heya!
i spent about 6h trying to find a solution now, but the issue i have seems to be one of a rather unique kind.

- i installed HOMM3 complete from GOG
- i used the HD mod on it
- i used the german language patcher on it
- for about 24h, i had a great time playing the game
- suddenly, during mission 2 of the OC human campaign and when the AI was just done with it's turn, my game crashed and i had a access violation error (that i clicked away quickly, assuming i'd just have to restart the game)
- since then, the game doesn't have sound if i start in HD
- it does have sound if i play with the original pixelparty .exe
- there was a HD patch available that i didn't install, which shouldn't have been a problem at first, but i installed it later when the sound was gone - surprise, it changed nothing
- assuming that the patch might have screwed something up with the german patching, i let both patchers run again
- i reinstalled the game, then installed HD, then let HD patch, then let the german patcher run over it
- coming to no results, i checked the HD crash log file
- i googled the .dll that seems to be the issue, then downloaded it, installed it manually as supposed to, but i installed it in all 3 folders (homm3, sys32, sysWOW) directly
- seeing that there is a file named "MSS32.DLL", which is a different version name than the downloaded "mss32 (3).dll", i renamed it, but also had the (3)-ending-one additionally in all folders.
## in case you're wondering at this point why i downloaded "mss32 (3).dll" altho the game uses "MSS32.dll", that is because when i write "HOMM3 mss32.dll" into google, it sends me to the following page and that looks to me as if i'd need the latest version; especially since i wouldn't know which other one to choose: originaldll(DOT)com/file/mss32%20(3).dll/37693.html
- i used the win-R cmd regsvr32, followed by correctly written file names; it keeps telling me that the .dll version seems to be incompatible with x86
- i'm not getting anywhere. please help me. PLEASE. someone with a bigger brain than mine. i know you're out there. i just hope you're reading this and decide to take your time to help me.
- even if you come to this years later because you have the same issue, if you find a solution whilst no solution was posted here, please post it here too.

i'll attach my HD crash log now:


[HOMM3 HD CRASH LOG]

Log
{
compability_dir = F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_HD3_Data\Compability\#com_en
EXE_VERSION & SOD
No Files.ini for 'F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_HD3_Data\Compability\#com_en'
got sulfur in nagabank. replace it to gems.

}

HOMM3 HD version: 5.4 R51
Time { 10/26/2023 19:56:16 }

GUN: [4V569217913899857260HZGZ HHW]

Exception
{
Module: Mss32.dll
Adress: [ Mss32.dll+0x14D4D ]
Code: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION
Flags: 0x00000000
Information: read of address: 0x0000001C
}

Context { EAX: 0x00000000, ECX: 0x0D15FF18, EDX: 0x0D15FF14, EBX: 0x0D15FF14, ESP: 0x0D15FEC4, EBP: 0x0D15FEC4, ESI: 0x0D15FF20, EDI: 0x0D15FF24 }

Call stack
{
[ Mss32.dll+0x14D40 ] called from [ Mss32.dll+0x5EF8 ]
[ Mss32.dll+0x5E70 ] called from [ Mss32.dll+0x1D6BC ]
[ Mss32.dll+0x1D690 ] called from [ Mss32.dll+0x1D657 ]
[ Mss32.dll+0x1D600 ] called from [ Mss32.dll+0xAC41 ]
[ Mss32.dll+0xABD0 ] called from [ Mss32.dll+0x1C6DF ]
? called from before [ ntdll.dll+0x67C6E ]
[ ntdll.dll+0x67C3F ] called from [ ntdll.dll+0x67C39 ]
? called from before [ 0x00000000 ]
}

Call stack V2
{
21114D4D (Mss32: 21100000): (?): AIL_sprintf
21105EFD (Mss32: 21100000): (?): AIL_sample_buffer_info
2111D6C1 (Mss32: 21100000): (?): stream_background
2111D65C (Mss32: 21100000): (?): stream_background
2110AC46 (Mss32: 21100000): (?): AIL_service_stream
2111C6E4 (Mss32: 21100000): (?): AIL_set_file_callbacks
771A7C6E (ntdll: 77140000): (?): RtlGetAppContainerNamedObjectPath
771A7C3E (ntdll: 77140000): (?): RtlGetAppContainerNamedObjectPath
}

Modules
{
0x00400000: Heroes3 HD.exe (size: 0x002CD000, entry point: 0x0061A884) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\Heroes3 HD.exe
0x10000000: _hd3_.dll (size: 0x0004B000, entry point: 0x1001C2AC) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_hd3_.dll
0x72D90000: patcher_x86.dll (size: 0x000BD000, entry point: 0x72DA2D96) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\patcher_x86.dll
0x00CB0000: binkw32.dll (size: 0x0002B000, entry point: 0x00CC1705) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\binkw32.dll
0x00770000: smackw32.dll (size: 0x0001B000, entry point: 0x0077C0B0) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\smackw32.dll
0x00CE0000: IFC20.dll (size: 0x00023000, entry point: 0x00CEF04E) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\IFC20.dll
0x73EE0000: HD_UPD.dll (size: 0x00068000, entry point: 0x73EE5495) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HD_UPD.dll
0x027A0000: HD_MCR.dll (size: 0x00028000, entry point: 0x027ABF2D) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HD_MCR.dll
0x02F40000: HD_TC2.dll (size: 0x003CE000, entry point: 0x02F4E056) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HD_TC2.dll
0x02810000: HD_SCX2.dll (size: 0x0001D000, entry point: 0x02814E62) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HD_SCX2.dll
0x03310000: HD_SOD.dll (size: 0x01105000, entry point: 0x0340BE35) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HD_SOD.dll
0x04760000: HW_SOD.dll (size: 0x00051000, entry point: 0x04792727) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\HW_SOD.dll
0x21100000: Mss32.dll (size: 0x0005F000, entry point: 0x2112F2E5) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_HD3_Data\Mss32.dll
0x6E8D0000: cursors.dll (size: 0x0004A000, entry point: 0x00000000) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_HD3_Data\Common\cursors.dll
0x26F00000: Mp3dec.asi (size: 0x0002A000, entry point: 0x26F0A805) - F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\_HD3_Data\Mp3dec.asi
}

