Windows Vista Replace missing d3dx9_32.dll file?

I tried to install an old game (Silent Hunter 4) onto a laptop running Vista (SP2) up to date with Dx10.

Installshield reported success. When I ran the game it produced the error "could not find d3dx9_32.dll ". It suggested a reinstall of the application. No help. I tried a third time, creating a directory outside of "Program Files (86)" and I still got the same error.

I checked the installation disk and found the missing file in "dec2006_d3dx9_32_x86.cab ". In the cab were four (4) files:

d3dx9_32.dll
d3dx9_32_x86.cat
d3dx9_32_x86.inf
dec2006_d3dx9_32_x86.inf

Contents of both files listed below:

d3dx9_32_x86.inf

[Version]
Signature = "$Windows NT$ "
AdvancedINF = 2.0
Provider = %MSFT%
Class = %ExceptionClassDesc%
ClassGUID = {F5776D81-AE53-4935-8E84-B0B283D8BCEF}
CatalogFile = d3dx9_32_x86.cat
ComponentId = {35C7F60B-9A4B-4694-B7A6-19C18709FFC0}
DriverVer = 12-08-2006, 5.3.1.0904

[SourceDisksNames]
99 = %DiskName%, "DEC2006_d3dx9_32_x86.cab ",0,,-1

[SourceDisksFiles]
d3dx9_32.dll = 99

[DestinationDirs]
DefaultDestDir = 11
DirectX_SysWOW64 = 10,SysWOW64

[x86_Install]
CopyFiles = DirectX_System

[x64_Install]
CopyFiles = DirectX_SysWOW64

[DirectX_System]
d3dx9_32.dll

[DirectX_SysWOW64]
d3dx9_32.dll

[Strings]
MSFT = "Microsoft "
ExceptionClassDesc = "DirectX 9.0 DEC2006 "
DiskName = "DirectX 9.0 DEC2006 cab "


dec2006_d3dx9_32_x86.inf

; ---- Common sections ----
[Version]
Signature = "$CHICAGO$ "
AdvancedINF = 2.0
Provider = %MSFT%
SetupClass = BASE

[Strings]
MSFT = "Microsoft "


; ---- Windows 2000 ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_Win2K]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x86_Install


; ---- Windows XP ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_WinXP]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x86_Install


; ---- Windows XP 64bit ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_WinXP@64]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x64_Install


; ---- Windows Server 2003 ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_Srv2K3]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x86_install


; ---- Windows Server 2003 64bit ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_Srv2K3@64]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x64_install


; ---- Windows XP Version 2003 and beyond ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_WinNT]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x86_install


; ---- Windows XP Version 2003 and beyond 64bit ----
[4.09.00.0904.00-4.09.00.0904.00_WinNT@64]
NumberOfFiles=4
Size=2178 ;approximately total file size (Size * 1024 bytes)
CopyCount=1
d3dx9_32_x86.inf, x64_install

It looks like it should install from the wording of the last two paragraphs above. But I also notice it does not mention Vista and I understand that.

How would I go about installing this manually?? Never attempted this before. I have an assumption on how to do this, but I don't want to make a mistake that could be disasterous.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, OleGreyGhost

 

PeteC, thank you for the quick reply

Followed your link and downloaded the DLL. Installed according to instructions. Windows produced this error.

using regsvr32.exe. So I extracted the DLL from the games install disk. When I tried to install with regsvr32.exe, windows produced the same error. Both DLLs are dated for the end of 2006.

When I examined the system32 folder, I observed another DLL (d3dx9_26.dll) was installed properly. Dated from 05/2005. Strange. I just realized, those DLLs are are probably for Win XP.

I tried to find a more recent version on the MS site without any luck. Are there any other avenues that I can explore to find a version compatible with Vista?

Sincerely, OleGreyGhost

 

Install DirectX 9
http://www.ehow.com/how_5104261_install-directx-vista.html

Vista can run both versions.

 

Mattman, thank you very much.

I was going to ask that question, but from all that I read on the MS technet site about compatability between the two versions, it didn't make sense to me. The difficult part was everytime I asked a question about Direct X under Vista, I was pointed to a Windows 7 thread.

Is it possible to download the latest version of Direct X 9.0c from MS? In a pinch I can install DX9 from the game disk, but that is dated around 2006. Forget the question about MS download. Followed the link deeper and found a current version of DX 9.0c. Thanks again for your timely assistance.

Sincerely, OleGreyGhost