One of the reason this error occur is due to the wrong setting for graphic card. One common mistake is you set 3ds Max to use Direct3D but your computer graphic card doesn't support it.
To solve this problem, just follow the solution below:
1. Right click on the shortcut icon and select properties. Click on the Shortcut tab, in target add -h (remember to give a space after the close inverted commas). It should look something like
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2010\3dsmax.exe" -h
(but it may varies depend on where you install 3ds Max)
Click OK to finish.
2. Double click on the 3ds Max shortcut icon, now the system will prompt for Direct3D Driver Setup instead of start 3ds Max immediately. Click the Revert from Direct3D button.
3. Now select OpenGL as your graphics driver setup. Click OK when finish.
6. Remove the -h from step 1.
Next time when you open 3ds Max, the program should run smoothly.
