Two primary triggers can cause the "Entry Point Not Found" error to appear in 3D Studio Max version 5.1 and above: backburner service incompatibility and object enablers. These program extras do not always work compatibly with 3D Studio Max and may bring your work flow to a halt if you don’t know how to resolve the resulting conflicts as they occur.
Error Message
- The "3dsmax.exe - Entry Point Not Found" error occurs primarily when a conflict arises between Autodesk's 3D Studio Max and an association process known as the backburner service. This service runs in the background by default, but it may not work correctly with patched versions of 3D Studio Max 5.1 or higher. You may also see this error message at startup if a corrupt object enabler is installed in your Autodesk directory.
Backburner Service
- The backburner service facilitates cooperative rendering between two or more computers on a network. With backburner, you can continue working in any Autodesk program while any drawings or 3D models that you or your associates have completed are being rendered in the background. This networked approach limits the load on any one computer and drastically reduces the amount of time required to render a 3D image. You can locate the backburner service using the Microsoft Configuration Utility.
Deactivating the Backburner Service
- To solve compatibility issues between 3D Studio Max and the backburner service, you must deactivate the service, uninstall and reinstall 3D Studio Max through the Control Panel, and then reactivate the backburner service. To deactivate backburner, click "Start," right-click "Computer" and then click "Manage." Click the arrow to the left of "Services and Applications," then double-click the "Services" entry that appears. Scroll down the list of services to “Backburner.” Right-click on this entry and click "Properties." Click the "Startup Type" checkbox and change it from "Automatic" to "Manual." Reverse this action once you have reinstalled 3D Studio Max.
Object Enablers
- Object enablers are small, stand-alone programs that you use to open files native to one Autodesk program in a different Autodesk application. They eliminate the need to have both Autodesk apps installed on the same computer. Occasionally, however, enablers can become corrupt or out of date, causing an "Entry Point Not Found" error at startup. To fix this issue, simply reinstall the enabler through the Control Panel. This time, however, install the enabler to a location other than the Autodesk directory by clicking the "Browse" button on the directory selection screen. This will prevent the enabler from affecting Autodesk if the file becomes corrupt.
