Delphi 2015 R3 DS150E and XE8 IDE won't start: startup issues, .NET, VC++ runtime, security blocks

User question

delphi 2015 wont start

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• First, please confirm which product you mean by “Delphi 2015”:
  • Delphi/Autocom DS150E diagnostic software 2015 R3 (vehicle diagnostics), or
  • Embarcadero Delphi XE8 (2015) IDE.
• If it’s Autocom/Delphi 2015 R3: the usual “won’t start” causes are blocked files by antivirus/SmartScreen, missing .NET 3.5, broken Visual C++ runtimes, or a corrupted activation/config file. Start by enabling .NET 3.5, reinstalling x86 VC++ redistributables, adding an AV exclusion for the install folder, and running the app “as Administrator” in Windows 7 compatibility.
• If it’s Embarcadero Delphi XE8: try launching bds.exe with the -np switch (no packages), reset the user config folder, and repair the IDE’s prerequisites (VC++ and MSBuild). See details below.

Detailed problem analysis

1) Identify the product and symptom

• Autocom/Delphi 2015 R3 (diagnostic app): Symptom often is “nothing happens,” brief process then exit, or “Unknown error during init.” The VCI (DS150E) does not need to be connected for the program to start, so startup failures are almost always OS environment, permissions, or dependency issues—not the VCI itself.
• Embarcadero Delphi XE8 (IDE): Typical startup failures relate to corrupted component packages, stale user profile data, or licensing/Slip file issues.

2) Root causes and how they map to the symptom (Autocom/Delphi 2015 R3)

• OS security blocking: Windows Defender, third‑party AV, Smart App Control, or Controlled Folder Access can quarantine the main executable or deny writes to %ProgramData% or the install folder. Result: no splash, silent exit.
• Missing dependencies: .NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0/3.0) and x86 Visual C++ Redistributables (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013) are frequently required by this 32‑bit app. A missing or mismatched runtime can kill the process at init.
• Corrupt activation/config: A bad activation or damaged settings file can make the app exit immediately after the first checks.
• Install location/ACL: Installing under Program Files (x86) with tight ACLs plus UAC can prevent the app from writing its state/config on first run if not elevated.
• Newer Windows hardening: On Windows 10/11, Memory Integrity (HVCI), SmartScreen, and DLL signature requirements can block older components or unsigned helper drivers used by the software.

3) Root causes and map to symptom (Embarcadero Delphi XE8 IDE)

• Broken design‑time package: The IDE loads third‑party packages on startup; a bad BPL causes an early crash. -np avoids loading packages.
• Corrupt user profile: %AppData%\Roaming\Embarcadero\BDS\16.0 (XE8) can get corrupted; renaming it forces a clean profile.
• Licensing store: A missing/invalid Slip file or License Manager state can prevent bds.exe from starting.
• Dependencies: VC++ runtimes and MSBuild toolchain issues can also block startup.

Current information and trends

• Windows 10/11 security baselines (2020–2025) increasingly block legacy apps: Controlled Folder Access denies writes outside user folders; Smart App Control and SmartScreen can quarantine unsigned EXEs; “Memory Integrity” (HVCI) blocks older/unsigned drivers. These measures commonly affect 2013–2015 diagnostic software.
• Driver signature enforcement tightened in Windows 11; legacy USB/serial bridge drivers (FTDI/Prolific/CP210x) must be current and signed. Even though drivers don’t stop the GUI from launching, failed driver services can cause “init” errors if the app probes them at startup.
• Virtualization is now a standard mitigation: many workshops run 2015‑era diagnostic apps in an isolated Windows 7/Windows 10 21H1 VM with USB pass‑through to avoid conflicts with a hardened host OS.

Supporting explanations and details

• .NET vs VC++: This app is 32‑bit and typically loads .NET 3.5 components and native DLLs built with VC++ 2008–2013. If any required runtime is missing, Windows will terminate the process during module load before a UI appears.
• UAC and ACLs: First‑run initialization needs write access to the install folder and %ProgramData%. Without elevation or writable paths, initialization can fail silently.
• Event Viewer: Application log entries will show the faulting module (e.g., KERNELBASE.dll, msvcr120.dll). That module often points to the missing runtime family.

