Ok, I need a Direct X 9.0c compatible video card, only I have no idea...

[usregimechange]

How to get one. Is this entirely hardware or can I download something?

:banghead:

[DarkTirade]

1. Any video card you find on the market today will be directX compliant, and I'd assume none would be

below 9.something these days.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. What do you have currently?

And what is your budget?

[usregimechange]

5. I don't know. I tried systems info in the control panel but it doesn't seem to list the video card

[PBS Poll-435]

8. What operating system?

Download and install GPUZ

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1333/TechPowerUp_GPU-Z_v0.3.2.html

It will let you know what you have and on what bus it is connected.


After you get that info, we can figure out what to do.

[usregimechange]

11. XP and it says I have DirectX 9.0c

Not sure why it doesn't run right

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12. Maybe you just need a new driver that is WHQL certified.

Download the utility, find out what you have, and then we can find an up-to-date driver.

[usregimechange]

14. Here it is but it doesn't tell us much

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16. Yikes!

Nada.



Does your computer have a sticker on it that gives reference to a specific model#?

[usregimechange]

17. Maybe this will have it

deleted

[PBS Poll-435]

18. have you tried Microsoft Update?

Not just Windows Update, but Microsoft Update as it will find and recommend newer drivers.

If you are using IE, go to Tools, Windows Update, and then it will prompt you to upgrade (for free) to Microsoft Update.



Then, have it search for updates and a newer driver *might* appear under "hardware."

[usregimechange]

20. I think my firewall has been preventing updates... trying to turn them off for a minute

[RoyGBiv]

3. Compatibility is a hardware attribute ...

DirectX itself is something from Microsoft, which you just have to go to Microsoft's website to get ... or it often comes bundled with whatever software requires it.

You probably can't find a graphics card for sale that *isn't* compatible with DirectX 9 these days.

What's the larger issue? Is it possibly you just don't have DirectX 9 installed?

[usregimechange]

4. I don't know what I have but I assume it is older than 9.0c

[RoyGBiv]

6. What I mean is ...

What were you trying to do that prompted you to say you needed this? Was there some error message with something, a warning? Did you read this somewhere?

How old is your machine?

[usregimechange]

7. I think we bought it in 04, I was trying to install a game and the video is all messed up

plus all the other specs I have

[RoyGBiv]

9. Details help ...

In any case, you can determine your version of DIrectX and run diagnostics by doing the following:

Click START

Click RUN

In the box that displays enter dxdiag and click OK

It may ask you if you want to allow Microsoft to determine if your drivers are signed. Say "no" for now. Pointless PITA.

This will bring up the DirectX diagnostic utility. On the main panel, at the bottom, you will see your current version of DirectX and various other information about your system. If DX 9 isn't installed, go to Microsoft, download it, and install it. If it is, then it may be your hardware, but without knowing all that I couldn't begin to guess.

[usregimechange]

10. Huh, it says I have: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Must be something else.

[usregimechange]

13. Here is the error message I am getting when I try to play the game

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15. Thanks for the snap

I LOVE THAT GAME!!! (or the older '05 (?) version!)




Still. I will find you a new driver if you can find out what GPU you have. It is probably integrated, but I couldn't use the info you provided to find anything at http://www.compaq.com.

[RoyGBiv]

19. Looks like a driver issue ...

2004 is rather old for a driver, but ya never know.

Anyway, download and run this: http://drivers.s3graphics.com/en/download/drivers/Wins3id.exe

It's a utility that is supposed to give information about that particular chipset VIA/SG3.

You should then be able to go here: http://www.s3graphics.com/en/resources/drivers/

...and find the newest driver.