C&C generals directx error

command and conquer generals and C & C generals zero hour, having difficulty running the game as its coming up with an error for Directx 8.1 required. I haven't got any issues running red alert 3 or other in the series. I have re downloaded latest directx but not having much luck. has anyone else had a similar experience?

thanks for your time

Andy

Nyerguds
5 years ago
@hullk86

The problem is that the "or higher" refers to higher versions of DirectX 8/9, not higher versions of DirectX beyond 9. The game can't actually use the DirectX 10/11/12 that is installed on windows machines by default nowadays, so updating to the latest DirectX will not help you.

~~The solution is simple; install DirectX 9:~~

~~Download the DirectX Redistributables package from June 2010. Be sure to uncheck any other junk they want to add to it. It should be a file called "directx_Jun2010_redist.exe".~~

~~Run the downloaded file. It'll ask for a folder to unpack in. Make a new folder somewhere on your disk and unpack it there. It doesn't matter where you unpack it; it can be deleted afterwards anyway.~~

~~Go to the folder where you told it to extract.~~

~~Find "DXSETUP.exe", and run that to install the missing components.~~

~~After the installation finished, delete the folder you unpacked everything in.~~

~~Since this is a completely separate thing, it will not interfere with your installed higher-version DirectX.~~

[-EDIT-]

It seems Generals, specifically, has an issue with DirectX that is caused by a malfunctioning dll in the game folder that was actually left there from testing. If you go into the game folder, and delete the file "dbghelp.dll" there, this problem should be resolved.

28 Replies

e39a393eeabdc56
3 years ago
Yes I dont find the file dbghelp.dll in either command and conquer generals or zero hour
Nyerguds
Hero+
3 years ago
@e39a393eeabdc56b The listed solution was edited more than three months ago to add a note in bold text at the bottom. Did you try what that said?
e39a393eeabdc56
3 years ago
I am having the same issues but the solution listed did not help. I installed the patch listed and It did not work. I still get the directx error. Any help would be helpful at this point I am out of ideas
WantEkWil
3 years ago
YOU HAVE SAVED MY LIFE!! I've been looking for a solution for 3 DAYS. None of them even remotely mentioned the "dbghelp.dll". The moment it was gone the game worked.
chris333000
3 years ago
Thanks for the help, I had this issue With trying to run generals on my new laptop.
It worked and the game runs great 👍 😊
much appreciated
NameLast4
4 years ago
haha I found the path for me it was

C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\Command and Conquer Generals

I deleted from both main and expansion and it worked hope this helps out others
NameLast4
4 years ago
having a hard time finding the file to delete just downloaded everything through origin and ran into this same issue
Nyerguds
Hero+
5 years ago
@hullk86

The problem is that the "or higher" refers to higher versions of DirectX 8/9, not higher versions of DirectX beyond 9. The game can't actually use the DirectX 10/11/12 that is installed on windows machines by default nowadays, so updating to the latest DirectX will not help you.

~~The solution is simple; install DirectX 9:~~

~~Download the DirectX Redistributables package from June 2010. Be sure to uncheck any other junk they want to add to it. It should be a file called "directx_Jun2010_redist.exe".~~

~~Run the downloaded file. It'll ask for a folder to unpack in. Make a new folder somewhere on your disk and unpack it there. It doesn't matter where you unpack it; it can be deleted afterwards anyway.~~

~~Go to the folder where you told it to extract.~~

~~Find "DXSETUP.exe", and run that to install the missing components.~~

~~After the installation finished, delete the folder you unpacked everything in.~~

~~Since this is a completely separate thing, it will not interfere with your installed higher-version DirectX.~~

[-EDIT-]

It seems Generals, specifically, has an issue with DirectX that is caused by a malfunctioning dll in the game folder that was actually left there from testing. If you go into the game folder, and delete the file "dbghelp.dll" there, this problem should be resolved.