Character Builder no longer loading - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character Builder no longer loading

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 08, 2010 11:27:48 So now after I click "Launch Character Builder", it takes me to an unresponsive white screen. My character builder literally worked one day and didn't work the next. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the character and the .Net framework. Any other ideas? Sucks not being ablt to use the CB on my desktop, since that's where my printer is.

Thanks,
Nick
#2
kartesh
Oct 08, 2010 11:48:20 You will most likely get an answer faster if you use this forum:

community.wizards.com/go/forum/view/7588...
#3
mdonais
Oct 08, 2010 12:08:43 Pretty sure no one from WotC responds on that forum.
#4
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 08, 2010 12:11:13 I'll repost it there-- really wherever I can get an answer is fine with me.
#5
mudbunny
Oct 08, 2010 12:13:41 Your best bet is to contact WotC Customer Service and they should be able to help you through getting it repaired so that it works.
#6
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 08, 2010 12:31:14 Gave that a try as well-- just wish I could get this figured out.
#7
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 12:36:48 What OS are you using? Also, does the Windows error log have anything in it? Instructions for finding it can be found here. I haven't had a problem like that before and without being able to recreate it I'm not sure how much help I can be, but if CS is being slow I can try a few suggestions.
#8
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 08, 2010 12:47:19 Negative. It just loads a blank white window (not affecting any other applications running). If I try to click within the window, it informs me that the program has stopped working.

Here's what I got:

Fault bucket , type 0
Event Name: AppHangTransient
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: CharacterBuilder.exe
P2: 1.0.60.0
P3: 49f12c3c
P4: unknown
P5: unknown
P6: unknown
P7: unknown
P8:
P9:
P10:

Attached files:

These files may be available here:

Analysis symbol:
Rechecking for solution: 0
Report Id: 01150181-d304-11df-a4dc-0019db4ee341
Report Status: 1
#9
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 12:49:34 Which version of Windows are you using?
#10
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 08, 2010 12:50:49 Windows 7. The weird thing is that it literally stopped working overnight-- it was working fine one day, then the next day this started. Nothing was installed/uninstalled in this time.
#11
drnick
Oct 08, 2010 12:57:41
Could be a corrupt file (probably a dll). I know that uninstalls are usually pretty messy and don't always clean everything up and reinstalls don't always overwrite files that already exist so it could be that the corrupt file wasn't removed in the uninstall and wasn't overwritten by the new install.

I'm sorely tempted to blame .net here. Especially since it doesn't appear to be a widespread issue.
#12
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 13:01:41

Could be a corrupt file (probably a dll). I know that uninstalls are usually pretty messy and don't always clean everything up and reinstalls don't always overwrite files that already exist so it could be that the corrupt file wasn't removed in the uninstall and wasn't overwritten by the new install.

I'm sorely tempted to blame .net here. Especially since it doesn't appear to be a widespread issue.

This does seem like the most likely explanation. CS might be able to tell you which file or registry entry will need to be cleared by hand while uninstalling, but I don't think I'll be able to guess correctly. Sorry . Perhaps Google can find you someone else who had the same problem and how they fixed it?
#13
drnick
Oct 08, 2010 13:20:01 First a disclaimer: I MAKE NO WARRANTIES THAT THIS PROCEDURE WON'T SCREW UP YOUR PC. I ALSO MAKE NO WARRANTIES THAT THIS PROCEDURE WILL WORK. I DO NOT WORK FOR WOTC AND AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THEM IN ANY WAY.

First off make sure you're on an admin account.

1. Uninstall the CB and the adventure tools as normal.
2. Backup any character files or custom monsters you have saved.
3. Go to "C:\Program Files\" and delete the Wizards of the coast folder there (you may want to confirm that there's nothing but character builder and adventure tools files in there). You will get a warning. Accept it. (C:\ is the default drive for this folder. It could be somewhere else.)
4. Reboot
5. Reinstall

If that doesn't work, you can try repairing .net. You do this using the system file checker. Follow these steps for that:

1. Go to the start menu and type "cmd" into the search bar.
2. Right click "cmd.exe" and choose "Run as administrator".
3. type "sfc /scannow" into the command prompt (without quotes)

