[EM] Runtime Error 3002 - could not load sound at line 66306

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:48 am

Hi Team

I have windows 7 x64, and I would like to play merc. however I am crashing to desktop right after I either create a pilot or load a pilot -- with the error above.

i have re-installed k.lite codec pack (8.1.0) (mega) also the 64 bit version (both before and after merc.) but still the same issue. I also have run the game in and out of admin mode, as well as in compatibility mode (xp sp2, and sp3).

your help is appreciated. Please find attached a copy of my dxdiag and dxdiag64

[file]513[/file]

[Edited on 1-14-2012 by Vice]

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:50 am

This error might be related to an invalid installer, damaged/missing codecs, missing/outdated DX files, or external interference from other programs running in the background. Here are a few things to try:

- If you got the game from a source other than my website, download and install the latest build available here: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmerce ... nloads.htm
- Launch the game as an administrator and test for different results. To do this, right click on the game's desktop icon, then left click on 'Run as administrator'.
- If it is determined to be a codec issue, often restoring the system back to a date prior to the codec problem can get the game to work.
- Download and run the DirectX web installer: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=35
- Check your system files for corruption/damage, Start > Run/Search > Type in SFC /SCANNOW and let the scan complete.

If the problem persists, try downloading and playing the attached sound file in Windows Media Player.

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:13 am

I have re-installed with the files from the website as indicated.
I re-ran directX (it told me I was the most current version).
the codec is 8.10 of k.lite - so the latest most current version.
I have tried to launch with and without admin (as indicated).

I am running windows7 and have also run the SFC /scannow ... it pops up a cmd window and closes again really quick, so I don't know if it is running properly or not .. but in anycase I did not get any errors.

I still have the same error, and the game CTD's as soon as I load a profile or right when I finish the character creation (just as it goes to the game).

I can play the beep/beep file great in both windows media player and classic.

so I don't think it is a codec issue if I can play that file .. any other suggestions.

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:18 am

The suggestions above generally resolve the problem. You don't need to 'run DirectX', you need to run the web installer at the link I posted above. DirectX can report you current while it's actually missing various files. I also doubt it is a codec issue. If SFC is not running properly, it may be getting blocked because UAC is on/non-admin account, so you'll need to account for that when running it. You could also try testing with UAC off. Also, are you running any updating services in the background at the same time (ie Impulse)? If it continues, follow the steps here for further assistance: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmercenary/faq.htm#8

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:41 am

Hello Tavenhotep, hope you are up and running soon. Welcome to the forum and the Sim. Have fun and hope to see you in Multi-Player sometime.

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:43 am

From post: 123319, Topic: tid=8310, author=Vice wrote: You don't need to 'run DirectX', you need to run the web installer at the link I posted above. Also, are you running any updating services in the background at the same time (ie Impulse)? If it continues, follow the steps here for further assistance: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmercenary/faq.htm#8

yes I executed the web installer (this is what I meant by running it, I should have been more specific).

and Yes I have impulse and steam running .. I turned them off (and origin/gog etc. etc) the lot.. still the same error.

I will run a msinfo32 and mail it off to the support alias - hopefully i get the game running soon !

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:48 am

From post: 123320, Topic: tid=8310, author=thetiebers wrote:Hello Tavenhotep, hope you are up and running soon. Welcome to the forum and the Sim. Have fun and hope to see you in Multi-Player sometime.

Thanks for the welcome ! and I also hope to be up and playing soon ! I have my snazzy trackIR and my hotas warthog chomping at the bit to play merc !!

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:42 am

Thanks for the report, I'll be reviewing it and will try to have some suggestions posted soon. I'm currently looking into the 4 separate Nvidia audio devices you have on your system in addition to the X-Fi, which may be part of the problem. There could also be some redist dependencies, so I'm looking into that as well.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:50 am

Hi Travenhtep, welcome to the game and forum. Hope to see you out there once you get it running!...

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:01 pm

Just to rule out any dependency that may not be in place, download and install the VC C++ redistributable package available from Microsoft here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/de ... x?id=15336

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:55 pm

Hi Tavenhotep and welcome to the game and forums.

A word of comfort: your game will run. Vice is all over it (as usual), and I have yet to see someone with a problem he could not fix, so rest assured. We will see you online soon.
Till then!

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:44 am

From post: 123352, Topic: tid=8310, author=Vice wrote: Just to rule out any dependency that may not be in place, download and install the VC C++ redistributable package available from Microsoft

I ran this install and repaired my c++ redisty .. still same error

I also manually disabled the 4xHD audio dirvers via the device manager, and still same error :-(
well at least we are getting there I hope !

