64bit client - instant crash

**SoulsCollective** · Nov 30 2022, 09:12 PM

Hi folks,
Lapsed player considering returning to sample new content, but running into immediate issues.

Downloaded and installed via Steam installer, ensured DX runtimes, VC++ packages etc are all good to go. Fired up launcher, logged in, get message informing me 32-bit client is being retired and suggesting I switch to 64-bit client. OK, no problem, give it a go - get intro splash screens, progresses as normal, then after last step of 'Receiving character data' instant CTD with no error message.

Uninstalled, deleted settings folder in Documents, tried again - same deal. Changed to 32-bit client in launcher; no problems at all.

Uninstalled, deleted settings folder in Documents, downloaded lotrolive installer from website rather than Steam, tried again - same deal. 32-bit client works, 64-bit client instantly crashes.

I'm currently thus able to play (although with constant nag messages) using the 32-bit client, but am worried over the long term for when the version that works gets retired.

Is anyone able to offer any advice here?

Win 11 Pro x64, nVidia RTX3090, TR3960X, 64GB DDR4 3733 CAS-15. Latest nVidia 526.98 driver package.

Per the crash log at C:\Users\<>\AppData\Local\The Lord of the Rings Online\lotroclient64.log:

Code:

000000000.000: Initializing display with title 'The Lord of the Rings Online™'...
000000000.000: Device_WIN32::Init: called.
000000000.000: Device_WIN32::InitDEVICE|  Detected operating system: Windows 7
000000000.000: DEVICE|  Starting up the graphics engine...
000000000.000: Initializing the smartbox...
000000000.000: Initializing the user interface...
000000000.000: Client ready
000000000.000: gmClient::AttachMembers Current locale set to English_United States.1252
000000000.000: gmClient::AttachMembers Client ready
000000000.830: Device: DBT_DEVICEREMOVECOMPLETE - Audio Device \!
000000001.844: Device: DBT_DEVICEREMOVECOMPLETE - Audio Device \!
000000005.877: Client::Connect() async logon begun.
000000006.514: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Validating credentials...
488135268.330: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Loading subscription data...
488135268.360: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Loading character data...
488135268.360: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_WorldName: [EN-RP] Laurelin
488135268.647: Client: Flushing database after DDD
488135268.990: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Receiving character data...
488135269.986: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_CharSet: called.
488135270.093: ----CRASH REPORT START----
488135270.093: Program fault: ACCESS_VIOLATION (0xc0000005) trying to read from 0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
488135270.093: Detailed report:

Current local time: Thu Dec  1 11:30:06 2022


Version Report generated by CoreVersion : 2.0.143.1 (0x0200008F):
  Language: English (United States)
  CompanyName : Standing Stone Games, LLC.
  FileDescription : 
  FileVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021
  InternalName : lotroclient64
  LegalCopyright : Copyright © 2016-2022 Standing Stone Games, LLC.
  OriginalFilename : lotroclient64.exe
  ProductName : lotroclient64
  ProductVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021 lotro_live
  Comments : compiled Mon Nov 28 20:22:49 2022 : RELEASE
  TurbineBuildVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021.RELEASE
  TurbineType : Admin External

Version information for error module E:\LOTRO\x64\binkw64.dll:
  Language: English (United States)
  CompanyName : RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  FileDescription : RAD Video Tools
  FileVersion : 1.9z
  LegalCopyright : Copyright (C) 1994-2010, RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  LegalTrademarks : Bink and Smacker are trademarks of RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  ProductName : Bink and Smacker
  ProductVersion : 1.9z
  Comments : Thank you for using Bink and Smacker!



488135270.093: ----CRASH REPORT END----

**Tralfazz** · Nov 30 2022, 09:33 PM

This thread synopsized the solution which seems to correct the inability to launch the 64-bit client with the symptoms you describe; for most people, anyway:
https://forums.lotro.com/forums/show...e-earlier-too)

**SoulsCollective** · Nov 30 2022, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

This thread synopsized the solution which seems to correct the inability to launch the 64-bit client with the symptoms you describe; for most people, anyway:
https://forums.lotro.com/forums/show...e-earlier-too)

I appreciate the reply, however, I'm not using a gaming laptop - system specs above in OP

I only have the one GPU (an RTX3090), and manually flagging lotroclient64.exe for 'High Performance' in Win11 does not change anything - still instant CTD.

**Tralfazz** · Nov 30 2022, 10:51 PM

OK, I can see now that your processor has no on-board graphics. I either missed that or you edited in that information after I posted my initial reply.

Do you use more than one monitor? Unplug all but one.

Be sure that the LOTRO Launcher application is not running and then open *\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online\UserPreferences.ini with your favorite text editor. Look for the line...
DisplayAdapter=0
Change it to...
DisplayAdapter=1
Then save the file and attempt to run the 64-bit client again.

**SoulsCollective** · Nov 30 2022, 11:04 PM

Thanks for the continued responses!

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

OK, I can see now that your processor has no on-board graphics. I either missed that or you edited in that information after I posted my initial reply.

You can see edit history for the OP by clicking the 'Last edit' link - edit was to add the crash dump

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

Do you use more than one monitor? Unplug all but one.

Be sure that the LOTRO Launcher application is not running and then open *\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online\UserPreferences.ini with your favorite text editor. Look for the line...
DisplayAdapter=0
Change it to...
DisplayAdapter=1
Then save the file and attempt to run the 64-bit client again.

Sadly no change

**Tralfazz** · Nov 30 2022, 11:57 PM

There are a series of additional steps we can take. But it might be better to start from the beginning, which – while time-consuming – has the best chance to resolve your issue.

Follow Hurin's LOTRO install guide video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSi84v9ZPVc
Start from scratch, do everything in the video in the order shown even if you're sure you've done it already. Don't delete your *\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online folder as that is where all your locally-stored preferences are kept. But if you do choose to go this route, you should start with a clean install and that means deleting your *\Program Files (x86)\StandingStoneGames\The Lord of the Rings Online folder which is where all the game's files are placed by the installer.

If you follow along with that step by step, you should have no trouble. If you do need additional assistance after following each step in that video, come on back here.

**SoulsCollective** · Dec 01 2022, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

There are a series of additional steps we can take. But it might be better to start from the beginning, which – while time-consuming – has the best chance to resolve your issue.

Follow Hurin's LOTRO install guide video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSi84v9ZPVc
Start from scratch, do everything in the video in the order shown even if you're sure you've done it already. Don't delete your *\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online folder as that is where all your locally-stored preferences are kept. But if you do choose to go this route, you should start with a clean install and that means deleting your *\Program Files (x86)\StandingStoneGames\The Lord of the Rings Online folder which is where all the game's files are placed by the installer.

If you follow along with that step by step, you should have no trouble. If you do need additional assistance after following each step in that video, come on back here.

Urgh. Why is it that every guide on the internet now seems to be a 30m+ video when the actual content could be just as well provided in two paragraphs (if not fewer).

No change:

Uninstall LOTRO (for the fourth time)
Delete local install directory
Check no remaining files under C:\***
Check no remaining files under Steam install
Delete Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online to ensure no local config issues
Reboot
Reinstalled VC++ 2005 (x86 & x64)
Repair install of VC++ 2010 (x86 & x64)
Repair install of VC++ 2015-22 (x86 & x64)
Reinstalled DX runtimes cab collection
Reboot
Sleep settings are fine
Windows Update restart setting are fine
Windows Update does not find any VC++ or other sytem file updates
Reboot
Download lotrolive installer, run, files downloaded, install completes (for the fifth time)
Launcher appears, enter login details, select server
Launcher prompts to select DX11, accept, by default launches 64-bit client, immediately crash
Switch to 32-bit client, game successfully launches
Switch back to 64-bit client, immediately crash

Crash dump seems to point to exactly the same issue with binkw64.dll:

Code:

000000000.000: Initializing display with title 'The Lord of the Rings Online™'...
000000000.000: Device_WIN32::Init: called.
000000000.000: Device_WIN32::InitDEVICE|  Detected operating system: Windows 7
000000000.000: DEVICE|  Starting up the graphics engine...
000000000.000: Initializing the smartbox...
000000000.000: Initializing the user interface...
000000000.000: Client ready
000000000.000: gmClient::AttachMembers Current locale set to English_United States.1252
000000000.000: gmClient::AttachMembers Client ready
000000002.851: Device: DBT_DEVICEREMOVECOMPLETE - Audio Device \!
000000003.694: Device: DBT_DEVICEREMOVECOMPLETE - Audio Device \!
000000007.787: Client::Connect() async logon begun.
000000008.416: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Validating credentials...
488149495.374: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Loading subscription data...
488149495.403: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Loading character data...
488149495.403: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_WorldName: [EN-RP] Laurelin
488149495.688: Client: Flushing database after DDD
488149496.053: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_DisplayStringInfo: Receiving character data...
488149497.053: GlobalEventHandler::RecvEvt_CharSet: called.
488149497.053: ----CRASH REPORT START----
488149497.053: Program fault: ACCESS_VIOLATION (0xc0000005) trying to read from 0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
488149497.053: Detailed report:

