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SOLVED - Carrara Not Loading getting MCX errors

DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388
edited May 9 in Carrara Discussion

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling but still get the same errors.  Crashes when try to launch.

Post edited by Diomede on
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  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388
    edited April 20

    I tried uninstalling and reinstalling but still get the same errors.  Crashes when try to launch.

    Post edited by Richard Haseltine on
  • 3Deedlin3Deedlin Posts: 161
    Did you install/update anything recently?
  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 9,236
    edited April 20

    Looks like they are one of the required Extensions for Carrara to run so deleting them might not be an option. Got me stumped - a real PITA .....

     

    Hierarchy mcx.png
    958 x 998 - 135K
    Post edited by Bunyip02 on
  • 3Deedlin3Deedlin Posts: 161
    edited April 20
    If you are on windows I would try to check logs. Could be runtime related maybe. Just not enough info. Could try a restore point.
    Post edited by 3Deedlin on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    Thanks for the suggestions. 

    I don't recall changing any Carrara plugins or extensions before this happened.  There was a Windows update not too long ago, but I am pretty sure I had a successful Carrara start between the update and the recent failures.  After the load failure, I launched the Daz DIM installer.  DIM had updates, including changing some C functions.  DIM can't be the original cause, but it could be a complication.  Just hard to know.

    Again, I appreciate all the suggestions.

     

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    Oh, and I did confirm that the MCX files were still there.  Thanks for posting your folder pic, Bunyip.  I used that to confirm that my Hierarchy MCX file is the correct file size.  Doesn't prove anything, but each little bit of info helps.

  • RuudLRuudL Posts: 226
    edited April 20

    Please check whether a Carrara.dat file is present in the Carrara8.5 folder ( parent folder of the Extensions folder )  It contains metadata for mcx files. Check its size and properties.

    BTW On what OS are you running? Win10 / 11? 32/64bits?

    Screenshot (4).png
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    Post edited by RuudL on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388
    edited April 20

    Thanks, RuudL.

    I am running 64bit Windows 11 Pro, version 24H2, OS build 26100.3775 installed on 2/14/2025

    My dat file matches yours.  I attach a screenshot.  My files are in the top half and your screenshot is the lower half.

     

     

     

    carrara probs 01 compare dat.png
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    I don't know how to interpret the properties of the DAT file.  Here is a screenshot.  Does it need to have an app assigned?

     

     

     

    carrara probs 3 dat file properties need to pick an app question.png
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  • RuudLRuudL Posts: 226

    Well, I am not a Windows expert, but I was thinking perhaps you are having a problem with security setting. See my Security tab in Properties for reference. Also check the settings of the failing MCX files.

    Do all MCX files fail to open?

    BTW I am on Win11 Home 21H2 64bit

    properties.png
    1164 x 606 - 120K
  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 40,058

    another plugin can be clashing with it

    I would start with Sparrowhawk because I have had an issue there

    of the DAZ store ones, Mimic gives me issues too

  • RuudLRuudL Posts: 226

    You might also want to check the security setting of the Extensions folder. You need to have at least 'Read & execute' permission. In my case the permission is inherited from the parent folder.

    @WendyLuvsCatz  Did you get the same error message '..... failed to load!' on that occasion?

    propertiesExtFolder.png
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  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 40,058
    edited April 20

    RuudL said:

    You might also want to check the security setting of the Extensions folder. You need to have at least 'Read & execute' permission. In my case the permission is inherited from the parent folder.

    @WendyLuvsCatz  Did you get the same error message '..... failed to load!' on that occasion?

    I think so, it turned out in one case both third party plugins shared something, the one it clashed with was the Philemo's HDmorph one 

    The Mimic one clashes with Octane Render

    Post edited by WendyLuvsCatz on
  • HeadwaxHeadwax Posts: 10,389

    Good luck Ted. 

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    I do have 'read and execute' permission for Users for the DAT files.  Thanks for these suggestions.  Feel like am going through a good checklist.  

    @WendyLuvsCatz, guess it could be a plugin.  Although I don't recall installing any additional plugins recently, I have been away from home for most of the last 6 weeks.  I could have added a plugin before I left town.  {don't think so, but...}  I think the most recent plugin that I installed was that instance shader randomizer that goes with PhilW's big urban set.  I reinstalled that for a project earlier in the year.

    Unfortunately, I won't be able to do much more checking on this until Tuesday.  Argh.

  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 40,058
    edited April 20

    searching for mine, I see you too have been here before 

    https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/369756/problems-installing-plugins-vwd-bridge-hd-morph-gmic

    the identifier was the problem with the  Sparrowharke and Philemo plugins for me, cannot find my thread

    Post edited by WendyLuvsCatz on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    Headwax said:

    Good luck Ted. 

    Thanks, I need it!

  • StezzaStezza Posts: 8,746

    Laptop or Tower PC?

    a corrupt disc drive sector?

    I'd try moving the carrara install to a different location just to dismiss it.

