Microsoft KB Archive/216351

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DirectX 6.1: Description of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

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Q216351

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The information in this article applies to:


 * the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95
 * the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98

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SUMMARY
This article describes the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Dxdiag.exe) included with Microsoft DirectX version 6.1.

MORE INFORMATION
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool is designed to help you troubleshoot DirectX-related issues.

The default installation folder for Dxdiag.exe is:

"C:\Windows\System"

To start the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:


 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Open box, type Dxdiag, and then click OK.

The following list contains a description of each tab in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box:

Help

The Help tab provides system information about your computer and specifies the version of DirectX installed on your computer.

NOTE: You can also start DirectX Diagnostic Tool Help by clicking the Help button at the bottom of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box.

DirectX Files

The DirectX Files tab lists the filename and version number for each DirectX file installed on your computer.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with a DirectX file, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

DirectX Drivers

The DirectX Drivers tab lists the name and version number for each DirectX driver file installed on your computer.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with a DirectX driver, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

Display

The Display tab lists your current display settings, and enables you to disable hardware acceleration and test DirectDraw and Direct3D.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with your display settings, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

Sound

The Sound tab displays your current sound settings, and enables you to test DirectSound.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with your sound settings, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

Music

The Music tab displays your current MIDI settings, and enables you to test the DirectMusic component of DirectX.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with DirectMusic, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

NOTE: DirectMusic is a new component included in DirectX 6.1.

Input

The Input tab lists the input devices connected to your computer and the input drivers installed on your computer.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with an input device or an input device driver, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

More Help

If you are unable to resolve your DirectX issue using the previous troubleshooting tabs, you can use the More Help tab to continue troubleshooting the issue.

The following list contains a description of the functionality of each button on the More Help tab:


 * Troubleshoot

The Troubleshoot button starts the DirectX troubleshooter.
 * MSInfo

The MSInfo button starts Msinfo32.exe, a utility that gathers system information about your computer. The file created by Msinfo32.exe can be sent to Microsoft Technical Support to help resolve persistent issues.
 * Override

The Override button changes the DirectDraw refresh rate.

NOTE: Microsoft does not recommend changing the DirectDraw refresh rate as a general troubleshooting step.