You receive a DirectX error message when you start a Microsoft game: "Game cannot run because the version of Microsoft DirectX installed on your computer is incompatible"

When you start one of the games that are listed in the "Applies to" section, you may receive an error message that states one of the following:

• The game requires a later version of Microsoft DirectX.
• One of the DirectX files was not found.
• You receive the following error message:
  Game cannot run because the version of Microsoft DirectX installed on your computer is incompatible. Please reinstall DirectX 9.0 by running Game Setup, or download the current version from www.microsoft.com/directx

This issue may occur if DirectX is installed incorrectly on the computer.

Method 1: Reinstall DirectX in safe mode

Step 1: Copy DirectX from the game CD and install DirectX

1. Insert the game CD in your computer's CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Hold down the SHIFT key when you insert the game CD to prevent the installation from starting automatically.
3. Open My Computer. To do this, do one of the following:
   • On a computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start
     Collapse this imageExpand this image

     
     , type Computer in the Start Search box, and then click Computer in the Programs list.
   • On a computer that is running Windows XP, double-click My Computer on the desktop.
4. Right-click the icon for your CD drive or DVD drive, and then click Open.
5. Right-click the DirectX folder, and then click Copy.
6. Close all the windows that are open on the desktop.
7. Right-click a blank space on the desktop, and then click Paste.

Step 2: Re-Install DirectX in safe mode

Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer. Then, restart the computer.

1. Use one of the following methods, as appropriate:
   • If the computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold F8 as the computer restarts. You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, wait for the Windows logon prompt to appear. Then, exit Windows and restart the computer.
   • If the computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system that you want to start in safe mode. Then, press F8.
2. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
3. Log on to the computer by using a user account that has administrator rights.

An alternative way to start in safe mode

To start the computer in safe mode with networking, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then click Msconfig.exe in the Programs list.
2. In the System Configuration dialog box, click the Boot tab.
3. Click to select the Safe boot check box, click Network, and then click OK.
4. In the System Configuration dialog box, click Restart.
5. When in safe mode, double-click the DirectX folder on the Desktop.
6. Double-click the Dxsetup.exe file, and then follow the directions that appear on the screen to install DirectX.
7. Restart the computer when you are prompted.

If the issue continues to occur, go to method 2.

Method 2: Download and install the latest version of DirectX End-User Runtimes Web Installer in Safe Mode with Networking

Download and then install the latest version of DirectX End-User Runtimes Web Installer in safe mode. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en)
2. Click Continue, and then click Download. Save the file on your Desktop.
3. Restart the computer in safe mode with networking. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start
      Collapse this imageExpand this image

      
      , type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then click Msconfig.exe in the Programs list.
   2. In the System Configuration dialog box, click the Boot tab.
   3. Click to select the Safe boot check box, click Network, and then click OK.
   4. In the System Configuration dialog box, click Restart.
   5. In safe mode, double-click the DirectX folder on the Desktop, and then double-click Dxsetup.exe. Follow the directions that appear on the screen to install DirectX.
   6. Restart the computer when you are prompted.

If the issue continues to occur, go to method 3.

Method 3: Download and install the latest service pack

For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: