Problem (possibly) with DDRAW.dll

[sarger]

I'm going to try to make this as detailed as possible since this is a strange problem.

I was running WoW when I decided to open Continuum, which may have not been a good idea since the computer was under alot of strain.. Anyways Continuum never managed to start up, so I restarted the computer.
This time I opened continuum without WoW on, and the hourglass appears but it doesnt open, and the hourglass stays. Then I alt+tab+alt to look at Processes and i see continuum twice there, constantly changing places so I'm unable to
End Process it. Then after about 40 minutes and error comes "Unable to open library DDRAW.dll" or something like that. So here's what i've been trying to do:
I've reinstalled Continuum, doesnt work
I've ran DirectDraw tests which went fine.
So right now the only thing I can think of is formatting the computer, since
I've got DirectX 9.0c I am not able to reinstall it or even uninstall it.
And I dont have any restore points btw

So any ideas?

[Maverick]

I did a google search on "reinstall directx" since that's is most likely the source of your problem.
I found this link where the following post might have some interesting information for you:

Nys wrote:
> Does anyone know how I can re-install DirectX 9.0c. Apparently the game
> tells me that I have missing directX files.
>
> When I run the directxsetup, it always skips the installing and tells me
> that it is already installed.
>
>

Get this file from the Microsoft site:
dxwebsetup.exe
You can get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/

Then just run it. You can reinstall DX (same or higer version) over
itself easily and it fixes anything that's broke. Just don't reinstall
an earlier version.

Or on your game disk there will be a DirectX or something like it
directory. The setup file will be in there. Just run it straight off the CD.

BUT! REMEMBER! THE VERSION YOU'RE INSTALLING MUST BE THE SAME OR HIGHER
THAN THAT WHICH IS ALREADY INSTALLED. IF YOU TRY TO INSTALL AN EARLIER
VS MANY BAD THINGS INCLUDING HOSING UP YOUR OS CAN HAPPEN.

Maybe that's worth a try and solves your problem.

[Maverick]

I noticed you needed Genuine Advantage Verification in order to download dxwebsetup.exe. In case you can't pass that, you can download it here;

dxwebsetup [exe] [zip]

[sarger]

I noticed you needed Genuine Advantage Verification in order to download dxwebsetup.exe. In case you can't pass that, you can download it here;

dxwebsetup [exe] [zip]

Heyh I tried that out but when it came down to the installing part, it didnt seem to reinstall :/

thanks anyways thou

[sarger]

Okay I found a temporary solution.

Okay so I did some search on forums and found:
http://forums.sscentral.com/index.php?showtopic=12351

it seems to be some sort of glitch that occurs in some XP systems.

there isnt technically a solution but if I right click Continuum.exe and hit Run As or create a new user and run it there, then it will work just fine.

[Jerome Scuggs]

if you want to ctrl-alt-del a program that keeps moving around, just click the "Image Name" bar which will aphabetize the programs, and Continuum stays Continuum so you should be able to close it

[Richard Creager]

there isnt technically a solution but if I right click Continuum.exe and hit Run As or create a new user and run it there, then it will work just fine.

wont happen for me, my cont only works in safe mode

[Maverick]

there isnt technically a solution but if I right click Continuum.exe and hit Run As or create a new user and run it there, then it will work just fine.

I strongly recommend against that since running Continuum through "Run As..." generates different but more problems then your original problem.

Why didn't Directx seem to reinstall?

[sarger]

I strongly recommend against that since running Continuum through "Run As..." generates different but more problems then your original problem.

Why didn't Directx seem to reinstall?

Well, when DirectX installs its takes a while copying files, but in this case it was just completely instant, basically the same thing as when I tried reinstalling with the original setup file.

Wondering though, what problems does 'Run As' cause ?

Okay I see I'm having a little trouble downloading maps lol

[Maverick]

Running a program via "Run As..." starts the program in a protected environment making it unable to write to the harddisk. Modifications to the profile, zone downloads, nothing will be saved. Continuum even "crashes" when entering a zone since it can't save the map file and thus can't read it back.

[flibb]

What happens if u run in compatibility mode? right click exe -> properties -> compatibility -> check run in compatibility mode -> choose windows 2000

[Pummel]

<3 overclocked athlon 2600+ with overclocked geforce 6600 gt and gig of ram

[sarger]

What happens if u run in compatibility mode? right click exe -> properties -> compatibility -> check run in compatibility mode -> choose windows 2000

Won't run, i'm able to open the Continuum window, but I cant logon to a zone