Diagnosing error messages when
running a 3-D game
Diagnosing your computer's graphic card info & capabilities
Diagnosing DirectX, Directdraw (ddraw.dll) problems
Solving problems with your video or graphic card
a brief tech article from Neil MacQueen
www.sundaysoftware.com
If you have an older computer, or a computer that's experiencing an error message running a 3-D style program, this page is for you. In fact, we may have directed you here to help you help us in diagnosing your computer's problem. (If you are experiencing a ddraw or directdraw error on a Windows 98 computer, jump down this page.)
The first thing we need to know is your computer's operating system version.
The second thing we need to know is the brand name and model number of your computer.
The third thing we need to know is the brand of videochip/card in your computer and the date of the video driver.
The fourth thing we need to know is which version of DirectX is installed on your computer.
There's an EASY WAY to find out all this info: run the Microsoft DirectX diagnostics program found in your Windows operating system. DirectX is the suite of files from Microsoft installed in your system that interface with your computer hardware. DXDIAG can tell you and us the answers to the four questions above.
Here's how to run Direct X Diagnostics on your Windows operating system.
1. Click START
2. Click RUN
3. Type the letters DXDIAG and click OK.
4. The first page that appears tells you about your computer and operating system. Write that down.
5. Now click the "Display" tab and write down the info about your video/graphic chip. [Notice also the 'test' buttons on this screen. Click them to have DirectX test your system's 3-D capabilities.
6. Email all that info to us at neil@sundaysoftware.com
Note: you can select "save information" in the DXDIAG screen, and it will turn all the info into a text file which you can then email to us for diagnosing your system.
Have you looked up your program on our Software Support Page?We document all known incompatibilities and workarounds for our software.
Go to www.sundaysoftware.com/techie2.htm to see our notes for your software.
What could be wrong?
Your computer's graphic/video card capabilities might be out of date.
The driver which runs your graphic/video chip might be out of date. Manufacturers regularly update the drivers to solve compatibility issues.
You might not have enough videoram.
Your version of DirectX might be out of date. It's a free program from www.microsoft.com/directx
Possible Solutions:
1. You may need to update the videodriver for your computer. This is best done by going to the computer manufacturer's website and downloading the latest driver. Check the release date of their latest driver versus the one on your computer. Don't be surprised if your "new" computer already has an updated driver available for it. Happens all the time.
2. You may need to replace an outdated videocard/chip with a new videocard. These can be purchased for under $50 from web companies, such as, www.tigerdirect.com. They are easily installed.
3. You may need to update your computer's version of DirectX to work with your video/graphics card. www.microsoft.com/directx
**Remember to view the program's specific support page at www.sundaysoftware.com/techie2.htm
4. IF you are getting a DDRAW.dll error message and have Windows 98, you must download DirectX version 8.1 at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4846C891-D45D-4122-8230-69F3E5ECDEDE If this link does not work, do a Google search for "DX81eng.exe". Download and install it. If you have run into a DDRAW error message running one of our programs, 'explore' the folder where you installed our program and look for a DirectX folder containing version 8.1 for Windows 98. We include DX8.1 with our games.
5. If you have Windows 2000, download DirectX 8.1b
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