[booger]

The kids got some computer games for gifts and I've been loading them. One of them, however, won't work. An error message pops up saying "Could not find any compatible Direct3D devices with the required capabilities." Is Direct3D something I can find a free download for? If so, where? I've tried searching for it but it's all over my head--I'm a complete computer dummy. :re: I have read enough to realize that it's something that should be on my video drivers or whatever you call them. I tried the update drivers option on those but it still won't work. Of course, I could have done it wrong. :O

Thanks! :P

[Aleph Null]

Direct3D is a component of DirectX, which is a part of Windows used for graphics and a necessity in games. Is it possible you have a game that requires a newer version of Windows than you have? Check the side of the box and provide some more details and someone might be able to help ya with this.

a0

[booger]

Thanks, A0. :)

Have the box right here. A bit of it was torn off in the excitement and, of course, it's right where the nitty-gritties are. Here's what I can read:

**ripped part** 32 MB Direct 3D video card using the GeForce2, ATI **ripped part**
**ripped part** greater chipset. Sound: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card **ripped part**

I'm using Windows XP and that's pretty new, right? The games came as a set, "The EA Collection", which includes SimCity Unlimited 3000, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2, Command & Conquer Red Alert 2, James Bond 007 Nightfire, and Lord of the Rings Return of the King. LOTR is the one that keeps getting the error message when I try to start it. All of the others work fine (so far).

[Aleph Null]

Do you know what system you have, and in particular, what your graphics card is?

a0

[booger]

Um, does the blank look on my face clue you in? (Why do we not have an idiot smilie? :lol: )

System, as in what? What my computer is?

Graphics card? Nope, don't have a clue. Saw some name or other in the device manager under video adapter or display adapter or something like that--would that be it?

You don't happen to give out dolt of the year awards, do ya? :D

Oh, as long as you're here: On the smilie thingie here, there's this one :cya: but it reads "See yeah" which makes no sense. Shouldn't it be "See ya"? Or am I missing the point?

You're going to come up with a dolt of the year award just for me, aren't ya? Oh, here's my sign. :dumbass: :ll:

[Larred]

Booger, too funny, system is usually: processor (as in speed), amount of RAM (memory), graphics card (amount of memory and type of card), and some other stuff I can't remember... :D

You might just be able to go to Microsux site and update your Winblows.... Just open Internet Explorer and choose tools, then windows update. You're on dial up right? So we'll hear from you in a couple of days when all the updates are done... ;)

Hope this helps, sorry, still not completely well, and Wayyyyyy too much eggnog tonight... ;) :beer: :beer:

[booger]

Ah, Larred, my fellow sleep-deprived sicko. :D

Yup, dial up. Very s...l...o...w dial up. Doing the windows update thing now. Should be done by the new year or so.

It's your basic cheapo HP piece of crap from a local store. HP Pavillion a600n.

Stuff from a sticker on the front of the computer:

2800+ AMD Athlon XP processor
512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM memory
80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra DMA hard drive
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive 48x32x 16x48x max. speed
Integrated graphics with 64 MB shared video memory
Processor speeed 2.08 GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 333MHz, Front Side Bus

I really should learn something about this stuff but I'm hoping one of my kids will grow up to be a computer genius. Then I can just have them deal with it all after playing the mother guilt card. ;)

[Larred]

Lol... you're bad... I was playing Half Life 2 (online) last night and getting udderly fragged by one player, turns out he was on with his Father, and was only SIX YEARS OLD. Holy crap... Now, I'm not the best player, but I'm no slouch either, and I'm not the only one this kid was slaughtering, he was literally cleaning up the entire map (about 7-10 people). So your kids should have it made in the computer department, eh?

Yeah, do the windows update, and then check back in here, I try and check the forum here a couple times a day so if someone else does not beat me to it I'll get back to you shortly after you post.

:D

[booger]

Updates completed and the game is still giving the same error message.

(Doesn't it suck when your kids are smarter than you? Ah, well. At least I'm weirder than them and can still freak them out. :D )

[Aleph Null]

booger: sounds like you don't have a separate graphics card, it is integrated.

Try this...

Hit the Start button, select "Run..." then type in "dxdiag" and hit "OK". This brings up the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Look near the bottom to see what version of DirectX you are running...

a0

[booger]

"DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)"

On that thingy that popped up, under a different tab, there was a place to test Direct 3D so I did and all was fine.

No biggie, it's just a game. :)

[Aleph Null]

Sounds like your system SHOULD be able to support it.

Two suggestions... 1. Look at the game manufacturer's web site, see if there are any patches for the game. That may fix the problem.

2. Check to see if the game has a configuration program, and tinker with the settings.

a0

[TheoryMan]

Booger,

That game will not work on your system. It REQUIRES an Nvidia or ATI video card. Your on-board intergrated video system will not work.

You can get an add in video card for your system that will allow it to work, and, that video card will likely improve your system preformance 50% or more. Cost, about $75USD or so.

PM me if you would like more info.

--

[Aleph Null]

It REQUIRES an Nvidia or ATI video card. Your on-board intergrated video system will not work.

Interesting..do you just know the game or did you look it up? I should have thought to do that.

I was also hoping the "ripped parts" would give booger hope that it would work. :)

a0

[TheoryMan]

Aleph,

I looked it up. I deal with this stuff on a daily basis and have gotten pretty quick at finding the answers...

Also, I have a serious bias against intergrated video and/or audio. Intergrated video slows system memory preformance from 20%-50% and sometimes makes a system more crash prone. Intergrated audio can rob you of 5%-20% of your systems cpu preformance.

IMHO, intergrated video and audio, along with software based modems, are a plauge upon the PC compatable world.

[Aleph Null]

I agree with you... "but it's cheaper that way". :sigh:

You know the drill.

a0

[FireDance]

Heh, I had the same thing happen to me. System wants an ATI Radeon X800 card now. They were nice enough to include a $20 rebate card with the game. (roll eyes) I have an ATI 128 (or something I can't remember). Downloaded the latest patches and played with the setting - ah, yes, I've had this happen before; no dice. I don't MIND upgrading, but it stinks that the kid has to wait to play the game. Perhaps something below the X800 will work. Don't know, but am always leary of going back rather than forward. Never saved any $ doing that. So Booger, wanna buy a used graphics card? :-)

[Libertarian]

Isn't DirectX up to release 10 now?

[TheoryMan]

According to Microsoft, the current version for home users is 9.0c

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/

--

[booger]

You guys are making my itty-bitty brain smoke. :giveup: I'll just let them know that it just isn't going to happen. All of the other games work fine so they'll be happy. :) Thanks for all of the help, though!!

[Larred]

Lol... (picturing Boogers brain smoking and remembering how DW's brain capacity diminished while she was pregnant...)

[booger]

Luckily, there's not much fuel for the fire up there right now. ;)

[occupant]

B-sides Booger, More 'puter time for kiddos' playing games= Less time for Booger on board ;)

[jessicacolvin]

Ok, everyone, forgive me if someone has already posted this thread. I am new to this site, and did not see a repy that worked. It is possible to play the Return of the King with your current 3d driver. I found this site myself, looking for a cure for the same problem. I kept getting the same message. Go to this site and follow the directions. Hope this works for all. Sorry if it doesn't. I know it worked for me.

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-007910.htm

[Aleph Null]

Nice sleuthing Jessica, hopefully booger will see that and try it.

And welcome to the Forum! :)

a0

[booger]

Jessica was nice enough to PM this to me. I"ll be trying it later today sometime. Thanks!! :)