(solved) HD Howler 10 won't start, message error "Unexpected error; quitting"

[Yuri Bezmenov]

I was starting this program by clicking on it, but it only gave me the window named "Error" with the message inside "Unexpected error; quitting". What am I doing wrong?

Edit: I reinstalled the program and verified the cache, but I keep getting the same message error.

[Yuri Bezmenov]

I found the solution. Look in the local files of the program and look for dogwaffle.exe, right click it, properties, and tick the box with "Run as administrator". This fixes the problem.

[xyzt]

Originally posted by NepNep4Life:

I found the solution. Look in the local files of the program and look for dogwaffle.exe, right click it, properties, and tick the box with "Run as administrator". This fixes the problem.

Oh, I'm sorry. If I had seen this, I would have mentioned that.

For whatever dll reason, once one Project Dogwaffle program is run, like a demo, all other versions, like a full program, like to be run as administrator. It's among the quirks. Program is awesome, though. I run both Particles and Howler as administrator because of this quirk.

In fact, other than Solidface, I don't think I run any program as an administrator. Still, dogwaffle programs rock, so I do.

[Yuri Bezmenov]

It was an internal problem with my computer, it's more about privilege admin access denial and stuff like that. A few programs stopped working because of that.

[thebest3d]

good to know. Glad you had it fixed.

We have a few notes on that error (Unexpected Error; Quitting", or similar, here:
http://www.thebest3d.com/howler/help/index.html

You don't really have to run it as Administrator each and every time, but just once, which usually happens at installation because the installer elevates to admin level. That usually is enough to keep it going. But there are some conditions that might change entries in the registry about some resources registered to Howler. One is if installing a different version (such as PD Particles, a demo version, or PD Artist, to name a few). And then there can be other reasons for something to change in the registry that causes Howler to not be able to launch unless the components are re-registered to it. That's what running it as admin once again will usually take care of.

I have easily half a dozen of versions on my laptop here, all running as admin. It's less hassle to me.

[theodnum]

Hi
Same problem , i run dogwaffle.exe as administrator bu then i have an other error (339) with COMCTL32.ocx not correctly registered. i uninstalled v_credistx64 and installed it again (as admin ) but same problem- i have windows 10 PRO 64 bits up to date

[thebest3d]

Hm, not sure what to suggest there, other than these:
http://www.thebest3d.com/howler/steam/index.html#help

Perhaps antivirus interfering?

[theodnum]

Originally posted by thebest3d:

Hm, not sure what to suggest there, other than these:
http://www.thebest3d.com/howler/steam/index.html#help

Perhaps antivirus interfering?

Well i tried all what is suggested but always this comctl32.Ox error ( i stopped m y antivirus, uninstalled PD Howler10, uninstalled vcredist-x64 (2010) , relaoded PD Howler from steam, reinstalled it, make a new install of the vcredist-x64 , even make an install from the folder "setup" and it doesnt works

[Yuri Bezmenov]

Have you tried verifying the cache of that program in Steam?

[theodnum]

yes i tried - That was the very first thing i did :)

EDIT----------------
I installed PD HOWLER 10 on my second computer (a laptop) in WIndows10 PRO 64 bits
Like on my main computer, Steam is installed on partition E: not on C:
When i dowloaded HWLER by steam and lauched the install, in fact the software is installed on C:\program files(X86)\steam\steamapp\common\ AND on E:\program files(X86)\steam\steamapp\common\ because installer doesn't ask where we want to install the software. By default the Howler10 Installer installs on C: but Steam installs it on my E:
But finally the software works on my Laptop! But i would prefer it works on my desktop

[Yuri Bezmenov]

Oh, then I'm really out of ideas, buddy, sorry about that. ^^;

[theodnum]

Originally posted by NepNep4Life:

Oh, then I'm really out of ideas, buddy, sorry about that. ^^;

Don't worry, it's very kind of you to have tried to help me :) I appreciate. Now the software works on my laptop i will looking for why it doesn't works on my desktop

[theodnum]

YAY me! :) PD HOwler10 works on my desktop now! :) In fact i took the comctl32.OCX and comctl32.dll on my laptop and i copied them on my \windows\syswow64\ on my desktop and... PD Howler 10 is open!

[mrozdoba]

Just to add another data point, I had the same error as the OP. This is on Win 10/64 Home. I install Steam apps to C & E drives, but by default the bulk go to E.

As directed, I set dogwaffle.exe to run with admin privileges & ran it once, with no apparent problems. I've just set it back to run with the usual privs & it does now still launch. I'll post again if I have any further problems.

Incidentally, this was my first install of PDH10 & my first install of any dogwaffle app; I never tried the demo. I would note the install is a little different from most: usually the app seems to install when downloaded by Steam & only installs 3rd party libraries upon first launch (correct me if I'm wrong). PDH10 appeared to delay all installation until first launch; at that time it asked for elevated privileges, which I granted. At the end of the install it threw the same error but launched despite this. It was only upon subsequent attempts to launch that the error prevented it starting up.

I think it is worth your time investigating this issue as it will give new users concerns over PDH10's stability. It's not a good first impression. NB You don't need to sell me personally on PDH10; I've wanted this application for quite a while & as a former programmer I appreciate this issue doesn't necessarily imply problems with the app itself.

[rvq4u]

I do not get it work the comctl32.ocx and comctl32.dll are on the windows\syswow64 folder i register them again with regsvr32 regsvr but it will not work.

[theodnum]

Hi ronni,I will tr y to help you. the best way is to have an other computer or a friend with a computer with same OS than your (for example Windows 10 personal (32 or 64 bits) or Windows 8.1 personal (32 or 64 bits,) ect...) try to copy the comctl32.ocx and comctl32.dll from the syswow64 (else, it's in system32 for a 32bits OS) on an USB key for example . Then , once the 2 files are copied, go on your computer , first copy the comctl32.dll at the same place (so, syswow64(for 4 bits OS) or system32(for 32 bits OS)) . Normally you should not have any problems. Try, then, to copy the comctl32.ocx - here , you could have some issue due to rights on folder - before copying the new comctl32.ocx, you sould have to rename the old one (those wich are on your computer) - right click on it and rename it as "comctl32.old" and then copy/paste the new comctl32.ocx - Then you should have the new comctl32.ocx and the old one comctl32.old . Try to open the software, if it works , delete tke comctl32.old .
One thing you could do is to verify the weigth of the file, the "good" comctl32.ocx weight is 1350 Ko for me (i 'm french and i have a french version of Windows10 so may be the weight will be different for you) and my bad one was only 850 Ko...
Sorry for my english!