Hi,
This is a long-standing issue which I've tried many times to solve but without success.

I basically cannot upgrade to DirectX V10, which I found I needed recently to install some software such as CyberLink Power DVD.

The current installed DirectX version is reported as V9.0a (4.09.0000.0901). I say reported as I recall well over a year ago there being a security issue with DirectX - or the automatic upgrade available at the time - which, in order to avoid, I applied a 'hack' via Regedit - changing a value - which if I remember correctly fooled Windows Automatic Updates into think the update had already taken place and thus, didn't go ahead.

I've tried downloading the latest version from Microsoft and also the redistriburable from elsewhere, but neither worked. Or at least, both installed, but the reported version remained the same once the installation was complete.

So, I basically need to know if anyone remembers the fix and knows how to reverse it or possibly how to upgrade DirectX on top of the version I currently have, taking into account that the reported version may not be correct.

The system in question is a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop, which is around 3 years old. The system runs fairly well. System spec's below.

win xp will not run DX10 .DX10 is Vista only

Really?! Well there's something I didn't know!
Thanks, that explains a lot.

Ok. Well, I'd still like to try and update it to V9.0c if possible.

can you not undo your hack? have you tried to instal DX9.0c?

If only it were that easy! Hence asking about it here.
I cannot remember what the hack was nor where I found it (I know)

I have tried installing V9.0c, yes, but the reported installed version always reads V.9.0a, both on DXDiag and independent software such as Everest.

I even considered using a few tools I found to uninstall DirectX completely, but read some pretty unnerving reports on them so bottled out of it.

you could source a diskimaging program to take an image before trying them. I swear by ghost im sure there are free ones out there

Yes, I have Norton Ghost and have been running auto backups for a few days. I just wanted to use it for a short while to ensure it was as trustworthy as I'd hoped and I might just give it a shot

well I take full images to a seperate harddisk and have no problems recovering using the emergancy cd I do not do interim backups just a full back up once a month

Unfortunately, I don't have a free disc to enable me to do that right now, but I have been making recovery points and file and folder backups daily. It seems to be doing the job nicely.

I may well attempt a complete DirectX uninstall at the weekend.