Can't load AHII

[Taszman]

I use to be able to click my icon and no problem.  But now I get this message in a samll box on a big white screen:

Initialization failed with a -9 mainWLD_Failed -1


Help!!

Taszman:mad:

[Skuzzy]

Try going to Start->Programs->Aces High II->Aces High II.

If that works, it normally means the shortcut on the desktop is not pointing to the right place.  Or something else is has caused the working path to get corrupt.
Basically, that error indicates Aces High II cannot find its resource/data files.

[Taszman]

I get the same error going through start/programs.  Other programs are still working fine.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Skuzzy, isnt that the error message you get when there is no sound card detected?

[Skuzzy]

Lots of things can cause it, but yes, if the sound card init fails or there simply is not one, then the game will fail.

Basically Aces High cannot get the resources it needs to run the game.  It could be read failures on the data for the game, initialization of hardware.  The failure is very early in the game startup.

[Taszman]

Well, that's all well and good but everything else plays/sounds fine except the game I pay for monthly.  What is the fix?

[Skuzzy]

Could you send in the output from a DXDIAG?

You are aware Windows will play sounds using a default sound driver which does not work in DirectX?  Just making sure.  It is a common error.

The error you are getting happens very early in the game startup sequence.  Is this a normal installation or from a backup?  If it is from a backup, chances are the files are marked read-only.  This could cause problems.
Are you starting from a desktop ICON?  Did you move the application to the desktop, instead of creating a shortcut?

All of it is pretty much the same.  Aces High cannot complete its initialization.  Either it cannot find its data files, or some piece of hardware is failing to startup.

You say you are clicking on an ICON?  What ICON and where?  Have you checked to see 'aceshigh.exe" is still in its installation folder (default location C:\Program Files\HTC\Aces High II")?

[Taszman]

I have had no problem with AHII starting either from my icon or from programs.  I have been paying for the last 3-4 years with no problems.  It is all of a sudden that I can't get it to run , eitherway.  I can't post attachments and I can't cut and paste the whole summary here.  All the sound tests came through with no problems.

[50cals]

Skuzzy , i have not been on for a week or so now. I have had no problems with the game whatsoever in years....... today i try to run it and Im getting this error. I have not changed anything , im using the same links as i have always used.

what is going on???

50cals

well I checked dxdiag and this has never happened before.....

DirectDraw test results: Failure at step 7 (User verification of fullscreen bouncing): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)
Direct3D 7 test results: Failure at step 32 (User verification of Direct3D rendering): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)
Direct3D 8 test results: Failure at step 32 (User verification of Direct3D rendering): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)
Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.

any ideas?

50cals

Well i have downloaded the full exe and installed it, everything is cool again..... very weird.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Just because you have played for years and just because you havent done anything or installed anything recently doesnt mean Windows cant manage to corrupt one of your drivers or some other important file just fine all on its own.  Could have happened during a time when things were particularly warm inside your computer and something was read or written wrong to the HD, could have been a power spike that caused the HD write head to go berserk for a microsecond during a read/write, could be a bad spot on your HD, or could be Gremlins.  Who knows?

[Taszman]

That may be true, but if my dxdiag all comes back as ok, HOW do i fix the problem?  Download the whole game again??

[StarOfAfrica2]

Sometimes.  Send Skuzzy your DxDiagnostic report and let him see, maybe you have a driver or some other simple issue to fix.  If you dont want to wait for email, post the first 1/3 or so of it here and everyone else will dissect it for you.