Jeff Mottle Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Attention All VIZ Customers, We have identified and confirmed that installing the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 causes the corruption of .max files. All VIZ (.max) files saved with Windows 2000 SP4 installed will no longer load in VIZ on systems with Windows 2000 SP2 or SP3 installed. Our Engineering Team has narrowed in on the problem and is working with Microsoft to resolve the situation. In the interim it is strongly advised that all VIZ users do not install the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. If Windows 2000 SP 4 has already been installed it is suggested that customers revert back to SP2 to create usable (.max) file content. This affects all VIZ files created in versions 3 and 4. VIZ files created while Windows 2000 SP4 is installed can be retrieved through either of two workarounds: Option 1 (Please be aware that some data will still be lost in this workaround.) Revert Windows 2000 SP 4 Systems back to SP3 or earlier Use "File Merge" to retrieve data from corrupted .max files created under Windows 2000 SP4 and resave. Note: If you have Render Effects or Atmospherics in your max file, use the Merge button in the respective dialogs. Option 2 Open corrupted .max files created under Windows 2000 SP4 in Windows XP and resave. Revert all systems back to Windows 2000 SP3 or previous. Thank you for patience and assistance in getting this problem resolved. 3ds max users please click here [ July 23, 2003, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Mottle ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Alexander Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Just a dumb question- is windows 2000 proffessional included in this set of problems? I know there are differences, and I just want to make sure! Thanks WDA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted July 14, 2003 Author Share Posted July 14, 2003 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Figures, I installed it Sunday..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arch83 Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I recall mentioning this July 9th http://www.cgarchitect.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000254 Autodesk should have resolved this issue before it became an issue. This should not have had to be made a major issue on their hosted users forum for action to take place. This failure cost me a couple thousand dollars and I am not a very happy person at the moment. This isn't just a failure, this is a technical screw-up! I'm not the only one that has lost money either! BTW - the "work-around" is how I recommended to them to at least OPEN the files. When saved, the files are corrupt again unless SP4 is removed. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethace Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I just installed service pack 4 at home last night and attempted to install a my copy of VIZR2 on my new home machine. I found i had to manually install the sentinel hardware lock driver from the 'NT5' (meaning w2k i assume) folder. This never happened before. But i sort of knew something was fishy, when that happened, so i decided i would mention here on the forums this morning - and 'lo and behold', before i have even saved one .max file, i have been saved by cgarchitect forums yet again! (I know i only use this system now for a bit of practice now and again, so as to keep my skills in VIZ from being lost, as i use MicroStation J for all my modelling at work. But still it is comforting to hear about this problem in advance - thanks Jeff) I was on the DELL web site only on Saturday, configuring new P4 workstations, for our next buy and i noticed that Windows 2000 SP4 isn't an option on the DELL websites at all. Even though SP3 and SP4 are! (20 euros extra too i might add!) [ July 15, 2003, 02:20 AM: Message edited by: garethace ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizwhiz Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 hi There Jeff and All here is a post that was recently put up at the Autodesk VIZ newsgroup: **** From: Tony - Autodesk Professional Services Date: Jul/15/03 - 16:39 (GMT) FYI - Autodesk has confirmed that installing the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 causes the corruption of MAX and DRF files. Our Engineering Team is working with Microsoft to resolve this issue. For further details, including our suggested work-arounds, please refer to following technical solution: http://support.autodesk.com/getdoc.asp?id=TS81105 This solution will be updated with information related to the final solution as soon as this information becomes available. Tony Michniewicz Autodesk Professional Services **** Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted July 23, 2003 Author Share Posted July 23, 2003 Attention All 3ds max® and Autodesk® VIZ Customers, IMPACT: Discreet has confirmed that Hotfix 832980 - contained in the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 - causes the corruption of 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ (.max) files. As a result, all .max files saved with Windows 2000 SP4 installed will no longer load in 3ds max or Autodesk VIZ on systems with Windows 2000 SP2, SP3 or SP4 installed. We have also verified that this same Microsoft Windows Update Hotfix 832980 is also causing the same .max file corruption on XP operating systems. (Hotfix 832980 has been made available through Windows Update to all Windows 2000 and XP operating systems and service packs.) WHO IS AFFECTED: The following operating systems configurations will experience 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ file corruption: Win 2K SP4 Hotfix KB 823980 under XP Hotfix KB 823980 under Win2K SP3 or lower Hotfix KB 823980 under Win NT 4 RESOLUTION: Resolution of this problem and production work-arounds vary depending on a user's particular configuration, from the above list. Please follow the instructions below carefully to minimize any impact from this Windows Update defect. Note that we are anticipating a new Hotfix fix from Microsoft by the end of July 2003 to resolve this problem. The temporary instructions below will allow affected systems to return to normal operation until this new Hotfix becomes publicly available. In all cases, you should disable automatic windows updates through WinUpdate to avoid picking up Hotfix 8323980 until the new Hotfix becomes available. Temporary Instructions for Windows Update Hotfix 832980 Configurations If the Windows Update Hotfix 832980 has already been installed under any Windows operating system, it is suggested that customers uninstall the Hotfix to create usable (.max) file content. Uninstalling Hotfix 832980 will allow existing or recently saved/corrupted files to be