No DirectX support under Boot Camped XP?!

[donjao]

Hello,

I'm having very strange problem with 3D. Not only games, but all 3D programs (i have 8800 GT video card). I've tried installing drivers from nVidia's site (169.27 was the latest, if I remember correctly). Installation was successful, after restart I see my display adapter is detected correctly and i can set up appropriate screen resolution. But the thing is, if I go to nVidia Control Panel while in XP 32 bit, it doesn't even show spinning 3D logo in the Preview section of 3D Properties Category (but it should, the area just remains empty). Basically, I cannot run any DirectX 3D App/Game. BUT! If I run > dxdiag and preform different D3D tests from there all work very well. Yes, I have latest Direct X installed (directx_mar2008_redist).

3D Max cannot locate d3dx9_34.dll (even if I copy it to system32 folder, it lunches, but viewports do not work in direct 3d mode). So by some mysterious reason, I cannot run any program that works with Direct3D (even nVidia's control panel).

However, under Vista 32 bit (only after refreshing the system's rating information and having all the same drivers installed before that refresh, all works ok). The thing is I can't use Vista with VMWare, that's why I need XP up and running with DirectX support.

If anyone could suggest something, I would be very thankful!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nermal]

First of all, you mention using drivers from nVidia but you don't mention the ones from Apple. Did you install the Apple drivers at all, or just leap straight for nVidia?

 

[donjao]

Hey, thanks for reply.

Well yes, after 1st startup, I've installed all drivers from Leopard's DVD. However, there were no video drivers installed. So I had to go online and get them. Maybe I had to browse the DVD?

 

[donjao]

Just checked. I simply can't install drivers from Leopard's DVD. An error ocures in the beginning say that Installer did not find any appropriate drivers,or something like that.

 

[donjao]

Now, I just downloaded Appel's drivers "WinXP32(167.44)". Same problem, can't install. Seems that Apple's drivers cannot recognize my 8800 GT. Driver installer simply doesn't see hardware compatible with installer's drivers.

 

[brkirch]

The Boot Camp drivers you need would be on the restore discs that came with your computer, NOT the Leopard disc.

 

[molintorch]

....The thing is I can't use Vista with VMWare....

I caught this reference to VMWare, and it made me think...

Just to clarify... Are you trying to install the drivers in native boot-camp or are you using VMWare to access your bootcamp partition? There is a huge difference, which is why I ask.

If you are trying via bootcamp directly, then I would suggest running Win XP CD again (boot and hold the C key) and attempt to repair the installation before going any further.

If you are trying to install the drivers to boot-camp through VMWare, then it will never work. While in VMWare, you have to install special drivers that will be used instead of the drivers. VMWare does not see your Nvidia hardware GPU (at least it doesn't for my ATI GPU in my MBP). you can install these drivers in VMWare once windows is loaded by going to "Virtual Machine" then "Install VMWare Tools" from the menu.

As far as Leopard disc vs Restore disc, if he originally had Tiger, then he will want to use the leopard disc once windows is running native, not in VMWare. Leopard/Restore disc will do nothing for windows when using VMWare as far as I know

Hope that helps!

 

[donjao]

Thanks for relpy.

Well, i was using the BootCamp's boot to access native speed and all Mac's resources.

The very "weird" thing is that programs simply don't find directx dll files. I've re-installed XP a couple of times now. Every time the same issue. Or missing DLL, or DirectX isn't working.

But in Vista, I also have the interesting anomalies. After 1st startup in vista, I insert Leopard's DVD to install all drivers. Reboot. Install nVidia drivers. Reboot. No Aero and no Direct3D. Only when I go to "refresh" PC performance rating, only then Vista detects and start working with DirectX.

But I think that I have broken XP cd. I gotta find out about this..I'm not sure.

Well. Thanks anyways. I'll continue digging.

 

[Nermal]

Let me just check that I have my facts straight.

- You have a 2006 or 2007 Mac Pro
- You're using the recent 8800 GT upgrade card
- Your system came with Tiger
- You're using a retail copy of Leopard

Is this all correct?

 

[molintorch]

Something else I thought of... Make sure you are using an XP SP2 CD to do the install. I do not think Boot-Camp supports SP1 or an original Win XP CD. I mention it since you thought there might be an issue with your CD.

If you have an older XP CD, search around google for how to make a SlipStream Win XP SP2 CD; it takes some time, but it would resolve the issue, if that was the case. Hope it works out!

 

[donjao]

Thanks for replies guys.

Nermal, nope. I have 2008 Mac Pro, with 2 Quad Core Xeons. That came with Radeon HD2600 XT video card, I i bought a new one. That machine already came with leopard.

molintorch, yep. I was using XP SP2.

But you know guys, I found what the problem was - the XP cd. I was given a XP 64 bits but SP1, and you know - DirectX worked there like a charm. I couldnt install all the drivers and software, but this was enough for me to get what the problem was. So the conclusion - I have corrupted XP disc.

Thanks guys, sorry for your time spend on this. But prolly, if somebody else will have this kind of problem, he'll get 1 extra suggestion about how to solve it.

Best Regards,
Aleksandr.

 

[brkirch]

Perhaps I was not clear enough. If your computer came with Leopard preinstalled you should not be using the Leopard retail disc to install the Boot Camp drivers. Corrupted Windows install or not, DirectX will not work with the drivers on the Leopard install disc if you have a Geforce 8800 GT since the Leopard install disc does not include new enough Boot Camp drivers. Instead you should find the restore discs that came with your computer; the first restore disc should have the necessary Boot Camp drivers.

 

[Nermal]

Perhaps I was not clear enough. If your computer came with Leopard preinstalled you should not be using the Leopard retail disc to install the Boot Camp drivers.

That is correct, and that's also why I asked whether it was an older model Pro: Only with an older model (one that came with Tiger) should a retail Leopard DVD be used.

 

[donjao]

Hey guys.

Well, yeah, my Mac Pro 2008 came with Leopard pre-installed. And I have these Restore DVDs (2 of them). Just my Mac Pro had ATI HD2600 XT video card, I bought 8800 GT and used provided DVDs to install Boot Camp (it says version 2.0.1 or something, when I install Boot Camp drivers).