Games: Error Message: A Debugger Has Been Detected: Unload the Debugger and Try Again

Article ID: 812759 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

When you try to start any of the games listed in the "Applies To" section, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:
A debugger has been detected: unload the debugger and try again
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CAUSE

This issue may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:
  • There are programs (such as an antivirus program or debugging software) that run in the background and that interfere with the game startup process.
  • Your sound card or sound card drivers are outdated.
  • The Creative Audigy sound card is installed in your computer. This sound card may conflict with the game startup process.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order that they appear.

Note Method 4 and Method 5 assume that you have the Creative Audigy sound card installed.

Method 1: Rename the Amdfix.sys file

  1. Click Start, and then click Search.
  2. In the All or Part of the File Name box, type amdfix.sys.
  3. Click Search Now.
  4. In the search results list, right-click Amdfix.sys, click rename, and then rename the file as Amdfix.sys.old.
  5. Restart your computer.
If this does not resolve the issue, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure

When you start Microsoft Windows, typically there are a number of programs that start automatically and run in the background that may interfere with the game. These programs may include antivirus and system utility programs. When you perform a clean boot, you prevent these programs from starting automatically. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

To restart your computer by using a clean boot procedure, follow these steps when you are using Windows XP.

Note You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may result in the return of the original error message or behavior.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
  3. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the following check boxes:
    • Process SYSTEM.INI File
    • Process WIN.INI File
    • Load Startup Items
  4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
  5. Click OK, and then click Restart.
To clean boot your computer, click the Play button to view the streaming media demonstration.
To return to a normal startup after you clean boot your computer, click the Play button to view the streaming media demonstration.
For additional information or to view steps for other operating systems, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
331796
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796/ )
Games: How to perform a clean boot to prevent background programs from interfering with game play
If this does not resolve the issue, go to Method 3.

Method 3: Update the sound card drivers

Contact your audio hardware manufacturer to obtain and install the latest version of the driver for your sound card. For information about how to contact the manufacturer of the sound card, see the "References" section. Or, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site to determine whether applicable driver updates are available:
http://update.microsoft.com
(http://update.microsoft.com)
Click the Play button to view this streaming media demonstration.
If this does not resolve the issue, go to Method 4.

Method 4: Disable the Creative Welcome menu

  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Sound Blaster Audigy, and then click Welcome Menu.
  2. Click to select the Do not show this again check box, and then click Close.
If this does not resolve the issue, go to Method 5.

Method 5: Configure Audigy in the System Configuration Utility

  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. In the System Configuration Utility window, click the Startup tab.
  3. Click to clear each Audigy-related check box, and then click OK.
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REFERENCES

For information about how to contact your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors
(http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors)
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
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Properties

Article ID: 812759 - Last Review: September 28, 2011 - Revision: 15.0
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition
  • Microsoft Age of Mythology
  • Microsoft Age of Mythology Gold
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  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
  • Microsoft Freelancer
  • Microsoft Halo: Combat Evolved for PC
  • Microsoft Links 2003
  • Microsoft MechCommander 2
  • Microsoft RalliSport Challenge PC
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots
Keywords: 
dftsdahomeportal kbsound kbhardware kbconfig kbhowto kbarttypeshowme kberrmsg kbprb KB812759
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