Age of Mythology msvcrt.dll APPCRASH

[Goldensword]

I recently got a new hard drive for my Acer Aspire V after the prior one failed. I've uploaded all of my games and other software successfully with the exception of Age of Mythology and it's expansion, The Titans. The game ran perfectly on my prior drive, but now won't even go so far as a loading screen. Each time I start it, I get this error:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: aomx.exe
Application Version: 4.2004.1.500
Application Timestamp: 3ff9c9f7
Fault Module Name: msvcrt.dll
Fault Module Version: 7.0.9600.16384
Fault Module Timestamp: 52158ff5
Exception Code: c000041d
Exception Offset: 0000b0a8
OS Version: 6.3.9600.2.0.0.768.101
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: c9ec
Additional Information 2: c9ec2bffbf0bdaac12e16fb637903794
Additional Information 3: 07ec
Additional Information 4: 07ec479a3255ae6e29d06d389ee40bad


This is when starting the expansion, the base game has the exact same error except it's aom.exe.

I've run antivirus scans and tried installing it multiple times from different media but to no avail. I have heard that this can be a symptom of a registry error, but I don't know how to fix that particular issue. This is one of my favorite games and any input is greatly appreciated!

Computer information:

OS: Windows 8.1 64 bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70 GHz 2.40 GHz
Memory: 8 GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive
GPU: NVIDIA GEFORCE 840M (Computer also has Intel integrated graphics)

 

[gamerk316]

Looks like a version problem with MSVC, which is likely caused by not doing a full reinstall. Games are typically coded against SPECIFIC versions of MSVC, and because you didn't do a full reinstall, its likely using a different version, causing the problem. Make sure you have done a full resintall of the game; do not try and copy it across hard drives.

 

[Goldensword]

Looks like a version problem with MSVC, which is likely caused by not doing a full reinstall. Games are typically coded against SPECIFIC versions of MSVC, and because you didn't do a full reinstall, its likely using a different version, causing the problem. Make sure you have done a full resintall of the game; do not try and copy it across hard drives.

I was able to enter the game file and run the uninstall file. I then reinstalled directly from the disk and received the same error. However, this did leave one .dll and some .txt files in the Program Files x86 Age of Mythology folder. I don't know if I should try manually deleting all Age of Mythology related folders or not.

 

[gamerk316]

Silly question: did the game run fine on 8.1 using the previous HDD? Trying to rule out a windows problem first...

 

[Goldensword]

Silly question: did the game run fine on 8.1 using the previous HDD? Trying to rule out a windows problem first...

It ran fine on the prior HDD with Win 8.1. When that HDD died, Acer sent me my current one which has failed to run AoM.
Thanks for helping.

 

[Goldensword]

Update:
The game starts in safe mode before exiting due to lack of graphics.
After checking the versions of the various msvcrt.dll files on my computer, it appears that the game is crashing because it ISN'T using the file in the Age of Mythology folder (the msvcrt.dll in the AoM folder is the only one that isn't version 7.0.9600.16384).

These make me think that it's either a driver version or there's something weird with the game where it isn't reading the local .dll.

Any more help is greatly appreciated!

 

[gamerk316]

Silly question: What's the version of the file in the AoM folder? I assume it's lower then 7.0.9600.xxxxx? That would be a pre-Vista .dll, which might be the cause of some of the headaches. This does seem like a .dll issue. Were any patches released for AoM that haven't been applied yet?

Worst case, as a test, try replacing the local AoM version of the .dll with the one from System32 (or wherever you can grab it). Make a backup first though.

 

[Goldensword]

Silly question: What's the version of the file in the AoM folder? I assume it's lower then 7.0.9600.xxxxx? That would be a pre-Vista .dll, which might be the cause of some of the headaches. This does seem like a .dll issue. Were any patches released for AoM that haven't been applied yet?

Worst case, as a test, try replacing the local AoM version of the .dll with the one from System32 (or wherever you can grab it). Make a backup first though.

I can't get the permissions to work out...I'm beginning to wonder if I have larger registry error issues. I can't change my lock screen or profile picture for the computer. I can try and work on the permissions some more.

 

[gamerk316]

That could do it too. Never want to recommend a full OS re-install, but that might be the safest course of action...

 

[Goldensword]

That could do it too. Never want to recommend a full OS re-install, but that might be the safest course of action...

Accidentally selected as best answer...
Anyway, I don't have a Windows disk for an OS reinstall.

 

[Goldensword]

That could do it too. Never want to recommend a full OS re-install, but that might be the safest course of action...

I found another bit of information, I just don't know how to use it. I'll keep working on it though.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms682600(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[gamerk316]

What *most* applications do is use local .dlls if they exist, otherwise use the system one. Which makes me wonder which one the game is trying to use; the local one (which might be old) or the system one.