How-To Geek
How to Run a DirectX Diagnostic on XP
If you are concerned with video game performance, or you are trying to fix some problems with any 3D application, you can ensure DirectX 9 on XP is running at peak efficiency by running a diagnostic.
To start the diagnostic, click on Start \ Run and type in “dxdiag” and click OK.
If this is the first time your running this diagnostic windows will ask you for permission to check for WHQL Digital Signatures. Click Yes to this.
You will then get the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. The default tab will be System, where it lists the general information about your system and most importantly what version of DirectX you currently have installed.

The DirectX Files tab will show you if any critical files are missing. Check the Notes section for a recommendation on fixing the problem.

The Display tab is probably the most important. You can run some tests here to verify that DirectX is running correctly.

After running each test you will receive a confirmation box such as this one. Just answer the questions as you are running the tests and this tool will direct you to getting optimal results from your hardware.

There are even cool sound diagnostics you can run using a simple wizard.


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Comments (7)
Programmer by day, geek by night, The Geek, also known as Lowell Heddings, spends all his free time bringing you fresh geekery on a daily basis. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.
- Published 05/8/07




Thank You, Professor!
hi,
ive tried to figure out my increasingly annoying problem of DIABLO 2, ive got a fujitsu laptop, its pretty basic, 1.5ghz and a via unichrome pro graphics card, with 512ram, now all he specs are ok for DIABLo, but im running XP and i know some people run into problems, ive tried the compatibility mode, ive tried many things even the tests in the directx diagnostics, and it failed, the screen comes up with lines and funny waves, and when i try to play DIABLO 2 it does the same, funny lines and i can see colours, thats it, so i esc. who can help me? are laptops not meant for games? am i just being a dummy, someone please help ill really appreciate it, regards, mike
Do you know when windows 7 being released?
very nice command
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i knew it already ahhhh
how to write Change Directx Diagnostic Tools name and system manufacturer and system Model .