Command Line
{
"F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\Heroes3 HD.exe"
}

Main INI
{

<Version> = 5004335

<Language> = "#en.ini"

<Graphics.Resolution> = 1280, 768

<Graphics.Mode> = 5

<Graphics.ComplexFilter> = 2

<Graphics.Threads> = 4

<Graphics.SimpleFilter> = 2

<Graphics.SystemCursors> = 0

<HD+> = 1

<HD+.RecentTimers> = "01:00 + 01:00 + 00:00", "01:00 + 01:00 + 00:00", "01:00 + 01:00 + 00:00", "01:00 + 01:00 + 00:00", "01:00 + 01:00 + 00:00", "00:00 + 00:00 + 00:00"

<HD+.Settings> = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 6, 0

<Memory.Mod> = 0

<Misc.TournamentSaver> = 0

<Misc.BattleSaver> = 1

<Packs>

<Sys.NoCD> = 1

<Sys.CPU.ReduceUsage> = 0

<Sys.WriteToIniInsteadRegistry> = 1

<UI.AdvMgr.SkipMapMsgs> = 1

<UI.AdvMgr.DragMap> = 1

<UI.Battle.HighlightOnHover> = 0

<UI.Battle.Queue> = 1

<UI.Battle.ShowAlwaysHeroInfo> = 1

<UI.ClipCursor> = 1

<UI.DarkTransitions> = 1

<UI.Ext.ScenarioMgr.Settings> = 1, 72, 2, 2, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1

<UI.Ext.ScenarioMgr.Folders> = 1

<UI.Ext.TownMgr.AvailableInsteadGrowth> = 1

<UI.HiRezCore> = 1

<UI.QuickArmyManagementMode> = 0

<UI.RecruitDlg.AutoSet> = 1

<UI.RecruitDlg.AutoSet.Max> = 0

<UI.Tavern.InviteHero> = 0

<Update.CheckAtStart> = 1

<OpenGL.Wrapper.Version> = 2

<OpenGL.FixedRefreshRate> = 1

<OpenGL.Interpolation> = 2

<OpenGL.Upscaling> = 2

<OpenGL.SingleWindow>

<OpenGL.Renderer>

<OpenGL.UpdateMode>

<OpenGL.SmoothMapScroll>

<OpenGL.SmoothHeroMove>

<OpenGL.Aspect>

<OpenGL.VSync>

<OpenGL.Benchmark> = 0

<OpenGL.ShowFPS> = 0

<OpenGL.Colors.HueSat>

<OpenGL.Colors.RgbInput>

<OpenGL.Colors.RedInput>

<OpenGL.Colors.GreenInput>

<OpenGL.Colors.BlueInput>

<OpenGL.Colors.RgbGamma>

<OpenGL.Colors.RedGamma>

<OpenGL.Colors.GreenGamma>

<OpenGL.Colors.BlueGamma>

<OpenGL.Colors.RgbOutput>

<OpenGL.Colors.RedOutput>

<OpenGL.Colors.GreenOutput>

<OpenGL.Colors.BlueOutput>

<Show Intro> = 1

<AppPath> = "F:\Games\HoMM 3 Complete\"

<Music Volume> = 7

<Sound Volume> = 5

<Last Music Volume> = 7

<Last Sound Volume> = 5

<Walk Speed> = 3

<Computer Walk Speed> = 3

<Show Route> = 1

<Move Reminder> = 1

<Quick Combat> = 0

<Video Subtitles> = 1

<Town Outlines> = 1

<Animate SpellBook> = 1

<Window Scroll Speed> = 1

<Bink Video> = 0

<Blackout Computer> = 0

<First Time> = 0

<Test Decomp> = 0

<Test Read> = 0

<Test Blit> = 0

<Unique System ID> = "LCW"

<Network Default Name> = "Player"

<Autosave> = 1

<Show Combat Grid> = 1

<Show Combat Mouse Hex> = 1

<Combat Shade Level> = 1

<Combat Army Info Level> = 1

<Combat Auto Creatures> = 1

<Combat Auto Spells> = 0

<Combat Catapult> = 1

<Combat Ballista> = 1

<Combat First Aid Tent> = 1

<Combat Speed> = 2

<Main Game Show Menu> = 1

<Main Game X> = 0

<Main Game Y> = 0

<Main Game Full Screen> = 1

<CDDrive>

<Graphics.AdvMap.Threads> = -1

<Graphics.AdvMap.ShowFPS> = 0

<HD.QuickCombat> = 0
}

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
{
'Windows 10 Enterprise' '6.3' '19041.vb_release.191206-1406'
}

GetVersionEx { 6.2.9200 () 0x100-0x1 }

Some ingame values
{
FullScreen Mode = 1
Game Type = 0
Network Game = 0

Me: 0
Active Player: 0
Day = 2 23
Map file = test.h3m
Last RMG Seed = 0
}

First, I'd like to thank you for your thorough, detailed description of the issue and what you've done so far to correct it. Alas, I haven't used Windows in almost twenty years, so the amount of help I can give you is very limited. However, I do remember enough to have two suggestions for you. First, have you run scandisk, and if so, did it report any errors? Second, have you run defrag as things can get messed up as the result of a crash, and defrag can sometimes clean things up. And, a question: have you had trouble with anything else on your computer since the crash?