DirectX Problem

[josefdoc]

I installed the redist version and it still didn't work.

 

[shaneturner12]

OK - can you post the error please?

It may help identify the issue.

Shane

 

[josefdoc]

It says Trainz has stopped working and windows is checking for a solution for the problem. And then it asks me if I want to send an error report.

 

[shaneturner12]

I just need to check that it is indeed a DirectX problem, as that error can have other reasons like out of date/missing graphics drivers, or similar.

Shane

 

[josefdoc]

ok, thanks.

 

[shaneturner12]

There is another check that can be done, to verify that the latest DirectX is installed.

Look in the C:/Windows/System32 (or C:/Windows/SysWOW64 if it's a 64-bit version) and look for files beginning with d3dx9 - the highest number at the end should be 43.

Shane

EDIT: If the file in question (d3dx9_43.dll) does not exist, it means your DirectX is not up to date.

 

[josefdoc]

I have the numbers up to 43.

 

[Scottish]

@ Shane & josefdoc

Josef said,

"I installed the redist version and it still didn't work."

The installer for DX checks the installation and reports any problems or confirms that DX has been successfully installed. If you are trying to install an older or identical version the installer advises that the installed version is newer or up to date. What did the DX installer report? If no errors were reported then it is unlikely that DX is the problem.

Run 'dxdiag' and tell us what it says. It will tell us what version you are running on the system page and if you go along all of the tabs and look at the messages at the bottom it will report any DX problems. If they all say 'no problem' then we can elimate DX as the cause.

Also run 'trainzdiag.exe' in the bin folder of Trainz. Tell us what version of DX it is reporting and if all the items have a green tick or if not what items have a red cross or yellow warning.

Please also tell us what Windows OS you are using.

I have a hunch it is a video card driver problem, but let's see what these tests show.

Scottish

 

[josefdoc]

Ok, I ran trainzdiag.exe and the warnings said:


Vertex Shaders : Version 1.1 (DirectX Failure)
Spherical Environment Mapping (DirectX Failure)
Vertex Buffers (DirectX Failure)
Video Driver's Age : 42 months old-update.

And I am using OS:C
And dxdiag didn't report any errors.

Thanks

 

[josefdoc]

I think I need to update my video card driver, but directX has warnings also.

 

[shaneturner12]

The Directx warnings may be due to the graphics card as well.

I would concentrate on checking for newer graphics drivers - if this does not fix the problem, I am aware that some cards do not like DirectX mode (usually NVidia cards, but occasionally other types)

Shane

 

[Scottish]

I think all 3 of us are agreed that the next step to try is updating the graphics card driver. It is three and a half years old and pre-dates both the version of DirectX installed and the latest 2 versions of Trainz you have.

For example your vertexshaders are version 1.1 and mine is 3.0.

Scottish

 

[josefdoc]

Yes I also agree that it is a graphics card driver problem, How would I check and update my graphics card driver?

Thanks

 

[shaneturner12]

To give you that information, we will need to know 2 bits of information:

Make and model of graphics card (this can be got from either dxdiag or TrainzDiag)
Operating System

Shane

 

[josefdoc]

My graphics card is an Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family.

By Intel Corporation,

Chip type is an Intel (R) GMA 3100.

DAC Type: internal.

 

[Scottish]

Now that we know that your graphics are what is known as an internal integrated chipset, I doubt if you will ever get much out of 2009 and 2012. If you Google it you will see many comments that it is not up to the demands of modern games. For example see;

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/323492-15-intel-express-chipset-family-windows-vista-play-games

If you Google for the drivers there may be a slightly more recent one (2009) but that depends on which Windows OS you are running, but your graphics card does not meet the minimum spec recommended for 2009 & 2010 therefore I don't think a later driver will do much for you.

I had integrated Nvidia graphics when I was using 2006 and this was OK, but when I bought 2009 (especially after I brought it up to SP3) it kept crashing when I used DirectX.

I had to install an upgraded PCI slot graphics card, more memory and a processor upgrade and 2009 & 2010 now runs OK.

Sorry, Scottish

 

[shaneturner12]

josefdoc, try http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect for your driver - it's the Intel Driver Update utility.

Note though that integrated Intel graphics chipsets are known to not work well with DirectX or OpenGL.

Shane

 

[ct_krogen]

Ok, I ran trainzdiag.exe and the warnings said:


Vertex Shaders : Version 1.1 (DirectX Failure)
Spherical Environment Mapping (DirectX Failure)
Vertex Buffers (DirectX Failure)
Video Driver's Age : 42 months old-update.


yea, and update directx 1.1,, that old
and update you video drivers

 

[josefdoc]

josefdoc, try http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect for your driver - it's the Intel Driver Update utility.

Note though that integrated Intel graphics chipsets are known to not work well with DirectX or OpenGL.

Shane

It is installing updates now, it has been running for about an hour and a half. How long does it take?

Thanks

 

[josefdoc]

That didn't work either, Trainz works fine in Open GL, but Trainz 2009 SP3 needs DirectX for it to work properly.