Resolving Clone Hero Crashes: A Guide to Fixing msmpeg2vdec.dll Issues

If you or your child are experiencing frustrating crashes while playing Clone Hero, you’re not alone—many gamers encounter similar issues. Recently, my son’s gaming sessions have been abruptly interrupted, sending him back to the desktop without any error messages. After investigating the situation, it seems that the underlying problem may be linked to a specific DLL file: msmpeg2vdec.dll.

Diagnosing the Problem

Upon delving into the Event Viewer, I discovered that each crash corresponded with references to this particular DLL file. If your computer recently faced a significant virus infection like my son’s, it’s possible that the file was corrupted during that time, leading to these unexplained crashes.

Here’s an excerpt from the Event Viewer that shed light on the issue:

“`
– System

Provider [Name] Application Error
EventID 1000
Level 2
TimeCreated [SystemTime] 2020-02-15T06:13:09.757659200Z
EventData
CloneHero.exe 2018.3.11.25377 msmpeg2vdec.dll 10.0.18362.592
“`
This record indicates that Clone Hero’s executable is encountering issues directly related to the msmpeg2vdec.dll file during gameplay.

Seeking Solutions

When searching for fixes, it’s tempting to explore websites that advertise “free DLL downloads.” However, caution is crucial here; downloading DLL files from untrustworthy sources can lead to further complications. Instead of risking your system’s integrity, consider these safer alternatives:

Reinstall the Game: Sometimes, simply reinstalling Clone Hero can restore missing or corrupted files, including dependent DLLs.
Windows Update: Ensure your operating system is fully updated. Updates can repair or replace corrupted system files.
System File Checker: Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool on your Windows PC. This built-in utility scans for corrupt files and attempts to repair them. To do this:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Restore from Backup: If you have a restore point set before the virus infection, consider restoring your system to that state.
Seek Professional Help: If the above methods do not resolve the issue