Windows XP media center edition. Up to date on service packs. Microsoft security essentials.Having difficulty running a new game. Get "Cannot create D3D device" Recomended from Game support that my directx needs update. 9.0cCannot install directx drivers downloaded from microsoft. Get an error message of failed installation and refered to check DXError log which has the following--------------------[12/26/10 19:08:36] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 189, function: GetDXVersion Failed API: RegQueryValueEx() Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified. Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the version value in the registry.--------------------[12/26/10 19:08:36] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 4705, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation GetDXVersion() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 19:08:36] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 19:08:36] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: setup.cpp, line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX InstallPlugIn() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 19:09:06] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 189, function: GetDXVersion Failed API: RegQueryValueEx() Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified. Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the version value in the registry.--------------------[12/26/10 19:09:06] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 4705, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation GetDXVersion() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 19:09:06] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 19:09:06] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: setup.cpp, line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX InstallPlugIn() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 20:32:33] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 189, function: GetDXVersion Failed API: RegQueryValueEx() Error: (2) - The system cannot find the file specified. Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the version value in the registry.--------------------[12/26/10 20:32:33] module: dxupdate(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 4705, function: DirectXUpdateGetSetupInformation GetDXVersion() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 20:32:33] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: dxupdate.cpp, line: 280, function: CSetup::InstallPlugIn DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.--------------------[12/26/10 20:32:33] module: dsetup32(May 31 2006), file: setup.cpp, line: 1701, function: CSetup::SetupForDirectX InstallPlugIn() failed.Also noted to check the the directx log (very length, not sure if i should include here)This game worked for a couple days and then failed. No system changes in the interim. Apparently I need to reinstall directX but. 1. I suspect that Directx like other programs leaves a lot of garbage laying around that is not tidied up after and 2. It is very confusing to navigate and identify the appropriate version on microsoft. I have been attempting to install directx 9.0c version 8.0.7600.16385 redistribtable. The is the best match I have been able to find in searches. Automatic Update does not show that there are any directx updates for me even though I have uninstalled directx.Thank you in advance

Hi, I would recommend you to start the computer in clean boot state and then try installing the Direct X and check.Refer:How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" statehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/en-usNote: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow the steps as explained in the article to reset the computer to start as usual.DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&displaylang=enHope this helps.Thanks and Regards:Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think. If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Shekhar,while I will thank you for taking time to reply, your proposed solution is not the issue. This is a more complex problem than you percieve. I had already attempted to use a clean boot state for this. Please read the provided information. I have encounter similar Microsoft issues in the past. There has been corruption of files for directx. Same type issues as with .NET Framework updates and corruptions that I have encountered. Uninstalling does not fully remove registry entries and yet needs to refer to previous version files to install.What I believe I need here is either a utility or hotfix or a list of files and registry entries that I can manually delete in order to make a clean new install.Also, your link for directx is an update only and not the full directx install. I don't blame you for that, I have had the same issue navigating to find the actual full directx install. Best I have been able to find in full version is the redistributable package. Error messages refer to "Current DirectX may be a older version which does not have the version value in the registry."Is this indicating that I must start by reinstalling an older version and then apply additional updates on top of this? Is there not a full version of 9.0c that is not contingent on an earlier version?Thank you.