Fatal error at main server

[Saltheart]

Hi there,

My first forum post ever so I hope I don't muff it up.
I get the Fatal Error message about two seconds after the warning tone you hear when accessing the main server on a LAN. I've tried about a dozen times on five or so systems, same thing.
I think this is a known issue but I couldn't find the solution. Any assistance would be much appreciated.
I'm using XP and I have the 1.31 patch. I've tried 1.31a but Uplink wouldn't start. I should have thought to note the error, I think it was a missing .dll but I can give it another go if you're interested.
Log follows:


Cheers


===============================================
NEW GAME 16:36, 31/5/2006
===============================================
Version : 1.31
RELEASE
Win32 Build
Version 1.31 (RELEASE)
Compiled on Sep 9 2002 at 16:53:38
(code-C)(code-M)(code-T)
Loading uplink options from C:\Games\Uplink\users/options...success

Successfully loaded data archive data.dat
Successfully loaded data archive graphics.dat
Successfully loaded data archive loading.dat
Successfully loaded data archive sounds.dat
Successfully loaded data archive music.dat
Successfully loaded data archive fonts.dat
Successfully loaded data archive patch.dat
Loading profile from C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading LAN from data/lans/sample.txt...[Already Loaded]
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading profile from C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading LAN from data/lans/sample.txt...[Already Loaded]
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading profile from C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading LAN from data/lans/sample.txt...[Already Loaded]
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success

An (unrecognised) Uplink Internal Error has occured
===================================================
============== B E G I N C O R E D U M P =================
retAddress = 004CCCD3
retAddress = 004D6A43
============== E N D C O R E D U M P =====================
nored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge_mask.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmaplarge.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 700 (0x2bc) ignored.
C:\Games\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34377 (0x8649) ignored.
C:\Games

===============================================
NEW GAME 16:16, 2/6/2006
===============================================
Version : 1.31
RELEASE
Win32 Build
Version 1.31 (RELEASE)
Compiled on Sep 9 2002 at 16:53:38
(code-C)(code-M)(code-T)
Loading uplink options from C:\Games\Uplink\users/options...success

Successfully loaded data archive data.dat
Successfully loaded data archive graphics.dat
Successfully loaded data archive loading.dat
Successfully loaded data archive sounds.dat
Successfully loaded data archive music.dat
Successfully loaded data archive fonts.dat
Successfully loaded data archive patch.dat
Loading profile from C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading LAN from data/lans/sample.txt...[Already Loaded]
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading profile from C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Loading LAN from data/lans/sample.txt...[Already Loaded]
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success
Saving profile to C:\Games\Uplink\users/Neo.usr...success

An (unrecognised) Uplink Internal Error has occured
===================================================
============== B E G I N C O R E D U M P =================
retAddress = 004CCCD3
retAddress = 004D6A43
============== E N D C O R E D U M P =====================
\Uplink\graphics/worldmapsmall.tif: Warning, unknown field with tag 34665 (0x8769) ignored.

[John]

Hi

Yes please do try again with 1.31a and let us know what the problem might be. There's also a program called Dependency Walker that might help to track down the missing DLL.

Please let us know what the missing DLL is.

Thanks

John

[Saltheart]

Thanks John,

When I install 1.31a it reports "Error 1723. There is a problem with this windows installer package. A required .dll could not be run. Contact vendor". When I run Uplink it reports "Application failed. The program configuration is incorrect"

Dependancy Walker located two missing .dll's which I've found and downloaded but they don't have a home yet - Where do they live?

These are the files:

EFSADU.DLL

MSVCP80.DLL - this one is listed twice so I assume it belongs in two places.

Can't wait to get into some serious hacking

[John]

Saltheart, we're shortly going to be releasing 1.31b for testing. It would be great if you would be prepared to be a pre-tester, just to make sure the installation program and Uplink runs OK.

If you do install the DLLs yourself, please keep a note of where you installed them. However, what we're aiming is you not having to do that at all, and as such your system makes a good test case.

We'll get in touch shortly.

[JamesL]

Hi Saltheart,

This is an interesting problem. I've checked with dependency walker on a Win2k machine, and efsadu.dll does not seem to be a dependency of any of the installer materials or uplink.exe. I do have the dll in my windows\system32 directory, though, and it appears to be a Mircosoft library for file encryption. Do you encrypt your disk or any files that may be relavent?

