you appear to have tried just about everything that I would have. You may
have tried this suggestion, as well, but you didn't mention it.
You said that the game runs fine on a friend's system with DX 8.0a. Was
that using _your_ GP3 CD, or his? It _could_ be that your CD is
scratched/damaged in some way? Perhaps installing from his CD would work?
Like I said, just a shot in the dark. I agree that your hardware changes
should not have caused this problem.
Good Luck....
> Hi Group,
> Every time I run the game I get this exact error message, "DirectX not
> installed" no more, no less. The problem is, DirectX IS installed. The
> game "used" to work 100% the last time I played it (approx 4-5 months
> ago). Virtually NO Hardware, (except Wacom Graphire Tablet), or OS
> changes. System is still as it was when the game ran 100%!!!!!!! Used
> to use Dx 7a back then and I now use Dx 8a. Have tried the game on a
> friends PC and the problem is NOT Dx 8a as it runs 100% on that PC.
> Ok, here is the substantial list of "everything" I have tried to date!
> (3 Days on this with NO success!!!). Guess I am hoping that someone
> had "exactly" the same problem and managed to get the game running
> again. Or, I am hoping that someone has an "in depth" understanding of
> how the game checks for DirectX and possibly why it returns with the
> "DirectX not installed" error. Please note I am NOT a newbie and
> rarely if ever ask for Hardware/software help from anywhere so,
> answers like, "have you re-booted after installing DirectX" are NOT
> going to be too helpful I'm afraid.I build my own PC's, owned a PC for
> approx 8 Years, NET for approx 6 years Blah, Blah! (Don't worry about
> getting technical). Can hold my own in the Windows OS/Registry etc.
> Only thing I am NOT, is a programmer of ANY kind! Ok, Here's what I've
> tried so far.
> (Just in case you're all wondering <G> yes it is store bought and MY
> property!!!!!!!!)
> Un installed DirectX with a prog called DirectX Buster. (This one
> actually does a good job and removes virtually everything).
> Tried DirectX 7, 7a, 8 and back to 8a Keep in mind Dx7 and 7a "were"
> working 100% with the game. No more. Error as above, Dx not.........
> Even tried Dx 6, 6.1(GP3 not meant to work with this I know!!)! Same.
> Error as above, Dx not...........
> Gone back to the "very same" Graphic card driver I used at the time
> game ran ok. Tried out "EVERY" single graphics card driver I have
> (Tons of 'em!), from the "original" off the CD to the last one I
> downloaded from the "net" just recently. Same error as above, DX
> not...........
> Tried the "three fingered salute" (Ctr+Alt+Del) Heh! and removed
> "EVERYTHING" except explorer and systray which are of course needed.
> No Dice......
> Tried using the F1Gstate.sav, cards.txt, F1system.txt and gconfig.txt
> files from my friends DX 8a "WORKING" system, (we have different GFX
> cards but, I have edited in/out the changes needed and I still get the
> now famous "DirectX not installed" error! Nothing works!
> Re-installed my OS--->Win98 First Edition. (Non format Re-install
> which might actually "cure" the problem but, with a 30GB drive with
> approx 12GB of kit on it I would rather find out what is wrong and
> "cure" it that way!!
> My own opinion after using a registry monitor and "looking" at what's
> happening is that it is probably a software only problem. The game
> checks the registry for the presence of "minimum" DirectX 7.0 and
> reports back that it is NOT installed. How can this be when it used to
> work 100% before!
> Here are the (important) parts of my system that "might/would" affect
> the running of games/software. Please note that ALL other games are
> running 100%, and yes, they ALL require the installation of DirectX to
> run!!!!!!!!!
> PC SPEC as follows..........
> Diamond Stealth 3 S540 32Mb Savage 4 Pro GFX Card (Yeah I know,
> Powerful card and cr*p drivers). But it has always worked before!
> Sound Blaster PCI 128
> Same Mainboard as before, (MSI) 63** Pro
> 128 Mb PC 100 RAM
> Gravis Xterminator Digital game pad
> Blah, blah, blah..........
> Ok, this is what HAS been added or changed and, I don't see how any of
> this could cause this error!
> Wacom Graphire Tablet has been added since. (Works with ALL D3D/Dx
> Games 100%). NO KNOWN sid effects!
> 30 GB Hard Disk Drive
> GFX card "was" O'Clocked but is now running at the recommended 125 MHz
> for Savage 4 and it's 32 Mb on board Memory.
> Lexmark Z52 Printer on USB port has been added.
> Fuji Finepix Digital Camera with it's USB connector permanently
> attached to USB port 2.
> AS far as I know that's the lot. Would you agree that NONE of the
> above changes should cause this VERY strange error?
> One point of interest. After using DX buster to "remove" Dx..... If
> you then re-boot with NO DirectX installed, and try running the game,
> it tells you in the error box DDRAW.DLL not found!!!!!! In other words
> it HAS looked for the presence of DirectX, has obviously not been able
> to find it and throws out a perfectly reasonable error! So you think,
> ok, I'll give it DirectX back (Any version 7, 7a, 8 or 8a tried 'em
> all) and lo and behold, run the game and...........Yep, you guessed it
> dude's....."DirectX is not installed" all over again!!!!!! So, maybe
> you can now see why I am making this "last ditch" attempt for
> "EXPERT/GURU" type help!
> Sorry this has been so long but I had to make sure everyone is "aware"
> of the MANY sensible/obvious? things I have already tried. I am
> certainly NOT trying to be rude when I say this and don't want to
> upset anyone but please don't suggest what I have already tried such
> as, "Have you re-booted after installing Dx (Duh?) and similar. It's
> all been done and more folks. If you have managed to get though to
> here, Phew (you need a medal!) thanks for reading and I hope a TRUE
> EXPERT with DirectX can help me get this game running again! (Can't
> wait to scream around Monaco with that gleaming red Ferrari again).
> Thank you for your kind patience and help,
> (Answers/help to the Group please. The E-mail address is obviously
> Bullsh*t)
> MAD MAX
Bert