[Edited on 15-1-2012 by Tavenhotep]

Post by **Vice** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:39 pm

Ok, next thing we can look into is the hardware and driver itself. Try changing the settings on your X-Fi, if there are options like 3D effects/modes, try turning it/them on and off, then testing again. Update your driver for that sound device to the latest version ( http://support.creative.com/Products/Pr ... ?catid=209 ), although it looks like the driver you are using is pretty current, so I'd focus on settings and options.

Another step you could try is temporarily disabling the X-Fi, then enabling the onboard audio. See if it might be a device/driver issue specifically. If this works, then the problem is the X-Fi failing to load the sound file and we'd need to find a way to update it for compatibility.

If that doesn't work, set everything back the way it was and create a folder in the game's install folder named 'sounds' and in that folder, place the attached file. Then launch and test the game. If this works, that will further help diagnose the problem.

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:05 am

Well no luck still :-(

I have run the XFi options all over the place

In the speaker properties I have disabled sound blaster enhancements (and enabled it - default) in the sound blaster tab, I have toggled on and off the following options for both "game mode and entertainment mode":

CMSS-3D
Crystalizer
SVM
Dobly Digital Live
Dolby DTS

same error (66306)

I have updated to the latest titanium drivers 6.0.1.1348 - dated 07/07/2010 - still nothing
I also disabled my X-Fi , re-enabled the HD Audio devices, enabled the onboard controller ... same error again. :-/
I created the sound folder, copied in the file - same again (and I could play the sound file from mediaplayer no problem)
the game just CTD's with the runtime 3002 error (it should be noted that the music continues to play until I click ok , acknowledging the error).

I have to say this is a first .. I have never had this much difficulties before, but I am very impressed with the level and speed of support - and I appreicate the great support !

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:12 am

I also wanted to let you know, that I tested the game on my VMWare Workstation (windows xp pro), and the game ran fine - in the demo mode.

I did notice that the game prompted me for my key , I clicked through and it went to the opening menu choices after making a character - something I did not see in the windows 7 environment (original game was installed via impulse).

very strange - needless to say I really don't want to fire up VMWorkstation to play my game :-/

Post by **Vice** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:52 am

That's an interesting detail and there are a few other reported instances of such a problem also being limited to Impulse running and Intel based systems. Not sure what the cause is yet, but in the past, these steps have resolved the problem:

1 - Uninstall all copies of the game, both via Impulse and Windows Uninstal Programs. Verify the game is no longer listed in the programs start menu.

2 - Stop the Impulse task (and all other unnecessary background tasks for testing, ie Steam, Origin, Xfire, etc). Open the task manager with Control-Shift-Escape, click on the processes tab, verify none of the background tasks are active. If one or more are still active, terminate their process in the task manager and re-verify they are no longer listed and not running in the background.

3 - Once the system is as lean as feasible, run the installer for the game available from my site, do not install or access using any other service for now. Once installed, do not immediately launch the game from the installer. Instead, uncheck the box to launch the game and return to the desktop.

4 - Right click on the game's desktop icon, then left click on 'Run as adminstrator'. Test for changes.

Be very careful to follow these steps exactly and make sure not to miss any unnecessary background tasks. If this works, then you'll need to gradually turn on each disabled background program one at a time and launch the game to test each one for possible interference. If this works, please reply with the details of the tests.

If this fails, then the next step for me to look into would be any interference potential from the TM security program.

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:50 pm

no luck still :-(
i installed , reinstalled
I removed everything from my processes that I could (only left 4 items which were unable to be removed ) and still the same error
I disabled Trend and still same error.
argh !
I even completely blew away the codec pack again, and even installed it in different directories - same issue
(did reboots between installs and everything) ...

I guess my machine is not liked :/

still trying though !

[Edited on 16-1-2012 by Tavenhotep]

Post by **Vice** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:20 pm

Beyond what we've tried, there doesn't seem to be any other possible cause for such a problem. From a hardware feature set and software standpoint, your system should be fine. Have you used CFF Explorer before? Another step we could try is enabling larger addressing for the game's executable. Details for this option are here: http://www.starwraith.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6595 Near the bottom of the post.

Tavenhotep · Post by **Tavenhotep** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:25 pm

well i tried and failed .. again.
probably something wiht my stupid windows 7 install.
worst case I can play in my VM ... I do appreciate the help.
thanks for the great support.
(I think I will re-install w7 at some point .... then try again - too much crap is loaded up on my machine !)
take care.

Post by **Vice** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:05 pm

Ok, that does seem to be a final step that usually works. Please do keep us posted. Wish we could figure out the cause. This problem is so rare and obscure, it's difficult to pin down enough data to locate a cause. What seems to work for one person doesn't seem to work for another.