The file efsadu.dll is available for free download at a number of places (see MSN search), though obviously I cannot vouch for any of the sites. If the file does not exist on your computer, putting it in your windows\system32 directory may solve the problem.

msvcp80.dll is, however, a known dependency. The installer should set this up for you. Are you logged in with administrator rights on your machine?

cheers,
James

[Saltheart]

John,

That'd be great, I'd love to help out if I can. Let me know when you're ready.

G'day James,

I've never intentionally encrypted anything and I usually don't do anything I'm not sure of.
It's my home PC and I'm the only user. We've formed a close bond and she allows me to do to her whatever I please. It's XP Home btw, does that matter?
Thanks for your replies. I'll keep track of what I do from now on so I can restore to this state for the patch.

Saltheart

AKA Duncan

[Saltheart]

Greetings again John and James

I've realise an error I've made. I wrote to you that Dependancy Walker reported msvcp80.dll twice when infact one of those instances was the file msvcr80.dll. It was very late in my part of the world. So there are three files in total, including efsadu.dll

These three I've placed in Windows\System32 and re installed the patch but the same errors occur.

Dependancy Walker has now highligted these files in red; MPR.DLL, MSVCP80.DLL and MSVCR80.DLL and reports the following:

Error: At least one module has an unresolved import due to a missing export function in an implicitly dependent module.

Error: The Side-by-Side configuration information in "c:\games\uplink\UPLINK.EXE" contains errors. This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem (14001).

Warning: At least one module has an unresolved import due to a missing export function in a delay-load dependent module.

I have of course tried re installing from scratch and with new .usr files.

I hope this can be of some help.

Cheers

[John]

Saltheart, can you try removing any of the DLLs that you added manually and run the vcredist_x86.exe program that you should find in the same directory as uplink.exe (C:\Program Files\Uplink)

vcredist_x86.exe is supposed to install the various support files needed. If it doesn't work on XP home, then we'll need to find another solution.

EDIT: I have a feeling that vcredist_x86.exe will fail for you (see this article).

• Please delete the DLLs you manually added to your system.
• Please download Microsoft.VC80.CRT.zip and expand it in the same directory as uplink.exe, so that you get a sub-directory called Microsoft.VC80.CRT with the DLL files in it.
• Let me know if you have any luck!

[Saltheart]

John,

It’s good and bad but I’m not sure which is which.

Firstly, using a new user file in Uplink, I was able to complete a LAN mission without a hitch. I haven’t had time so I’ve only tried one. This suggests to me that the other .usr was corrupt in some way. (Maybe my agent got injured while I wasn't looking)

Today I read your post, followed your instructions regarding remove and download and tried vcredist_x86.exe. Again I encountered Error 1723 and it failed to install.

I then tried UplinkPatch-1.31a.exe (I must confess at this point that I copied the patch installer to my Uplink directory before installing whereas previously I had merely directed it there from its stored folder as I most often do) and once again encountered 1723 and then the “install successful” message as with previous attempts. I tried Uplink anyway and lo, it worked. Booted up as normal with the new agent I mentioned above. I logged into Uplink and a bank account and had a quick look around. That much seems fine.

There have been no changes on my system in the last two days except those I’ve made after reading your post. Removing the dll’s restored it to its initial state. (Unless someone’s hacked it) I can't remember if the old or bad .usr was ever not in my Uplink\user directory on previous attempts at 1.13a

Much of what was in the article you referred to went over my head but it seems to me the two separate issues, the LAN problem and the installer problem, have a third… complication that has linked them. Of course it could be that the “complication” is making key strokes on the suspect system right now.

Hopefully tonight I’ll be able to explore what works with one .usr and what doesn’t with the other and see what this baby can do.

Fingers crossed,

and thanks

Saltheart.

[John]

Very strange indeed! Well at least you are able to run the latest testing version. Please keep on running it and if Uplink crashes again click the 'send report' button and it should come through to us for analysis.

We should be releasing a new testing version shortly, which will include even more debugging information, so keep an eye on the news forum

Thanks for all your help so far!