Tech: directx problems????

Subject: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,inept
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 08:43 PM

GGGrrrrrrrr - have spent most of the day trying to install kids cd rom....it downloads ok but when i press play it says, " bratz.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close."
I press for it to send error report, but egg timer just stays on forever and doesnt send report and i have to close and start again.

Have uninstalled and reinstalled and same thing happens.

Cd rom says I need directx9...have checked and that is what i have...ran something free , a scan called REGCURE and it found 1942 errors on my system????????? And recommended i buy their cleaner upper...i didnt.....tried to download latest directx from microsoft, just incase, and it asked me to validate my microsoft and then told me i wan't validated?????????????? And asked for £95.

Anyone have any ideas, other than frisbeeing it throough a partially opened window?   Thanks and Hoping.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 09:52 PM

bratz.exe is a game program file. From comment in several game sites it appears to be something of a problem in itself. Since your problem appears to be with a particular game installation, and there seem to be several sites devoted to that game, one of them would be more likely to have answers for you. A Google for bratz.exe should find several.

If you haven't encountered a validation query and figured out what to do about it, it must be assumed that you haven't been keeping up to date on OS patches, and with kids (esp. of the age likely to be wanting bratz) running an unpatched machine it is to be hoped that you have an excellent AV, Anti-Spyware, and good parental controls setup - assuming the kids have any internet access. The enormous number of Reg errors is probably partly advertising, but you may have corruption from malware.

The long delay when you click to send an error report may mean you're not connected to the internet at the time, but it should time out in about a half-minute and save the file to send later when you connect.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 05:24 AM

John in Kansas, I just knew you'd be straight in with help for this Guest (not me BTW), you really are looking out for us here, aren't you!

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 05:52 AM

MGas -

Just being nosy.

Not much I can offer on this one, if the postings at the game chat sites are any indication. The game - typically - demands a lot more computer resources than I care to know how to manage, at least according to those trying to use it. When even the nine-year-old gamesters have trouble, it's out of my league.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 06:26 AM

Know how you feel John, am pretty sure that a 10 year old would be able to wire up our TV & DVD etc better than I could , it's a different world these days. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're thankful for you looking out for us, if I get a problem I can't beat you can bet I'll post it here!

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 07:23 AM

"am pretty sure that a 10 year old would be able to wire up our TV & DVD etc better than I could"

hmmmm, knew a 14 yr old the other month who had to plug in a child's karaoke machine to a multiway switch - DVD, VHS, TV, switcher gadget etc - he did such a good job, that when it was necessary to be able to watch the DVD player again, I eventually found it just easier to unplug EVERYTHING, and start from scratch again (he had just unplugged and replpugged things till he got it to work...) .... :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 07:50 AM

As Robin notes, sometimes the methods used aren't necessarily conducive to future maintenance. I have a TV (no cable, outside antenna) with a desktop DVD/VCR player that I purchased to replace a failed player. "She" got in a rush when I didn't get around to connecting it immediately, and persuaded my son (~40 y.o.) to hook it up one day.

I haven't attempted to re-do the connections, since everything works; but it is a bit inconvenient needing three separate remotes for one TV. (albeit one is only rarely needed - which is fortunate because I think someone threw it out with the trash)

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,Jean
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 07:54 AM

I keep seeing BTW - what does it stand for?

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 08:03 AM

By the Way (?) is a most common usage.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,Jean
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 08:30 AM

Thanks for that, we must not use it quite so much where I am because neither myself nor my husband knew what it was.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,inept
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 10:14 AM

Thanks John - I had everything crossed that you would see my post! I will google bratz.exe as you said now and try and see what is being said. Before I do, what are OS patches? And why would my comp not pass the validation process- which it didnt, as it is legit as far as I know - it came with the whole package? Thanks for posting.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 10:19 AM

This may seem a silly question, GUEST,Inept, but did you register with Microsoft when you originally set up the PC? Could be something as simple as that maybe?

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,inept
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:55 PM

It was already loaded on and ready to go.I didnt get asked if I wanted to register, so assumed I was/am? BUt googling has brought up site after site about validation problems. It seems microsoft are not strangers to this. A whole and unknown world to me I'm afraid. I tried to register today and still got stuck at the 'validation' preocess stage.

There are mentions of ways around it on other sites - but they involve downloading 'stuff' to try and con microsoft into thinking something else? I always end up doing something really damaging when I step into unknown areas.

I'll wait until the kids grow up a bit maybe and get them to sort it out for themselves!