This scan takes some time to complete so be patient. It will search protected windows files for any corrupt/changed files and replace them with microsoft's versions. At the end of the scan it will let you know if it repaired any files.
#14
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 13:24:01 Also, depending on your level of tech savay, you could try clearning mentions of wizards and Character Builder out of your registry before the reinstall. If you don't know what that means or how to do it though, don't worry about it. The registry isn't something that should be messed with if you're not familiar with it, it's too easy to mess too many things up on accident. Good luck!
#15
drnick
Oct 08, 2010 13:29:45 Yeah I purposely didn't put that in there because for most people, registry hacking would probably cause more harm than good. I would suggest only doing that if directed to by someone at Wizards of the Coast or if you are especially computer savvy and understand exactly how the registry operates.

Remember this: There is no "undo" feature in regedit and changes are saved immediately into the database. If you do any work on it all, there are two things you need to understand: 1. a full backup of the system and a backup of the registry are required and 2. you need to be willing and able to reinstall windows if (when?) something goes wrong.
#16
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 14:25:07 Hence why I gave no instructions on how to do it. I've found it useful when dealing with programs that don't like to uninstall completely, but I also have a cloned backup hdd and a windows install disc if things go wrong.
#17
drnick
Oct 08, 2010 16:25:46 I know. I'm just throwing that out there. A little extra warning never hurt anybody.
#18
AaronOfBarbaria
Oct 08, 2010 16:53:13 On Windows 7 I find it easier to get character builder to load by right clicking it and choosing "run as administrator"

It gave me problems until doing that... and then I pinned the running program to the desktop to avoid having to do that - Windows 7 seems to have a problem with the updater portion of the program.
#19
dbmeboy
Oct 08, 2010 17:07:09 It's worth trying, but it doesn't sound likely to be the problem based on the description.
#20
KM.549
Oct 08, 2010 17:19:42 Last time you shut of computer did it install any windows updates? One time I did that and the updates screwed up a couple of things.
#21
drnick
Oct 08, 2010 18:38:09
On Windows 7 I find it easier to get character builder to load by right clicking it and choosing "run as administrator"

It gave me problems until doing that... and then I pinned the running program to the desktop to avoid having to do that - Windows 7 seems to have a problem with the updater portion of the program.

FWIW you can do that automatically by right-clicking the icon, going to "Properties" and seletcting the "Compatability" tab. From there you can check the "Run as administrator" option under "Privelige Level" at the bottom.
#22
mdonais
Oct 08, 2010 20:00:24 There is a repair button at the top of the loader.
When it asks for your username and PW click on "Having Problems" at the top and then click repair.

Might help if you haven't done it yet.
#23
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 10, 2010 10:30:56 Hey guys-- I tried everything listed above and everything Wizards told me to do. Same unresponsive white screen. Did a clean uninstall of all temp data, registry data, etc. Updated my video drivers. Zilch.

Oh well, guess I won't subscribe to DDI after all.

Thanks again,
Nick
#24
dbmeboy
Oct 10, 2010 11:18:46 I'm sorry to hear that none of that worked. I hope you get it working someday.
#25
Dunaria
Oct 10, 2010 12:12:22 Hi Swarley, I have this Issue couple weeks ago. Look like on Windows 7 , DDICB crash for no reason and I was unable to make the soft working. I had to reinstall my windows and reinstal ddicb and that worked fine.
That was the first time solution worked after Repair and other Sub-"magic tiggly" failed solution.

2nd time than ddiCB crashed...
I Didn't reinstall my computer that time. I had a Cd-KEY remain on my old computer of windows XP home and the install disk as well. I installed Virtual PC 2007 form microsoft. For a quick guide for a nice solution look at this faq.

#26
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 13, 2010 13:58:44 I'm going to try a virtual PC... I sent WOTC a dxdiag. I can run the stuff on my laptop, it's just amazingly slow (the laptop, that is).
#27
swarleythebeneficent
Oct 15, 2010 11:34:37 One last update:

Even after reinstalling, there's no Wizards of the Coast registry folder, which is weird. Also; it works perfectly when I run the computer in safe mode.

Weird.

