Error message when you try to start a Microsoft game: "The file d3dx9_XX.DLL was not found" (910813)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Flight Simulator X Deluxe
  • Flight Simulator X Standard
  • Microsoft Age of Empires III
  • Microsoft Age of Empires III Expansion: The War Chiefs
  • Microsoft Fable: The Lost Chapters PC
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: African Adventure
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: Dino Danger
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start one of the Microsoft games that are listed in the "Applies to" section, you may receive one of the following error messages:
The file d3dx9_25.dll was not found
The file d3dx9_27.dll was not found

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the Microsoft DirectX file that is mentioned in the error message is corrupted or is not copied correctly.

RESOLUTION

Download and then install the latest version of DirectX

To resolve this problem, download and then install the latest version of DirectX End-User Runtimes Web Installer. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56513&clcid=0x409

Note You may receive the following error message during installation:
The software you are installing has not passed Windows Logo testing to verify its compatibility with this version of Windows. (Tell me why this testing is important.)
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

822798 You cannot install some updates or programs

Manually copy the file

To resolve this issue, copy the D3dx9_25.dll file or the D3dx9_27.dll file from the disc 1 CD of the game CD pack to the corresponding game folder. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the disc 1 CD for one of the following games into the CD drive of the computer:
    • Microsoft Age of Empires III
    • Microsoft Fable: The Lost Chapters
    • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2
    • Microsoft Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
  3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following folder:

    CDDrive:\ DirectX9

    Note In this folder path, CDDrive represents the drive letter of the CD drive.
  4. In the right pane, double-click Apr2005_d3dx9_25_x86.cab, right-click d3dx9_25.dll, and then click Copy. In Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends, double-click Aug2005_d3dx9_27_x64.cab right-click d3dx9_27.dll, and then click Copy.

    Note Use the Apr2005_d3dx9_25_x64.cab file for the x64-based version of the Microsoft Windows operating system.
  5. In the left pane, locate one or more of the following folders, depending on the games that are installed on the computer:

    Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III

    Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Fable - The Lost Chapters

    Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Zoo Tycoon 2

    Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Rise of Legends

    Note In these folder paths, Drive represents the drive letter where the game is installed.
  6. Right-click the game folder that corresponds to the game that is installed on the computer, and then click Paste.

    Note If you have installed more than one game on the computer, repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other games.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/10/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbsetup kbtshoot KB910813 kbAudEndUser
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