How to Update DirectX and how to fix DirectX related computer problems?
What is DirectX?
Microsoft computers use a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for multimedia tasks such as videos and games. Individually, the components of DirectX include:
DirectDraw, Direct3D, DXGI, DirectInput, DirectPlay, DirectSound, DirectSound3D, DirectMusic, and DirectX Media.
These APIs handle tasks related to sound and graphics and are collectively known as “DirectX.”
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How to Update DirectX
As Microsoft improves its DirectX technologies, hardware manufacturers and software developers follow suit and develop products to take advantage of graphical and sound improvements. For example, you may buy a new video game that uses the latest version of DirectX. Unless you have the latest version on your computer, the game won’t run as designed and a DirectX update will be required.
Before you download a DirectX update, you must make sure that the update will work on your computer. If your computer runs Windows Vista, it shipped with DirectX 10 which is exclusive to Vista computers. Windows XP can support up to DirectX 9.0c while the new Windows Vista 7 is scheduled to support DirectX 11 which hasn’t yet been released. Older operating systems including Windows 98 and ME are only supported up to DirectX 8.1.
Let’s assume that you have a Windows XP computer. In this case, you can update your DirectX to 9.0c. In this case, updates are released bi-monthly directly from Microsoft. Simply download the latest version, (currently the March 2009 version) and follow the prompts to install it.
How to Fix DirectX Errors
Note that the DirectX update cannot be uninstalled. This could cause problems for you if you downloaded the wrong version for your operating system. Before downloading a DirectX update, it’s highly recommended that you create a System Restore point. That way, should a DirectX error occur, you can rollback your system to its previous state.
DirectX Errors
Common DirectX errors include: DLL errors, black screen errors, DirectX access violation errors, illegal operation errors, missing d3d9.dll errors, and required file not found errors. In most cases, these DirectX errors are solved by updating to the most current version of DirectX, especially if the game or video you are working with is designed for the newest version.
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Backwards Yes, but not Forwards
While DirectX is backward compatible, that is you can play games designed for earlier versions of DirectX, it is not forward compatible. If you have DirectX 9.0a and want to play a game designed for DirectX 9.0c, guess what? You’ll get a DirectX error! Fortunately, updating to DirectX 9.0c should solve the problem.
Run a Free Registry Scan, and Update your DirectX version
If updating DirectX doesn’t solve your computer’s DirectX-related error, your computer may benefit by cleaning out its registry using a product such as RegCure. Registry cleaners are programmed to solve all types of computer problems that originate in the Windows registry including DirectX-related errors, DLL errors, and illegal operation errors.
