DirectX not working i think

[StrangeMaestro]

I recently got my computer repaired and when it came back the only 2 fullscreen games I have aren't working. Ok so I tried to start Warcraft 3 (I'm a dota player, see) and a textbox came up saying that I needed to install DirectX 8.1 or higher, because I "don't have it" and that it's on the disk. I went to the Microsoft page and downloaded DirectX 9.0c and installed it but it still didn't work so I stuck in the cd, which consequently told me that a version more current than 8.1 was installed.

 

[Herr_Koos]

Which operating system? And what exactly did they "repair" on your PC?

 

[StrangeMaestro]

It's windows xp and they pretty much just ran an antivirus, got rid of some viruses. I did think that maybe they had made a mistake and deleted some of the directx stuff but the fresh install should have fixed that right?

 

[Herr_Koos]

Firstly, grab yourself a proper antivirus. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials; it's free, never bugs you, and works on XP as well.

Have you tried re-installing WarCraft and DOTA?

 

[das_stig]

Run dxdiag and it will tell you if its corrupt.

 

[StrangeMaestro]

Ok well I have NOD antivirus and it can't find anything wrong with my computer, Warcraft isn't actually installed so I can't re-install it. dxdiag on the other hand, says that my 3D isn't working but i've already downloaded the newest driver 93.71 i think it was.

 

[Herr_Koos]

OK, this is getting confusing. Please list your complete system specifications: CPU, mobo, RAM, Video card, etc. What is the exact error given by DXDiag?

Also, does DOTA work without WC3 actually being installed?

 

[StrangeMaestro]

2.6Ghz pentium 4 processor, 1gb RAM, GeForce 4200 Ti video card and a P4PE ASUSTeK. Do you need anything else?
The error is "Direct3D functionality not available. You should verify that the driver is a final version from the hardware manufacturer."
And Dota is a map, so it working without WC3 would be like a map on COD or something working without the actual program.

 

[Herr_Koos]

Right, now I'm even more confused. You say that you can't launch WC3 because of the DirectX error, but then you say, and I quote:

"Warcraft isn't actually installed so I can't re-install it"

Please explain?

 

[StrangeMaestro]

well I don't need the cd or an actual installation to play, so i just copied the files from my other computer to the current one and it normally plays fine when I run the .exe

 

[Herr_Koos]

So it's a pirate copy then?

 

[StrangeMaestro]

No. I bought it and installed it one computer but that one broke and since you can't reuse the CD key and I've actually bought the game, I see no reason why I can't just transfer the game to my new computer.

 

[Herr_Koos]

OK, lets clear a few things up:

1) You cannot copy a game from one computer to the next and expect it to work. It has to be re-installed.
2) Your key can be used again, just not on multiple computers at the same time. If you still have your CD key, use your WC3 disc and re-install it. It should work fine.

 

[StrangeMaestro]

But it's worked for the past year so why would it suddenly play up like this? And is anything actually wrong with my DirectX 3d?

 

[Herr_Koos]

Try reinstalling the game anyway. If that doesn't work, ask the guys at the shop what they did to break your PC instead of fixing it.

 

[Herr_Koos]

Mmm... OK, I might have worded that incorrectly. I meant that there are certain usage restrictions. You can't for instance play multi player with two instances of the same game at the same time.

 

[StrangeMaestro]

yes i can.
Starcraft 1 btw

 

[Herr_Koos]

*Sigh* Yeesss, back in the day when they still let you install spawn games. I'm referring to more recent games.