[Tyrian]

First off, I have already posted this bug to Mantis.  However, it's been four days without any activity.  I can't play FSO and it's starting to get slightly irritating because I just downloaded a couple of new campaigns that I have been itching to play.

Basically, this is what happens:  I've installed 3.6.9 Final using a clean install of FS2 retail from my CDs.  Everything went smoothly.  I set up the Launcher according to what I use in 3.6.9 RC8.  I ran it in OpenGL, only to have it crash into a black screen.  I had to hit the reset button, as I couldn't get to the Task Manager or anything.  I ran the associated debug build only to have that crash too.  I tried to get to the debug spew, only to have the same problem as before; I can't get to the desktop.  I then ran the regular build in Direct3D mode, getting the same result.  I repeated the process with the debug build in Direct3D, again an unrecoverable crash, without being able to get to the debug spew.  This happens every time I run FSO.  I've searched the forums and some of Mantis, and I can't find anyone with a similar problem.  Anyone have any advice?

[taylor]

The fs2_open.log file should always exist unless it crashes in a lib somewhere (ie, before the game code actually starts).  Same with errorlog.txt.  Post whichever you have, since without at least one of them there is nothing we can do for you.  It's working for most people so it's not some general issue.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

I have one machine that does this but it isn't actually crashed.  It happens when I installed 3.6.9 and the firewall pops up for me to allow.  Can't do anything not even alt-ctrl-del.  I found it by guessing where the allow button for the firewall was and after that FS2 went nuts until I exited then everything was OK.  Only happens on 1 out of 4 machines I have FS2 on.

[karajorma]

One solution to hard locks is to go to the launcher>>Features>>Dev Tool>>Run in a Window

That way you can tell very quickly if it's a problem like FUBAR-BDHR mentions or something else.

[Tyrian]

I have one machine that does this but it isn't actually crashed.  It happens when I installed 3.6.9 and the firewall pops up for me to allow.  Can't do anything not even alt-ctrl-del.  I found it by guessing where the allow button for the firewall was and after that FS2 went nuts until I exited then everything was OK.  Only happens on 1 out of 4 machines I have FS2 on.

One solution to hard locks is to go to the launcher>>Features>>Dev Tool>>Run in a Window

That way you can tell very quickly if it's a problem like FUBAR-BDHR mentions or something else.

Thank you both so much!!!  Running in windowed mode allowed me to see that it was indeed a firewall problem.  I've had the firewall problem before, but only with the CVS builds.  I never thought to check for it in the final.

Anyways, that means problem solved!  I'll withdraw my Mantis report.  I really appreciate all the help, even though this kind of broke the established rules for bug reporting.  Thanks for helping me anyways!