Microsoft Windows Update Hotfix 832980 Causing .MAX File Corruption on XP Operating Systems

Products

Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2004
Autodesk® Building Systems 2004
Autodesk® VIZ 4
3D Studio VIZ® R3i
3D Studio VIZ® R3

Issue

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.

This same Microsoft Windows Update Hotfix 832980 also causes 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 system 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:

Depending on a user's particular configuration, resolution of this problem and production workarounds vary from the above list. Please carefully follow the instructions below to minimize any impact from this Windows Update defect.

Note: Autodesk is anticipating a new Hotfix 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 the 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ applications 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:

Workaround: Option 1 for Windows 2000 SP4 users:


(Please be aware that some 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ data will still be lost in this workaround.)
  1. Revert back to SP3 or earlier
  2. 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.

Workaround: Option 2 if Win XP OS is available:

  1. Open corrupted .max files created under Windows 2000 SP4 in Windows XP without Hotfix 832980 installed, and resave.
  2. Revert all systems back to Windows 2000 SP3 or previous and files should be corrected.

arrow_left.gif (174 bytes)back to Tech Tips & FAQ's

© 2003 Datamat Group, Inc. contact webmaster@datamat.com with questions/comments - Revised: 24 July, 2006