Ok, so I've got a Dell (Dont hate me ctjoyce!) and ive been having real problems with DirectX. Basically, when I got the System, I tried installing FS2004, but it never could 'Detect' DirectX. I got some advice from here to re-install it, and from then on its all gone wrong. Firstly, I did a 'clean' install of it, I removed all the registry keys, and installed in safe mode. BUT, on the install window, it came onto the status bar, and then immediatly said that the installation had finished. I checked back in my Registry, and there was only 1 key '(Default)', as opposed by the 7-8 that are normally there. Anywho I tried installing FS again, but again with no luck, then I thought, OK, so FS has got DirectX 9.0a on the disk, so ok, I installed that, and it was fine, full install in the registry, but still no god damn FS! Then, a DVD programme Ive got on my system wouldnt open, complaining that it needed DirectX 9.0b-or higher, to operate, so, I did the same again, and tried to install 9.0c, the installation went fine, but now, in dxdiag.exe, its still telling me that I only have 9.0a installed, and the programme still wont open, I've done everything I can, the last resort I have, it s full system restore, which will take my computer back the original state it was delivered in, so I will need to re-install all my drivers, and plus, in readiness for my Flightsim, ive got 4.63 GB of addons on my system, just waiting to go into FS! That would all have to be backed up onto DVD >:( So guys, if any of you have ever had this problem you know what im going through, please help! I really need help on this, its so annoying not being able to sim, its been about a month now :-[.
Anyway, I've had enough, and im sure you have too!
Cheers,
Alex

P.S. By no means am I trying to imply that the problems started because of the advice I recieved here!