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That was really interesting! I have also lived for some time with the age-old presumption that you simple do not uninstall DirectX. I think many have considered complete system re-install as the only really safe option.Spricar said:
Cool if this (freeware?!) tool does the job.
I knew you could I just never trusted them. 
You do have to make sure the particular program will work with the version of DirectX you have installed.
You do have to make sure the particular program will work with the version of DirectX you have installed.
Castellon said:
The program is freeware, I think it works with every version of DirectX above 8.1... but you'll need original windows XP CD because the program reinstalls your Directx to 8.1 (the one XP comes with). Still, it is possible during installation that you manualy specifiy where those DirectX 8. files are located so it would probably work without original windows CD if you get DirectX 8.1 installation files somewhere...
You really should have a copy of the CD though even OEM manufactors that preinstall give you a copy of the cd or make the CAB files available.
Unfortunately, that's not always possible.
There are PC manufacturers that pre-install your Windows XP in a special bootable partition on your hard drive. You get the official MS Windows sticker with the product code on it, but (and this is weird: sanctioned by Microsoft) you will not get the OEM CD.
When you ask for it, they will tell you that the special boot partition is just as good as the CD. I can argue 'till I blue in the face that it's not, but they will not budge, stating this is official Microsoft policy.
Needless to say, a special boot partition is NOT the same as a CD. For one, the CD is still there when the HDD fails. Secondly, the CD is accessible once the OS has booted. The special boot partition is not.
The only sort of explanation for this kind of customer unfriendly behaviour is this: Microsoft does not want you to be able to install Windows XP OEM on a different HDD than the one the computer is sold with. It sounds crazy, but this is official MS policy ! If you ever try it (because your HDD crashes, for example) and you reinstall Windows XP, you need to reactivate it. When you call the MS activation clearing house, they will refuse to give you the reactivation code, because you now have a different HDD. MS rationale is that there are now two HDD's with the same OS version on it (even though one is broken), and that's against the licence agreement, they say.
It's just one more reason to NOT buy/use Windows XP.
Jan Peter
There are PC manufacturers that pre-install your Windows XP in a special bootable partition on your hard drive. You get the official MS Windows sticker with the product code on it, but (and this is weird: sanctioned by Microsoft) you will not get the OEM CD.
When you ask for it, they will tell you that the special boot partition is just as good as the CD. I can argue 'till I blue in the face that it's not, but they will not budge, stating this is official Microsoft policy.
Needless to say, a special boot partition is NOT the same as a CD. For one, the CD is still there when the HDD fails. Secondly, the CD is accessible once the OS has booted. The special boot partition is not.
The only sort of explanation for this kind of customer unfriendly behaviour is this: Microsoft does not want you to be able to install Windows XP OEM on a different HDD than the one the computer is sold with. It sounds crazy, but this is official MS policy ! If you ever try it (because your HDD crashes, for example) and you reinstall Windows XP, you need to reactivate it. When you call the MS activation clearing house, they will refuse to give you the reactivation code, because you now have a different HDD. MS rationale is that there are now two HDD's with the same OS version on it (even though one is broken), and that's against the licence agreement, they say.
It's just one more reason to NOT buy/use Windows XP.
Jan Peter
I did say make the CAB files available, which any reputable dealer will do.
That way you can still do a repair install or in this case be able to reinstall the DirectX.
So basically the contents of the Windows CD are on the HDD somewhere.
Not great and not something I would agrea to, but you do have the option not to buy from that dealer.
That way you can still do a repair install or in this case be able to reinstall the DirectX.
So basically the contents of the Windows CD are on the HDD somewhere.
Not great and not something I would agrea to, but you do have the option not to buy from that dealer.
Damn. I really need my HoI, too. Are you sure there is no way to uninstall DirectX and install the latest version without needing the Windows XP disc? I've seen lots of suggestions on Google, but I've tried a few and they don't work.
Try that program that was suggested and see if it actually requires the CD. or if you can just point to Direct X 8.1 assuming you have a game CD with it on.