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 01:20 PM

Preloaded software doesn't mean you don't need to register it. The computer manufacturer isn't going to do that for you. Registering allows you to receive regular updates, and you can set it up to run automatically. Some downloads, like IE 7, I've blocked, but mostly it's a handy feature and something you ought to consider. Even if you tell it to ask you if you want to download, etc. Sometimes updating one program is all you need to "fix" another.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 01:36 PM

OS = Operating System. For you, this probably means Windows XP (WinXP) or another recent Windows version.

Patches: People try to find or create ways to do bad things to you. When they find a new way, Microsoft (and other software sellers) will create ways to block their new way of harming you. A "patch" is a bit of software that you download and install, that modifies your program, in this case your OS, to prevent the latest threat from being useful to criminals (or more rarely to pranksters).

The only way to stay safe, is to get and install the patches on a regular basis, since new methods of attack, requiring new patches, appear frequently.

This is in addition to maintaining a good AntiVirus program that monitors all of the files and traffic on your machine. The AntiVirus program MUST BE updated regularly, usually at least weekly, since new virus forms appear frequently that require new "signature files" to be able to identify and block new virus forms. Norton(Symantec) and McAfee are probably the most popular commercial programs in the US, but the free AVG program is quite good and is favored by many here.

It is also strongly recommended that you use at least one good AntiSpyware scanner, like AdAware SE (free) or Spybot S&D (also free) on a regular basis. Most people use both AdAware AND Spybot, since they scan for slightly different malware forms. Any programs of this kind that you choose also need regular updates to keep up with new spyware forms that appear.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 01:52 PM

SRS I have tried registering and it throws me out at the validation stage. I do still recieve regular update notices though. And, with a red face have to admit at this stage that I have never used any of them, but only because I have had problems in the past and thought once I was xp'd I would just let it run.

John, I now realise why I shouldn't have been ignoring the updates, thanks to your clear expanation. I actually get the 'do you want to install updates' message everytime I log on now. I am going to click on them next time and just download the lot and see if that helps.

The odd thing is the bratz cd rom says I need directx9, which is the version I have. But possibly downloading the updates will erase the problem that is stopping me install the cd rom.

Thanks for the advice, and actually put in such a way that it makes sense!

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 02:05 PM

In most cases, if you buy a machine with the OS and Office package preinstalled, the OEM builder REGISTERS the software for you. This means that the software won't quit working¹ after you reboot 30 times. (If you do a full format and re-install, you may have to register again.)

¹ It's to be expected that many people who would fail to REGISTER are so unaware that they might not notice the few functions that are disabled when the "free use" period ends and they haven't done the registration. Some things continue to work; but you don't have the full-featured OS that you (presumedly) paid for.

When you log on to get updates, or to set up automatic updates, you must VALIDATE the registration, which is a separate and slightly different process. If you make changes to hardware or software that make it possible that you're not the validated machine you claim to be, you may sometimes be asked to re-VALIDATE your software installation.

If your software is "genuine" and being used in compliance with your license for it, validation - and when asked, re-validation - should be relatively trouble-free. No claim is made that it will not be mildly annoying, if it happens frequently. If someone, or several someones, pop up showing the same "identity" you're using (as eventually will happen with most of the illegal "workaround" methods offered) you might have more significant problems.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: DirectX problems????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 05:34 PM

"sometimes the methods used aren't necessarily conducive to future maintenance."

John you do have a dry sense of humour - I bet you even typed that with a straight face!

Of course it is even funnier for those of us who have the relevant experience!

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 02:52 AM

Robin -

I thank you for your kind comment, and the implication that I have a sense of humor of any kind. My sister began insisting I had no personality at all when I was about 13 years old, and has never indicated that her opinion has changed. Others have agreed with her.

I must confess that one of my favorite comedians was "Sgt. Joe Friday" when I was younger.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:42 AM

Just picked up a DVD of Leslie Nielsen in a 1975 'serious' movie - 'Project: Kill' - some people are just born comics....

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 12:07 PM

I think Leslie Nielsen surprised a lot of people with his outlandish risk-taking humor. A pleasant surprise!

John clarified what I was aiming at with my last post--validation of the software is what goes on for the new owner. I set up my daughter's new Dell last summer and had to go through various steps to get everything up and running and the first step was to assure Microsoft that our version of Windows and Office were legitimate copies.

A couple of years ago I tried to update a friend's computer and discovered that the little neighborhood computer shop that put it together for him had put a pirated version of Windows XP Pro in his machine. It cost $150 after filing a detailed report (and the shop had already closed, so MS no doubt got to them after an earlier computer turned up. My friend was probably added to the file for that business). He could have kept using the version he had, but with no updates it was soon going to have some major security problems. I think if you're running into problems validating it would tell you outright if you have an illegal copy of the program. Good luck in sorting it out!

