Can't launch the game. Crashes on start. "Carma2_HW has stopped working"

[ClappingFetus]

---------------------------------------[SYMPTOMS]---------------------------------------

--Running Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10.
--Can't play the game because it crashes at launch.
--Gives this error "Carma2_HW has stopped working"
--Unstable/incompatible winmm.dll wrapper causes crashing

---------------------------------------[SOLUTIONS]---------------------------------------

--Try deleting and reinstalling
--Try restarting PC
--Try various compatibility settings on Carma2.exe
--Try various compatibility settings on Carma2_HW.exe
--Try various compatibility settings on Carma2_SW.exe
--Try using a different glide wrapper (Credit: Toshiba-3)
--Try moving the folder to a shorter path (like C:\carma2\)
--Try the GOG release of Carmageddon 2
--Try removing some of the extra programs you have running at start up and in the background like anti-viruses and python scripts. (Credit: Toshiba-3)
--Try disabling wrappers by renaming the dlls. (Credit: rc2sm)
--Try renaming "winmm.dll" to "winmm1.dll" (Credit: Blackhand) or get an alternative version here: http://rr2000.toshiba-3.com/R4/PC/carma-winmm.zip (Credit: rc2sm)

--Try using the patch described in this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgVLLpbseUo
--Try this fix for Windows 10 64bit (Credit: *KEVY*) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jP3Bmm3Ic0
--To have music without the unstable winmm.dll wrapper. Use "_inmm.dll". (Credit: Blackhand)

Confirmed working on GOG version, May also work on Steam version.

[[[ INSTRUCTIONS BELOW ]]]

1. Go here https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/107-patched-_inmmdll/ and click on "Download This File".
2. Extract _inmm238-installer.zip and run _inmm238.exe (installer)
3. Go to Start -> Find program folder "_inmm.dll" and click on "_inmm.dll Setup"
4. Go to "Patch" tab and drag and drop carma2_hw.exe from game folder into application window, click twice on "OK" (_inmm.dll Setup always saves original, unpatched file with org extension so you can revert changes by deleting carma2_hw.exe and renaming carma2_hw.org to carma2_hw.exe).
5. Save part between "" as _inmm.ini in Carmageddon main folder (the folder where carma2_hw.exe is located)
".\music\Track02.ogg
.\music\Track03.ogg
.\music\Track04.ogg
.\music\Track05.ogg
.\music\Track06.ogg
.\music\Track07.ogg
.\music\Track08.ogg"
6. Done! Now music should work.

If it does not work, try launching game by running carma2_hw.exe from game folder instead of clicking on it in your Steam library. It's possible that Steam version has different file structure than GOG version, so you may have to adjust paths from step 5 or just generate _inmm.ini through "_inmm.dll Setup" - tab _inmm.ini. You can also try to add ogg files in "method" tab - type "*.ogg" in free box in column "file type" and pick option in corresponding row in "player" column - some choices may require installation of additional software, like Winamp.

Remember, do not run file verification from your Steam library on Carmageddon 2, it will undo change made in step 4 (and probably from step 5 either).

----------------------------------------[Updates]----------------------------------------

THESE UPDATES ARE ALREADY REFLECTED IN THE GUIDE ABOVE.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY JUST A CHANGELOG.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*UPDATE* 1-6-15

Hey everybody I haven't checked in on this thread in a while but I wanted to say my copy started working out of the blue. I had given up on it and I randomly tried to load it up the other day and IT WORKED!! Unfortunately because I had pretty much given up hope on it, I haven't been documenting all of the software changes I have made since I had these problems.

The best I can recollect I made a few changes to my start up processes because there were things causing a lot of slow down. I also had a lot of issues with Python because I am running some Usenet programs and a Plex server. I know at some point I deleted and reinstalled some of those things. If any of you out there are using that type of software, it could be worth looking into. The only other changes I have made are just basic software updates and windows updates.

I hope this helps in some way.

*UPDATE* 10-2-15

Possible solutions posted in comments. No guarantees but its worth a shot.

Originally posted by *KEVY*:

Here is my fix for Windows 10 x64 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jP3Bmm3Ic0

*UPDATE* 9-9-16

Rename "winmm.dll" to "winmm1.dll"

Posted by smrtgi19 on GOG forums here https://www.gog.com/forum/carmageddon_series/r_u_kidding_me_renaming_the_winmmdll_to_winmm1dll_makes_the_game_works

You can try alternative version here: http://rr2000.toshiba-3.com/R4/PC/carma-winmm.zip

*UPDATE* 3-14-17

Originally posted by Blackhand:

