How to run BVE4 under Windows Vista x86 and x64 and Windows 7

ukneilw · 25th June 2007, 21:41

After 5 months of trial and error, process exploring, and general headaches I am pleased to say I have managed to get BVE working on Vista from a clean install (upgrade installations should work already if you had BVE before.)

Please note if after following these instructions you have a white screen in BVE then the problem is with your graphics card drivers and you should look through the thread for more info. I do not have a solution to this but can tell you that my ATI2600HD works fine as did an older ATI X1300 card which I used to have.

Here's how you do it:

Vista x86 (32 bit)

You need to download 3 files, or if you still have XP copy them across to your Vista installation. Those 3 files are:

dx7vb.dll
dx8vb.dll
d3drm.dll

You can find them on your XP installation under the Windows\System32 directory. The download links are:

http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html

http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html

http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html
Now that you have those 3 files, you need to put them in the Vista system32 directory, this is usually C:\Windows\System32 - best way to do this is to move them using Windows Explorer.
Go to the Start Button, choose All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt. You should get a black window titled "Administrator: Command Prompt" - if not, right click Command Prompt in the start menu and choose "Run as administrator".
In the command window, type in the following (note that <enter> means press the enter key):

cd c:\windows\system32 <enter> (assuming windows is on your C: drive, if not put the correct letter in.)

regsvr32 dx7vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded

regsvr32 dx8vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded

exit <enter>

That should be it - give BVE a try.

Vista x64 (64 bit)

Follow the steps above up to and including opening the command prompt. However, instead of copying the files to c:\windows\system32, copy them to c:\windows\syswow64
In the command window, type in the following (note that <enter> means press the enter key):

cd c:\windows\syswow64 <enter> (assuming windows is on your C: drive, if not put the correct letter in.)

regsvr32 dx7vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded

regsvr32 dx8vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded

exit <enter>

BVE should now work on Vista x64.

If you get problems after doing this, try turning off UAC as sometimes this helps BVE to run. I wont give detailed instructions how as Microsoft already do that. On your start menu, go to Help and Support and type in "how to disable UAC", choose the how to turn off User Account Control topic and follow the instructions.

If you are interested, the technical reason behind why this did not work out of the box is Microsoft stopped providing backward compatibility for DirectX 7 and DirectX 8 starting with the Vista DirectX 10. The only way around this is to copy the 2 support files across from Vista or download them and register them manually. The d3drm.dll file seems to cause a secondary crash if not present, I have no idea why this is not in Vista.

I tried BVE on NWM on a few runs and it is fine - the only problem I have encountered is that if you run it windowed, the on screen text such as reverser, speed, FPS, etc displays in english with what looks like japanese behind so you can't see it. Running BVE full screen is fine though.

If you still have problems, post them here and I will see if I can help.

Have fun,

Neil

eezypeazy · 25th June 2007, 22:06

If this works, then this man has just saved our hobby.....

We will all be in your debt.....

Mods, this should be a sticky.....

Regards

eezypeazy

Coxster · 25th June 2007, 22:19

Look forward to seeing if anyone with Vista can confirm that this does indeed work. Not got Vista myself so can't try it.

dan_atki · 25th June 2007, 22:23

Unfortunately, I just tried it and as soon as I click OK on the screen size dialogue I get the familiar BVE has stopped working box

Although I'm not saying that it doesn't work on all machines running Vista though, just not on mine.

David · 26th June 2007, 00:35

I'll have to give this a try.

All I have to do first is find a guide to installing BVE that even a drunk moderator (according to Rhys

) can understand.

**Tom B** · 26th June 2007, 08:23

I've stickied it - hopefully this will ensure BVE can stay working for future generations?

nath9425 · 26th June 2007, 10:38

Are you defiantly sure though that this won't crash or mess up my PC! After just finally dual botting with XP I'm happily enjoying BVE 4!

I suppose if it works then Development on a lot of routes will go on!

Simon_G · 26th June 2007, 12:02

As eezypeazy says, you may just have saved our hobby

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukneilw

After 5 months of trial and error, process exploring, and general headaches

give that man a cup of tea (cries of "Eccles - you idiot").

Quote:

First thing you need to do is turn off UAC. If you don't do this BVE will not run in the correct user context.

