DirectX runs in the background and greatly speeds
up your computer's handling of audio and visual content. You'll
rarely (if ever) have to think about it unless you need to know your
system specs. That's where the DirectX Diagnostic Tool comes in
handy.
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool takes a snapshot of your machine and
shows you what it sees. All this happens entirely within your
computer—no information is reported to anyone but you.
If you don't already have it, you'll need the
latest version
DirectX .
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NB
- You can use the DirectX diagnostic tool to check
for Windows Hardware
Quality Labs (WHQL) drivers. These drivers are "Digitally Signed" by
Microsoft
and if you are using non-signed drivers and having problems then use
this
tool to identify them and update them.
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The following list contains a description of each
tab in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box:
System
The System tab provides system information about your computer and
specifies the version of DirectX that is installed on your computer.
DirectX Files
The DirectX Files tab lists the file name and the version number for
each DirectX file that is installed on your computer, as well as the
file name and the version number of many common files that are used
by games that are running under DirectX.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with a DirectX
file, a warning message appears in the Notes box.
Display
The Display tab lists your current display settings, and allows you
to disable DirectDraw, Direct3D, and AGP Texture Acceleration. This
tab also allows testing of DirectDraw and Direct3D. Passing these
tests indicates that the DirectX Graphics runtime files are
installed and operating correctly. It is not a comprehensive test of
your computer's display hardware.
The Display tab also lists your device's available memory and can
tell you if your video driver is "Signed", which indicates that it
has passed Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing
regimen.
Note: Dxdiag.exe cannot report memory that is in use at the
time that it starts. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see less
memory reported than your video card actually has.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with your display
settings, a warning message appears in the
Notes box.
Sound
The Sound tab displays your current sound settings, and enables you
to test DirectSound. The Sound tab can tell you if your audio driver
is "Signed" - which indicates that it has passed Microsoft's Windows
Hardware Quality Labs testing regimen.
The Hardware Sound Acceleration Level slider is used to correct
audio glitches that might be caused by some audio drivers. Reducing
the acceleration by one notch and re-testing the application is the
best way to troubleshoot DirectSound audio problems. Lowering the
Hardware Sound Acceleration Level from the default setting of "full
acceleration" may disable advanced audio processing techniques, such
as 3D spatialization from functioning.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with your sound
settings, a warning message is displayed in the
Notes box.
Music
The Music tab displays your current MIDI settings, and enables you
to test the DirectMusic component of DirectX.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with DirectMusic, a
warning message is displayed in the Notes
box.
Input
The Input tab lists the input devices connected to your computer and
the input drivers installed on your computer.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with an input
device or an input device driver, a warning message is displayed in
the Notes box.
Network
The Network tab lists the registered DirectPlay Service Providers.
These are the connection methods that DirectPlay will operate
across. A registry problem here can normally be resolved by
reinstalling DirectX.
The Registered Lobyable DirectPlay Applications section lists all
applications that have informed DirectX that they will use
DirectPlay for their network communication needs. A registry error
here can normally be resolved by removing and reinstalling that
application.
The DirectPlay test opens a chat window over DirectPlay using the
settings you specify. Systems that cannot successfully chat with one
another here will almost certainly be unable to establish a network
connection within games.
If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with a DirectPlay
Service Provider or Application, a warning message is displayed in
the Notes box.
More Help
If you cannot resolve your DirectX issue by using the previous
troubleshooting tabs, you can use the More Help tab to continue
troubleshooting the issue.
The following list contains a description of the functionality of
each button on the More Help tab:
• Troubleshoot
The Troubleshoot button starts a DirectX troubleshooter.
• Sound
The Sound button starts a sound troubleshooter.
• MSInfo
The MSInfo button starts Msinfo32.exe, a utility that gathers system
information about your computer. The file created by Msinfo32.exe
can be sent to Microsoft Technical Support to help resolve
persistent issues.
• Override
The Override button changes the DirectDraw refresh rate.
