PI10 - combo.dll issue crash

[zts]

problem description:
PI10 (with the latest updates) crashes on start every time with an error message implicating "combo.dll"

computer:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
RAM: 1.25GB
Windows XP SP2 Pro
Video: AGP NVIDIA GeForce 5200 256MB
Note 1: no other apps have problem (Ulead PhotoExplorer, GIF Animator, Cool 360, Photoshop CS, MS Office, etc.)
Note 2: system disk is "F:" (there is no fixed C: disk on this machine) -- so system required files for PI are loaded in F: and the rest to H: disk)

workaround:
this works every time without a glitch -- if I load "combo.dll" file to a USB thumb drive and assign letter C: to the drive, PI10 works with no problems -- (so it seems PI is searching for combo.dll on C: drive rather than finding combo.dll in PI10 folder where it actually should be and it is)

I installed, uninstalled, and reinstalled PI10 but always the same error (retail box PI with all updates installed)). I've been using PI since v.3 and rarely encountered puzzles like this one. i'd appreciate any help in eliminating the need to use thumb drive just for one dll file and just for PI10. thanks.

[VT Photog]

If you are familiar with DOS, you could redirect your PI shortcut to a batch file which would assign C: to F:.
Contact tech support anyway, as it seems unlikely you are the only one with the problem.

brian

[zts]

If you are familiar with DOS, you could redirect your PI shortcut to a batch file which would assign C: to F:.
Contact tech support anyway, as it seems unlikely you are the only one with the problem.

brian

Thanks, Brian. I could possibly do the DOS part, but as you suggested I filled out the tech support form with Ulead to see if they have a solution in works.

[zts]

Well, I haven't received a word (yet) from Ulead support, but I analyzed this problem in more detail ... and have to correct myself (to possibly benefit others with somewhat unusual computer configurations where no C: drive is present or no C: is assigned to any hard disk):

- the initial error (only the first time when you start PI10) implicates "mfc42.dll" and every consequent error is "combo.dll" -- PI10 crashes right on the start every time

- I said before that loading combo.dll on a USB thumb drive and assigning letter C: to it resolves the problem. However, upon further testing, the loading of combo.dll on "C: drive" is not necessary -- in fact any formatted disk, blank or used (firewire, USB, local hard disk) with assigned C: letter will do the trick and PI10 works with no problems. It appears that PI10 itself requires a drive in that C: position. My personal solution was to assign C: letter to a blank, formatted hard disk and PI10 works fine.

Hopefully this will help others with this problem.