Could you not just share the BVE folder and its subfolders, rather than turning off UAC altogether? I've done this on my Dad's PC under Vista for other programs that store their data in the program folder and it seems to work ok.

devon_metro · 26th June 2007, 15:11

If this works I might just go and buy a new computer...

ukneilw · 26th June 2007, 19:44

Has anyone given this a try yet? If it is not working, then let me know and I will do a clean install of Vista and see if I missed out any steps. I have attached a picture from within Vista so you can see it running. I can assure everyone though, registering these files will not break your installation of Vista!

dan_atki · 26th June 2007, 20:46

Yes Neil, I have tried it on my version of 32 bit Vista Home Premium as mentioned above and I still get the BVE has stopped working dialogue when I click ok on the screen size dialogue. Do you have any suggestions?

ukneilw · 26th June 2007, 21:06

Can you post or PM me the contents of the error from your event log? If you go into event viewer, under windows logs, application log look for the most recent Windows Error Reporting (ID 1001) entry which relates to BVE, it will look something like this :

Fault bucket 10989844, type 5
Event Name: CLR20r3
Response: None
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: bve.exe
P2: 4.2.1947.25355
P3: 42748274
P4: Bve
P5: 4.2.1947.25355
P6: 42748274
P7: 14f
P8: d5
P9: PSZQOADHX1U5ZAHBHOHGHLDGIY4QIXHX
P10:

dan_atki · 26th June 2007, 21:21

Thank you Neil:

Fault bucket 21827399, type 5
Event Name: CLR20r3
Response: None
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: bve.exe
P2: 4.2.1947.25355
P3: 42748274
P4: System.Windows.Forms
P5: 2.0.0.0
P6: 4536f34f
P7: 197d
P8: 2
P9: PSZQOADHX1U5ZAHBHOHGHLDGIY4QIXHX
P10:

SWTPete · 26th June 2007, 22:12

Confirmed. Just followed those instructions exactly, BVE 4 now works for me on Vista 32-Bit....albeit with Japanese text as the OP said....but thats no big deal right now

Craig · 26th June 2007, 22:21

I've tried this and it sort of works...

It loads fine but the loading screen is white and when I load routes I only see white. It's working I.E. you can drive it and hear sounds but I can't see anything but white!

PM me for an email if you want, I'll send you what I can.

25th June 2007, 21:41	#1
ukneilw Passenger Join Date: 25 Jun 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 12	How to run BVE4 under Windows Vista x86 and x64 and Windows 7 After 5 months of trial and error, process exploring, and general headaches I am pleased to say I have managed to get BVE working on Vista from a clean install (upgrade installations should work already if you had BVE before.) Please note if after following these instructions you have a white screen in BVE then the problem is with your graphics card drivers and you should look through the thread for more info. I do not have a solution to this but can tell you that my ATI2600HD works fine as did an older ATI X1300 card which I used to have. Here's how you do it: Vista x86 (32 bit) You need to download 3 files, or if you still have XP copy them across to your Vista installation. Those 3 files are: dx7vb.dll dx8vb.dll d3drm.dll You can find them on your XP installation under the Windows\System32 directory. The download links are: http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-.../download.html Now that you have those 3 files, you need to put them in the Vista system32 directory, this is usually C:\Windows\System32 - best way to do this is to move them using Windows Explorer. Go to the Start Button, choose All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt. You should get a black window titled "Administrator: Command Prompt" - if not, right click Command Prompt in the start menu and choose "Run as administrator". In the command window, type in the following (note that <enter> means press the enter key): cd c:\windows\system32 <enter> (assuming windows is on your C: drive, if not put the correct letter in.) regsvr32 dx7vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded regsvr32 dx8vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded exit <enter> That should be it - give BVE a try. Vista x64 (64 bit) Follow the steps above up to and including opening the command prompt. However, instead of copying the files to c:\windows\system32, copy them to c:\windows\syswow64 In the command window, type in the following (note that <enter> means press the enter key): cd c:\windows\syswow64 <enter> (assuming windows is on your C: drive, if not put the correct letter in.) regsvr32 dx7vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded regsvr32 dx8vb.dll <enter> Click OK on the window that comes up saying dllregserver succeeded exit <enter> BVE should now work on Vista x64. If you get problems after doing this, try turning off UAC as sometimes this helps BVE to run. I wont give detailed instructions how as Microsoft already do that. On your start menu, go to Help and Support and type in "how to disable UAC", choose the how to turn off User Account Control topic and follow the instructions. If you are interested, the technical reason behind why this did not work out of the box is Microsoft stopped providing backward compatibility for DirectX 7 and DirectX 8 starting with the Vista DirectX 10. The only way around this is to copy the 2 support files across from Vista or download them and register them manually. The d3drm.dll file seems to cause a secondary crash if not present, I have no idea why this is not in Vista. I tried BVE on NWM on a few runs and it is fine - the only problem I have encountered is that if you run it windowed, the on screen text such as reverser, speed, FPS, etc displays in english with what looks like japanese behind so you can't see it. Running BVE full screen is fine though. If you still have problems, post them here and I will see if I can help. Have fun, Neil Last edited by dan_atki; 19th August 2008 at 08:33. Reason: Corrected filename to dx8vb

25th June 2007, 22:06	#2
eezypeazy Driver Join Date: 4 Jul 2005 Location: Prudhoe, Tyne Valley, Northumberland Posts: 630	If this works, then this man has just saved our hobby..... We will all be in your debt..... Mods, this should be a sticky..... Regards eezypeazy __________________ Routes, objects and tools for BVE and openBVE Sign up for BVE Scene email news alerts!