  • 3Deedlin3Deedlin Posts: 161
    edited April 21
    You show 2 mcx files. If it is only 2 maybe try to uninstall recent plugins. This is what I was thinking with runtimes. Runtimes can be a PITA.Not on my Windows to check libraries. From Fenric on another thread. https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/17454/
    Fenric said:

    The "PluginName.mcx failed to load" usually means one of these things:

    32-bit plugin on a 64-bit system (or vice versa)
    Mac plugin on a Windows system (or vice versa)
    For Windows, a missing dependency file (usually one of the Visual C++ runtime packages)

    The most likely Visual C++ runtimes are 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013 - you're best off if you have all of them installed.

    Edit: Loading up my Carrara and just one AniBlock, it's using Visual C++ runtimes 2008 and 2010 - make sure you install the correct one (32 or 64 bit)

    Post edited by 3Deedlin on
  • therixxtherixx Posts: 226

    Diomede, now I have your same problem. Strangely enough, I did not until yesterday. While nothing has changed in my Windows 10, 64-bit, as far as I know, I suspect the problem could be some hidden update of the operating system....

    Anyway @3deedlin was right in posting the Fenric tips: nothing of the suggested points above worked for me (I tried them*), but the offending item is in fact Fenric's ERC plugin (in my case, at least).
    So, the temporary solution, in case you do not need it, is to remove ERC modifier from Carrara's extension folder. Carrara will start again.

    * For a moment, installing the Visual C++ runtimes 2013 seemed to fix the problem, but after 4-5 launches Carrara started crashing again like before.
    It seems like the operating system has some issues with the Visual C++ runtimes or something like that. I hope the next Windows update will fix this.

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    Thank you, @therixx.  I have not updated the thread with my issues with the MCX files because I am away from home where my main computer is.  I am traveling and so have my old laptop, with old systems, and on which Carrara still works.  When I get back home, I will try the plugin / extensions suggestions and report the results.  I am hoping your ERC modifier suggestion works for me.

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 9,236

    I had this problem a lonnngggg time ago, but could not remember which one was the culprit. Just checked the ERCModifier.mcx and it was the one causing my Carrara to play up. Would try therixx's advice and see if it's the same for you as well.

  • 3Deedlin3Deedlin Posts: 161

    Interesting. Would be glad to get more info. Nowadays you can't even stop updates completely, they sneak in. I am not a fan of auto updates. The pausing option works for awhile. Lol.

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    Yay!  Up and Running Again.  Deleting ERC Modifier did the trick.  Thank You!

    Back home in Arkansas and able to use my main computer (desktop).

    Note - I definitely did NOT recently add the ERC Modifier extension.  I must have added something else which conflicted with the ERC modifier, which I am guessing was the plugin to randomize shaders for replicated objects.  It seems to me that was the most recent plugin I installed, and that was several months ago.  Not sure about that, though.  In any case, I have a working version of Carrara on my main computer again.  Yay.

  • RuudLRuudL Posts: 226

    Great news! Carrara is working again.

    I am curious what will happen when you reinstall the ERCModifier. Did you even tried that?

    Do you mean the InstanceRandomizer by Sparrowhawke referring as the plugin to randomize shaders?

    I am trying to figure out what is causing the problem by reconstucting you setup. I've already gone thru some of the ERCModifiers source code. Could not find a problem so far.

  • therixxtherixx Posts: 226

    Really happy this worked for you as well, guys :-D
    I still feel a newbie when confronted wit most of you Carrara veterans, so I feel better when I can give back something in return for what I learn around here! :-)
    @Diomede, I don't think it is something you did. My Carrara just stopped working and I am pretty sure I did not change anything in my setup.
    @RuudL, I tried putting the ERC module into the extension folder again and carrara crashed. Strangely enough, putting in other builds of the ERC modifier, Carrara complained with the same message but did not crash.
    I also tried to reinstall all the visual C runtimes Fenric mentioned, no luck. I believe something changed in Windows itself. I'll wait for the next update and try to add the ERC again...

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388

    therixx said:
    @Diomede, I don't think it is something you did. My Carrara just stopped working and I am pretty sure I did not change anything in my setup.
     

    Thank you so much for the help!

    I bet you are correct.  My memory of exactly what happened prior to the crash is hazy because I have had to be away from home so much this year.  But a few things are clear - I did not do any projects which would have had me messing with the ERC Modifier, which is why I jumped to the conclusion that it must have been something else. I had done a project with PhilW's city set, which uses the shader instance randomizer, which is why I guessed it might be that.  Unfair to Sparrowhawk - so apologies.

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,388
    edited May 9

    RuudL said:

    I am curious what will happen when you reinstall the ERCModifier. Did you even tried that?

    Do you mean the InstanceRandomizer by Sparrowhawke referring as the plugin to randomize shaders?

    Thank you again for your help.  No, I have not tried reinstalling the ERC Modifier.  I will do some testing tomorrow after I get settled in.  And yes, I did mean the Instance Randomizer for shaders by Sparrowhawke, but there is good reason to believe that was not the problem.  Again, I will do some tests tomorrow.  I only pointed to that one because I had used it more recently for a project than any of the others.

    Post edited by Diomede on
  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 9,236

    yessmiley

  • StezzaStezza Posts: 8,746

    Carrara awesomeness yes

    never in doubt.... wink

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