Thanks for the help, all.
Nick

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 swarleythebeneficent Oct 08, 2010 11:27:48	So now after I click "Launch Character Builder", it takes me to an unresponsive white screen. My character builder literally worked one day and didn't work the next. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the character and the .Net framework. Any other ideas? Sucks not being ablt to use the CB on my desktop, since that's where my printer is. Thanks, Nick
#2 kartesh Oct 08, 2010 11:48:20	You will most likely get an answer faster if you use this forum: community.wizards.com/go/forum/view/7588...
#3 mdonais Oct 08, 2010 12:08:43	Pretty sure no one from WotC responds on that forum.
#4 swarleythebeneficent Oct 08, 2010 12:11:13	I'll repost it there-- really wherever I can get an answer is fine with me.
#5 mudbunny Oct 08, 2010 12:13:41	Your best bet is to contact WotC Customer Service and they should be able to help you through getting it repaired so that it works.
#6 swarleythebeneficent Oct 08, 2010 12:31:14	Gave that a try as well-- just wish I could get this figured out.
#7 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 12:36:48	What OS are you using? Also, does the Windows error log have anything in it? Instructions for finding it can be found here. I haven't had a problem like that before and without being able to recreate it I'm not sure how much help I can be, but if CS is being slow I can try a few suggestions.
#8 swarleythebeneficent Oct 08, 2010 12:47:19	Negative. It just loads a blank white window (not affecting any other applications running). If I try to click within the window, it informs me that the program has stopped working. Here's what I got: Fault bucket , type 0 Event Name: AppHangTransient Response: Not available Cab Id: 0 Problem signature: P1: CharacterBuilder.exe P2: 1.0.60.0 P3: 49f12c3c P4: unknown P5: unknown P6: unknown P7: unknown P8: P9: P10: Attached files: These files may be available here: Analysis symbol: Rechecking for solution: 0 Report Id: 01150181-d304-11df-a4dc-0019db4ee341 Report Status: 1
#9 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 12:49:34	Which version of Windows are you using?
#10 swarleythebeneficent Oct 08, 2010 12:50:49	Windows 7. The weird thing is that it literally stopped working overnight-- it was working fine one day, then the next day this started. Nothing was installed/uninstalled in this time.
#11 drnick Oct 08, 2010 12:57:41	Could be a corrupt file (probably a dll). I know that uninstalls are usually pretty messy and don't always clean everything up and reinstalls don't always overwrite files that already exist so it could be that the corrupt file wasn't removed in the uninstall and wasn't overwritten by the new install. I'm sorely tempted to blame .net here. Especially since it doesn't appear to be a widespread issue.
#12 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 13:01:41	Could be a corrupt file (probably a dll). I know that uninstalls are usually pretty messy and don't always clean everything up and reinstalls don't always overwrite files that already exist so it could be that the corrupt file wasn't removed in the uninstall and wasn't overwritten by the new install. I'm sorely tempted to blame .net here. Especially since it doesn't appear to be a widespread issue. This does seem like the most likely explanation. CS might be able to tell you which file or registry entry will need to be cleared by hand while uninstalling, but I don't think I'll be able to guess correctly. Sorry . Perhaps Google can find you someone else who had the same problem and how they fixed it?
#13 drnick Oct 08, 2010 13:20:01	First a disclaimer: I MAKE NO WARRANTIES THAT THIS PROCEDURE WON'T SCREW UP YOUR PC. I ALSO MAKE NO WARRANTIES THAT THIS PROCEDURE WILL WORK. I DO NOT WORK FOR WOTC AND AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THEM IN ANY WAY. First off make sure you're on an admin account. 1. Uninstall the CB and the adventure tools as normal. 2. Backup any character files or custom monsters you have saved. 3. Go to "C:\Program Files\" and delete the Wizards of the coast folder there (you may want to confirm that there's nothing but character builder and adventure tools files in there). You will get a warning. Accept it. (C:\ is the default drive for this folder. It could be somewhere else.) 4. Reboot 5. Reinstall If that doesn't work, you can try repairing .net. You do this using the system file checker. Follow these steps for that: 1. Go to the start menu and type "cmd" into the search bar. 2. Right click "cmd.exe" and choose "Run as administrator". 3. type "sfc /scannow" into the command prompt (without quotes) This scan takes some time to complete so be patient. It will search protected windows files for any corrupt/changed files and replace them with microsoft's versions. At the end of the scan it will let you know if it repaired any files.
