Older games that require Directx 9.0 won't start (SOLVED)

[Victor]

I've encountered this problem 1 month ago and still couldn't find a solution.
I have tried every solution there is on the internet such as:
-Directx 2010 redist package (The DXSETUP.exe keeps installing a few directx9 files everytime i run the installer but nothing changes)
-disable/enable direct-play (it was enabled from the start)
-sfc /scannow
-clean uninstall gpu drivers adn reinstall them
-install all windows updates
-clean my pc's dust
After doing everything listed here old games that require directx 9 will not start,giving me errors on start-up.


Edit: I just reinstalled windows, it solved everything!

[Maria]

whats the error message?

[xarvn]

Try verifying integrity of game files. Go to the file properties of the game's .exe file and set compatibility to an earlier version such as Windows XP, 7, or 8. Try asking in the game forums for a particular game. There might be better advice there.

[Victor]

Depends from game to game but heres a list from a few games:
Cod MW4 (2007) :''directx encountered an unrecoverable error''
Stalker (First 3 games) : ''failed to initialize graphics hardware''
Rome Total War (2004) :''Rome Total War failed to find directx9''
Command and Conquer Generals (and zero hour) :"please make sure you have directx 8.1...."

[AustrAlien2010]

You can't run the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game anymore? That's a classic for crying out loud. A work of art. People should be able to run that. Try Windows 7. It runs great on that.

[Aluvard]

Originally posted by Victor:

Depends from game to game but heres a list from a few games:
Cod MW4 (2007) :''directx encountered an unrecoverable error''
Stalker (First 3 games) : ''failed to initialize graphics hardware''
Rome Total War (2004) :''Rome Total War failed to find directx9''
Command and Conquer Generals (and zero hour) :"please make sure you have directx 8.1...."

COD
If you've MSI afterburner or riva statistics running in the background - turn them off.
https://www.reddit.com/r/modernwarfare/comments/d6he62/pc_if_you_are_getting_the_direct_x_error_close/
Stalker
https://www.gog.com/forum/stalker_series/all_three_stalker_games_crashing_on_startup_a_fix
https://steamcommunity.com/app/41700/discussions/0/1319962683448124958
Rome
https://steamcommunity.com/app/4760/discussions/0/864970668059814819
C&C
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Other-Command-Conquer-Games/Direct-X-8-1-error-affecting-Command-amp-Conquer-Generals-and/td-p/1932289

[AustrAlien2010]

Looks as if Victor has been able to get the masterpieces to run.
The first one is special, because it has an environment that was based on real places.

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by AustrAlien2010:

You can't run the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game anymore? That's a classic for crying out loud. A work of art. People should be able to run that. Try Windows 7. It runs great on that.

STALKER runs fine on Windows 10 for me. All three of them (although I haven't tried the last one recently).

I suspect the issue there is the game is detecting the onboard graphics and not the graphics card. I've seen that message before and it needed simply forcing the setting under nVidia control panel (or similar).

[Victor]

Originally posted by AustrAlien2010:

Looks as if Victor has been able to get the masterpieces to run.
The first one is special, because it has an environment that was based on real places.

Sadly no,i didn't get the games to run,im still looking for a fix!

[xarvn]

I know you've already tried sfc /scannow. If you haven't then try first DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and then execute sfc /scannow.

[Victor]

Originally posted by xarvn:

I know you've already tried sfc /scannow. If you haven't then try first DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and then execute sfc /scannow.

After using the command, the console gave me :"The restore operation completed successfully.The operation completed successfully. I assume i have to restart my pc now?

[xarvn]

First execute the sfc /scannow. Reboot and test.

[Victor]

i did sfc /scannow and rebooted but i still get the same errors

[xarvn]

Have you tried crunchyfrog's suggestion (post #7)? Also check device manager to make sure your main display adapter is functioning.

[xarvn]

Is your main display adapter integrated Intel Xe? If so it seems Intel has dropped support of Directx 9:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-xe-arc-directx-9-support/
https://community.intel.com/t5/Graphics/Iris-Xe-Graphics-doesn-t-run-DirectX-9-game-properly/td-p/1443829

[Victor]

I did check, my only display driver that show up is my gpu, Geforce GTX 960. Yesterday i uninstalled it (via device manager) and re-installed the drivers back,but it still didn't work. I don't have Intel Xe graphics.