Most of the time, when I start Point Blank (the game), I got these:


PointBlank.exe caused ACCESS_VIOLATION in module "E:\Point Blank\PointBlank.exe" at 001B:00000000.


Or:

PointBlank.exe caused ACCESS_VIOLATION in module "E:\Point Blank\i3FrameworkDx.dll" at 001B:00B57217, i3Framework::JumpStage()+135 byte(s)


Or:

PointBlank.exe caused ACCESS_VIOLATION in module "E:\Point Blank\i3MathDx.dll" at 001B:0035682E, i3TransformSourceBind::i3TransformSourceBind()+147131 byte(s)


I’m using Windows 7 64bit, 4 GB RAM, 128 bit – 512 MB VGA on PCIe.

Sometimes, this can be remedied by choosing “Run as administrator” option at mouse right click menu. But, most of the times, it’s not.

I’ve searched everywhere to remedy this issue, but no luck – not even in their own forums. After extensive trial-and-error, I found that Point Blank is not compatible with Windows 7 desktop composition feature. This probably happens in Windows Vista too (exclude Windows Vista Starter edition I think).

What is desktop composition anyway?
According to Microsoft page, desktop composition feature, introduced in Windows Vista, fundamentally changed the way applications display pixels on the screen. When desktop composition is enabled, individual windows no longer draw directly to the screen or primary display device as they did in previous versions of Windows. Instead, their drawing is redirected to off-screen surfaces in video memory, which are then rendered into a desktop image and presented on the display. Desktop composition is performed by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). Through desktop composition, DWM enables visual effects on the desktop as well as various features such as glass window frames, 3-D window transition animations, Windows Flip and Windows Flip3D, and high resolution support. Ref: Microsoft

Now, to disable the desktop composition feature:
Navigate to the “PBLauncher.exe” file >> right click >> Properties >> Compatibilty tab >> check the following (see also the screenshot below):
– “Disable visual themes”
– “Disable desktop composition”
– “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings”
– “Run this program as an administrator” [*]
>> click “Apply” >> click “OK”.

You are done. Enjoy the game and do not cheat.

[*] On some cases this can also remedy the ACCESS_VIOLATION error