#14 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 13:24:01	Also, depending on your level of tech savay, you could try clearning mentions of wizards and Character Builder out of your registry before the reinstall. If you don't know what that means or how to do it though, don't worry about it. The registry isn't something that should be messed with if you're not familiar with it, it's too easy to mess too many things up on accident. Good luck!
#15 drnick Oct 08, 2010 13:29:45	Yeah I purposely didn't put that in there because for most people, registry hacking would probably cause more harm than good. I would suggest only doing that if directed to by someone at Wizards of the Coast or if you are especially computer savvy and understand exactly how the registry operates. Remember this: There is no "undo" feature in regedit and changes are saved immediately into the database. If you do any work on it all, there are two things you need to understand: 1. a full backup of the system and a backup of the registry are required and 2. you need to be willing and able to reinstall windows if (when?) something goes wrong.
#16 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 14:25:07	Hence why I gave no instructions on how to do it. I've found it useful when dealing with programs that don't like to uninstall completely, but I also have a cloned backup hdd and a windows install disc if things go wrong.
#17 drnick Oct 08, 2010 16:25:46	I know. I'm just throwing that out there. A little extra warning never hurt anybody.
#18 AaronOfBarbaria Oct 08, 2010 16:53:13	On Windows 7 I find it easier to get character builder to load by right clicking it and choosing "run as administrator" It gave me problems until doing that... and then I pinned the running program to the desktop to avoid having to do that - Windows 7 seems to have a problem with the updater portion of the program.
#19 dbmeboy Oct 08, 2010 17:07:09	It's worth trying, but it doesn't sound likely to be the problem based on the description.
#20 KM.549 Oct 08, 2010 17:19:42	Last time you shut of computer did it install any windows updates? One time I did that and the updates screwed up a couple of things.
#21 drnick Oct 08, 2010 18:38:09	On Windows 7 I find it easier to get character builder to load by right clicking it and choosing "run as administrator" It gave me problems until doing that... and then I pinned the running program to the desktop to avoid having to do that - Windows 7 seems to have a problem with the updater portion of the program. FWIW you can do that automatically by right-clicking the icon, going to "Properties" and seletcting the "Compatability" tab. From there you can check the "Run as administrator" option under "Privelige Level" at the bottom.
#22 mdonais Oct 08, 2010 20:00:24	There is a repair button at the top of the loader. When it asks for your username and PW click on "Having Problems" at the top and then click repair. Might help if you haven't done it yet.
#23 swarleythebeneficent Oct 10, 2010 10:30:56	Hey guys-- I tried everything listed above and everything Wizards told me to do. Same unresponsive white screen. Did a clean uninstall of all temp data, registry data, etc. Updated my video drivers. Zilch. Oh well, guess I won't subscribe to DDI after all. Thanks again, Nick
#24 dbmeboy Oct 10, 2010 11:18:46	I'm sorry to hear that none of that worked. I hope you get it working someday.
#25 Dunaria Oct 10, 2010 12:12:22	Hi Swarley, I have this Issue couple weeks ago. Look like on Windows 7 , DDICB crash for no reason and I was unable to make the soft working. I had to reinstall my windows and reinstal ddicb and that worked fine. That was the first time solution worked after Repair and other Sub-"magic tiggly" failed solution. 2nd time than ddiCB crashed... I Didn't reinstall my computer that time. I had a Cd-KEY remain on my old computer of windows XP home and the install disk as well. I installed Virtual PC 2007 form microsoft. For a quick guide for a nice solution look at this faq.
#26 swarleythebeneficent Oct 13, 2010 13:58:44	I'm going to try a virtual PC... I sent WOTC a dxdiag. I can run the stuff on my laptop, it's just amazingly slow (the laptop, that is).
#27 swarleythebeneficent Oct 15, 2010 11:34:37	One last update: Even after reinstalling, there's no Wizards of the Coast registry folder, which is weird. Also; it works perfectly when I run the computer in safe mode. Weird. Thanks for the help, all. Nick