Range Check Error when starting program.

Question

I recently upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 10 and now I get a "Range Check Error" when I try and run Hong Kong Mahjong. I attempted to change the compatibility mode to several different settings and I even reinstalled the application from the CD. Nothing works. How can I fix this error?

Answer 1

This is a compatibility issue which means the software's code hasn't been adjusted to work on higher versions of Windows (eg. Windows 10). If compatibility tweaks didn't work, then you will need a new and updated version that is Windows 10 compatible, or you could install Windows 7 or XP through virtualization and then play the game.

For virtualization, you could use VirtualBox: https://www.virtualbox.org/

I've also checked the developer's website and it appears that the game has been discontinued starting this year.

Answer 2

I came across the same issue with Hong Kong Mahjong. Managed to cure it by following the advice given in this Microsoft post:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-nz/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

It seems another programme or "service" (they are two separate things), which automatically starts when Windows is turned on, is clashing with Hong Kong Mahjong. The Microsoft advice essentially tells you how to turn them off sequentially (there are a lot of them) to find out which one might be causing the clash. The most relevant part of the advice is under the heading, "How to determine what is causing the problem by performing a clean boot".