Hey, I've found a way to have music without that crashy winmm.dll wrapper. Just use _inmm.dll, it worked on GOG version, I guess it might work on Steam version. So:
1. Go here https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/107-patched-_inmmdll/ and click on "Download This File".
2. Extract _inmm238-installer.zip and run _inmm238.exe (installer)
3. Go to Start -> All Programs (or whatever this part is named in your version of Windows) -> _inmm.dll and click on "_inmm.dll Setup"
4. Go to "Patch" tab and drag and drop carma2_hw.exe from game folder into application window, click twice on "OK" (_inmm.dll Setup always saves original, unpatched file with org extension so you can revert changes by deleting carma2_hw.exe and renaming carma2_hw.org to carma2_hw.exe).
5. Save part between "" as _inmm.ini in Carmageddon main folder (the folder where carma2_hw.exe is located)
".\music\Track02.ogg
.\music\Track03.ogg
.\music\Track04.ogg
.\music\Track05.ogg
.\music\Track06.ogg
.\music\Track07.ogg
.\music\Track08.ogg
"

Now music should work. If not, try launching game by running carma2_hw.exe from game folder instead of clicking on it in your Steam library. It's possible that Steam version has different file structure than GOG version, so you may have to adjust paths from step 5 or just generate _inmm.ini through "_inmm.dll Setup" - tab _inmm.ini. You can also try to add ogg files in "method" tab - type "*.ogg" in free box in column "file type" and pick option in corresponding row in "player" column - some choices may require installation of additional software, like Winamp.
Remember, do not run file verification from your Steam library on Carmageddon 2, it will undo change made in step 4 (and probably from step 5 either).

*UPDATE* 3-09-21

Updated one of the dead links in the guide. Thanks Lughzi!

Originally posted by Lughzi:

To anyone who still wants that inmm.dll archive, here is a new link since that link redirects me to Yahoo Japan for some unknown reason, thought it might happen to you guys as well, here it is:

https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/107-patched-_inmmdll/

Now all you have to do is follow the instructions.

[Toshiba-3]

If the game doesn't work with nGlide, maybe you can try another glide wrapper. Like dgVoodoo 2. But it seems the problem might not come from the graphic part of the execution.

You can also simply try moving the C2 folder to a much shorter path (like directly C:\carma2\), that helps sometimes.

Do other C2 releases work on this very rig? Like packs found online etc.

[ClappingFetus]

OK I updated the original post with these things as well. Still can't get it working. Same error code every time.

[WatcherXP™]

getting same with brand new install

[Toshiba-3]

OP also posted this thread on the Carma.com forums. This is what I added there:

"I'd really like to see you guys play the game but we're coming short of possibilities here..!
I see you mention trying the GOG release, but this is actually the very same build. Have you tried another C2 release? Like the vanilla C2 Mini-Pack: http://rr2000.toshiba-3.com/carmageddon-2#mods (bottom of the page) or even an untouched 98 release? Just have to add a glide wrapper in there.
Another idea to check a bit more about the crashing would be to try and run the Software mode of the game. This can be done by trying programs like GHO's DxWnd.

What about your programs running in the background? Any monitoring software ala Spybot or general antivirus. Could you try closing as many services/processes as possible?"

[funkynutz]

Same problem here... Can run the first one without problems, this one just refuses to launch... Carma2.exe opens the options window (DDS, 3DFX, D3D etc), but always crash regardless of whether I use software or hardware version... Launching the carma2_hw.exe or carma2_sw.exe both crash instantly regardless of any settings used...

[WatcherXP™]

BUMPING this thread

[ClappingFetus]

It seems like they just got it in the most basic working condition and released it. I hope they will update this game and fix this crap because the new Carma game is in Pre-Alpha and damn near impossible to play because of freezing, crashing, and low fps. Granted its in extremely early stages but I thought the Carma 1&2 giveaway was to give us loyal fans something to play in the interim.

[ClappingFetus]

I will try messing with the background running processes to see if there is something keeping it from working. It may be a while before I can post results though. The problem PC is also my entire media hub so my kids got it on lockdown till late at night.

[WatcherXP™]

BUMPING this thread for help

[Toshiba-3]

Watcher: you bump the thread but do you have feedback regarding what's already been suggested? Especially shutting down as many background processes as possible, monitoring softwares. Trying to play the vanilla C2 pack (+glide wrapper) from a much shorter path (Steam C2 doesn't work on Win10 here unless I move the C2 folder to a shorter path for example).

[dinogtr2]

Carma2_HW has stopped working....same here. Tried different Glide wrappers also, no solution found so far.

[GameLord]

Same here but worked before! The steam version and gog version, both stopped working.

[VR Gaming Therapy]

Same here tried everything no luck. BS.

[eymre]

Win 8.1 x64 getting same error. Compatibility mode has another error message:
---------------------------
CARMA2_HW.EXE - Application Error
---------------------------
The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

[Heavy Harris]

I'm on Windows 7, same problems. I just want this game to work.