DCS Crash-Freeze at 10% on Initial Load Screen

[GeoS72]

Yesterday, I encountered a very unusual error that is persistent. When I attempt to run DCS from the launcher, it crashes or freezes at the 10% mark. I ran my DCS log through the Log Analyzer (on Discord) and it said there is an error on Line 77 in the image_search_path.lua file. The analyzer claims there is a nil value on line 77.

If I rename my Saved Games/DCS folder to DCS.old then allow a new one to be built, then DCS will run again. I can also get it to run ONCE after I delete this new saved games folder and revert to my old Saved Games DCS folder.

This mess began when I exited a multiplayer server; the game became unresponsive and displayed a black screen. I had to end the task via Windows Task Manager. When I then reloaded DCS, I got a login error indicating my profile did not load properly and that any paid module was inaccessible. It is also key to note that my default wallpaper reverted to the default Caucasus screen. It was previously set to the Apache wallpaper.

Additionally, I compared an earlier version of the image_search_path.lua file to the current version. They match! So the big question remains: What is the fix for this issue?

FWIW: the affected code of the image_search_path.lua file is as follows:
function addTexturesInMap(a_path)
    for file in lfs.dir(a_path) do
        local b = lfs.attributes(a_path .. '/' .. file)
        if (b.mode == 'file') then    <---This is the offending line according to the DCS Log analyzer.
            mapTextures[file] = 1
        end
    end
end

dcs.log

This is the error that is reported from the DCS Log Analyzer:
Error attempt to index local 'b' (a nil value)
Line 77
Script ./Scripts/image_search_path.lua
If the above errors point to DCS internal files, please conduct a !repair. Otherwise remove the respective unofficial mod.

[GeoS72]

Quick update:

I changed the name of my Saved Games\DCS folder to DCS.old. Then I ran DCS, it built a new Saved Games\DCS folder. I was able to get into the main DCS menu.

Next, I exited the game. I then changed the name of this newly constructed folder to Saved Games\DCS.temp and reverted the folder Saved Games\DCS.old back to Saved Games\DCS.

I then ran DCS and I was able to get back into main menu with all of my settings intact. The screenshots represent what I see when the error happens, create a new saved games folder, and then revert to the original folder.

I also want to point out that I get the same result (crashing at 10%) even after a repair to DCS.