DirectX errors, etc.

[coinheaven]

i am also having this issue. i was using an old version of game ex from a few years ago and it kept crashing, so i figured i would update it with the new version. so i installed it and now it won't boot up and has this error. i installed directx 11 and updated windows xp with service pack 3 (its an old compaq i am using) but still nothing. how do i mess around with the graphics or know which video codecs i need? sucks cause i love this program!

[AlphaUMi]

i am also having this issue. i was using an old version of game ex from a few years ago and it kept crashing, so i figured i would update it with the new version. so i installed it and now it won't boot up and has this error. i installed directx 11 and updated windows xp with service pack 3 (its an old compaq i am using) but still nothing. how do i mess around with the graphics or know which video codecs i need? sucks cause i love this program!

Just to say that you can't have Windows XP sp3 and directX 11 because directX 9.0c is the latest version available for that operating system. So you got confused or about your operating system or about your DX version.

[coinheaven]

Just to say that you can't have Windows XP sp3 and directX 11 because directX 9.0c is the latest version available for that operating system. So you got confused or about your operating system or about your DX version.

ok, so the directx 11 i downloaded and installed wouldn't work then? i did put the sp3 because that what said was compatible with the new game ex. guess ill put on directx 9 then. still don't think it will work, wonder what changed from the old version to the new version

[AlphaUMi]

@coinhaven: Probably you tried some hacked directX versions that are around on the net, they are not recommended as can be cause of instability for your system. DirectX 10 and 11 have not been designed to run on WinXP. Official versions won't even install on XP in the first place.

Beside that, I would suggest to: uninstall directx - whichever version you have, install direct x 9, and concentrate your effort on drivers and codecs installed.

P.S.: Personally, I have Windows XP SP3, DirectX 9.0c and GameEx works flawlessly...

[coinheaven]

@coinhaven: Probably you tried some hacked directX versions that are around on the net, they are not recommended as can be cause of instability for your system. DirectX 10 and 11 have not been designed to run on WinXP. Official versions won't even install on XP in the first place.

Beside that, I would suggest to: uninstall directx - whichever version you have, install direct x 9, and concentrate your effort on drivers and codecs installed.

P.S.: Personally, I have Windows XP SP3, DirectX 9.0c and GameEx works flawlessly...

@coinhaven: Probably you tried some hacked directX versions that are around on the net, they are not recommended as can be cause of instability for your system. DirectX 10 and 11 have not been designed to run on WinXP. Official versions won't even install on XP in the first place.

Beside that, I would suggest to: uninstall directx - whichever version you have, install direct x 9, and concentrate your effort on drivers and codecs installed.

P.S.: Personally, I have Windows XP SP3, DirectX 9.0c and GameEx works flawlessly...

yea but what codecs do i need?

[nullPointer]

Hi coinheaven

A lot of us here on the forums use and recommend the Shark007 codecs. Be sure to select the proper codecs for your operating system, and that you follow the installation instructions carefully.

[coinheaven]

so i put directx 9 on and downloaded that shark codec program, but have no clue how to use it. i did look up and i have a legacy video card, but not sure how to update my driver, no info when i hit properties.

[nullPointer]

Hi coinheaven

Do you happen to know the model of the video card? Often times the manufacturer will be able to provide drivers for legacy video cards, so long as you know what model it is that you're looking for.

Regarding the Shark video codecs you should just be able to install the pack and run with it. The default codec settings for the pack are pretty good, and should cover the general needs of most users.

[coinheaven]

ok, here is the error, so maybe this will give a clearer picture. i was looking in the programs and didn't see directx. do you know where i can look and see which version is installed, i can't find it. thanks for all the help, hopefully i can get this working soon!

