Common Errors with the Game Maker Program and their Possible Solutions

This topic lists some common errors users have been getting when trying to use Game Maker and provides some possible solutions. If the solution offered doesn't fix your problem, or the error you are getting isn't listed, contact the YYG HelpDesk or Softwrap. If they solve your problem, please post the error and solution here so that we can add it to the list. Be sure to mention what OS you use.

If you see any errors in this FAQ, please make a post with a correction.

Remember, this topic is for errors that occur when trying to run Game Maker, not for errors you get while trying to make your game.




Error 1 : Failed to set data for "

Solution 1a : If you are using Windows Vista, right-click on the shortcut to Game Maker and select "Run as an administrator".

Thanks to Scepheo


Solution 1b : If you are using Windows Vista, turn off UAC.




Error 2 : The dynamic link library d3d8.dll could not be found in the specified path.

Solution 2 : Click on the Start menu and select Run .... Type in "dxdiag" and hit enter. In the new window, check the "DirectX version" near the bottom. If it isn't "DirectX 8" or higher, you need to update your version of DirectX.




Error 3 : The current system time is set to before the last time this program was run, which is impossible. This interferes with Softwrap's date mechanisms.

Solution 3 : Try deleting the following folder ...

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Softwrap\YOYOGAMESGM70FINAL

The easiest way to do this is go to Start -> Run and type:

"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Softwrap"

Then hit the Enter and delete the folder named "YOYOGAMESGM70FINAL".

Thanks to Bobserge

Quote
Error 1 : Failed to set data for "

Solution 1a : If you are using Windows Vista, find the gamemaker.exe file in the directory in which you installed Game Maker. Right-click on it and select "Run as an administrator".


There is no need to find the gamemaker.exe file, you can also right-click on the shortcut, it will have the same effect.

Changed. Thanks for the correction.

You're welcome ^_^

If you have some sort of activation error that isn't related to errors such as "You have
already activated this license." and uninstalling and reinstalling Game Maker
doesn't work (e.g. you set your clock to 2009 when you activated Game Maker),
you should try deleting this directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Softwrap\YOYOGAMESGM70FINAL

The easiest way to do this is go to Start>Run and type:

"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Softwrap"

Then hit the ENTER and delete the folder named "YOYOGAMESGM70FINAL".

Bobserge, is there any chance you know the exact error message that shows up when you mess around with the computer's date?

QuoteError 1 : Failed to set data for "

Solution 1a : If you are using Windows Vista, right-click on the shortcut to Game Maker and select "Run as an administrator".

Solution 1b : If you are using Windows Vista, turn off UAC.

Can you specify what UAC is or how to turn it off?

I can't, as I don't use Vista. But these guys can.

QuoteBobserge, is there any chance you know the exact error message that shows up when you mess around with the computer's date?
I suggested that manny cave do it in this topic, and it worked.

I have a problem regarding an error I get when changing my game's icon. I save my file (picture I want to use) as an icon (.ico), and at 32 by 32, however, it STILL says only 32 by 32 icons are supported. Is there a fix?

Renaming a picture file to *.ico does not make it an icon. That's the same as trying to turn a document into a PDF by renaming the *.doc file to *.pdf. It doesn't work like that.

Search the internet for icon creation programs. There are many freeware icon creators out there. Create your icon with one of those programs.

YAY!!! NO MORE SOFTWRAP ERROR!! I found another solution too, you can set you computer's clock to one day after the date shown, open game maker, then set the date back. That's what i had to do, but not anymore! YAY

softwrap file error3 and error:inconsistent files


cany any1 help me figure out why i can't get mine to start up....i installed it and everything..and this is what i get when i try to run it....help?

im usin xp home ed I Had softwrap annoying me i just wen start-search and typed softwrap a folder will come up called softwrap go into it for gm7 it has a folder similer to the name of the progam delete that folder and then softwrap wont give you any more errors or stuff

Game Maker reverted on me several times but I realized it only happened to me when I clicked on an old .gm6 file. I was wondering if the same thing happened to any of you.

Failed to initialize direct music audio.

Happens everytime play the game and freezes the game if i have any sound on it.

QuoteRenaming a picture file to *.ico does not make it an icon. That's the same as trying to turn a document into a PDF by renaming the *.doc file to *.pdf. It doesn't work like that.

Search the internet for icon creation programs. There are many freeware icon creators out there. Create your icon with one of those programs.

Actually,
If you take an image, and you open it in MSPaint.
Ensure it's dimensions are 32x32, 16x16, or a standard Icon Size.
File > Save As > set it to 24-Bit Bitmap, then save it as your filename.ico

It will save it as a useable ICO File.


But it only works with Icons, not PDF or DOC lol

I think that's because an icon file IS a standard bitmap, like the logo.sys files in Windows. If people would convert their icons to bitmaps before renaming them, they probably wouldn't have these problems.

QuoteActually,
If you take an image, and you open it in MSPaint.
Ensure it's dimensions are 32x32, 16x16, or a standard Icon Size.
File > Save As > set it to 24-Bit Bitmap, then save it as your filename.ico

It will save it as a useable ICO File.


But it only works with Icons, not PDF or DOC lol

it wont work for me?
did exactly what you said. wont work...

Whenever i play ANY game made with gamemaker and it uses plays an MP3
it sais: "An unexpected error has occured while running the game. "and if i try to play an mp3 in GM's sound resource window it sais: "Cannot determine the device type from the given filename extension."

QuoteQuoteActually,
If you take an image, and you open it in MSPaint.
Ensure it's dimensions are 32x32, 16x16, or a standard Icon Size.
File > Save As > set it to 24-Bit Bitmap, then save it as your filename.ico

It will save it as a useable ICO File.


But it only works with Icons, not PDF or DOC lol

it wont work for me?
did exactly what you said. wont work...

Whoever came up with this theory is an idoiot.
Windows Icons are a totaly different codec than bitmaps.
It's just that you can use bitmaps named as anything as an icon in shortcuts only.
If you actually try to open an REAL icon in MSpaint, it will freak out and say error stuff.
If you want to create an icon, download irfanview or something and convert it to "ico" format.

If you want Irfanview v4.1, it's on my site

I'd like to point something out on the:
Error 1 : Failed to set data for "
I don't know if it's just a problem for me or not, but if you right-click and click on adminstrator, when you try to play a game-file, it will say the game-file is corrupted and crash.