Re: C7 Error after all this time

open a command prompt as administrator 

so windows key and type cmd , command prompt should be listed , right mouse click and select run as administrator 

type in the command prompt

sfc /scannow and press enter

see what tha tcomes back with

the atkexcmd is realtek sound, what is the exact motherboard model ?

doing the scan now

Motherboard is a 

Maximus VIII Hero

160882531600014

The scan said

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

@IHATEYOUSE

Once  the scan is done 

press the windows key and type services  and select services (desktop app) in the services look for a service called asComSvc

if it is there disable it and then restart the PC and see if any affect on that error appearing, this should actually not have any affect on the sound.

I don't see that service in there.

@IHATEYOUSE

The last asus sound drivers can be found at this link  

try a install of Version 6.0.1.8158  and see if windows update tries to update it again later, interested to see if installing that version has any affect.

@IHATEYOUSE

Also just came across this post  could try the same thing , seems some delete that file to resolve it on windows 10

Okay, so I uninstalled the Realtek stuff that was there and restarted and before I could install that update Windows seemed to update it and wanted another restart. 

There is no Realtek install still and SWTOR didn't work still. I am installing the new Realtek stuff now

@IHATEYOUSE

From what i can gatehr they go to C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA and delete the ATKEX_cmd.exe to stop the error on windows 10.

unsure what this exe file is used for unfortunately, so may be best to cut and paste that exe file to a temp folder or onto the desktop in case you want to put it back later.

When you ran the dxdiag was there any issues listed in the tabs ?

Realtek installer is stuck in a bit of a loop trying to uninstall its cold components I think.

No errors in the DxDiag tabs that I can see. It looks like everything is loading that should. Unless I'm just not seeing something.

If this installer finishes I will try and move that file.

@IHATEYOUSE

Something is wonky with the sound driver that is for sure, Can try the following too to remove the old realtek drivers

Right-Click on start button> click device manager> expand sound video and game controllers>then select the sound drivers and right-click on it and uninstall the audio drivers. Then check the box delete the software for this device

I tried that, but upon trying to install Realtek again after a reboot, it has issues and wants to keep rebooting...its like it can't completely uninstall or something. 

@IHATEYOUSE

i guess worst case boot into safe mode and try to remove the drivers there ?

@IHATEYOUSE

Another thing to try is press the windows key and type %temp%  the realtek installer is likely there , if unsure could delete everything there

Finally got it to install and have moved the ATKEX_cmd.exe out of the folder

It may correct the warnings, but still not able to start SWTOR unfortunately.

Got to head to bed for a bit. Need to be up in about 4 hours.

Thanks a lot for doing everything you can to help. I'm worried that my card is messed up as nothing seems to be working...and that is super depressing.

I do appreciate the help though.

@IHATEYOUSE

Welcome, somethings for tomorrow

Have you tried using the repair utility at this link  and you have tried the clean boot linked previously

Also in the game folder is a log folder if you can attach the latest launcher log and if you go into the bitraider folder, attach the file called swtor_swtor

I have not tried the clean boot, but will have to try later today.

I will try the repair link, but it now does seem that other things are not seeing graphics settings as well, so I wonder if it has anything to do with SWTOR itself.

I have attached the two files you mention.

Ok, I just tried a Clean Boot. I was hopeful as things seemed better. Everything was a bit more snappy, Epic Games launcher worked to launch Fortnite.

Then I tried to run SWTOR, but I couldn't get it past the checking/updating part of the launcher (I'm guessing it has something to do with BitRaider?).

I navigated to Steam and tried to open a game there and got the same D3D error I had received last night...so I'm guessing SWTOR would have also given the error. 

I did notice that my launcher.settings file for SWTOR looked very cut-off...like it ends past ", "bitraider_disable": false"...pretty sure I remember lines past that with some of the other tweaks I have tried before reinstalling SWTOR. Even with that I'm guessing it would repair itself upon a launcher checking for updates, etc(?).

What does the clean boot tell us then? Does that mean its hardware? or does that just mean that it isn't a startup program that is causing interference?

Any new ideas or did you learn anything from the files I attached?

I'm considering a Windows reinstall, but I'm guessing if I do it I should do a total clean one and backup everything first. Thoughts?

Also, if I do go that route, should i download and store some drivers I will need to install on a USB?

Thanks for whatever help you can continue to give. Stressing out about having to replace this video card tbh and its weird that I am still able to work all day in Adobe and not really have issues, but maybe its not using the crucial pieces of that card in the same way.

I just tried some Performance measurement through Windows 10 and the Powershell. It seems to recognize and score some of the things software is having problems with, but not sure this test is worth anything either. It makes me think that at least my card is ok...maybe.

I had a thought. The games that brought this to attention (SWTOR and Ring of Elysium -via Steam) are both on my secondary SSD and the game that can start (Fortnite) is on the main SSD. Could that potentially be the issue?

@IHATEYOUSE

When you did the directx i gather it was using the web installer ? can you see if this redist will install ok

you can try a repair install which keeps all user settings etc you should just lose windows updates , directions are at this link

I used the link for redist and it installed some things it seems. I then tried to start SWTOR and it verified (which I thought was odd since I do not believe I changed anything in the directory today), but it still failed with same error. 

I have went through tonight and backed up all the files from this computer. I potentially could do a full, clean install of windows, but I'm still a bit worried that it is possibly just the video card, but I just don't know.

@IHATEYOUSE

Hard to say short of trying that card in another system first , however the doesnt appear to be any reports indicating an issue with the hardware, in reality apart from the diretcx error still occuring there isnt even a report of it in the reliability monitor ?

Yeah, its been a hair pulling experience as it doesn't make much sense.

What I do know is that there was a Windows update and a Nvidia update I believe that same night (2 nights ago or so)...and also Adobe had updated all their stuff that week I believe (which had some problems with file associations not working and not being able to change which program should open a few of their file types).

And then SWTOR had the error.

Uninstalling the Windows update that had happened didn't seem to work.

Reinstalling the Nvidia drivers or rolling them back didn't either.

I would have thought one of those two things were the culprit tbh...but nada.

@IHATEYOUSE

If you prefer the inplace repair i linked earlier will keep your settings and files is a good thing prior to wiping in my view

Also have you tried creating a new windows administrator account ? and try launching the game in the new windows profile.

I am running a 6700k on a maximus viii extreme board , and windows updates hasnt caused any issues (touch wood)