MAX/VIZ plug-ins with Inventor

[Anonymous]

Microsoft FIX for max/VIZ File Corruption with Windows 2K/XP

Attention All 3ds max® and Autodesk® VIZ Customers,

SUBJECT: Interim FIX available for 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ (.max)
file corruption caused by recent Microsoft Windows Updates.

PROBLEM:

The Microsoft Hotfix 823980 which has been made available through
Windows Update to all Windows 2000 and XP operating systems and service
packs causes the corruption of 3ds max and Autodesk VIZ (.max) files.

As a result, all .max files saved with the Windows Hotfix 823980
installed will no longer load in 3ds max or Autodesk VIZ on systems without
the fix.

WHO IS AFFECTED:

The following operating systems configurations will experience 3ds max
and Autodesk VIZ file corruption:

Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Hotfix KB 823980 under XP
Hotfix KB 823980 under Win2K SP3 or lower

Note: we previously thought this problem extended to Windows NT 4
SP6 but have found under further testing that it does not affect users on
that Windows version.

RESOLUTION:

According to Microsoft, Hotfix 823980 addresses potential security
issues in its operating system. As such, if you anticipate picking up Hotfix
823980 some time in the future - either manually or via automatic Windows
updates through WinUpdate, you may consider updating to Hotfix 823980 now,
and ALSO IMMEDIATELY follow the instructions below for adding the latest
Hotfix described to address the .max file corruption issue.

For those of you who have updated to Hotfix 823980 or Windows 2000
Service Pack 4 and encounter the problem described above, Microsoft has a
new, early-version Hotfix available.

For access to this early Hotfix, customers can call 800-936-4900 and
request Hotfix - Q824136 for Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

You will be asked to provide your Name, Email and Zip Code, and then
the ~1Mb Hotfix will be sent to you via email attachment within about 10-15
minutes. The fix will only install if you have previously installed one of
the affected hotfixes or service packs listed above in the "Who is Affected"
section.

WARNING - be sure to back-up any critical data on your system before
installing the new MS Hotfix.

After installation of the new Hotfix Q824136, you should open and
resave any affected files.

This Hotfix is expected to be fully tested and officially released
through Microsoft within a couple of months.

This new Hotfix is also available for some localized language versions
of Windows. When requesting the Q824136 Hotfix, make sure to request the
language that matches your installation of Windows.

We are actively working with Microsoft to provide contact information
outside of the U.S. and Canada. Check the Discreet Product Support site at
http://www.discreet.com/support/max/, under Late Breaking Bulletins for
international contact information when it becomes available.

If you'd rather uninstall the Hotfix 823980, there are other
work-around instructions that were sent in the last customer alert, and are
also available through Discreet Product Support at
http://www.discreet.com/support/max/, look under Late Breaking Bulletins.

WARNING - be sure to back-up any critical data on your system before
installing the new MS Hotfix, or implementing any alternative work-arounds.

Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk, Discreet, 3ds max,
and VIZ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk
Inc/Autodesk Canada Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand
names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. (c)
Copyright 2003 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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