NT8 fails to start on Windows Server 2012 R2

[misova]

This is exception in the Windows Event log.

• no visible exception. You click on NT8 icon (64bit version), but nothing starts. The only evidence can be found in Windows Event Log. - see screenshot below.
• there are no logs in the NT8 directory. It fails even before it can start.
• .NET 4.5 is installed and allowed. (older version like NT8 v.8.0.014 works fine - This probelm happens on v8.0.1.0 and also v8.0.2.0)
• I already tried fresh new install (and delete old folder in Documetns) - it does not help, and fails on the same error.

Copy and paste stacktrace (from event log):

Application: NinjaTrader.exe Framework Version: v4.0.30319 Description: The process was terminated due to an unhandled exception. Exception Info: System.Windows.Markup.XamlParseException Stack: at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.Load(XamlReader xamlReader, IXamlObjectWriterFactory writerFactory, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlObjectWriterSettings settings, Uri baseUri) at System.Windows.Markup.WpfXamlLoader.LoadBaml(XamlReader xamlReader, Boolean skipJournaledProperties, Object rootObject, XamlAccessLevel accessLevel, Uri baseUri) at System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader.LoadBaml(Stream stream, ParserContext parserContext, Object parent, Boolean closeStream) at System.Windows.Application.LoadBamlStreamWithSyncInfo(Stream stream, ParserContext pc) at System.Windows.Application.LoadComponent(Uri resourceLocator, Boolean bSkipJournaledProperties) at NinjaTrader.App.LoadResources() at lbU=.abc=.hrc=(Object& h7c=, Object[] iLc=, Boolean ibc=, MethodBase irc=, Boolean i7c=) at lbU=.Lr0=.NL0=(Arc= ) at lbU=.yrY=.z7Y=(Arc= 0LY=) at lbU=.yrY=.z7Y=(lbU=.Arc=) at VMRuntime.Libraries.CSVMRuntime.QrY=(lbU=.tbY=, lbU=.Arc=) at VMRuntime.Libraries.CSVMRuntime.PrY=(System.Reflection.Assembly, System.String, System.Object[]) at VMRuntime.Libraries.CSVMRuntime.RunMethod(System.String, System.Object[]) at NinjaTrader.AppHelper.OnStartup(NinjaTrader.App, System.Windows.StartupEventArgs) at NinjaTrader.App.OnStartup(System.Object, System.Windows.StartupEventArgs) at System.Windows.Application.<.ctor>b__1(System.Object) at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32) at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate) at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeImpl() at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean) at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean) at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object) at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.Invoke() at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.ProcessQueue() at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.WndProcHook(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef) at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef) at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(System.Object) at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32) at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate) at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.LegacyInvokeImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherPriority, System.TimeSpan, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32) at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.SubclassWndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr) at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessage(System.Windows.Interop.MSG ByRef) at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessage(System.Windows.Interop.MSG ByRef) at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrameImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherFrame) at System.Windows.Application.RunInternal(System.Windows.Window) at System.Windows.Application.Run() at NinjaTrader.App.Main()

Just to see, how it looks like:

[NinjaTrader_DrewO]

Hello,

Thanks for posting.

The below link outlines the NinjaTrader 8 Minimum PC Requirements.

http://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/en-us/minimum_system_requirements.htm

The event viewer error itself seems to relate to .NET. Are there any pending updates available from Windows Update?

[misova]

Yes, there are some Windows Updates pending - not much, but some from the last 2 months.
I will try to apply them in the evening.

I just want to note, that, NT8 v8.0.014 (and all versions below) work completely fine.
I will let you know about the result - whether Windows Update helped.

You know, that:

• Windows 2008 is too old now. It reached end-of-life in 2015 for the mainstream. It has just extended support until 2020.
• Windows Server 2012 reached end-of-life a few day ago. It finished 2016-12-31.

It is real problem, because Win Server 2008 is too old. It is not offered anymore by most VPS hosting companies. The only option we have is Windows 2012 or 2016.

I would say it is really best time to improve this

I hope, it is not much work, because many older version of NT8 run fine. Just fix the inital crashing, that was introduced in NT8 v8.0.1.0

• v8.0.0.9 runs fine on Win Server 2012
• v8.0.0.14 runs fine on Win Server 2012
• just last 2 versions are failing at start = v8.0.1.0 and v8.0.2.0. It means, that release v.8.0.1.0 introduced code change, that causes all this crashing. As it was introduced just now, it should be easy to fix.

Best regards
misova

[misova]

Hi DrewO,

I am bringing good news:
After all updates for Win Server 2012 R2 were applied, then NT8 v8.0.2.0 started successfully.

So everything is fine now.
Thank you for you help.

Best regards
misova

[bltdavid]

Please note this version of Windows Server would not be a supported Operating System.

Really?

What does "Windows Server 2008 R2 or later" mean, exactly?

Doesn't "or later" mean that Windows Server 2012 is supported?

[misova]

Based on the link, it really looks like Win Server 2008 R2 or later is supported.
That means also Win Server 2012 and Server 2016 are supported too.
Good point

NT guys/ladies, can you put more light onto this ?

[NinjaTrader_DrewO]

Hello,

Thanks for posting and raising this point.

I have confirmed that "or later" is to imply that subsequent versions of Windows Servers would be supported.