Microsoft DirectX for Windows stopping me from opening a new game

[mikeywilson11]

Every time I try to open a game I've just installed (Cricket 19 Demo), I get the 'Installing: Microsoft Direct X for Windows (step 1 of 1)' message and the game doesn't open up. I'm a total noob when it comes to computers as I'm normally a console guy, can anyone tell me how to override this in plain English?
Cheers.

[Silicon Vampire]

How long have you waited? It can take quite a while sometimes...

[mikeywilson11]

Oh over 12 hours now. The message just pops up for about 10 seconds then disappears and the game doesn't open. Any suggestions?

[The Giving One]

Are you sure you have any antivirus or other security software totally ignoring Steam and games in real time scanning ?

Make exceptions for these in your security software, if you have not yet. Sometimes, they can be overprotective and block certain Steam features from being installed.

See this :

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

[mikeywilson11]

I've got other games that will open no problem though, it's just this one that's being a bit temperamental.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by mikeywilson11:

I've got other games that will open no problem though, it's just this one that's being a bit temperamental.

Perhaps the security software does not see those games as a problem, if it is antivirus or security software that is the issue.

You still need the exceptions, as I suggested above. And, as you can see from the support page, antivirus is not the only possible issue where software conflicts are concerned.

You should post your PC specs also, please. Go to "Help" in the top of Steam, then system information. Right click in the new window, select all, then copy and paste all that here.

[mikeywilson11]

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: Latitude E7240
Form Factor: Laptop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4300U CPU @ 1.90GHz
CPU Family: 0x6
CPU Model: 0x45
CPU Stepping: 0x1
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 2494 Mhz
4 logical processors
2 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows 7 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DirectX Driver Name: igdumdim32.dll
Driver Version: 10.18.10.3412
DirectX Driver Version: 10.18.10.3412
Driver Date: 1 29 2014
OpenGL Version: 4.2
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 59 Hz
DirectX Card: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
VendorID: 0x8086
DeviceID: 0xa16
Revision: 0xb
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1366 x 768
Desktop Resolution: 1366 x 768
Primary Display Size: 18.98" x 10.67" (21.73" diag)
48.2cm x 27.1cm (55.2cm diag)
Primary Bus Type Not Detected
Primary VRAM: -1984 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers / Headphones (Realtek

Memory:
RAM: 8097 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: Undetermined
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 122062 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 12817 Mb
OS Install Date: Jan 01 1970
Game Controller: None detected
VR Headset: None detected




I've got no idea what any of this means but awesome if you can deduce anything from it. Appreciate all your help. Cheers.

[The Giving One]

Hello and sorry for the late reply.

I see above you said you are a bit new with computers. That's fine, and as a result, I would first like to suggest you make sure all device drivers are up to date. That's important, and as good a place to start as any.

Check this link :

https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/latitude-e7240-ultrabook/drivers

Make sure that is your computer, and then make sure all drivers are up to date. I see one or two there are pretty new, so maybe that needs to be done.

If you are not sure, Dell should have a tool that you can use on their site that will check these for you automatically. Don't use Windows update to update device drivers in Windows 7 64 bit. Download them yourself and install them yourself manually.

The PC is a bit weak for gaming, honestly.

Your CPU and GPU are a bit on the low side for games, just so you are aware.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1028630/Cricket_19/

Specs for that game :

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 7 (x64) or higher
Processor: Intel Core i3-3210 / AMD Athlon II X4 555
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Radeon HD 6670 or NVIDIA Geforce GT710 with Min 2GB Memory
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 25 GB available space
Additional Notes: Controller Required

Your CPU :

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/76308/intel-core-i5-4300u-processor-3m-cache-up-to-2-90-ghz.html

Minimum i3 for the game :

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/71053/intel-core-i3-3210-processor-3m-cache-3-20-ghz.html

Your CPU's max frequency is 2.9 Ghz. The game's minimum i3 starts at a base frequency of 3.2 Ghz.