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Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
10 years ago

Directx8.1 not recognized

I recently purchased "Command & Conquer: Ultimate Edition", and when attempting to Run Command and Conquer Generals, and its expansion, "Zero Hour"  I get an error message that reads "Please make sure that you have DirectX version 8.1 or higher, and that your graphics hardware meets the minimum requirements." 

I have searched far and wide, watching numerous videos and reading various forums trying to solve this problem.  One solution requests that I alter the resolutions on the Options.ini file in the documents>command&conquer:Generals folder.  I have tried this to no avail.  I have also attempted moving my own resolution around to suit the default. 

I have been advised to delete a dbghelp.dll file.  I found this file and duly deleted it.  This has also been to no avail.

I have been advised to delete the .cab files in  Programfiles(x86)>OriginGames>Command&Conquer:Generals>_Installer folder.  No avail.

I have rolled back my version of DirectX to 9.  I have also tried to run the game both from the origin menu in every compatibility scenario I can think of, from Windows XP Spk1 to windows 7. 

I have gone to the origin menu and asked it to repair the game. It re installs the game, and I have the same problem as before.

I am currently running an Intel i3, screen resolution 1600x900, Intel integrated graphics, Windows 7 fully updated as of 9/9/2015.

Please suggest some other course of action, or contact your vendor to patch the game accordingly.

2 Replies

  • yahel_1's avatar
    yahel_1
    10 years ago

    Hello @mjurge

    You'll have issues trying to get a game designed for XP to run on 7. Win7 does have compatibility mode so you can try setting that on the executable. Right click on the executable and choose properties. Then, on the Compatibility tab choose XP.

    You should also download the latest DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer which provides updates to previous versions of DirectX .Download link  here. 

    Restart your PC.

    Decrease your resolution because it's too high for the game.

    Start Origin go in My Games tab  right clicking and select Repair Game and Check for Updates and you should be fine.🙂

    All my best.😉

    @yahel_1
    I am just a gamer wich trying to help another gamer.
    I do not work for EA.

    Spoiler
    My Opinion is no more important or right than yours.
  • Nyerguds's avatar
    Nyerguds
    Hero+
    10 years ago

    Basically, the latest version of DirextX is missing some legacy components that these older games need. You don't need to "downgrade" your DirectX to fix this, though; just installing the older components on top of your current DirectX works fine.

    The version you need to find and install is 9.0c:

    • 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.

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