26th June 2007, 00:35	#5
David Talking Trains? Posts a bit too much... Join Date: 9 Jul 2005 Location: Scunthorpe, and occasionally on wrong side o' t'pennines Posts: 3,475	I'll have to give this a try. All I have to do first is find a guide to installing BVE that even a drunk moderator (according to Rhys ) can understand. __________________ Something new coming soon to a computer near you! In the middle of a revamp - 2 Galleries complete, 4 to go, and lots more to be added after that.

26th June 2007, 08:23	#6
Tom B Lord High Executioner Administrator Join Date: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Edinburgh/Doncaster Posts: 3,636	I've stickied it - hopefully this will ensure BVE can stay working for future generations? __________________ Tom B BVE Route Junction \| Piccadilly line for BVE route author \| Forum Administrator "Is that a HST?"

26th June 2007, 10:38	#7
nath9425 Executive Director Join Date: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Milepost 84 Chiltern Mainline Posts: 795	Are you defiantly sure though that this won't crash or mess up my PC! After just finally dual botting with XP I'm happily enjoying BVE 4! I suppose if it works then Development on a lot of routes will go on! __________________ http://nathanbignell.co.uk

25th June 2007, 22:19	#3
Coxster Formerly 'Clockhouse' Passenger Join Date: 9 Jun 2005 Posts: 9,632	Look forward to seeing if anyone with Vista can confirm that this does indeed work. Not got Vista myself so can't try it.

25th June 2007, 22:23	#4
dan_atki RailUK Pedant Moderator Join Date: 1 Nov 2006 Posts: 1,661	Unfortunately, I just tried it and as soon as I click OK on the screen size dialogue I get the familiar BVE has stopped working box Although I'm not saying that it doesn't work on all machines running Vista though, just not on mine.

26th June 2007, 15:11	#9
devon_metro Passenger Join Date: 11 Oct 2005 Location: Paignton Posts: 7,214	If this works I might just go and buy a new computer... __________________ South West Railways \| My best photos Review of 2009

26th June 2007, 20:46	#11
dan_atki RailUK Pedant Moderator Join Date: 1 Nov 2006 Posts: 1,661	Yes Neil, I have tried it on my version of 32 bit Vista Home Premium as mentioned above and I still get the BVE has stopped working dialogue when I click ok on the screen size dialogue. Do you have any suggestions?

26th June 2007, 21:06	#12
ukneilw Passenger Join Date: 25 Jun 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 12	Can you post or PM me the contents of the error from your event log? If you go into event viewer, under windows logs, application log look for the most recent Windows Error Reporting (ID 1001) entry which relates to BVE, it will look something like this : Fault bucket 10989844, type 5 Event Name: CLR20r3 Response: None Cab Id: 0 Problem signature: P1: bve.exe P2: 4.2.1947.25355 P3: 42748274 P4: Bve P5: 4.2.1947.25355 P6: 42748274 P7: 14f P8: d5 P9: PSZQOADHX1U5ZAHBHOHGHLDGIY4QIXHX P10:

26th June 2007, 21:21	#13
dan_atki RailUK Pedant Moderator Join Date: 1 Nov 2006 Posts: 1,661	Thank you Neil: Fault bucket 21827399, type 5 Event Name: CLR20r3 Response: None Cab Id: 0 Problem signature: P1: bve.exe P2: 4.2.1947.25355 P3: 42748274 P4: System.Windows.Forms P5: 2.0.0.0 P6: 4536f34f P7: 197d P8: 2 P9: PSZQOADHX1U5ZAHBHOHGHLDGIY4QIXHX P10:

26th June 2007, 22:12	#14
SWTPete Save The CIGs Group Passenger Join Date: 23 Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 16	Confirmed. Just followed those instructions exactly, BVE 4 now works for me on Vista 32-Bit....albeit with Japanese text as the OP said....but thats no big deal right now __________________ Save The CIGs Group - The Return of The Slam-Door Train.

26th June 2007, 22:21	#15
Craig Banned Join Date: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Newcastle Posts: 4,085	I've tried this and it sort of works... It loads fine but the loading screen is white and when I load routes I only see white. It's working I.E. you can drive it and hear sounds but I can't see anything but white! PM me for an email if you want, I'll send you what I can.