I don't know anything about coding or how to understand this (below) but it shows what happened when I did what you suggested. Can you look at it and give further advice (programme still shutting down -same error as earlier)
Thank you
PS
in the attachment is all the stuff I saw in the MAXscript listener
First line says
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\CustomAttributes.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\holdSysMon_stub.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\Material_PBR_MetalRough.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\Material_PBR_SpecGloss.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\OSLHelpers.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\ProceduralContent.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\uvchecker_override_material.ms"
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2021\scripts\startup\ValidateSceneRefHierarchy_stub.ms"
OK
second says
OK
Third says
unitsChange:
id:#PhysXUnitChange, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxUnitsChange()"
spacemodeChange:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_stopSimulationForEditing()"
systemPreReset:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_systemPreReset()"
systemPostReset:
id:#PhysXToolPanel, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxPanelClose()"
id:#vfb_rollouts, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"VFB_methods_struct.Reset()"
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_systemPostReset()"
systemPreNew:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_systemPreNew()"
systemPostNew:
id:#vfb_rollouts, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"VFB_methods_struct.Reset()"
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_systemPostNew()"
filePreOpen:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_filePreOpen()"
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.scenePreOpen()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.scenePreOpen()"
id:#CRP_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::CRP_SecurityTool.m_in_file_open = true;::CRP_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#ADSL_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ADSL_SecurityTool.m_in_file_open = true;::ADSL_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.scenePreOpen()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.scenePreOpen()"
filePostOpen:
id:#PhysXPluginRagdoll, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxRagFilePostOpen()"
id:#vfb_rollouts, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if (callbacks.notificationParam() !=2) do VFB_methods_struct.Reset()"
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_filePostOpen()"
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#Substance2Module_callback, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"_pycallbk_filePostOpen()"
filePreMerge:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#CRP_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::CRP_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#ADSL_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ADSL_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.register_post_load_check()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.scenePreMerge()"
filePostMerge:
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.scenePostMerge()"
filePreSave:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_filePreSave()"
selectionSetChanged:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_selectionChangedDirty()"
preRender:
id:#Substance2Module_callback, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"_pycallbk_preRender()"
preRenderFrame:
id:#Substance2Module_callback, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"_pycallbk_preRenderFrame()"
postRender:
id:#Substance2Module_callback, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"_pycallbk_postRender()"
sceneNodeAdded:
id:#PhsyXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_syncRagdollList()"
preSystemShutdown:
persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"saveCurrentPathConfigFile()"
id:#CATUtils, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"CAT_OnMaxShutdown()"
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_systemPreShutdown()"
postSystemStartup:
persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"loadCurrentPathConfigFile()"
id:#MassFX, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"with undo off nvpx_post_system_startup()"
sceneUndo:
id:#PhysXToolPanel, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxPanelUndo()"
sceneRedo:
id:#PhysXToolPanel, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxPanelUndo()"
preModifierAdded:
id:#PhysXModRB, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxModRBPreAdded()"
id:#ApexClothingModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxApexModifierPreAdded()"
id:#MassFXClothModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxClothModifierPreAdded()"
postModifierAdded:
id:#PhysXModRB, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxModRBPostAdded()"
id:#ApexClothingModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxApexModifierPostAdded()"
id:#MassFXClothModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxClothModifierPostAdded()"
preModifierDeleted:
id:#PhysXModRB, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxModRBPreDelete()"
id:#ApexClothingModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxApexModifierPreDelete()"
id:#MassFXClothModifier, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxClothModifierPreDelete()"
postNodesCloned:
id:#PhysXModRB, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"PxModRBCloneHappend()"
postRendererChange:
id:#vfb_rollouts, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"VFB_methods.VFB_ResetRollouts()"
id:#Substance2Module_callback, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"_pycallbk_postRendererChange()"
objectXrefPreMerge:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.objectXrefPreMerge()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.objectXrefPreMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.objectXrefPreMerge()"
objectXrefPostMerge:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.objectXrefPostMerge()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.objectXrefPostMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.objectXrefPostMerge()"
preNodeBonePropChanged:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_stopSimulationForEditing()"
preNodeGeneralPropChanged:
id:#PhysXPlugin, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"px_stopSimulationForEditing()"
sceneXrefPostMerge:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPostMerge()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPostMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPostMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.XrefScenePostMerge()"
sceneXrefPreMerge:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPreMerge()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPreMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.sceneXrefPreMerge()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.XrefScenePreMerge()"
filePreOpenProcess:
persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"autoProjectSwitcherOnFilePreOpen()"
id:#pcPreFileOpen, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"ProceduralContentOps.OnPreFileOpen()"
filePreSaveProcess:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
id:#CRP_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::CRP_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
id:#ADSL_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ADSL_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool_presave, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.maybe_pre_save_check()"
preImageViewerDisplay:
id:#vfb_rollouts, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"VFB_methods.VFB_AddRollouts (callbacks.notificationParam())"
fileOpenFailed:
id:#ALC_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#ALC2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::ALC2_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::PhysXPluginMfx_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
id:#PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"if ::PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool != undefined do PhysXPluginMfx2_SecurityTool.scenePostOpen()"
preStartupScriptLoad:
id:#SecurityToolsStartup, persistent:false, SceneFileEmbedded:false, script:"::SecurityToolsStartup_instance.load_security_tools_scripts_check()"
OK