read by 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ without errors. You can verify that the Hotfix is installed, and uninstall it, through the Control Panel >> Add/Remove Programs, then scroll to find the Windows Update referencing 832980. If it is installed, highlight the reference, and click remove to uninstall the fix. WARNING - be sure to back-up any critical data on your system before uninstalling Hotfix 832980 or Windows 2K SP4. Temporary Instructions for Windows 2K SP4 Configurations Potential workaround for retrieval of files created or saved under Win 2K SP4: Option 1, for Win 2K SP4 users: (Please be aware that some 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ data will still be lost in this workaround.) * Revert Windows 2000 SP 4 Systems back to SP3 or earlier * Use "File Merge" to retrieve data from corrupted .maxfiles created under Windows 2000 SP4, and resave. Note 1: If you have Render Effects or Atmospherics in your .maxfile, use the Merge button in the respective dialogs. Note 2: For Option 1, We recommend retaining any originally corrupted .max files until Microsoft resolves this issue through a future Hotfix. Option 2, if Win XP OS is available: * Open corrupted .max files created under Windows 2000 SP4 in Windows XP without Hotfix 832980 installed, and resave. * Revert all systems back to Windows 2000 SP3 or previous and files should be corrected. WARNING - be sure to back-up any critical data on your system before uninstalling Hotfix 832980 or Windows 2K SP4. Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk, Discreet, 3ds max, and VIZ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk Inc/Autodesk Canada Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. © Copyright 2003 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizwhiz Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 hi There Jeff and All This was/is initally posted at the Autodesk VIZ newsgroup (tried to find a link to the url) but here is the entire message **** Topic: Interim fix available for MAX and DRF file corruption caused by recent Microsoft Windows Updates Message: 1 of 1 From: Tony - Autodesk Professional Services Date: Aug/05/03 - 21:14 (GMT) Here is the latest information that is available regarding the MAX and DRF file corruption issue. Tony Michniewicz Autodesk Professional Services ISSUE Autodesk® has confirmed that Microsoft® Hotfix 823980, which is contained in the Windows® 2000 Service Pack 4, causes the corruption of MAX and DRF files resulting in the inability to open MAX or DRF files that were saved after either of these Microsoft Windows Updates had been installed. The following Autodesk products are affected by this issue: Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2004 Autodesk® Building Systems 2004 Autodesk® VIZ 4 3D Studio VIZ® R3i 3D Studio VIZ® R3 The following operating system configurations will experience MAX and DRF file corruption: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or lower + Microsoft Hotfix 823980 Windows XP Professional + Microsoft Hotfix 823980 Windows XP Home Edition + Microsoft Hotfix 823980 Note: It was previously reported that this problem affected Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 but further testing confirmed that this issue does not affect users Windows NT 4.0. SOLUTION For those of you who have updated to Microsoft® Hotfix 823980 or Windows 2000® Service Pack 4, Microsoft has developed an early-version Hotfix to resolve this issue. To acquire the early-version Microsoft® Hotfix, you can contact Microsoft at 800-936-4900 and request “Hotfix - Q824136 for Windows 2000 or Windows XP.” You will be asked to provide your name, e-mail address and zip code after which an approximately one Mb file will be sent to your e-mail address. The early-version Microsoft® Hotfix will only install if you have previously installed Microsoft® Hotfix 823980 or Windows 2000® Service Pack 4. Note: The early-version Microsoft® Hotfix is for English language versions only. If you are working with other language versions and encounter this problem, you should follow the temporary instructions included below: Temporary Instructions for Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 Configurations If you have installed the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980, Autodesk recommends that you uninstall this Hotfix, which will allow existing or recently saved/corrupted MAX and DRF files to be opened without any errors. To determine if you have installed the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980, access your Add/Remove Programs dialog box from the Windows Control Panel. If this Hotfix has been installed, there will be an entry with a title similar to "Windows Hotfix 823980". To uninstall this Hotfix, select the "Windows Hotfix 823980" entry and click Remove. Note: It is highly recommended that you back-up any critical data before uninstalling Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980. Important: In all cases, you should disable automatic windows updates through WinUpdate to eliminate the possibility of inadvertently reinstalling the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 before the new Microsoft Windows Hotfix becomes available. Temporary Instructions for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Configurations Method #1 1. Uninstall the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. 2. Use the Merge command, located on the File menu, to retrieve data from the corrupted MAX or DRF files and then save the files. Note: If you have Render Effects or Atmospherics in your MAX or DRF file, use the Merge button in the respective dialog boxes. Important: Some data may be lost if you use this method to work around this issue and Autodesk recommends that you retain original copies of any corrupted MAX or DRF files until a final resolution to this issue is identified. Method #2 1. Uninstall the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. 2. Open the corrupted MAX or DRF files from a Windows XP system that does not have the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 installed. 3. Save the files and return the files to the system on which the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 has been uninstalled. Note: It is highly recommended that you back-up any critical data before uninstalling the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. **** Thanks Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abicalho Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 Here's the latest information about this, as well as downloadable patches for all Microsoft languages: http://www.discreet.com/support/max/faq/answer.php3?prod=dddstudio&id=862 Alexander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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