Error: eDrawings Has Stopped Working

When opening a file in eDrawings an error may occur "eDrawing has stopped working' and crashes.  This can occur frequently on systems that use AMD Graphics Cards installed. It is also possible that this can occur after a reinstall of eDrawings on a machine.  Other errors that may occur indicate a "LoadLibrary failed with error 87-parameter is incorrect" when after loading eDrawings and opening a file. 

This article covers what can be done when eDrawings stops working and crashes. 

Checking the Windows Event Viewer Log

The Windows Event Viewer application log can record instances of eDrawings crashing.  Within the Windows Application Event Log, there may be application errors followed by a .NET error.  Check the application errors for a reference to the atig6pxx.dll file and eDrawings executable.  Open the Windows Viewer using the following steps. 

1. From the Windows Search or Start Menu type Control Panel.
2. Select and click on the 'System and Security' icon in the Control Panel.
3. Select and click on the 'Administrative Tools' icon.
4. Open the 'Event Viewer' by double-clicking the icon.

The Windows Event Viewer log does have the ability to use a filter.  Using a filter is recommended as it will help isolate errors that are associated with eDrawings. The following instructions can be used to add a filter to either the Windows Application or System Event logs.

1. Select the 'Filter Current Log' Icon located on the right menu window of the Event Viewer.
2. From the 'Logged:' drop-down menu select 7 days, 30 days, or 24 hours when the error occurred.
3. Select 'Critical' and 'Warning' from the 'Event Level' menu option.
4. Optionally an event source can be selected from the 'Event Sources' menu option.
   
5. Click the 'OK' button to save changes for the Event Viewer filter. 

Restarting eDrawings in Software OpenGL Mode

After a crash occurs, restart eDrawings in OpenGL Software mode.  This mode can help determine if the issue is related to a graphics card driver. After Open GL mode is set in the eDrawings settings, restart the program and confirm if the crash occurs again when opening a file.  Depending on the version of eDrawings, 'Software OpenGL Mode' may not be available. 

1. Open eDrawings and select the 'Tools' menu from the command bar.
2. Select 'Options' from the 'Tools' menu. 
3. Check the box that is labeled 'Use software Open GL.'
4. Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the 'Options' menu to save changes.
5. Restart eDrawings and Open a file to confirm if the crash occurs again. 

How to Reset the Graphics Driver File 

Depending on the machine, some may have an AMD graphics card installed.  The instructions are for resetting the graphics card driver file if a .dll error occurs in the Windows Event Viewer application log. Before resetting the driver file, please close all open applications.

1. Open a Windows® Explorer window and locate the file ‘atig6pxx.dll’. The default location of the file is in the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
   
2. Right-click on the file > Rename > add the “.bak” file extension at the end of the file name. The new file name becomes ‘atig6pxx.dll.bak’
3. Close Windows Explorer and run the SOLIDWORKS® software or eDrawings
4. Launch eDrawings and open a file to confirm if the issue is resolved

Note:  If the above instructions do not work upgrade the AMD graphics driver which should replace the problematic .dll file. 

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.