Flight Sim 2004 installed a DirectX version 9 on our computer. We have a significant number of other older applications that run fine in Windows XP but aren't tolerating DirectX9. As long as we're DX 8.0b or lower they're fine but the moment we install FS9, all chaos breaks loose with several of those older apps. FS9 runs okay but the others get hosed up. These other apps run fine under XP with FS2002, so I've concluded the cause is DX.My first inclination was a dual boot partition. Before I do that, a couple of questions for someone who knows this kind of stuff...First, is a dual boot the right answer? Or can I set up a different DirectX profile that loads 8.0 under one user and 9.0 under the other, let's say a log-in for myself, one for my son, (both that load DX8) and a log-in for Flight Sim that loads DX9? Second, if a dual boot is the right answer, what does Microsoft do with the activation of the same software, on the same machine, twice?? I.E. an activation on Partition A and then again on Partition B??Thanks for the help guys...BobL

BobI'm no guru but if you have a copy of Win98SE you could dual boot that and WinXP, assuming your old apps will run on 98. There's also compatability mode you could try. As for how MS would deal with two copies of WinXP on the same machine that's a very good question. If you try that I hope you'll post MS's responseDavid

Hi Bob,I must say I'm surprised you are having problems with DirectX9 as my understanding is that each revision of DirectX is fully backwards compatible with previous versions. Therefore, your older software should still work.Have you tried checking out the DirectX installation by running the DirectX dignostics tool? Click on START - RUN and type dxdiag.exe and check out all the tabs.If there's a problem, try reinstalling DirectX or, better still, go to the Windows Update site and update to DirectX 9.0b.Mike

Actually, I had already tried the compatibility mode but it doesn't seem to help. What's worse is that even if I uninstall Flight Sim, it doesn't roll back the Direct X. It leaves DX 9 installed. And if you reinstall the original app, it doesn't write itself on top of DX9. The only way I've found to get rid of it is to uninstall the operating system and reinstall on a fresh format of the HD. Y-u-u-u-k!!!!!!BobL

Bob, it is difficult to uninstall DirectX and should NOT be attempted by the unwary. Most problems that are DirectX related can be quickly resolved by simply installing over an existing installation. Go for the latest version, as I suggested in my previous post, by visiting the Windows Update site.Mike

Hi MikeI thought it was backwards compatible as well. I did run dxdiag already. Other than the Nvidia driver saying it isn't digitally signed, no problems showing up. And if you check an earlier response, I can't roll DX back. I've reinstalled flight sim a couple of times so it should be installed correctly. DXDiag is reporting I'm already at 9.0b.I am making a leap of assumption here. It kind of the SHerlock Holmes thing...after eliminating the obvious, whatever is left, no matter how improbable must be the answer....that logic led me to Direct X.On a fresh format, I install WinXP. THen install the older apps. They run fine. Install a couple of the other games. Still no problem. DirectX is now upto 8.1. Install FS2002. Still no problem. Then install FS9. The good news is FS9 runs as advertised. About a half-dozen or so of my other apps now will not run. They try to start and immediately crash to the desktop. Then I run SysSuite. It says the registry has missing links, do I want to repair. I've tried yes and no to that one. No change, either way. I'm adding 2 and 2 and coming up with DX9. I'm open to other suggestions, though...Thank you for the reply. It is very much appreciated.BobL

Ok, I'll give it a try. Let ya' know what happens...BobL

"The only way I've found to get rid of it is to uninstall the operating system and reinstall on a fresh format of the HD. Y-u-u-u-k!!!!!!"Yea, tell me about it. Not long ago I downloaded software from Microsoft for a Microsoft joystick and with no warning it installed DirectX5! Someone should tell MS what happens when you do this 'cause it ain't pretty!Good luckDavid

Hi David,"I downloaded software from Microsoft for a Microsoft joystick and with no warning it installed DirectX5!".......I have never known DirectX allow earlier versions to be installed over more recent. Maybe this was possible way back but I'm willing to bet that can't happen now.Get rid of it pronto by updating via the Windows Update site.Mike

MikeI don't it's DirectX but rather the software installer that's supposed to prevent this. Anyhow, I reinstalled DirectX 9.0b and things were still a mess so I reformatted and all the rest. Getting back to Bob's problem, would a system restore (pre DX9) fix this? It could mess up stuff installed since then but easier than reformating.David

"would a system restore (pre DX9) fix this?"......yes, certainly worth a try. If he first restored to a pre-FS9 install setup, he could then install DirectX9.0b (via Windows Update), check all his currently installed software works, and finally reinstall FS9 which would skip the DirectX9 installation, since the installer would detect an earlier version.If he restores to a time prior to the installation of FS9 then, before reinstalling FS9, he will need to fool the FS9 installer that FS9 is not currently on his HD. Just rename the FS9 folder and delete the registry entry, if present: Run regedit and browse to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator9.0 <------ delete the folder named '9.0' - if present - it shouldn't be if this is an earlier (pre-fs9) restore of the registry.Once FS9 has been reinstalled he can simply overwrite with the contents of the previously renamed FS9 folder to re-establish his various addons and configuration settings.Once done, run defrag to tidy things up.Mike

Good Morning MikeI tried the DX9 update from the website. Still no good. And I don't have a restore point pre-FS9. It will another full format. If I have to do that, I think I'll just put a dual boot in. The question now becomes whether to dual boot XP or to boot WinME on Partition A and XP on Partition B.I think I'd prefer an XP/XP installation but I don't know how the MS activation of XP is going to handle that. Any ideas?BobL

Hi Bob,Sorry to hear you are still having problems. Must be very frustrating. At this point, I'm afraid I'm stumped."I think I'd prefer an XP/XP installation but I don't know how the MS activation of XP is going to handle that. Any ideas?"........I don't know how this will be handled but I suspect each install of XP will be treated as if it was being installed on a separate PC and both will require activation. Perhaps you should telephone MS and ask their advice. Their activation procedures are usually quite straightforward. It may be that because your proposed dual boot involves the same operating system from the same original installation CD that this will be allowed since access to each installation involves selection from the dual boot menu. It's not as if you are trying to get away with two installations on two HDs on two PCs running simultaneously.Perhaps there are others who can comment on this one?Best of luck!Mike

Bob: Two ideas here before attempting a dual-boot config:1) If you re-install one of your broken games AFTER installing FS9, what happens? Maybe these guys just need a reinstall after fs9 is installed.2) Most all of us use our video control panels to force AA and AF to be on since AA doesn't work from within FS9. What happens to your older games if you switch back to Application Preference before running them?Good luck.

I have a dual boot system, with DX9 for FS9 and DX8 for "general purpose".However, and before FS9 was issued, I was on my way to by a new graphics card. At that time I had a dilema, as the card I considered best fitting my interests in what concerns price/performance, would not support DX9.I put the question on a Microsoft forum and I got the following information from a Microsoft guru: "If that is the board you want, buy it. FS9 will install DX9, but all the development was made using DX8, so you will not be losing anything with a board that only supports DX8".This said I am sure that you will be able to install your system with DX8 and then skip the DX9 installation of FS9, if that solves your problems with other programs.Best Regards