eMachines Windows Vista FAQ

eMachines recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium.

Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool to Diagnose Problems

Here are some of the things you should be looking for:

• Lack of hardware acceleration. Some programs run very slowly or not at all unless Microsoft DirectDraw or Direct3D hardware acceleration is available. Click the Display tab, and then under DirectX Features, check to see whether DirectDraw, Direct3D, or AGP Texture acceleration is marked Not Available. If so, you might consider upgrading your hardware. You might also need to turn on graphics acceleration.

  Use the following steps to turn on graphics acceleration:

  1. Right-click in an open area of the desktop, and then select Personalize.

  2. In the Personalization window, click Display Settings.

  3. In the Display Settings dialog box, click Advanced Settings.

  4. In the Advanced Settings dialog box, click the Troubleshoot tab, and then click Change settings.

  5. In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.

     Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  6. In the Display Adapter Troubleshooter dialog box, move the Hardware acceleration slider to Full, and then click OK.

• Devices are not connected. If a joystick or other input device fails to respond, it may not be properly set up. Make sure the device is present on the Input tab of DirectX Diagnostic Tool. If not, reinstall the game controller or input device by unplugging it and then plugging it back in.

• Unsigned drivers are present. Microsoft has not tested unsigned drivers for full compatibility with the latest version of DirectX. We recommend that you use drivers that are digitally signed by Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).

Note: This information provided by Microsoft.