Folks.

Below are the messages I've recently left on the Steam support page. To date I've had no responce from Valve with any suggestions. If anyone can suggest anything then I'm willing to give it a go.

I can't understand as before this I've never had any problems. Played Half Life2 and episodes, Portal and the like, again without problems. suddenly I get the dreaded D3D Device error.


1 « Message by you on Thu, 8th Jan 2009 6:13 am »
Recently I have had the "Failed to create D3D Device!" message whenever I try to start any Steam game. I have an NVIDIA 8800 GTX graphics card and I have ensured I have the up to date drivers from NVIDIA. I have also tried updating my sound card drivers (Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme) and motherboard drivers, (Asus PK5 Premium)all to no avail.

I have tried adding the text -dxlevel 80 & -dxlevel 81 in Launch Options, again to no avail.

I have no problems with any other games, just Steam ones


2 « Message by you on Fri, 9th Jan 2009 3:40 am »
Just tried reinstalling, still will not work!


3 « Message by you on Sun, 11th Jan 2009 2:18 pm »
I've purchased and downloaded RegCure and cleaned the registery without success. Any chance of a reply any time soon?


4 « Message by you on Wed, 14th Jan 2009 2:02 am »
I've now tried un-installing and re-installing Steam. Guess what?

Same error!


5 « Message by you on Thu, 15th Jan 2009 3:24 am »
Used DriverMax to update ALL my drivers. Noticed there's an update for Left 4 Dead, waited in (forlorn) hope while it updated.

Same error.

Am I the only person here?

Considering cutting my losses and getting rid of Steam (and associated games, past, present and future) altogether.


6 « Message by you on Thu, 15th Jan 2009 4:45 am »
un-installed steam. Re-installed on second internal hard drive. Re-installed L4D.

Same swatting error!

May be time for a format.

I must admit, I am considering it. Don't really want the hastle though.

Format!

Have you installed the latest DirectX?

Yep. Just tried that.

install different driver version if the directx update is no good

I've gone through about 4 different GFX drivers. The result is always the same.

try setting resolution from the advanced startup options like: -w 1280 -h 800

Just tried it. Nada.

The other solution that works for some people is starting it in windowed mode, but I dunno how to do that

+1 to format. It sounds like you've already gone through more effort than a backup+format would require anyway, so just do it, I reckon.

this dude found a solution, had to run it windowed first, and then set a resolution

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322991

try this to set steam to run windowed:

Steam -> Games -> left4dead , right click -> properties -> launch options , fill in "-window 800x600"

this dude found a solution, had to run it windowed first, and then set a resolution

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322991

try this to set steam to run windowed:

Steam -> Games -> left4dead , right click -> properties -> launch options , fill in "-window 800x600"

yeh, that's the one I found after about 2 seconds of googling

we are teh google masters

this dude found a solution, had to run it windowed first, and then set a resolution http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322991 try this to set steam to run windowed: Steam -> Games -> left4dead , right click -> properties -> launch options , fill in "-window 800x600"

yeh, that's the one I found after about 2 seconds of googling

Yes I found that too. It doesn't work. They were getting a different error than the one I am getting.

Since your getting ever closer to the format option, why not download the public beta of windows7 and install it as an upgrade. You'll then have DX11 and a lot of fresh system files.

Worth a go and wont cost you anything.

did you run the directx webupdate or some version of dx off a cd or something?

I've tried installing the latest Direct X 9c from the Microsoft website. That made no difference so i installed the latest DX10 from microsoft. Still no joy. It's looking like I'm going to have to format (which I don't particulally want to do) or just not play anymore Steam/Valve games.

or just not play anymore Steam/Valve games

Don't be a Drama Queen. Just format and try again like everyone's suggested. Chances are you'll fix a whole host of other problems windows accumulates while you're at it.

I think his problem is that he is using his 8800 GTX in a C64. Maybe he needs to upgrade to a c128?

Maybe your card is buggered. Do you have onboard video, if so try using that.

Also try taking your vid card out of the slot and putting it back in.


:/

I think i had a simular problem with my 8800gtx, Try using the drivers that came with the card. also uhh.. have you selected "opengl" in the video options? ;)

also you could try, close steam, goto the steam folder, delete the clientregistry.blob
then restart steam..

So, you'd rather format than install Windows 7 beta first? Go right ahead.

I think i had a simular problem with my 8800gtx, Try using the drivers that came with the card. also uhh.. have you selected "opengl" in the video options? ;) also you could try, close steam, goto the steam folder, delete the clientregistry.blob then restart steam..

Not tried using original drivers. I'll give it a go.

Not sure where the video options are on Steam to try OpenGL?

I'll try the 'delete the clientregistry.blob' first.

Thank.

So, you'd rather format than install Windows 7 beta first? Go right ahead.

E.T.

Not sure that installing Windows 7 beta is going to help with this.

Wow! Just got a reply from Valve.

They advised me to check my video drivers!!!

They'd obviously not even bothered to read what I'd written.

I suppose I'll have to wait another 9 or so days before they advise me to make sure my PC is turned on...

Compare that to the help I've received from you guys on this forum in only a very short time.

I think his problem is that he is using his 8800 GTX in a C64. Maybe he needs to upgrade to a c128? Maybe your card is buggered. Do you have onboard video, if so try using that. Also try taking your vid card out of the slot and putting it back in. :/

Tollaz0r!

Nothing wrong with GPU.

Tried it in my C128 but got tired of disk changes :-)

OK then.

Try these.

1. Download and install Omega Drivers. Works for some.

Make sure you completely remove/uninstall the current drivers you are using.

2. Update your Motherboard drivers.

3. In BIOS make sure you don't have anything like Graphics Performance Booster enabled, or anything that isn't standard.

4. Update your BIOS.

5. Start->Run: DxDiag

Go to the display page and do the Test Direct3D, see if that comes up with anything. Also check to make sure that the information that it gathers it correct (or what u think it should be).


Do the above in whatever order you want, I suggest updating mobo drivers first tho.

OK then. Try these. 1. Download and install Omega Drivers. Works for some. Make sure you completely remove/uninstall the current drivers you are using. 2. Update your Motherboard drivers. 3. In BIOS make sure you don't have anything like Graphics Performance Booster enabled, or anything that isn't standard. 4. Update your BIOS. 5. Start->Run: DxDiag Go to the display page and do the Test Direct3D, see if that comes up with anything. Also check to make sure that the information that it gathers it correct (or what u think it should be). Do the above in whatever order you want, I suggest updating mobo drivers first tho.

Tollaz0r!

Many thanks for taking the effort.

Have tried your suggestions, all to no avail.

I've decided that a complete fresh install is the only answer so I've ordered a new hard drive, (I'll keep the existing one so that at least I'll have a bootable HD if all goes pear shaped.)

OK.

Got the new hard drive and re-installed vista.

Steam games are working fine now and the PC is running a little faster so it plus, plus all round.

Many thanks to all who have helped out.

Since your getting ever closer to the format option, why not download the public beta of windows7

Asking someone to install a beta OS with unknown hardware and driver support and unknown compatibility problems during a moment when he's trying to resolve a serious issue?

Worst and most useless advice ever.

Worth a go and wont cost you anything.

Except other software he's using will probably break. Not to mention the extra time and effort during the inevitable format a few months down the track, when he'll have to either put the final release version on or put an earlier OS on.

gg