Please help, I have two problems:

I recently downloaded Visual Pinball Version 0.4.1930 and have encountered a peculiar problem. Every time I try to open Alien Reactor or Top Speed or create a New table I get this convoluted error message:

Debug Assertion Failed!

Program: C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL PINBALL\VPINBALL.EXE
File: D:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\ATL\INCLUDE\atlbase.h
Line: 622

Expression: p!=0

The message then instructs me to consult my Visual C++ Documentation, which is presumption since I have none. I also have no D:\ drive nor the program Microsoft Visual Studio. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Visual Pinball, but I have a feeling that the previous install placed a pointer in my registry which I have no idea how to get rid of now. I have tried updating to the most recent windows scripting files and have downloaded the Visual Basic files that many Pinball Emulation sites reccomend. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

The second problem (sorry, I know I am high maintenance) is one that I have seen others allude to but have found no satisfactory answer to. VpinMAME demands that I have the file MSSTDFMT.DLL or it will not run. Bending to VpinMAME's will, I downloaded this dll, but VpinMAME is a stubborn mistress and refuses to acknowledge the file's existance. I have even tried placing the dll in the VpinMAME directory instead of Windows\SYSTEM to help VpinMAME find it.

I am losing my mind and alot of my hair trying to get some Pinball on my machine. I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer me. And I apologize for being such a newbie.

Thanks,
-JoJo

> Please help, I have two problems:
>
> I recently downloaded Visual Pinball Version 0.4.1930 and have encountered a
> peculiar problem. Every time I try to open Alien Reactor or Top Speed or create
> a New table I get this convoluted error message:
>
> Debug Assertion Failed!
>
> Program: C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL PINBALL\VPINBALL.EXE
> File: D:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\ATL\INCLUDE\atlbase.h
> Line: 622
>
> Expression: p!=0
>
> The message then instructs me to consult my Visual C++ Documentation, which is
> presumption since I have none. I also have no D:\ drive nor the program
> Microsoft Visual Studio. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Visual
> Pinball, but I have a feeling that the previous install placed a pointer in my
> registry which I have no idea how to get rid of now. I have tried updating to
> the most recent windows scripting files and have downloaded the Visual Basic
> files that many Pinball Emulation sites reccomend. If anyone can help I would
> greatly appreciate it.
>
> The second problem (sorry, I know I am high maintenance) is one that I have seen
> others allude to but have found no satisfactory answer to. VpinMAME demands
> that I have the file MSSTDFMT.DLL or it will not run. Bending to VpinMAME's
> will, I downloaded this dll, but VpinMAME is a stubborn mistress and refuses to
> acknowledge the file's existance. I have even tried placing the dll in the
> VpinMAME directory instead of Windows\SYSTEM to help VpinMAME find it.
>
> I am losing my mind and alot of my hair trying to get some Pinball on my
> machine. I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer me. And I apologize
> for being such a newbie.
>
> Thanks,
> -JoJo
>

If you look futher down the list of posts you will see a post called "Back by popular demand..Visual pinball for dummies" if you follow these instructions clearly you shouldnt have any problems.You will also need a good knowledge of c++ and scripting.Let the experts do all the work for you and reap the benifits when the tables are released.I have enclosed a couple of links for you to be going on with.
The first is where you can download all the essential files you will need http://www.hippie.net/shivasite/ and the next is where you will find all the PinMAME tables http://www.hippie.net/shivasite/vptables/
If you are still having trouble read the forums on the first link.Hope you get it sorted soon.Good luck