I am pretty sure that my Rome: Total War CD has Direct X 9.0C...I'm still iffy about doing anything that could lock me out of even more programs...
Well, I used the uninstaller program, and I hit F8 through the entire start-up...All I got was something about "Select your OS" or something like that, Windows XP Home Edition was the only option, so I hit enter, start up continues...
Damn it all! I just used F8, and actually read the bottom part, lol. I hit F8 again, put her on safe mode, and then exited and hit enter. Start up continues with SAFE MODE in all four corners and whatnot. Great, going smoothly. Extremely low resolution, and a new option: I can select Owner (the only one I can select when I start it up regularly) or Administrator. Well, after a few seconds, BAM! my computer restarts. Naturlich, I think "Wtf?" and try again. This time I manage to hit Owner before the thing restarts me, but I just get a "Warning: Was not able to start as..." etc. but it restarted before I could read the other half. I'm just going to try it without safe mode.
Grrr...I went into the uninstaller, and now I get this:
At the prompt below type in the drive letter where the I386 directory of your Windows CD is stored.
WARNING: DO NOT INCLUDE A PROCEEDING SLASH < \ > AFTER THE DRIVE LETTER. TYPE JUST THE DRIVE LETTER!
then some examples, and then
XP / .NET Disk Drive:
What the hell am I supposed to put in? And do I need the Windows XP disc in there when I do this?
Well, I used the uninstaller program, and I hit F8 through the entire start-up...All I got was something about "Select your OS" or something like that, Windows XP Home Edition was the only option, so I hit enter, start up continues...
Damn it all! I just used F8, and actually read the bottom part, lol. I hit F8 again, put her on safe mode, and then exited and hit enter. Start up continues with SAFE MODE in all four corners and whatnot. Great, going smoothly. Extremely low resolution, and a new option: I can select Owner (the only one I can select when I start it up regularly) or Administrator. Well, after a few seconds, BAM! my computer restarts. Naturlich, I think "Wtf?" and try again. This time I manage to hit Owner before the thing restarts me, but I just get a "Warning: Was not able to start as..." etc. but it restarted before I could read the other half. I'm just going to try it without safe mode.
Grrr...I went into the uninstaller, and now I get this:
At the prompt below type in the drive letter where the I386 directory of your Windows CD is stored.
WARNING: DO NOT INCLUDE A PROCEEDING SLASH < \ > AFTER THE DRIVE LETTER. TYPE JUST THE DRIVE LETTER!
then some examples, and then
XP / .NET Disk Drive:
What the hell am I supposed to put in? And do I need the Windows XP disc in there when I do this?
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Most likely it is as I thought. There is a version that some dealers install when they do not provide a CD. THis version makes the CAB files from the CD available on the HD.
So you most likely have these on your HD. You just need to find the path. Search your drives for I386, see what comes out.
So you most likely have these on your HD. You just need to find the path. Search your drives for I386, see what comes out.
There is a folder called i386 in these placs:
C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache
C:\WINDOWS\LastGood\Driver Cache
A few in C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\
So, what do I put in?
C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache
C:\WINDOWS\LastGood\Driver Cache
A few in C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\
So, what do I put in?
I would go with this one.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\
This is not a CAB file though so what I said before does not apply.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\
This is not a CAB file though so what I said before does not apply.
It doesn't like C:\WINDOWS\System32\ReinstallBackups...It just says that it isn't a valid Windows XP or .NET CD.
I would complain to your dealer than and ask them how to proceed.
THey will be able to advise you of the proper proceedure.
And if you have no CD because you are a member of the High Seas Illegal Adventure Core. Well I cannot help you with that either.
THey will be able to advise you of the proper proceedure.
And if you have no CD because you are a member of the High Seas Illegal Adventure Core. Well I cannot help you with that either.
Bloody ****ing hell. This is stupid.
There was no disc with Windows XP on it. We plugged in the computer, and Windows XP was already on it.
Stupid bastards...
There was no disc with Windows XP on it. We plugged in the computer, and Windows XP was already on it.
Stupid bastards...