Why am I having so many tech problems?

strongfan · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2008 12:53 am

Yet again, I have a problem.
Thankfully, this time it's not my Wii.
Whenever I turn on my computer,
it says that ddraw.dll is "either not
designed for [windows vista] or it is corrupt."
There is also a problem with the sound;
it's not working. This is exceptionally
irritating, for Game Maker games need ddraw.dll to function.
I tried a System Restore, but it failed to
complete successfully. Because of this,
I think there may be a link to the problems.
I think there is something wrong with the .dll system
on my computer. Any advise before I rant to
TechSupport?

Jitka · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 6:05 am

in before "lol get linux"

um, sorry, I have nothing constructive or useful to say, though.

this-guy · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 11:23 am

lol get a mac

strongfan · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 8:21 pm

okay, seriously.
I have found the problem: ddraw.dll has a file size of 0 bytes.
So, I downloaded a replacement file for it, but it won't let me move it
to system32. It says "You need permission to continue this action" and
it has a "Try Again" button and a "Cancel" button. When I press "Try Again",
the same window pops up. I'm already logged on as an administrator, BTW.
And before you ask, I know I need to register the DLL file.

strongfan · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:09 pm

Seriously, I need help with this. I at least need a number to call,
or an email address to send my problem to. My only problem is
a corrupt DLL that the operating system won't let me replace.
Seriously!

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:13 pm

strongfan wrote:

Seriously, I need help with this. I at least need a number to call,
or an email address to send my problem to. My only problem is
a corrupt DLL that the operating system won't let me replace.
Seriously!

Call the tech support of whatever computer you have.

strongfan · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:18 pm

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

Call the tech support of whatever computer you have.

Hence why I said "I at least need the number for tech support"
It's nowhere on the site.

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:18 pm

strongfan wrote:

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

Call the tech support of whatever computer you have.

Hence why I said "I at least need the number for tech support"
It's nowhere on the site.

What's the computer?

strongfan · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:56 pm

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

What's the computer?

If you look at my first post, it says "Windows Vista"

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:58 pm

strongfan wrote:

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

What's the computer?

If you look at my first post, it says "Windows Vista"

... I can tell you need a lot of help.

Windows Vista is an OS. It is not a computer. What is the BRAND of your COMPUTER.

StrongRad · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:06 pm

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

strongfan wrote:

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

What's the computer?

If you look at my first post, it says "Windows Vista"

... I can tell you need a lot of help.

Windows Vista is an OS. It is not a computer. What is the BRAND of your COMPUTER.

TFE:Good luck if you try to help strongfan. Trust me. You will need it (also patience).

strongfan: Call tech support

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:08 pm

StrongRad wrote:

TFE:Good luck if you try to help strongfan. Trust me. You will need it (also patience).

strongfan: Call tech support

You crack me up! :mrgreen:

I was getting the feeling it was going to be a lost cause.

Color Printer · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:49 pm

We are not a tech forum. Please go find one or contact tech support.

Rusty · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 12:48 am

Color Printer wrote:

We are not a tech forum. Please go find one or contact tech support.

sigh

sigh

sigh

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

... I can tell you need a lot of help.

Windows Vista is an OS. It is not a computer. What is the BRAND of your COMPUTER.

and just to be safe, strongfan, that's the company that made the box. Dell, gateway, leapfrog, etc

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 2:33 am

Rusty wrote:

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

... I can tell you need a lot of help.

Windows Vista is an OS. It is not a computer. What is the BRAND of your COMPUTER.

and just to be safe, strongfan, that's the company that made the box. Dell, gateway, leapfrog, etc

if he says 'leapfrog' I will crack up so hard that my computer will break too.

AbuGrape45 · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 4:04 am

Rusty wrote:

Color Printer wrote:

We are not a tech forum. Please go find one or contact tech support.

sigh

sigh

sigh

TheFacelessEvil wrote:

... I can tell you need a lot of help.

Windows Vista is an OS. It is not a computer. What is the BRAND of your COMPUTER.

and just to be safe, strongfan, that's the company that made the box. Dell, gateway, leapfrog, etc

lol.

strongfan · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 8:01 pm

Yeah, I thought you meant OS. My computer is an HP, with an intel Pentium M processor.
IDK if this helps or not, but the version/whatever-you-call-it of Vista I'm running is
Home Premium.

StrongRad wrote:

(also patience)

TheFacelessEvil · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 8:19 pm

HP? Here we go!

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html <-- Their support page which has all sorts of help functions OR call these TOLL-FREE numbers!

Support for HP products (United States only)

Be prepared to provide the following information: Serial Number (S/N), product name, model number, and a brief description of the issue.

HP and Compaq products: 800-474-6836
Compaq Presario PC products: 800-652-6672
Customers using TTY: 877-656-7058

MikeMcG · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 2:46 am

Try re-installing DirectX. ddraw.dll is a driver associated with DirectX, so re-installing should replace the driver.

Honestly, ladies, that was five minutes with Google. Man up next time.

Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 5:24 am

What version of DirectX is he running?

DS_Kid · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 5:38 am

Presumably 10, since he's using Vista.

strongfan · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 3:12 pm

I tried reinstalling DirectX, but I had a copy of DDraw.dll
I downloaded off the internet on my desktop, and I assume
the installer "saw" this and thought that I had a working ddraw
file. So, I deleted it and tried reinstalling it again, but it
said I have "Installer has detected that you already a [more updated]
version or the current version. There is no need to install it again."
I just decided I'm going to do a system recovery and get out of this
mess. But, don't lock this topic, in case the system recovery doesn't
work.

MikeMcG · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 4:35 pm

Normally installers give you the option to install, repair, and uninstall. If the DX Installer gives you those options, just try repair first. If that doesn't work then uninstall and reinstall.

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