like Notepad.  So you could try just opening them that way, just to make sure the file isn’t totally corrupted.  If Notepad won’t open it, then just delete it and try Max again.

Hope this solves your problem!

3DS Max Design 2011 64-bit - Advantage Pack
Dell Precision T5500, Dual Six Core Xeon X5650 @ 2.67GHz, nVidia Quadro 5000, 24 GB RAM, Win 7 Enterprise 64-bit
Minneapolis, MN, USA

Hey, thanks!  This sounds like an excellent avenue of attack.  I’ll give it a go today.

I appreciate it.

Excellent; it worked like a champ!

And you, Chris, are now my personal hero.

Many thanks!

Hi Scotbb,

Now When you are sorted, do all the customizing (shortcuts and so on…), and save the INI file to a secure place.
If the evil come back again, you could replace the “bad” INI without loosing the custom settings, which saves time.

ivan