DirectX Set Up Fail

Question

Hi,

I've just downloaded Steam so that my son can play certain games available on there. We have paid for and downloaded Garry's Mod. When we click play, it advises that our version of DirectX is out of date and we need to download the latest version. We are directed to the Windows Download site and click on the download for the latest version of DirectX and go through the download and install processes. Within seconds of starting the install process the following error comes up "DirectX Set Up - An internal system error has occurred. Please refer to DXError.log and DirectX.log in your windows folder to determine the problem."

When I look in the suggested folder and find the logs, they are just text boxes full of script...no help to me at all as I am a mere PC user, not a technician!

Can anyone help? My little boy has spent his pocket money on a game he cannot use!

Many Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know which DirectX installer program you are attempting to use, but there are two

versions.

• The DirectX Web Installer is best used on machines with a new Windows installation, or one

which has never had DirectX updated. There have not been any 'new' DX files since 2010, so

this generally is not useful if DX has been updated previously.

(Garry's Mod uses one of the last DX9 files - d3dx9_40.dll, which does not install with Win7)

The Web Installer will install any 'missing' DirextX files, but does not overwrite any existing files.

Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Official Microsoft Download Center

• The DirectX Redist (June 2010) installer package is the better option if there are any corrupt DirectX files, as this installed overwrites all DirectX files.
• This installer first 'unpacks' the DirectX files to a location of your choice (you can create a new

folder on the desktop and unpack to there, as this folder can be deleted after installing DX).

• Once the files are unpacked you need to open the folder and find the DXSETUP.exe  and

run the final installation from there.

-  If you still get an error...

R/click on the DXSETUP.exe and go to Properties.

Click on the Compatibility tab and tick the box next to 'Run as Administrator'

(this may happen if you are running Windows from a non-Administrator User account with limited 'permissions').

• Try installing from the DXSETUP.exe  again.
• I suggest rebooting the machine after reinstalling DirectX.

Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - DirectX Redist (June 2010)

• If you continue to get error messages when trying to install DirectX using the Redist (June 2010)

you  may need to  try installing from Safe Mode.

Safe Mode is commonly accessed by tapping F8 while booting into Windows.

• If you have a problem accessing Safe Mode type - Safe Mode - into Help and Support on your

Start Menu for more detailed instruction.

 It may also help to 'verify the game cache'. This is done from your Steam account.

• Go to your Steam Library and R/click on the games  title. Then click on Properties.
• Click on the Local Files tab and select Verify Integrity of Game Cache. It may take

a few minutes for Steam to verify the games files are not corrupt.

• Also check the Steam  support pages, if you have not already.

btw - You said 'little boy'. This game is more like a modding toolbox where you make your own fun than a 'scripted' game, and has a somewhat steep learning curve, so I hope not too little/young.

.

Answer 2

Thank you very much for your reply, I shall have a go at your suggestions.

My boy is 8 and always has support from his older cousin and myself when using the computer so I think he'll be ok, thanks for checking though!

:-)