Failing to launch game after windows update

[AKpizzle]

Hello gents,

Recently I installed 2026-03 Update (KB5086672) (26200.8117) on April 1st with Windows Auto-Update feature. Last week, the game ran fine. I went to boot it up tonight for FSO and all I get is a white screen with loading (spinny wheel) icon for just a split second before it closes/crashes.

No error code and I can't even open it long enough to perform a memory dump. I've tried to uninstall/reinstall the game and no joy. It won't run either DX version normally or as administrator.

I can't revert back to the previous version of Windows either. I'm at a loss.

I know more about hardware than software. I'm not experiencing this issue with any other program than Aces High. I'd like to get it fixed before the scenario kicks off, otherwise I'm out.

Any help is appreciated!

[Animl-AW]

I'm updated too, no issues.

Check your firewall make sure it's not blocking it.

Doesn't sound like GPU, but ya never know.

Sometimes windows update reset defaults in certain areas.

[Animl-AW]

There are crash dumps within the AH folder, trying to remember where it is

[AKpizzle]

I've given it full permissions on the firewall and still not working.

GPU drivers are up to date, and I haven't had an issue since upgrading about 4 months ago. I'm running a 9060XT 16gb OC if it helps. I feel like it's done this a long time ago when I was still on my old 6500XT and eventually resolved on it's own. It's just weird that I can't narrow it down. Frustrating knowing I'll miss tonights FSO as well.

[AKpizzle]

I found the DMP files in the temp folder, but they all look corrupted. Definitely some characters I've never seen before.

[Animl-AW]

I found the DMP files in the temp folder, but they all look corrupted. Definitely some characters I've never seen before.

it won't look normal...but somewhere there are some legible wording. Look for it, you may find an error code too
Post to google AI and see if it sparks something

I wonder if it's a memory thing.

[Animl-AW]

Sorry about your FSO I know it's a big deal for your tribe.

I just got done moving and pure mental mush after being up 46 hrs. Trying to fumble my way through this with ya... sorry

[AKpizzle]

I don't really even know how to use the AI stuff these days. I can try to attach the most recent DMP file here if that helps. Whenever I copy and paste it to the AI stuff, it says the file is too long. If I try to attach the DMP file, it says incorrect file type. I don't have a subscription to save it as a word file.

[AKpizzle]

Sorry about your FSO I know it's a big deal for your tribe.

I just got done moving and pure mental mush after being up 46 hrs. Trying to fumble my way through this with ya... sorry

Thanks for the help man. I do appreciate it! I may crash out soon myself, but I'll be around tomorrow and maybe we can get some stuff figured out. Get some rest!! Let me know if I need to attach that file or if it will even let me.

[Animl-AW]

Well I worded that poorly, shocking, I
Know.

I meant go through the file and see if something is a readable. OR attach it here.
Depending on type of dmp there may be clues in there. There may be. Jst because error code didn’t show up in a popup box, doesn’t mean its not in the file. The crash may prevent it appearing.

[The Fugitive]

You can use WinDbg (Windows Debugger) or "BlueScreenView" to read a dmp file. I have found that it doesnt give much useful information. I would think Hitech uses something better to read them so can pin point errors better. You can try it, it may give more detail due to the issue your having verses the one I had.

You said you uninstall/reinstall the game, did you completely remove the folder or did you do an install over the existing game? Did you use the windows "add/remove programs" app? 

Also, what is the sequence of the game loading?

White Aces High III window
splash picture shows
clipboard shows asking you to sign in
if you sign in you get the clipboard with the game credits.

and so on. When is yours crashing?

[AKpizzle]

You can use WinDbg (Windows Debugger) or "BlueScreenView" to read a dmp file. I have found that it doesnt give much useful information. I would think Hitech uses something better to read them so can pin point errors better. You can try it, it may give more detail due to the issue your having verses the one I had.

You said you uninstall/reinstall the game, did you completely remove the folder or did you do an install over the existing game? Did you use the windows "add/remove programs" app? 

Also, what is the sequence of the game loading?

White Aces High III window
splash picture shows
clipboard shows asking you to sign in
if you sign in you get the clipboard with the game credits.

and so on. When is yours crashing?

It crashes at the white aces high window. Never makes it to the splash screen. I did do a clean sweep when I uninstalled it. Made sure all the files were removed. I also ran a RAM check and everything came back fine.

I'm having a hard time uploading the DMP file since it's so large, and I can't upload it directly. I do however see that there is legible text in the DMP file, but I don't know how to read it.

[Bizman]

Just a wild idea, since you haven't provided any information about your system: Do you use a laptop (maybe some desktops have it too) with dual GPU? If so, double check that you've assigned AH to run on the (most likely) Nvidia chip instead of the Intel chip.

[The Fugitive]

It crashes at the white aces high window. Never makes it to the splash screen. I did do a clean sweep when I uninstalled it. Made sure all the files were removed. I also ran a RAM check and everything came back fine.

I'm having a hard time uploading the DMP file since it's so large, and I can't upload it directly. I do however see that there is legible text in the DMP file, but I don't know how to read it.

To me that means the game isnt even finish the load up (Crashing on the white screen). I would make sure all files for Aces High were removed. Then grab a fresh download from hitechcreations.com and do a completely new install. Either the install you have is corrupt, or the download is corrupt to my thinking.

The dmp files are huge and you need a file hosting site that takes large files. It would be easier to goto the windows store, or use this link https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/#install-windbg-directly and install the windows program to read the file. Install it, point it to the dmp file and let it check it. It will give you a summery of what the dmp file contains and you might be able to trouble shoot from there.

The third option is to call Hitech at  (817) 431 - 8840 and ask him about it.

[AKpizzle]

Just a wild idea, since you haven't provided any information about your system: Do you use a laptop (maybe some desktops have it too) with dual GPU? If so, double check that you've assigned AH to run on the (most likely) Nvidia chip instead of the Intel chip.

im on a PC with a single GPU, but integrated gfx CPU.

its an intel i5-12600 paired with an RX 9060 XT 16gb OC and 32gb DDR4