"General massive catastrophic system failure" error message when adding termbases

Question

Hi! 
 I use Trados Studio 2015, SR2. 
 A few days ago, I started having problems adding termbases. Whenever I try to add a termbase to a project or open a project with an existing termbase (or try to create a new project based on an old project that used termbases), I get the following error message: 
 General massive catastrophic system failure This error only started manifesting itself a few days ago. My termbases are located on another drive, if that gives you any clues. I had problems with termbases when I first installed SR2, but these issues were later resolved thanks to the wonderful Paul Filkin. This is clearly a new problem, as the error message is different. 
 I would be grateful for your help, as I rely heavily on my termbases. 
 Kind regards, 
 Johanna

Paul · Answer

Hi Johanna, 
 That's a nice way to ask a question :-) 
 Probably the best way to look at this is with the solutions that worked for others when I have seen this. So two possibilities that I'm aware of: 
 
 Make sure that you have got the latest versions (including CUs) for both Studio and MultiTerm. So for Studio this would be SDL Trados Studio 2015 SR2 - 12.2.5099.5 and for MultiTerm it would be SDL MultiTerm 2015 SR2 - 12.2.1629.0 
 The other possibility is a windows update. So make sure you have the latest updates installed for your version of windows. I saw this happen a few times where users needed to install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 
 
 If none of these helps then I think a support case is going to be the way to go. 
 Regards 
 
 Paul

Paul · Answer

Hi Sabina, 
 
Have you tried this? This was the problem for several users. 
 
If your Operating System is Windows 7 and Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 is not installed then install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 
 
Can you verify this? 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Paul · Answer

Hi Sabina, 
 
Thanks for coming back and confirming... can add that as another possible reason for this less than friendly error message! 
 
Good maintenance... probably depends on the complexity of your termbase definition. But if it's simple then I'd be inclined to drop it into Excel with the Glossary Converter and then use Excel to clean it up as the Excel features are quite good for this sort of thing. Then drag it back into the Glossary Converter to get your termbase back. Also means you'll have an Excel backup, which you could do once a week for example just as a precaution. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Paul · Answer

Hi Alan, 
 
If you have a support contract then this is always possible. If not and if you have an issue preventing you from being able to use the software at all then you can log a case and get some help. This can be achieved really quickly using this link: 
 
 http://support.xl8.one 
 
Just fill in the form and submit it. Make sure your email address is entered correctly or nobody will be able to get back in touch with you.

Paul · Answer

Hi Paola , 
 
Can I just check one thing as this also causes this error message. Are you trying to add an Excel file as a file-based Termbase? I know it seems a strange thing to do but since we made the TermExcelerator available I have seen a few people install the app and then try to load an Excel file via the normal termbase route rather then via the TermExcelerator termbase option. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Paul · Answer

Hi Paola , 
 
Two other things to look at then. First can you open your termbase in Multiterm? If not then maybe recreate the termbase in case this one is corrupt. 
 
Next, if your Operating System is Windows 7 and Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 is not installed then install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

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"General massive catastrophic system failure" error message when adding termbases