DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Don Bradbury looks at another of Windows 98's trouble-shooting routines

DirectX is essentially that software component that enhances the multimedia capability of a Windows computer. And DirectX Diagnostics Tool is the powerful array of trouble-shooting routines directed at it. It's intended that you use it if you encounter problems with your system, but there's nothing stopping you giving the routines the once-through now, just to get acquainted.

Once again accessed via Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Information / Tools, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool offers eight categories of help and diagnosis. On the first tab you get general help, plus a run-down of your basic hardware configuration, including the version of DirectX you have installed.

This indicates that the tool is intended for trouble-shooting DirectX components and drivers. It lets you test them and, if necessary, change your system configuration to work optimally. Although you can jump to any of the categories, especially if you know the problem area, I think it's best to try all sections in order; none of them take long to process.

Help

Microsoft have divided help into two sections, on the first tab and the last of this menu. This latter is the one to try if you want to diagnose for a particular symptom. Click on the tab, them Troubleshoot. Select the most appropriate symptom in the list, say 'I don't hear sounds anymore', scroll to the bottom of the list, and then click on Next.

Follow the prompts for diagnosis of the trouble, respond to the 'did that work' question - or skip to try something else - and then try your apparently defective system again to see if a cure was effected.

Note that one of the Options here (see its tab) is to call up your Browser's Internet Options dialogue. If the problem seems to lie there, you can make immediate changes while in the DirectX Diags Tool, without summoning your Browser.

DirectX lists

The second tab lists all of your DirectX files, and the third tab shows the DirectX drivers. The notes section below that itemises any problems found with these.

The Display, Sound, Music, and if appropriate, Input tabs, all itemise hardware in your system configuration. And again, the notes sections on each will point to any deficiencies the diagnostics tool thinks are relevant.

In appropriate sections you can run tests. For example, under 'Display', DirectDraw and Direct3D sections both have test functions you can run. While there, check that the reported hardware is correct. Whether it is or not, you might like to copy the important bits for inclusion in any reports you make for diagnosis, say in Aunty David's trouble-shooting section of Practical PC, or for a technician while making a report call.

Sound of music

The sound section runs you through tests from 8-bit mono 22KHz, to 3D stereo 16-bit 44KHz. At each, you have the option to say whether they were reproduced correctly.

Music, similarly, lets you play tracks on the Test DirectMusic button, and in each case the notes section reports appropriately.

You can also test the music functions under Synthesizer, MIDI Mapper, Wavetable, FM Synthesizer, or MPU-401 devices. Under Help, you are taken to the Windows help section. Here, you can select relevant sections for investigation.

Finally, the Save All Information section could be used to make a permanent record of your tests and when they were carried out.

In conclusion

These DirectX test routines are powerful and useful. Why not run through the tests now; it'll take you maybe fifteen minutes, and when you've finished you'll be better prepared if your system ever hits the rocks.

 

Don Bradbury