DDhelp file crashes?

[Savant]

One of my machines is plagued with "ddhelp" crash messages. Apparently this is a file in the Windows\system directory. I have replaced the resident ddhelp file with a version from another machine where EU has no crash-related problems. However, I still get this message.

It occurs when I am in the course of playing as well as sometimes upon starting EU. I am running EU version 1.09. I use the IGC but know it isn't related to that bc these other machines also run EU with IGC with no hassle. It is just this machine (my best machine) that has started having these ddhelp crashes.

I have 768 mb of RAM on a loaded machine and EU used to run without a blemish but then out of the blue I get these ddhelp crash messages.

Any clues as to what it's about?

 

[unmerged(1095)]

Have you tried reinstalling windows?

 

[Savant]

Oh yuck...

I was afraid of that. Another day shot to hell.

 

[Paradox Interactive]

ddhelp sounds like it should be a DirectX file. Have you tried with re-installing or updating to the latest version of DirectX?


Patric

 

[Paradox Interactive]

Found some more information:

"In some instances after installing a graphics adapter or software the error "Ddhelp Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module Unknown" may occur when launching certain applications.

This error can occur for a number of reasons including,

a conflict with utilities/drivers for a previous graphics adapter
a problem with the installation of DirectX

Conflict with utilities/drivers for a previous graphics adapter
When you replace a display adapter without un-installing its drivers and utilities problems may occur if Windows attempts to launch or use these drivers and utilities.

Ensure that any drivers/utilities for older display adapters have been removed from the system. Most graphics card manufacturers will provide entries in the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS panel to allow un-installation of drivers and utilities.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Problem with the installation of DirectX
Current ATI display drivers require specific minimum versions of DirectX for correct operation. If an older version of DirectX is installed or if older DirectX components have been erroneously installed by a 3rd party program, you may encounter problems.

In either case, installing (or re-installing) the current version of DirectX should resolve the issue."

Never mind the ATI reference in there. This was the first hit I got when searching for it and I guess it is a problem whatever graphics adapter you have.


Patric

 

[Savant]

Thanks for your ideas Patric

I re-installed a backup of my system and it seemed fine and then it started again.

I'll go ahead and re-install Direct-X and see if that works.

BTW I have the Matrox G-400 (32 mb) dual head video card with the latest drivers.

 

[unmerged(3388)]

Did re-installing DirectX help?.

Cheers, Ice

 

[Savant]

Well, it is really odd.

You see, I have three swappable master drives and two swappable slaves for this machine and the problem occurs reliably when I have downloaded and installed the latest Microsoft security upgrade. The drives without this latest MS security patch for Windows do not have the problem.

I did uninstall and then redownload and reinstall directx and I did find I didn't have the most current driver for the video card. Yet, upgrading those things didn't help. With the latest MS security patch, the game would crash and other software too would... act up.

So I am running without the latest MS patch and all my programs run better - the problem was not EU alone, though that was the first sign I had of problems.

I wish I could post information that was helpful to others here. But it must be some unusual interaction between my components, microsoft's latest security patch, and software (including EU). BTW, the problem occurs with both the 1.07 (*****z version and the 1.09 patched version of EU). I thought it may be something unique to one or the other, but no dice.

It's OK. At least I know not to get the latest MS patch if I want my software to run less glitch-free.