^THIS FIXED IT!

"Sorry, that page doesn't exist!"

Received the same DirectX 8.1 error trying to play C&C Zero Hour using the Origin software on Win 10 x64.

None of the options.ini, resolution changes, .dll files deletion worked for me. Enabling GPU Scaling using my AMD video card software did the trick however. 

Hopefully this helps someone out and gets them to playing the game faster 🙂

By the way, DirectX 8.1 is not a version of DirectX which comes shipped with Windows. You need to install DirectX 9.0c (which apparently contains it) manually:

1. Download this redistributable package from Microsoft
2. Run it, then tell it to extract the necessary files to any folder of your choosing (one you'll easily browse to)
3. After it's finished, go to that folder and run DXSETUP.exe as administrator.
4. Reboot your computer once the installation is finished.

This will resolve the missing DirectX library issue for C&C Generals, C&C 3 Tiberium Wars, C&C Red Alert 3, C&C 4 Tiberian Twilight and their expansions, as well as the Battle for Middle-earth series.

Hi, sorry to drag up an old thread, but i have been trying to sort this out for the past 24 hours, i have the same DX8.1 error, so far i have uninstalled reinstalled the game, changed from AVG to another provider due to another error coming up due to AVG, i have done the trick of changing the resolution on the options.ini as well as deleting/ making new ones when they weren't there before. I have reinstalled microsoft c++ 2015/2017 as another web site said this has been a fix for some. and am still at a dead end currently? running on windows 10, ryzen 5 1600x and amd rx580. any help would be great i used to love this game so want to get back into it. This happens for me for both Generals and Zero Hour

@paulanator7Next time please read the whole topic you're posting in. Almost all solutions are already in this topic haha. Well, see here for the possible solutions: https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Command_%26_Conquer:_Generals#DirectX_8.1_error_.28Windows.29 Did it work?

YES THIS WORKS WONDERS FOR ALL THE GOG AND OTHER OLD GAMES GOD DAMNNIT

ALL THOSE DELETING AND CHANGING OPTIONS.INI SUCKS

WORKS GRAND in  NVDIA GAME CARDS ALSO. Just Change the resolution of your god darn screen works as well

JESUS CHRIST KNNCCB FREAKING WORKS.

@minabooeh? Changing options.ini work for many people as the installation sometimes has big problems with handeling this file correctly. Also these fixes don't work for all old and GOG-games.... Also, what is KNNCB? XD I don't really know what you mean with the rest, but please refrain from using Caps-lock while typing as this way you sound like you're aggressive towards somebody haha..... You just mean that my message above links to the solution that worked for you? 🙂

hey i tried the 2 fixes and it still dont work do you know anything?

Thanks

This did the trick..thanks

Yes there are 2  1 in Generals and one in Zero Hour. Both have to be deleted.  Thanks for the info..

So I just picked this game up for myself and another (Origin, Ultimate Edition). Mine works, but theirs has the Directx8.1 issue. They've got Directx12 installed, the resolution is 800 x 600, they've never actually played the game and they've deleted that file in both Generals and Zero Hour. For reference, C&C3 Tiberium Wars launches on their computer with no issues, as does every other game they've played. Outside of the "delete this file" fix, can someone please give me a rundown of a checklist we need as far as .Net framework / SDK / whatever? Its an AMD card in their rig, and NVIDEA in mine, if that helps.

To resolve this issue, and the issue with installing where it is stuck on finalizing and then fails, do the following:

Open Windows Security -> Virus and threat Protection

Scroll down to ransomware protection -> Manage Ransomware protection

Select "Allow an app through Controlled folder access" (Yes to UAC)

click "Add and allowed app"

You should see the path of the installer then "touchup.exe", allow that.

Next, allow the generals folder\generals.exe

This resolved the remaining issues for me.

THIS is the ONLY fix that has worked for me.  "There were 2x copies "dbghelp.dll" in my Zero Hour folder, nuking both fixed it." You can actually just rename the file in both offending Generals Command and Conquer Ultimate Collection folders.

If any one is still having this DirectX 8.1 issue, do what Atron50000 suggested, remove this file "dbghelp.dll". Just search for it, right click, open fire location, delete it. Resolved the issue. 

@ATron50000 

THANK YOU

@ATron50000This helped me too thankyou for stating the fix explicitly. The link no longer works as it redirects you to https://help.ea.com/en/, a general help page that wants you to start from scratch picking a product ect. with no specific solution already filled in.
*** Note *** the 2 files you need to delete are in 2 different directories one for Zero Hour and Generals. The files you need to delete or rename are "dbghelp.dll" located in:
"(Install Directory)\Command and Conquer Generals \dbghelp.dll "
and
"(Install Directory)\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour/dbghelp.dll "

On my computer they were

"D:\Origen Files\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\Command and Conquer Generals\dbghelp.dll "
and
"D:\Origen Files\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\dbghelp.dll "

Holy S**t. it is seriously that easy.

go into command and conquer generals file and give dgbhelp.dll the nuclear option by sending it to the shadow realm.

And do the same thing for command and conquer generals zero hour folder.

AND IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS RIGHT UP. so much god damn easier than anything tech support tells you to try.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! ❤️

It didn't work.  My setup is windows 10 pro.  I also followed all previous attempts at a solution.  Thank you for trying.

Thanks @psychotic-787  -- that worked!!!