3DS Max 7 with Windows 7

[andylegate]

Has anyone run into a problem using 3DS Max 7 with Windows 7 yet?

My system died last week (XP went nuclear) and my 6 year old install disk had been hit by the cats, dog, Josh and the floor too many times, and was toast.

I tried Ubuntu (wonderful experience, I could get to like Linux), and while Blender ran without a problem, I could not get Max to run on it using Wine or anything else.

So, biting the bullet, I bought Windows 7.

So far I'm very pleased with it. I never knew my computer could be that fast. When playing Bioshock 2 with XP, I had to have a lot of the effects turned off and the textures turned down to get the game to play decently.
With Windows 7, every thing in Bioshock 2 is maxed out and the game runs as smooth as glass, no stutter nor lag at all.

However, I've run into a problem with Max: it locks up. Specifically, I open it up, the splash screen shows it loading, then with the UI screen opens with it's 4 screens, that's when it freezes. It LOOKS like it's ready to go, but nothing works, heh.

Now, I've tried running it with the different Compatibility modes. Can't go below Windows 2000 or Max itself gives me an actual error. So right now I'm trying to get it to run with Windows XP compatibility, running as Administrator with full permissions. I even disabled the desktop Areo themes just incase.
I'm thinking it may be having an issue with DirectX 11, but I thought the Compatibility mode would take care of that.

I did a bit of research and found that Max 2009 users were having the same problem and had to down load a SP 2 pack from Autodesk and it fixed their problem (doubt that would work for 7 since there's no support for it anymore).

Blender works great BTW in Windows 7.

So, any ideas or suggestions? (besides sticking with Blender, heh).

[Old Wolle]

I don't know anything of 3DS Max, but when the problem is the DirectX 11 version, you can download the DirectX 9 installer here and you can install the older Direct 9 version in addition to DirectX 11.
Some older programs need this version and nothing will be overwritten.

[Trylon]

I run it on windows 7 64, and so far the only problems I've had are problems shutting the program down.
Not really a big problem if you know how the task manager works

No wait, I also had problems after a failed export of an Age that had objects that were way too big. After that it went unstable and could crash.

[andylegate]

@Old Wolle - I just installed that, and still no joy, symptoms are the same unfortunately........I'm remembering something about C++ though.....I'll have to check it out.


@Trylon - I'm running the 32 bit version (was what I could afford). Everything runs just great........except Max, heh.

[rustee]

There is a service pack for Max 7 and you can download it from the Autodesk site. Not sure it will help though. Did you try to switch your viewports to OpenGL or Software mode? (you can switch by starting your Max with -h key)

[andylegate]

@rustee - Yah, I just downloaded that SP (had to search for it at the Autodesk web site). Still no joy.

Switching the 3D settings still results in the same thing: Freeze after loading up. I've tried "Software", "OpenGL" and "Direct3D" and it changes nothing.

I'm stumped with this.

[Trylon]

Did you try updating your graphics card/drivers?

[andylegate]

Yep! 197.13 for Nvidia Series 8

I downloaded it yesterday when I installed Windows 7

EDIT:

I don't think it has anything to do with DirectX or Video drivers anymore. I think it's looking for something and is lost. One or more dll files maybe?

[Marcello]

Hi guys,

Where did you all get your 3DMax 7 version? Is there like a special edition that actually has an acceptable price? I fooled around with both the old Dos 3D Studio and versions of the first 2 Max editions in the days and would love to try the plugin on Max. I remember being able to do some descent modelling in Max and now with Blender experience it would probably be even easier.

[andylegate]

I bought this one from an old friend that had it still sitting in a box (he's given up on becoming a 3D artist).

As far as I know, you can't buy it anywhere from a store or anything. But I could be wrong.