I just installed IWD1 and tried to start a new game. When I started a new game and went through generating a new character on the character sheet, I accidentally clicked on my character's biography. When I went to save/close the biography, IWD crashed with a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library error as follows:

"Runtime Error!
Program: ...ram Files(x86)\GOG.com\Icewind Dale Complete\ IDMain.exe

abnormal program termination"

Any coders out there who have some insight on why this error occurs or even better, someone who has a fix? This isn't a game breaker for me because I'm not going to edit my character's biography, but it does frustrate me that a section of the game isn't working correctly.

Also, I'm playing on a Windows 7 Home Premium machine. This error happens no matter if I run under a normal Windows 7 environment with admin privledges or in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP 2 & 3.

I have the same issue. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) and have a GTX 280 Video Card.

I've tried the Application Compatibility Tool, Run as Administrator, Run Application in Compatibility mode, and have tried the other compatibility options. I've also installed IWD outside Program Files.

Game runs fine in Virtual Box running Windows 2000 (though I cannot mouse scroll to the right or down).

I noticed this issue also happens when I try to import characters into a new game.....answers anyone?!?

I have both same issues, CTD when trying to import a character and when I click on Bio. Running Win7x64 and GeForce GTX 260M.

I ran the Install in Admin mode, run the game in Admin mode, and picked another install folder than /Program Files x86/

Any input would be appreciated.

I'm having the same problem. I hope someone figures out a solution.

I have had a similar problem. I receive a runtime error every time I try to import a character. I do, however, have a solution. Likely, the source of the problem is a recent update in the C++ library that makes it unable to interact with the .RES files located in the Characters folder. This is where the Character Biographies are stored. They are unnecessary for playing the actual game and can be deleted, which I have done and the game now works flawlessly in single and multi-player modes. Just don't look at the Biography screen, and all will be well. It's not like anyone cares about those stupid things anyway *troll face*. So, that's my solution.
I'm running Windows XP SP3, which still sucks.

Thanks, deleting the .RES files worked perfectly! Just out of curiosity, why aren't the files being read correctly anymore? Character encoding?

this works greatly also with the problem of char importation. thanks a lot! this is the only place where i found a solution!

I am also using Avast! 6.0.1289 and was having the same problem.

Turning it off solved the problem, but it felt wrong to turn off my anti-virus.

So I dug a little deeper and found that if you add IDMain.exe to the list of "Trusted Processes" in the "Behaviour Shield" then the game works with the AV still turned on.

Step-by-step guide to how I did this:

1) click on Avast! icon in the system tray - this should open the Avast! user interface (can also be done use the menu from the system tray)
2) Select the "Real-time shields" tab on the left
3) Select the "Behaviour Shield" sub-tab
4) Select "Expert Settings" which will open a new window
5) Select "Trusted Processes" tab on the left
6) Add the path to the executable IDMain.exe (ie for me that was "D:\Games\Icewind Dale Complete\IDMain.exe")
7) Click ok and enjoy

I assume other AVs have a similar setting somewhere.

A bit of a thread necro here, but I just wanted to say thank you to prgp. I was having this same issue and your fix worked. Reminds me of my COBOL programming days that the error was pointing in the completely wrong direction.

As an aside, man I miss using COBOL. Was fun having my professor so confused about an error, and then proofreading and finding the period I forgot to put in.

Holy crap! I can't believe there's someone around who still remembers that. I recall COBOL and Fortran in my old university days. Heh, punch cards. Too much fun.

As much as I love Avast! I was suspecting they might be behind the trouble although I was thinking it was the inescapable Autosandbox of Avast 7. Thank you for confirming it.

Warren

Worked for me, thanks!

sorry but i did remove the .res AND i set up Avast but i still have the same running error about importing and biography...

ok what you said about avast was true, i was just mistaking... thanks for the advice!