Current local time: Thu Dec  1 15:27:13 2022


Version Report generated by CoreVersion : 2.0.143.1 (0x0200008F):
  Language: English (United States)
  CompanyName : Standing Stone Games, LLC.
  FileDescription : 
  FileVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021
  InternalName : lotroclient64
  LegalCopyright : Copyright © 2016-2022 Standing Stone Games, LLC.
  OriginalFilename : lotroclient64.exe
  ProductName : lotroclient64
  ProductVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021 lotro_live
  Comments : compiled Mon Nov 28 20:22:49 2022 : RELEASE
  TurbineBuildVersion : 3400.0065.9282.4021.RELEASE
  TurbineType : Admin External

Version information for error module E:\LOTRO\x64\binkw64.dll:
  Language: English (United States)
  CompanyName : RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  FileDescription : RAD Video Tools
  FileVersion : 1.9z
  LegalCopyright : Copyright (C) 1994-2010, RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  LegalTrademarks : Bink and Smacker are trademarks of RAD Game Tools, Inc.
  ProductName : Bink and Smacker
  ProductVersion : 1.9z
  Comments : Thank you for using Bink and Smacker!



488149497.053: ----CRASH REPORT END----

**SoulsCollective** · Dec 01 2022, 03:03 AM

Right, found a workaround. From the crash logs I posited that the issue is that SSG is serving a corrupt/incompatible version of binkw64.dll, so I grabbed a copy from another game install (Plague Tale - Innocence; thanks GOG) to test with and replace the version they're serving via the launcher, 64-bit client now works.

Workaround steps:

Find x64 directory inside LOTRO install dir.
Run launcher, log in and proceed to world selection.
Delete binkw64.dll from x64 dir and replace with alternate version (if replaced beforehand the launcher will just overwrite with the version it pulls down from SSG).
Hit play, 64-bit client will now work.

As the dll is just associated with the RAD/Bink video player, replacing it shouldn't have any in-game impact on anything other than cutscenes (which seem to be working fine).

**Tralfazz** · Dec 01 2022, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by SoulsCollective

Right, found a workaround. From the crash logs I posited that the issue is that SSG is serving a corrupt/incompatible version of binkw64.dll, so I grabbed a copy from another game install (Plague Tale - Innocence; thanks GOG) to test with and replace the version they're serving via the launcher, 64-bit client now works.

Workaround steps:

Find x64 directory inside LOTRO install dir.
Run launcher, log in and proceed to world selection.
Delete binkw64.dll from x64 dir and replace with alternate version (if replaced beforehand the launcher will just overwrite with the version it pulls down from SSG).
Hit play, 64-bit client will now work.

As the dll is just associated with the RAD/Bink video player, replacing it shouldn't have any in-game impact on anything other than cutscenes (which seem to be working fine).

That's the first time I've seen this symptom isolated to that cause and resolved in this way. Great job, and thanks for sharing with the community!

How odd, though, that this should affect you but not the entire player base. Is there something about your system that should be particularly sensitive to the version of binkw64.dll which does not impact others' ability to launch the 64-bit client? It would be interesting to learn if anyone else still experiencing a failure to launch the 64-bit client could work around their problem in the same way.

Please take the time to file a proper bug report using the ticket system so that SSG's engineers might have a look at this.

**SoulsCollective** · Dec 01 2022, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

How odd, though, that this should affect you but not the entire player base. Is there something about your system that should be particularly sensitive to the version of binkw64.dll which does not impact others' ability to launch the 64-bit client?

¯\_ (?)_/¯

Win11 is a fairly standard environment now, and there's nothing weird or outré in how I've got it set up. In its productive working life this machine does a fair amount of AV stuff (hence the Threadripper and 3090), so as far as things that Bink video player might be touching...external DAC maybe? (RME ADI-2 DAC; although this is a fairly robust and standard piece of kit).

The fact that a simple DLL swap with another version fixes the issue completely, and the dll called by the 32-bit exe (binkw32.dll) doesn't seem to have any issues, does to me suggest that there's some sort of corruption or misconfig going on here.

Originally Posted by Tralfazz

Please take the time to file a proper bug report using the ticket system so that SSG's engineers might have a look at this.

Tried that before I posted here, but got a rather odd reply of "Please note: We are unable to provide assistance via a Bug Report."

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