I sat down to open BIAB 2018 & it would not open. Instead it showed this error message: "bbw.exe" / "The application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000102. Click to close the application".
I've made numerous attempts to open BIAB. I've rebooted & shut my PC down, unplugged the BIAB usb hard drive & reconnected it. SIX different reboots & total shutdowns resulted in the same error message. The message appears every time I try to open BIAB. The program won't run.
I can view the BIAB hard drive's contents in Windows File Explorer; I can open most of the contents from J:, but NOT the J:\BB\ folder.
Further, attempting to view the contents of J:\BB\ [File Explorer, J:,, Properties], a different error showed that drive J: was empty. Contents, zero!
Luckily that's not true; there are folders visible & openable, but not J:\BB\, plus the program does not run.
(I had problems attaching screen captures to this post).
What should I do? This is the latest of several problems with my purchase, and the second hard drive from PGMusic. The first drive had defects and then died completely, so was replaced. My current drive worked beautifully til now. What should I do next ??? Discouraged, Joel
Answer: Don't be discouraged. This can be resolved.
You mentioned that BiaB is running from J drive. Presumably this is the hard disk drive supplied by PGM? Yes?
Please tell us about any other actions that you might have taken, such as transferring the program to another location, or manually browsing through directory structures.
- Use Windows Explorer to navigate the J Drive. - Double check that there is no folder at the top level named bb ? - Perhaps the bb folder has been inadvertently moved to another location. - From the top level directory, enter the search string bb to see if Windows can locate the folder elsewhere on the drive. (see 5th image - ignore the fact that there are multiple folders in the image. This is a test environment for helping others)
- You are looking for a name of bb with a type of File folder. It should be in the top level of J: but maybe it's been moved?
- If it's in a sub-directory of J: move it to the top directory of J:
If it is available, open that folder and search for a file named bbw.exe (see 2nd image) You may not see the '.exe' extension depending on your Windows settings, but it will show as an Application Your application might also appear different depending on your Windows View settings (see 3rd image) If that file is there, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator (see 4th image).
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Another thought. Right-click on the desktop icon, select 'Open File Location' from the context menu. Does it find the file?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I second Trev's comments. Don't get discouraged. You'll be back up and running in no time.
In addition to Trevor's thorough comments, another approach that I've seen that has often worked with problems such as this is to....
....rename the files "intrface.bbw" and "mysetup.dk" to something like "intrface.bbw.old" and "mysetup.dk.old". These files are the ones that contain your settings and are found in "bb\Preferences". This is the ultimate version of "return to factory settings". You will need to setup your Audio and MIDI drivers again after doing this.
By renaming the above two files, BIAB can no longer see them and the program is forced to re-create new files.
Thank you for your detailed suggestions and screenshots. I appreciate the time you spent with it all.
I continued to have error messages, and difficulty finding some of the files. I called tech support, twice and worked with the techs. In the end, after other error messages and problems, they are sending a replacement drive.
PGMusic's tech support and customer service have been excellent.
You have been as well. Thanks for helping and I'll be back in the forum soon. Joel
I second Trev's comments. Don't get discouraged. You'll be back up and running in no time.
In addition to Trevor's thorough comments, another approach that I've seen that has often worked with problems such as this is to....
....rename the files "intrface.bbw" and "mysetup.dk" to something like "intrface.bbw.old" and "mysetup.dk.old". These files are the ones that contain your settings and are found in "bb\Preferences". This is the ultimate version of "return to factory settings". You will need to setup your Audio and MIDI drivers again after doing this.
By renaming the above two files, BIAB can no longer see them and the program is forced to re-create new files.
Regards, Noel
Hi Noel,
Thank you for responding. I'm tired after hours of working on these issues. I did finally call tech support. We tried a few things, including running setup again, and approaching the usb drive different ways.
I re-seated the drive, as instructed, but still had issues and errors.
They're sending a replacement drive. I'll be happy when it comes.
Once it's here I'll happily resume using the program! Thank you once again,
The level of service from PG Music continues to be excellent. Despite your current issues, you can be assured that you're in good hands all the way.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
The level of service from PG Music continues to be excellent. Despite your current issues, you can be assured that you're in good hands all the way.
Thanks VideoTrack, and Noel for your help and especially your reassurance. I've used computers for years and am familiar with that unsettling, nervous feeling when things don't work. The feelings are worse when it's a new purchase.
I hope that the new drive will solve these problems. A brand-new product should work. I'm certainly glad that PGMusic backs up their products.
I'll keep consulting you guys, and tech support when needed, moving forward. Your guys are wonderful.
If you want an interim solution until the replacement hard drive arrives, you can open your PG Music sales account and find links to download everything you've purchased since 2014.
If you want an interim solution until the replacement hard drive arrives, you can open your PG Music sales account and find links to download everything you've purchased since 2014.
Hi Jim, that's very good to know. I'll keep that in mind now and going forward.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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