Ethical and legal aspects

• Use properly licensed software and follow the vendor’s official activation procedure. Avoid third‑party “patches” or “keygens”—these can be unlawful and frequently trip security protections, causing the very startup failures you’re seeing.
• Maintain driver‑signing compliance; do not disable security features long‑term. If you disable protections to test, re‑enable them immediately after.

Practical guidelines

A. Autocom/Delphi 2015 R3: clean start checklist (host OS)

1. Unplug the DS150E/VCI. The app should start without it.
2. Add exclusions in security software:
   • Exclude the entire install folder and %ProgramData%\Delphi/Autocom from antivirus and Controlled Folder Access.
3. Enable dependencies:
   • Windows Features: enable “.NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0 and 3.0).”
   • Install x86 VC++ Redistributables: 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 (x86 variants even on x64 Windows).
4. Repair the install:
   • Uninstall the application.
   • Manually delete the leftover install folder and its config under %ProgramData% and %AppData% (back up first).
   • Reinstall to a simple path like C:\Tools\Delphi2015 (short path, no special characters).
5. First run procedure:
   • Temporarily disconnect from the internet to avoid update/activation checks during first initialization.
   • Right‑click the main launcher (often named main or main.exe) → Run as administrator.
   • Set Compatibility: Windows 7; check “Run this program as an administrator.”
6. If “Unknown error during init” persists:
   • Open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application; locate the error at the attempt time; note faulting module and exception code.
   • If a VC++ DLL is faulting (e.g., MSVCR120.dll), repair/reinstall that specific VC++ runtime.
   • If .NET Runtime events appear, repair .NET 3.5 and .NET 4.x via “Turn Windows features on/off” and “Repair.”
7. Windows 10/11 hardening checks:
   • Temporarily turn off Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) and Smart App Control to test. If it starts, leave those on and instead plan a VM solution.
8. Drivers and VCI (after the app starts):
   • Install the official, signed USB drivers for your interface (FTDI/Prolific/CP210x or vendor‑supplied).
   • Confirm the device enumerates properly (Ports or USB devices), and that the app detects the correct VCI type. Mismatched VCI firmware may block communication but should not prevent the GUI from launching.
9. Last resort: run in a VM:
   • Create a Windows 7 SP1 x86/x64 or Windows 10 21H1 VM.
   • Install prerequisites, the app, and then use USB pass‑through for the DS150E.
   • Snapshot after a successful activation/first run for easy rollback.

B. Embarcadero Delphi XE8 (IDE) won’t start

1. Try “bds.exe -np” (no packages) from an elevated Developer Command Prompt. If the IDE opens, remove/disable the last installed design‑time packages.
2. Reset user profile: rename %AppData%\Roaming\Embarcadero\BDS\16.0 to 16.0_backup and start the IDE again.
3. Run the License Manager; verify a valid XE8 license and Slip file under C:\ProgramData\Embarcadero.
4. Repair prerequisites: reinstall VC++ 2010–2013 x86, .NET 4.x, and ensure MSBuild is intact.
5. Check Event Viewer for faulting BPL/DLL to identify the offending package.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• Some 2015 releases have multiple regional or “Cars/Trucks” executables. Launch the correct one for your installation variant.
• Avoid disabling security features permanently. If you must test with protections off, do it offline and re‑enable immediately.
• Corporate endpoint protection can enforce block rules independent of local settings; coordinate with IT if applicable.

Suggestions for further research

• Search for: “enable .NET Framework 3.5 Windows 10/11,” “install Visual C++ Redistributable 2008/2010/2012/2013 x86,” “Windows Controlled Folder Access app allow,” “Core Isolation Memory Integrity device drivers.”
• For the IDE path: “Delphi XE8 start -np,” “Embarcadero BDS 16.0 reset profile,” “Delphi XE8 License Manager Slip.”

Brief summary

• Autocom/Delphi 2015 R3: most startup failures are due to AV/security blocking, missing .NET 3.5/VC++ x86 runtimes, or corrupted config. Reinstall clean, enable dependencies, exclude the install folder, and run elevated/Win7-compat. Use Event Viewer to pinpoint missing runtimes. If the host OS remains hostile, run the software inside a Windows 7/10 VM with USB pass‑through.
• Embarcadero Delphi XE8: start with -np, reset the BDS 16.0 profile, verify licensing, and repair runtimes.

If you confirm which “Delphi 2015” you have, your exact Windows version/build, and any error text from Event Viewer (faulting module and exception code), I’ll tailor the next steps precisely and provide targeted fixes.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.