Can't reinstall DirectX

On my WinXP Pro (32bit) I tried to install a game, and when it got to
the DirectX install/check, it failed.
So I ran it manually, and I get the error:

Installing components.
Installing...
An internal system error occurred.
Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your Windows folder to
determine problem.

There are dozens of entries in DirectX.log, and at the bottom here is
what DXError.log had. Not that I can make any sense of it.

I looked at dxdiag, and it says my gcdef.dll is an older version and
may cause problems.
When I google for clues, I get nothing that seems to apply.
When I search on how to reinstall DirectX, all I get is instructions
to shut down in msconfig all non-MS services and reboot and reinstall.
That doesn't help.

I tried reinstalling in SafeMode.
No good.

Can anyone give me any ideas on what I may need to do here?
Thanks!
Liam

DXError.log:

[12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4751, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.

See line 189: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm


"Mechphisto" <mechphisto@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:07c59f16-30cc-4aba-8b21-b323d60cc442@x16g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> On my WinXP Pro (32bit) I tried to install a game, and when it got to
> the DirectX install/check, it failed.
> So I ran it manually, and I get the error:
>
> Installing components.
> Installing...
> An internal system error occurred.
> Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your Windows folder to
> determine problem.
>
> There are dozens of entries in DirectX.log, and at the bottom here is
> what DXError.log had. Not that I can make any sense of it.
>
> I looked at dxdiag, and it says my gcdef.dll is an older version and
> may cause problems.
> When I google for clues, I get nothing that seems to apply.
> When I search on how to reinstall DirectX, all I get is instructions
> to shut down in msconfig all non-MS services and reboot and reinstall.
> That doesn't help.
>
> I tried reinstalling in SafeMode.
> No good.
>
> Can anyone give me any ideas on what I may need to do here?
> Thanks!
> Liam
>
> DXError.log:
>
> [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
>
>
> Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> version value in the registry.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
> line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> InstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
>
>
> Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> version value in the registry.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 4751, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> --------------------
> [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: setup.cpp,
> line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> InstallPlugIn() failed.
>

Thanks for the reply!
Unfortunately, I installed the .reg and rebooted, but when I run the
DirectX setup I get "Installing Components...
Searching for updated DirectX Runtime Components..."
then "An internal system error occurred..."

[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.



On Dec 30, 2:15*pm, "Kelly" <ke...@kelly.com> wrote:
> See line 189: *http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
>
> --
>
> All the Best and Happy Holidays,
> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)
>
> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
>
> "Mechphisto" <mechphi...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:07c59f16-30cc-4aba-8b21-b323d60cc442@x16g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On my WinXP Pro (32bit) I tried to install a game, and when it got to
> > the DirectX install/check, it failed.
> > So I ran it manually, and I get the error:
>
> > Installing components.
> > Installing...
> > An internal system error occurred.
> > Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your Windows folder to
> > determine problem.
>
> > There are dozens of entries in DirectX.log, and at the bottom here is
> > what DXError.log had. Not that I can make any sense of it.
>
> > I looked at dxdiag, and it says my gcdef.dll is an older version and
> > may cause problems.
> > When I google for clues, I get nothing that seems to apply.
> > When I search on how to reinstall DirectX, all I get is instructions
> > to shut down in msconfig all non-MS services and reboot and reinstall.
> > That doesn't help.
>
> > I tried reinstalling in SafeMode.
> > No good.
>
> > Can anyone give me any ideas on what I may need to do here?
> > Thanks!
> > Liam
>
> > DXError.log:
>
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> > * *Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> > * *Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
> > * *Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> > version value in the registry.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> > * *GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> > * *DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
> > line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> > * *InstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar *5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> > * *Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> > * *Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
> > * *Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> > version value in the registry.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar *5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 4751, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> > * *GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar *5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> > * *DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar *5 2008), file: setup.cpp,
> > line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> > * *InstallPlugIn() failed.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Most welcome. Added checkpoints to consider: Use the June '07 version.

