When you start one of the games that are listed in the "Applies to" section, you may receive an error message that states one of the following:

• The game requires a later version of Microsoft DirectX.
• The version of DirectX that is installed on the computer is incompatible with the game.
• One of the DirectX files was not found.

This issue may occur if DirectX is not installed correctly on the computer.

Method 1: Reinstall DirectX from the game CD on a clean-booted computer

Step 1: Restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure

When you start Microsoft Windows, typically there are a number of programs that start automatically and run in the background that may interfere with the game. These programs may include antivirus and system utility programs. When you perform a clean boot, you prevent these programs from starting automatically. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Clean boot in Microsoft Windows XP

To restart your computer by using a clean boot procedure, follow these steps when you are using Windows XP.

Note You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may cause the original error message or behavior to return.

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
3. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the following check boxes:
   • Process SYSTEM.INI File
   • Process WIN.INI File
   • Load Startup Items
4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
5. Click OK, and then click Restart.

Clean boot in Windows Vista

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in the appropriate section.

The computer is connected to the Internet

View the "Run Selective Startup using System Configuration" topic on the following Windows Online Help and Support Web site:

The computer is not connected to the Internet

View the "Run Selective Startup using System Configuration" topic in Windows Help and Support on the computer's hard disk by following these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
2. In the Search Help box or in the Search online Help box, type Run Selective Startup using System Configuration, and then click Search Help.
3. In the list of topics, click Run Selective Startup using System Configuration.
4. Click the link that best describes the problem that you are experiencing.
5. Follow the suggestions to troubleshoot the problem that you are experiencing.

Click Play to view the following streaming media demonstration:

For more information or to view steps for other operating systems, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Step 2: Copy DirectX from the game CD and install DirectX

1. Insert the game CD in your computer's CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Press and hold down the SHIFT key when you insert the game CD to prevent the installation from starting automatically.
3. On a computer that is running Windows XP, double-click My Computer on the desktop.
   
   On a computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type Computer in the Start Search box, and then click Computer in the Programs list.
4. Right-click the icon for your CD drive or DVD drive, and then click Open.
5. Right-click the DirectX folder, and then click Copy.
6. Close all the windows that are open on the desktop.
7. Right-click an empty spot on the desktop, and then click Paste.
8. Double-click the DirectX folder.
9. Double-click the Dxsetup.exe file.

Follow the directions that appear on the screen to install DirectX. Restart the computer when you are prompted to. If the issue continues to occur, go to the next method.

Method 2: Download and install the latest version of DirectX End-User Runtimes Web Installer

To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note You may receive the following error message during installation: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: