ALL games crash to desktop?

[KnickNut3]

Hello. I'm trying to set up my dad's machine but having little luck.

8RDA+
XP2200+
512MB PC2100 DDRRAM
Geforce4 MX440
WindowsXP SP1

I've got the latest drivers, DirectX 9.0b, all windows updates, etc., etc., etc.

Whenever I open any 3d game I install, it boots for a second or two, then crashes to the desktop as if nothing had happened. I've closed all background programs, rebooted, etc., etc...

Any suggestions? My father's getting cranky without games

KnickNut3.


P.S. By the way, my other computer keeps losing time and ends up 3 to 6 minutes slow per day. The BIOS is set right, and I don't want to use Atomic Clock Sync all the time. Any suggestions?

[Christian-Comp]

Sounds like a video card problem.
Try swapping it out with a 3d card and see if that takes care of the problem.

[Christian-Comp]

On the second problem, try getting a new CMOS battery.
This might do the trick!

[pinoy87]

Well I think its cause you installed directx 9 on a directx 8 video card. Try installing directx 8 and see if you still get the same problems.

[KnickNut3]

Hmmm thanks...

no extra video cards to swap out right now... isn't directx9 compatible with all previous versions? There are very few DirectX 9 cards right now, yet windows update updates everyone to 9... anyone agree or disagree with me here?

[dlh75]

Have you allways had this problem or is it something new? Did you recently upgrade to dx9. If so I would roll back to the previous dx version 8. That might fix it. Or maybe uninstall the game and reinstall.
I had a similar problem with my old GF4MX 420 similar to yours but it would crash after i was playing for awhile. I think it was due to heat issues. But in your situation I dont think thats the prolem since it wont even start the games.
BTW what type of games are you trying to play?

[KnickNut3]

New machine, never played these games properly. I've reinstalled the game, not sure about rolling back to DX8. Does that mean I'd just reinstall 8.1 or something, or is it a more complicated process? I'd appreciate other suggestions, too. Thanks.

Just sports games at this time (Tiger Woods 2003, High Heat 2004)

[PartsMan]

Just a guess .... /start/control panel/add-remove programs .....

[KnickNut3]

Darn, still no luck. Tried to re-install DX8, but couldn't. Went through windows update again, changed video drivers again, tried various compatibility modes--those just gave me error messages. So every time I still click, get the opening logo, a couple resolution change clicks, then back at the desktop. I'm leaving soon for school--any more ideas while I can still fix it? Thanks...

[PsChuck]

KnickNut3 - did you get this problem sorted? Guess what? I have exactly the same problem. I was considering reverting to an old version of DirectX also, but if you have tried that one, I wont bother. It's frustrating because some of the games used to work and now wont!! if you've picked up any other ideas, please share!