You receive a DirectX error message when you start a Microsoft game: "Game
cannot run because the version of Microsoft DirectX installed on your
computer is incompatible" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256182

DirectX 9c (4.09.000.0904) issues after/with SP2:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#9c

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

VIDEO-DIRECTX-SYSTEM CHECKLIST
http://www3.sympatico.ca/nibblesnbit...o.html#drivers

Suggestions:

Navigiate to C:\Windows\System32\CatRoot. And rename the folder to
CatRoot2old.

More detailed info by MVP Jimmy S.:

To download and install a DRIVER for your video card ...
XP users should create a restore point before any upgrades:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...temrestore.asp

If your video card meets the game requirements, but
Dxdiag.exe is still reporting N/A, you must reinstall
DirectX and update your video card drivers. If the issue
continues after you reinstall DirectX and you update your
video card drivers, this may be a Microsoft Windows
problem. Contact Windows technical support to continue
troubleshooting this issue.

Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
simple abc's to always keep in mind.

a. Shut off download accelerators,firewalls and antivirus programs when
downloading or installing updates;
b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.

Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
your Video card.

Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you install DirectX 9.0b:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe

Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:

1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.

2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
http://www3.sympatico.ca/nibblesnbit...o.html#drivers
to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.

3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
in My Documents named after the driver version number.

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.

6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.

7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.

9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
*Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.

10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.

** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update
Driver".

To start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
Click OK and click Next to begin the update.

12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs.

If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
my website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11

Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.

Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
7:

Nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?...atorrip&menu=0
or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
(Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game
folder/CD).

If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:

BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/

DirectX Support Center and Newsgroups:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...3Bdrx&x=9&y=15


--

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm


"Mechphisto" <mechphisto@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:aac3c0d9-fc00-4dca-a94b-0f783f8b3f06@p2g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
Thanks for the reply!
Unfortunately, I installed the .reg and rebooted, but when I run the
DirectX setup I get "Installing Components...
Searching for updated DirectX Runtime Components..."
then "An internal system error occurred..."

[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:26:01] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 189, function: GetDXVersion

Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.



Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
version value in the registry.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation

GetDXVersion() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn

DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.

--------------------
[12/30/08 15:30:39] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX

InstallPlugIn() failed.



On Dec 30, 2:15 pm, "Kelly" <ke...@kelly.com> wrote:
> See line 189: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
>
> --
>
> All the Best and Happy Holidays,
> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)
>
> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
>
> "Mechphisto" <mechphi...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:07c59f16-30cc-4aba-8b21-b323d60cc442@x16g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On my WinXP Pro (32bit) I tried to install a game, and when it got to
> > the DirectX install/check, it failed.
> > So I ran it manually, and I get the error:
>
> > Installing components.
> > Installing...
> > An internal system error occurred.
> > Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your Windows folder to
> > determine problem.
>
> > There are dozens of entries in DirectX.log, and at the bottom here is
> > what DXError.log had. Not that I can make any sense of it.
>
> > I looked at dxdiag, and it says my gcdef.dll is an older version and
> > may cause problems.
> > When I google for clues, I get nothing that seems to apply.
> > When I search on how to reinstall DirectX, all I get is instructions
> > to shut down in msconfig all non-MS services and reboot and reinstall.
> > That doesn't help.
>
> > I tried reinstalling in SafeMode.
> > No good.
>
> > Can anyone give me any ideas on what I may need to do here?
> > Thanks!
> > Liam
>
> > DXError.log:
>
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> > Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> > Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
> > Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> > version value in the registry.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dxupdate(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 4740, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> > GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> > DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:44] module: dsetup32(Jul 20 2007), file: setup.cpp,
> > line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> > InstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 189, function: GetDXVersion
>
> > Failed API: RegQueryValueEx()
> > Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified.
>
> > Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the
> > version value in the registry.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dxupdate(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 4751, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation
>
> > GetDXVersion() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: dxupdate.cpp,
> > line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn
>
> > DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
>
> > --------------------
> > [12/29/08 22:03:58] module: dsetup32(Mar 5 2008), file: setup.cpp,
> > line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX
>
> > InstallPlugIn() failed.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -