Trainz Technical and Operational Tips and Tricks

Detailed here are the likely issues you may come across whilst running Trainz, and the likely solutions. If I've missed any, let me know.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
CRC error when installing	Usually a CRC error appears when installing the game	If it is a download version, redownload the files. If it is a disc, try cleaning it.
Unable to find 'x.bin' when installing	An error appears during installation stating that it is unable to find a .bin file.	Make sure you have downloaded all files for that version.
Installed assets not appearing on in-game lists	When an asset is installed/changed or a setting is changed, it disappears/resets when game is reopened	Run the game as administrator - see http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tuto...-administrator for details
Asset appearing in weird colours	The asset appears in either multicoloured or plain black.	Texture Compression issue - see http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tuto...textures-issue for the fix.
Trainz will not start - error message related to a .dll file	When the Start button or the Content button is clicked, an error appears relating to D3DX9_42.dll or similar.	Update your DirectX - see my relevant sticky thread in the General Trainz forum for instructions
Patch fails to install	During patching, an error appears in red text and the message 'Patching Aborted' appears.	See http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tuto...atching-errors for advice on this. If the error appears after a Patching... message, a reinstall is required. Note that if the error is relating to DirectX, see the answer above.
Blue Screen of Death during patching	During the patching process on a Windows XP SP2 computer, a Blue Screen of Death appears.	Install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP.
Unable to launch Content Manager	Whilst attempting to load Content Manager, an error appears and it fails to load.	The usual reason for this is that the graphics card does not support OpenGL, or requires a driver update.
Error before the Launcher appears	An error appears between opening the shortcut, and the Launcher appears.	Open <trainz install folder>/Bin/Jetlog.txt, as this file will tell you what the problem is. You may need to force-close TADDaemon using Task Manager in order to do this.
Repeated database repairs on launch	'Updating Trainz Database' appears on most if not all launches.	This usually happens if less then 3-5 minutes (pre-TS12) or 1 minute (TS12) have elapsed between Trainz closing and the system being shut down.
The wrong version of Trainz launches when using trainz: links, or an error appears.	When clicking a link on the Download Station, either the wrong version of Content Manager loads, or an error appears.	Make sure Trainz is running as administrator. If it is, use my Trainz Protocol Changer available at http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tuto...otocol-changer.

Comments are appreciated as always, but please keep them polite.

Shane