FDS not installing correctly

[BPargin]

I have followed the steps to install the software and when I try to launch I receive the message of 'The code execution cannot proceed because impi.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.'

I have tried reinstalling but still receive this message. Please can anyone assist?

[gforney]

Which version did you install, a nightly bundle or an "official" release? Did you run your input file with fds_local.bat ? Glenn Forney

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On Fri, Jan 23, 2026, 4:27 AM BPargin ***@***.***> wrote: *BPargin* created an issue (firemodels/fds#15875) <#15875> I have followed the steps to install the software and when I try to launch I receive the message of 'The code execution cannot proceed because impi.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.' I have tried reinstalling but still receive this message. Please can anyone assist? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#15875>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AC6UCRX7NE7SSACYFIJUH5D4IHSQHAVCNFSM6AAAAACSUSKWOOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ASLTON2WKOZTHA2DMNRSGQ3TIMA> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[gforney]

any updates on my questions?

[BPargin]

Hi Glenn, sorry for the delay, I installed the current release version: FDS 6.10.1, SMV 6.10.1 bundle. My apologies, I am not sure about your second question, I am new to this!

Thankyou,
Brydie

[gforney]

when you run a case on windows you need to use
fds_local casename.fds
NOT
fds casename.fds

the batch file fds_local.bat sets up paths that define the location of various libraries that fds.exe needs such as impi.dll .

also make sure you read the first part of the FDS users guide which gives info on running fds

[BPargin]

Thankyou, I am providing this info to our IT department who will help me install. They have also asked what the best way would be to install the software from fresh?

I really appreciate your help, thanks again

[gforney]

you install may be ok.

1. make sure you rebooted your PC - you probably did otherwise the computer would have said "command not found" when you tried to run fds
2. make sure you run your case with fds_local NOT fds

try running your case with fds_local and let me know what happens

tell IT just to run the installer again. the installer runs with elevated privileges so you will need to enter a password at some point.

read chapter 3.2 Launching and FDS Job, section 3.2.1 Single Computer Running MS Windows . this tells you to use fds_local and other information of use

[BPargin]

Hi Glenn,

IT have had a look at this following your instructions and it is still not running.

It will not run from Fds_local in the file and the fds application produces the same warning as earlier.

We had a look at chapter 3.2 and realised we are also missing the desktop location, which does not appear even after machine restart. They are wondering if this could be security blocking part of the install? Have you seen this before?

[mcgratta]

Open the CMDfds command prompt and type

where fds

You should see this

[BPargin]

Afternoon, my IT support had another look at this and they explained and showed me that I cant run the CMDfds as there is no option to do this, even looking through the installation files the only application they can see to run is the FDS.exe application
When they run that as admin or as myself they get the error with the CDB screen in the background" The Code Execution cannot proceed because impi.dll was not found. reinstalling the program may fix this problem."

The application is installed in C:Programfiles - Fire Models - FDS6 and all the application files are in the Bin folder.

We can manually find the impi.dll file in the FD6 - Bin - mpi folder so it is installed.
They tried moving it to the Bin folder and the program popped up for a split second without the error but then closed down.
They checked the antivirus and it is not sending anything to quarantine for this application.
there is a installation log but no error showing in there.

Can you let me know if the mpi.dll needs to be in s different location or could it be corrupt?
I have some screen shots that I can send but will need a link to upload it for you.

[drjfloyd]

CMDfds is just a command prompt that runs a bat file when it is opened. You can just run the bat file from within a normal command prompt. Open a command prompt and run

C:\Program Files\firemodels\FDS6\bin\fdsinit.bat

The try typing fds and you should see something like:

Fire Dynamics Simulator

Current Date : January 30, 2026 09:46:50
Revision : FDS-6.10.1-0-g12efa16-release
Revision Date : Wed Apr 2 17:38:58 2025 -0400
Compiler : Intel(R) Fortran Compiler for applications running on Intel(R) 64, Version 2025.1.0 Build 20250317
Compilation Date : Fri-04/04/2025-08:49-AM

MPI version: 3.1
MPI library version: Intel(R) MPI Library 2021.13 for Windows* OS

Hypre library version: v2.32.0
Sundials library version: v6.7.0
Consult FDS Users Guide Chapter, Running FDS, for further instructions.

[gforney]

open a command shell
type: where fds
type: where fdsinit
type: where fds_local

report back what you see

[gforney]

any update?