Articles
Update to DirectX 9.0c
You may well know that DirectX is a Microsoft technology invented to provide software developer, particularly games programmers, with a quick and easy interface for accessing the graphics and sound functions under Windows. If you didn't, then it's a useful little thing to understand, although not terribly crucial.
What is good to know, however, is that we're now in the ninth incarnation of DirectX, and in fact; this is effectively beyond that. In short, there is a new version of DirectX out there, and we can take advantage.
Check your version
First things first; make sure you're not already running the latest version. At the time of writing, this was DirectX 9.0c.
You don't need to upgrade if:
- You've a game installed that specifies Microsoft DirectX 9.0c on the back of the box (it's more than likely you'll have been forced to install it along with the game)
- You've got Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed
To check what version you do have:
Click Start and choose Run
- Type DXDIAG in the box and press Enter
- If prompted ("Do you want to check if your drivers are signed…") click No. It's not worth it for this.
- Look towards the bottom of the dialog that appears, where your DirectX version is shown.
If the version listed is "DirectX 9.0c" then you don't need to update.
Download and install
OK, so if you do need to install DirectX, where do you get it from?
Well, it's the kind of thing that tends to come out with most computer magazine cover discs, but it's available as a free download from Microsoft. How kind.
Visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=0A9B6820-BFBB-4799-9908-D418CDEAC197&displaylang=en - you want the button near the top-right, the one marked “Download.”
When prompted, choose Open. And don't be fooled - DirectX is a lot larger than the 300KB or so that the installer weighs in at.
Fortunately, the installer's simple. As DirectX is a form of driver, Windows won't let you choose where it's installed - so just accept the license agreement and let the installer do it's thing.
Note: As mentioned, this is a big download, even for standard ADSL. Dial-up users; go and borrow a cover CD from someone, or ask a friend with broadband to stick it on a CD-RW. Broadband users; get yourself a hot drink; it'll be done by then.
Another thing of note is that once installed, you're prompted to restart. When I say prompted, I mean the only choice is to Restart. So make sure everything else is closed. DirectX won't install with a lot running anyways, and certainly no games.
Drivers
Once you've installed the new version of DirectX, it might be worth checking that you've the latest drivers for your sound, graphics and networking devices, although the latter tend not to be an issue.
Author: Rob Church