11:09:09.2 8/30/2013: Opening Configuration File
11:09:09.6 8/30/2013: GameEx: Version 13.16: Starting Log
11:09:09.6 8/30/2013: Operating System Platform: Win32NT
11:09:09.6 8/30/2013: Operating System Name: Windows XP
11:09:09.6 8/30/2013: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
11:09:09.6 8/30/2013: Getting CPU and RAM info
11:09:09.7 8/30/2013: AMD Athlon XP 3200+, 959MB
11:09:09.7 8/30/2013: 2.2Ghz
11:09:09.7 8/30/2013: Running Randomize()
11:09:09.8 8/30/2013: Loading PlugIns
11:09:09.9 8/30/2013: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
11:09:09.9 8/30/2013: Setting default net connection limit to 15
11:09:09.9 8/30/2013: Running Misc startup tasks
11:09:09.9 8/30/2013: Setting Menu types
11:09:09.9 8/30/2013: Getting Configuration Values
11:09:10.0 8/30/2013: Using Theme: Default - Media Center
11:09:10.0 8/30/2013: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Media Center
11:09:10.0 8/30/2013: Using Images from theme: Default - Media Center V1\MEDIA\
11:09:10.1 8/30/2013: Launching HideOS.exe
11:09:10.1 8/30/2013: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
11:09:10.1 8/30/2013: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
11:09:10.1 8/30/2013: Hiding Taskbar
11:09:10.2 8/30/2013: Is Media Center running?
11:09:10.2 8/30/2013: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
11:09:10.3 8/30/2013: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
11:09:10.3 8/30/2013: Media Center Mode 2
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Snap Delay set to: 4
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Get other settings
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Start work for Form
11:09:10.7 8/30/2013: Getting Original Screen Size
11:09:10.8 8/30/2013: Opening Database Connection
11:09:12.0 8/30/2013: Initializing Component
11:09:12.3 8/30/2013: MAME Path is: C:\GameEx
11:09:12.3 8/30/2013: MAME EXE file is: Sleep.exe
11:09:12.4 8/30/2013: ROM Paths are: C:\GameEx\DEMO;C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME
11:09:12.4 8/30/2013: Catver.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini
11:09:12.4 8/30/2013: controls.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\controls.ini
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: History.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\history.dat
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: command.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\command.dat
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: Loading Controls.ini map file
11:09:12.7 8/30/2013: Snap Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\snaps
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Background Snap Path: Not Found
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: AVI Snap Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\video
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Flyer Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\flyers
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Cabinet Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\cabinets
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Cabinet 3D Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\cabinets3d
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Title Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\titles
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: PCB Path: Not Found
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Panel Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\cpanel
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Manual Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\manual
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Icon Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\icons
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Marquee Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\marquees
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Applying Language/Text
11:09:12.8 8/30/2013: Text/Language: English
11:09:12.9 8/30/2013: Loading Language/Text
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Loading Custom Emulators
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Loading Emulator 1: Atari 5200
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Loading Emulator 2: Nintendo SNES
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Loading Emulator 3: Nintendo N64
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Using Version 3 Themes Animations
11:09:13.0 8/30/2013: Retrieving resolution setting
11:09:13.1 8/30/2013: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS
11:09:13.1 8/30/2013: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS
11:09:13.1 8/30/2013: GameEx will try to reduce CPU usage
11:09:13.2 8/30/2013: Initialising Direct3D
11:09:13.7 8/30/2013: Applying GameEx is Loading Image
11:09:13.7 8/30/2013: Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color
11:09:13.8 8/30/2013: Creating Surfaces
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Creating Back Buffer
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Loading graphic Surfaces
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 60hz
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Adapter: VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Max texture size: 2048x2048
11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Available texture memory: 86MB
11:09:14.3 8/30/2013: --**--
11:09:14.3 8/30/2013: Error: Error in the application.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3D.Texture..ctor(Device device, Int32 width, Int32 height, Int32 numLevels, Usage usage, Format format, Pool pool)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at Direct2D.Direct2d.Surface.CreateSpriteAndTextureIfNothing()
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at Direct2D.Direct2d.Surface.a(Bitmap& A_0, Device& A_1)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at Direct2D.Direct2d.Surface..ctor(Bitmap Image, SurfaceDescription Description, Device Device)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at GameEx.GameEx.mainform.a(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Boolean A_3, Int32 A_4, Int32 A_5, Int32 A_6, Boolean A_7, Boolean A_8)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at GameEx.GameEx.mainform.f(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at GameEx.GameEx.mainform.a(Boolean A_0, String A_1, Boolean A_2)
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: at GameEx.GameEx.mainform..ctor()
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013:
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: It was detected you experienced a DirectX error.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: Please note the following for possible solutions to your problem:
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 1. Ensure you have the latest version of DirectX installed.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 2. Ensure you have the latest Manufacturer provided video card drivers.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: NOTE: Windows/Microsoft Update does not contain the latest.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: NOTE: Manufacturer normally means ATI, NVidia, or Intel. Not the brand.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: www.ati.com www.nvidia.com
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 3. If you do not have a modern video card try the following. 1. Turn off advanced Graphics. 2. Try a lower resolution. 3. Try turning on and using 16-bit colour
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 4. Ensure any required video codecs are installed.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 5. Try a different theme, or try running the theme at the resolution it was designed for
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 6. Try the latest version of GameEx. GameEx is updated all the time.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: 7. If you performed an auto update to this version. Try performing a manual download and install.
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013:
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: Closing database connection
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: Disposing Plugins
11:09:14.4 8/30/2013: GameEx is exiting with errors
11:09:16.7 8/30/2013: ERRORS DETECTED: EXITING
11:09:17.2 8/30/2013: Bye

[nullPointer]

Well here are a couple of things to try:

I always install DirectX components via the web installer. It takes the guess work out of what to install:

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

If you do that and you're still experiencing issues, it could be caused by a number of potential issues. Microsoft provides a good starting point for diagnosing issues like these, but this is by no means an all encompassing list. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) is your friend.

Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX

Bear in mind that the above error could just as easily be caused by a codec problem though. Did you verify that you grabbed the correct codecs for XP and that you installed them correctly? There's also still the nagging question of video drivers. It would be good if you can figure out what model of video card you're running so you can verify that your video drivers are up to date (even if it's a legacy card you'll want to check that you're running the last good version of the associated drivers)

[Tempest]

11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Available texture memory: 86MB

It looks like you are using on board graphics, Is it possible that you are running out of video memory?

[Draco1962]

Yeah, the log entry confirms integrated graphics processor:

11:09:14.1 8/30/2013: Adapter: VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP

Another clue that shows sharing of RAM with the IGP:

11:09:09.7 8/30/2013: AMD Athlon™ XP 3200+, 959MB

I would definitely recommend beefing up the PC RAM to at least 4GB (XP is not going to recognize a full 4GB but it won't be much of a waste) and adding a PCI-E or AGP card with at least 256MB RAM to take some load off of the PC RAM. Even at that, you won't be emulating much in the way of the last few generations worth of consoles as it will probably require more firepower than your system can muster.

[coinheaven]

ah damn, i only play games up to like 95 so i wasn't having any issues with them. if anyone has a previous version of game ex from a few years ago, please let me know, i understand its not supported anymore, i just want to play my arcade machine again

[Draco1962]

Even for the older versions of GameEx, onboard graphics was not recommended. You may want to do a little digging into your GPU for the exact version and lookup your drivers for it here as I am almost certain the issue is likely an incompatible or bad driver for your graphics. It is the only thing you haven't replaced.

[Draco1962]

I did not realize until I went back and reread the entire post that we are troubleshooting for two different users with 2 different operating systems, so I split out Coinheaven's so as to allow for troubleshooting his issues separate from the original OP in the first thread. While similar, I do not believe they are quite the same and it isn't fair to the original OP.

[coinheaven]

ok, ill try to replace the driver. where can i find information on the graphics card? i looked in the control panal and only saw it says legacy, no other information. thanks!

[Draco1962]

I have provided links that should help you along in my previous responses. You may need to check out your motherboard or documentation for it to determine the precise driver for the GPU.

[nullPointer]

ok, ill try to replace the driver. where can i find information on the graphics card? i looked in the control panal and only saw it says legacy, no other information. thanks!

I definitely second Draco's suggestion of checking your mobo documentation. Many times the motherboard manufacturer will have a dedicated web page for all motherboards they manufacture from which you can download associated drivers.

If you are unable to locate your motherboard documentation (and are unable to determine the model of your motherboard fro some reason), you might give CPU-Z a shot. I find that it displays system information in a more intuitive fashion than the Windows native utilities. If that doesn't work you could also try GPU-Z. It's another great utility, although it's very specialized so I don't use it all that often.

[coinheaven]

great news, i updated the video card driver and it works now! thanks so much null pointer and draco! now time for some fun

[nullPointer]

Awesome! Glad to hear you got everything sorted coinheaven. Well done! Driver problems are just the worst.

[coinheaven]

yea i am happy, now i need to figure out the lagging, its super slow. i only have 512 of ram, do you think if i go up to 2gb it will fix it? don't want to spend money on ram if it wont fix it

[nullPointer]

Well more RAM is never a bad idea per se (at least until you start getting close to the allowable limit of your OS/architecture), and RAM tends to be fairly cheap these days. I'd say it's a good idea to get more with one caveat (more on that in a sec). You'll want to make sure you're getting RAM that's compatible with your motherboard. So make sure that your RAM matches the slot(s) on your mobo, and further you'll want to be sure that your mobo and/or CPU supports the speed of RAM you select (I mention both your mobo and your CPU since sometimes the memory controller resides on your mobo and sometimes it's in your CPU - I'd need to look at the documentation on your specific CPU to determine which is the case).

So the caveat ... I'm pretty sure you mentioned you're using integrated graphics on your motherboard. If that's the case the integrated graphics are most likely sharing a common memory pool with the rest of the system. In that case more RAM will definitely help. If you're using a graphics card with dedicated graphics memory, then it may be your graphics memory that needs a bump up (read: you'll need a new graphics card).

[Draco1962]

Ditto to what null suggested. If your mobo will support it, bumping to 4GB of RAM will be even better (although XP 32-bit wilol only recognize about 3.6 GB of it). Also, a dedicated graphics adapter is always a good investment, with at least 512MB or higher RAM on the GPU.

[coinheaven]

ok, yea its pretty cheap so ill try that first and see if it helps, not sure if the system can go up to 4gb, if so ill do that

[Tempest]

I don't know much about AMD processors, but it seems that yours is pretty old. With a front side bus of 400Mhz and 64k cache it isn't ever going to be very fast. Also, It uses the MMX instruction set. I think that the SSE2 instruction set is about 3-5 times faster than MMX, and SSE2 is considered old technology.

I would probably upgrade the GPU first, My CPU second, and Memory last. I hate to see you buy memory and have it not help the situation.

Thoughts NullPointer and Draco?