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST,inept
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 04:08 PM

Yes you would think so wouldn't you. Today I downloaded all the updates that i have been ignoring, seven of them. It hasn't solved the problem, still can not play the cd rom, tried uninstalling and reinstalling again, no luck.

I was running into the validation problems when trying to get the latest directx 9 - but I have managed to find out that I have that anyway now.

I am giving up. But thanks for the input.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 04:10 PM

Moral: 98SE

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:56 PM

There's a bunch of guys currently rewriting/emulating DOS in assembly language...

:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 02:28 PM

Maybe your burner isn't working, and there is more to it than the message you received. Does it play (have you put it in another device to test it)? I had to replace the DVD/CD burner in my computer a few months ago. The first one just died. This is one of the few devices I bought an extended warranty on (the other is the wireless router. I've lost a couple of those over the years also).

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 05:51 PM

Everything else plays fine. Have arranged for a friend to try it in their comp next week,won't get to see them until then. I don't know if it makes any difference but we specifically hunted out someone with windows xp and directx9. But thinking about that actually doesn't make much sense as we could have something untoward on our comp. It is just frustrating as it is the only cd rom we have had problems with. I am beginning to suspect it is a duff'un.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:18 AM

DVD burners (and players) appear to be pretty high on the list of failure-prone components of computers. That makes the current practice of many new computer builders, of putting your recovery disk on DVD, somewhat questionable. If the DVD drive is the first-likely failure, and the only way to recover is on a DVD disk, you're not in good shape when a failure occurs. Additionally, many computer users make little use of the DVD drive for DVD and may not know that the DVD functions have departed until some other problem leads them to insert the recovery disk and find that the machine can't read it.

"All of the above" have happened to me, four times, on three computers that have DVD drives, within the past two years. Two of the three computers currently have non-functional DVD drives, although both will still read and burn CDs in the burner drives.

DVD offers comparatively large storage volume, and it's tempting to use it for data archiving; but the current state of standardization of formats is still at the VHS vs BetaMax stage. THERE IS NO SINGLE ESTABLISHED STANDARD FORMAT for DVD recordings. While one may be reasonably confident that the format used today will be readable in the next drive, there is no guarantee that that's how it's gonna be a few years hence. This applies especially to any "multi-layer" DVD burners now being sold.

I've not found DVD useful for "working storage" of large numbers of data files, since the time to find an individual file on DVD for retrieval is so slow (due to the way the indexing is done) that I can flip through a half-dozen or more CDs and have the file copied back to HD in the time it takes just to locate one file on a DVD.

Rant over, ... ... for now.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: Wordsmith
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:39 AM

Just a note - you might have some corrupted files in your OS which might register at Microsoft as you having an invalid copy of XP. I've encountered that problem with other gamers. There really is no easy way to fix or find out. You don't really need to validate to get updates, you can just use the "I don't want to wait" link. About the DirectX question. Your game may need a newer version. Most games now require the DirectX 9.0c version. You can find out what version is currently on your PC by going to "Run" on your Start menu and typing dxdiag in the box and then clicking ok. It will be on the front page at the bottom. I think you can download 9.0c from Microsoft. Usually games come with a copy of what they require or tell you in the ReadMe file. The operative word is "usually." Good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: directx problems????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:29 AM

You don't generally need validation to get "Critical Updates."

You do need validation to get updates of any kind automatically sent to you as they appear, and you do need validation to be able to get any of the optional updates. Some directx functions are in Critical updates. I'm not sure, but there may have been a couple of "tweaks" to directx in optionals. The optional ones shouldn't be necessary for most users, but if you're having problems .... (?).

Without validation, you have to connect on your own and check for Critical Updates, and should do that on a regular basis. Microsoft schedules a weekly survey of those using automatic updates, and connects to approximately 300,000,000 users on a weekly basis. Weekly checks for critical updates would be good practice.

(60% of of the ones using their Malware Remover have some malware that Microsoft finds and removes, according to recent reports.)

With validation, you have to connect on your own and take a look at what Optional Updates are available (by clicking on "Custom Install" at the update site) and you should do that occasionally.

There IS A DIFFERENCE between "Windows Update" and "Microsoft Update." Windows update checks Windows only. If you validate, qualify, and set it up, Microsoft Update will offer what's available for Windows and for other Microsoft (mostly Office) programs you may have. Users without validation may be able to do a separate check at the Office Update site, but may be limited in what they can get.

If you've updated recently, there should be an "update" icon on your Start Menu, that lets you "one-click" to the connection you need, at least for Windows Update.

John