Game refuses to start, opens Error reporter Log: "Failed to load d2dx_sgd2freeres.dll."

[ArhumMK]

I downloaded Diablo II US from the blizzard downloader then followed it up with the Patch 1.14d. I am able to run the game in ddraw mode via DDrawCompat wrapper (just for testing, not keeping the dll) and glide mode also runs (I have nglide installed sytem-wide).

But when I install D2DX and try to run the game via -3dfx launch parameter the game crashes instantly and opens up the Blizzard Error Reporter.

d2dx_log.txt shows the following:

Game version: 1.14.3.71 (supported)

Windows version: 10.0 (build 19045).
Suggesting game size 960x540.
Writing SGD2FreeRes files.
Initializing SGD2FreeRes.
Failed to load d2dx_sgd2freeres.dll.
Initializing D2FPS.
Monitor size: 1920x1080
Using 'FlipDiscard' swap strategy.
Using 'Interval0' sync strategy.
Created device supports D3D_FEATURE_LEVEL_11_0.
Device context supports ID3D11DeviceContext1. Will use this to discard resources and views.
Setting maximum frame latency to 1.
The device supports 2048 textures per atlas.
Total size of texture caches is 240256 kB.
Using DXGI_FORMAT_R10G10B10A2_UNORM for the render buffer.

Seems like d2dx_sgd2freeres.dll is failing to be loaded? I tried opting out of res and wide mode and nothing changed. Tried both D2DX and D2DX External releases too. I've also attached the Blizzard crash log if that helps. Really confused on what's causing this, on a semi related note I tried D2GL on a fresh install and that too fails to load with the log only being of 1 line saying the renderer is glide- that's it.

D2250911.txt

[ArhumMK]

To add to this: I've tried older versions of D2DX and SGD2FreeRes and same issue.

[Jarcho]

The log makes it look like a problem outside d2dx. The renderer was initialized without error, but the game hasn't gotten to the point where it runs the opening cinematic.

You can try running with -dxnoresmod -dxnofpsmod -dxnoaa which will disable all the game patching.

[Jarcho]

Can you also attach d2fps.log

[ArhumMK]

Had to do a fresh install as I had uninstalled it since the post but yeah same issue but interestingly, the game works with -dxnoresmod -dxnofpsmod -dxnoaa

Edit: the game only launches when all three above are disabled together, I can see D2DX logo on the title screen and play the game with those launch parameters. Is D2DX actually compatible with blizzard version patched to 1.14d?

Seems like an game.exe patching error?
D2250914.txt
d2dx_log.txt
d2fps.log

[Jarcho]

Looks like you have a different exe than what I have. Are you running the non-LOD version of the game?

[ArhumMK]

Looks like you have a different exe than what I have. Are you running the non-LOD version of the game?

Yep, Base game non-LOD Installed from blizzard's online downloader which usually installs 1.14b which i then patched it to 1.14d manually (otherwise the game crashes even without D2DX).

I've attached the exe here if it is of any help, it's dated 31/05/2016.

Game.zip

[Jarcho]

That is a different binary. I can at least detect it and avoid crashing, but I likely won't update any of the patches to work with it.

You can use the binaries included with Cactus which is what I use for testing.