Description of DirectX Tools for DirectX 5.0 and 5.2

ID: Q184251

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the tools available with DirectX versions 5.0 and 5.2. Use these tools to learn more about the files installed with DirectX and to troubleshoot problems after you install DirectX drivers.


MORE INFORMATION

DirectX 5.0 and 5.2 include the following programs in the Program Files\DirectX\Setup folder:

  • DirectX Setup (Dxsetup.exe)


  • DirectX Information (Dxinfo.exe)


  • DirectX Driver Tool (Dxtool.exe)


These tools provide information about the system and driver files installed on your computer.

DirectX Setup

Note that DirectX Setup is not included with Windows 98 because DirectX 5.2 is part of Windows 98. However, you can run DirectX Setup (Dxsetup.exe) from a game CD-ROM if you install DirectX as part of a game.

Use DirectX Setup to view information about your audio and display drivers, to restore the earlier version of your display or audio drivers, or to reinstall DirectX.

You can run DirectX Setup by using one of the following methods:
  • Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs, click DirectX Drivers on the Install/Uninstall tab, and then click OK.


  • Open the Program Files\DirectX Setup folder, and then double-click Dxsetup.exe.


If you want to troubleshoot Direct3D problems, you can use DirectX Setup to disable Direct3D hardware acceleration. To do so, click the Direct3D Hardware Acceleration Enabled check box to clear it.

If you want to troubleshoot other DirectX video problems, you may be able to restore your original display driver. To do so, save your work and quit any open programs, click Restore Display Drivers, and then click OK. Click Restore Audio Drivers to restore your original sound driver, and then click OK. DirectX replaces your original driver from the Windows\System\Dxbackup folder, and then restarts your computer.

NOTE: In some cases, the Restore Display Driver or Restore Audio Driver button may be unavailable.

For additional information about how to troubleshoot display problems after you install DirectX, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q178098
TITLE : How to Troubleshoot DirectX Video Problems

If you continue to have problems after you install DirectX and want to troubleshoot them, click Reinstall DirectX. This button is available only if you installed DirectX with a game, and then double-click Dxsetup.exe from the game CD-ROM. Use Reinstall DirectX to reinstall DirectX or to verify the installation of DirectX.

DirectX Info

DirectX Info (Dxinfo.exe) displays detailed information from the registry about the system and driver files. It also provides detailed information about each of the following categories:
  • Machine name


  • Operating system


  • DirectX components


  • DirectX drivers


  • Display


  • Monitor


  • Sound


  • Joystick


  • Backed-up drivers


  • Inactive display entries in the registry


  • Inactive sound entries in the registry


  • DXInfo version


The entries in this report list the installed components. If you have problems after you install DirectX, your audio or display driver may be the cause of these problems.

NOTE: For accurate results, do not run Dxinfo.exe from your game CD-ROM (if you installed DirectX as part of a game), but only from your computer's hard disk (copy the Dxinfo.exe file to the hard disk if necessary).

You can use DirectX Info to save this information as a text file. If you have problems after you install DirectX, Technical Support may request this information when you call for support.

To create a text file, open the Program Files\DirectX\Setup folder, double-click Dxinfo.exe, click Save Config Info, and then click OK. The default name for the first DirectX Info text file is DXinfo01.txt, and the text file is saved in the Program Files\DirectX\Setup folder. Each subsequent file name that you save increments the number by one. You can also save the text file in an alternative location.

Note that a newer version of DirectX Info is available for download from the following Microsoft Web page:
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/resources/

If you view the version numbers of the DirectX components and they do not all match, reinstall DirectX.

NOTE: The version numbers of the drivers do not need to match.

DirectX Driver Tool

This tool gathers detailed information from the registry about DirectX driver settings and the version of DirectX system files. You can use DirectX Driver Tool to enable or disable the following features of your display driver:
  • Direct3D hardware acceleration


  • DirectDraw hardware acceleration


For example, to disable Direct3D hardware acceleration, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.


  2. Open the Program Files\DirectX\Setup folder, and then double-click Dxtool.exe.


  3. Click the Direct3D Hardware Acceleration check box to clear it, and then click OK.


If disabling either setting solves a problem, update your display driver. Contact the manufacturer of your display adapter to determine if an updated driver is available.

Additional query words: utility utilities gather grayed greyed out

Keywords : kbdisplay kbsound kbtool kbtshoot win95 win98
Version : WINDOWS:95,98
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: February 2, 1999
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