Hello there.


I bought Skyrim yesterday, and I have a problem. Installing the game goes fine, and the download after aswell, but when I get to the “installing for the first time 3/3″ I cant install DirectX for windows.

When I start the game I always get a “Installing DirectX for windows 1/1″, and when I get the to launcher and klick Play I get a black screen then back to desktop. The first few times I only got “Skyrim has stopped working” when I launched it.

I have tried to download DirectX 9, but it says that I have a newer version of it. I read somewhere that I could check my version on Dxdiag, where it said that my DirectX-version was 10.

I’ve tried to reinstall it, and I’ve tried to reinstall steam, but it didnt work. Does it have something to do with my soundcard? and how do I check if my soundcard is DirectX 9 compatible? This is btw what I’ve got:

Windows Vista
Processor: Intel Core 2 duo e8400 3.0Ghz
Memory: (enough), 2k ram
Video card: XFX GeForce GTX 260, 896MB

Thanks for answers!

There are basically two versions of DirectX. Versions up to DirectX 9.0C and DirectX 10/11. Vista comes preinstalled with DirectX 10 and some libraries of DirectX 9 are installed also. Skyrim (I believe) only uses DirectX 9.0C libraries, however they could be updates newer than Vista's DirectX install.

To download all updates for DirectX 9.0C, use this file from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=35

BTW: The newest DirectX 9.0C file I have is D3DX9_43.dll, dated: May 26, 2010.

How do I check my DirectX-version?

I downloaded the file but it didn't help. But I tried to run the DirectX files in the Skyrim folder (which was DirectX 10) but I couldn't run it, it stopped at d3xd9_24.dll (which was the first file I saw).

Thanks again.

Just use the web installer. You have DirectX 10 installed obviously, but are definitely missing key DirectX 9.0C files.]

if for some reason the web installer won't download the correct files, use this: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8109

Sorry for bothering you, but I am a real amateur at this.

When I download your file I get this message after installing:

"DirectX setup has determined that a newer or equivalent varsion of DirectX has been installed already. No installation is necessary."

Does this mean that I have to unistall my DirectX 10 and then reinstall it all? If so, how do I find/uinstall my DirectX 10?

(didnt see your edit there, testing new link)

No, don't uninstall DirectX 10. DirectX 9.0c and DirectX 10/11 are installed concurrently.

Hmm.. downloaded what you linked, but the installer stopped on the same first file. :/

Ok, sounds like the same problem I had. I posted the solution on here but I guess it's sunk without trace by now. Try this:

Find the Directx exe file (Progx86/ Steam/ Steamapps/ dxsetup) and double click to force it to install from there. I've no idea why it doesn't work on install for some, but this worked for me; hope it does for you.

Think you'll need a proper directx uninstaller, something is messed up there.

If its keeps doing that then the Windows Install is damaged.

You can try doing a System Restore (but you don't know when the problem first occurred). Most likely you'll have to repair the Windows install or reformat and reinstall Windows. Sorry.

No, it did not work.

I do have the Vista CD, so I could delete everything on my systemdisk and reinstall vista, but I've never done it before. Any advices? should I leave something on the Datadisk?

Just boot from the Vista DVD and reinstall Vista.

If your not comfortable doing this, you may take it to a local computer shop for a fee.