This normally occurs if there is a slight issue with your video card or sound card drivers. Normally this will occur if your drivers are out of date (and yes, this even happens on brand new PC's) or if the drivers are not signed/certified. Gladly this is easily resolved and contrary to popular belief, drivers are available for free download in most cases. (This process is easier than it looks.)
1) Click Start, Run.
2) Type DXDIAG and click ok
3) Once this program's loaded, click 'Display' and look at the notes section. It should read:
'No problems found.To test DirectDraw functionality, click the "Test DirectDraw" button above.To test Direct3D functionality, click the "Test Direct3D" button above.
OR:
No problems found.
DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
We also need to check the dates of the driver, on the right hand side near to the top of this screen you should see 'Date:' listed. Ideally this date will be less than 3 months old. If it's more, or the above DXDIAG notes do not match what you have shown, it's time to update those video drivers! (You WILL need internet access for this but it doesn't need to be at the PC with the problem. You can always transfer the file to the problem PC later.)
Take note of the manufacturer and the name of the video card on the screen you're looking at now. Now go onto the internet, go to the manufacturers website search their drivers/support sections for the name of your video card. Eventually you will find the card listed on their website. Following the instructions on this site, download and install the LATEST dated version you can find of this driver. If it's dated 2 years ago but is the most recent driver, it'll have to do. You MUST be sure that it's the most recent and that it is suitable for your card.
You should contact the manufacturer if you are in doubt of which driver to get. Now we need to check the sound card drivers but it's exactly the same process as above once you perform the following.
Click 'Sound' at the top
The notes should read:
To test DirectSound functionality, click the "Test DirectSound" button above.
No problems found.
Check the driver date.
If the driver is over 3 months old or the notes do not match, update your drivers using the process above. |
