UPDATE - MAX and DRF file corruption caused by recent Microsoft Windows Updates

[Anonymous]

FYI - As many of you are already
aware, the scope of the MAX and DRF file corruption issue has expanded and now
affects operating systems other than Windows 2000.  We are working to
update our existing solution on this topic,
href="http://support.autodesk.com/getdoc.asp?id=TS81105">TS81105, with the
latest available information.  In the mean time, here is a draft of the
revised content of this solution:

Autodesk has confirmed that Microsoft Hotfix
823980, which is contained in the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, causes the
corruption of MAX and DRF files resulting in the inability to open MAX or DRF
files that were saved after either of these Microsoft Windows Updates had been
installed.  The following Autodesk products are affected by this
issue:
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2004
Autodesk® Building Systems
2004
Autodesk® VIZ 4
3D Studio VIZ® R3i
3D Studio VIZ®
R3
 
The following operating system configurations will experience
MAX and DRF file corruption:
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows 2000
Service Pack 3 or lower + Microsoft Hotfix 823980
Windows XP Professional +
Microsoft Hotfix 823980
Windows XP Home Edition + Microsoft Hotfix
823980
Windows NT 4.0 + Microsoft Hotfix 823980

Autodesk is working with Microsoft  to
identify a resolution for this issue.  Until a resolution is identified,
Autodesk recommends the following temporary instructions to return affected
systems to normal operation.
 
Temporary Instructions for
Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 Configurations
If you have installed
the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980, Autodesk recommends that you uninstall this
Hotfix, which will allow existing or recently saved/corrupted MAX and DRF files
to be opened without any errors.
 
To determine if you have installed
the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980, access your Add/Remove Programs dialog box
from the Windows Control Panel.  If this Hotfix has been installed, there
will be an entry with a title similar to "Windows Hotfix 823980".  To
uninstall this Hotfix, select the "Windows Hotfix 823980" entry and click
Remove.
 
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you
back-up any critical data before uninstalling Microsoft Windows Hotfix
823980.
 
IMPORTANT: In all cases, you should
disable automatic windows updates through WinUpdate to eliminate the possibility
of inadvertently reinstalling the Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 before the new
Microsoft Windows Hotfix becomes
available.
 
 
Temporary Instructions for Windows
2000 Service Pack 4 Configurations

Method #1
1. Uninstall the
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.
2. Use the Merge command, located on the File
menu, to retrieve data from the corrupted MAX or DRF files and then save the
files.
 
NOTE: If you have Render Effects or
Atmospherics in your MAX or DRF file, use the Merge button in the respective
dialog boxes.
 
IMPORTANT: Some data may be lost
if you use this method to work around this issue and Autodesk recommends that
you retain original copies of any corrupted MAX or DRF files until a final
resolution to this issue is identified.
 
 
Method
#2
1. Uninstall the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.
2. Open the
corrupted MAX or DRF files from a Windows XP system that does not have the
Microsoft Windows Hotfix 823980 installed.
3. Save the files and return the
files to the system on which the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 has been
uninstalled.

NOTE: It is highly recommended
that you back-up any critical data before uninstalling the Windows 2000 Service
Pack 4.

As soon as a fix is
available, we will update
href="http://support.autodesk.com/getdoc.asp?id=TS81105">TS81105
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2> to include details on the final
resolution.

Tony Michniewicz
Autodesk
Professional Services