i have researched a bit on directx 8.0b on windows 95 but i could not really make sense on how to install it properly ( could not find a video showing how to update the dx files, install sdk properly, etc ). 

 

to clarify this better, i have not done this completely yet, there were a few test systems where i installed the sdk portion, it installed successfully but i don't think i even did that part right and i didn't go any further with the files because i was scared that i would mess up something. what would happen if i simply replaced the old directx files with the newer directx 8.0b files? would this basically update directx 8.0a to "directx 8.0b" or it is not as simple as that? 

 

has anyone done this before? i read that it doesn't have a direct impact on typical users but i would be so curious to know if there are any benefits it can give, i mean, wouldn't updating the directx 8.0a files to all those updated 8.0b ones with all the corrections just run games better, have less bugs, and just a more stable computer in general? if so, then why does it mentions its only for programmers, or am i wrong here? 

Edited May 9, 201511 yr by cov3rt

The files would be from MS and it's a "replacement" Update (really odd).

http://www.activewin.com/articles/2001/dx8b.shtml

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=497781

http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9470

 

A particular reason you need the "b" one? (ref. what's to be replaced)

The files would be from MS and it's a "replacement" Update (really odd).

http://www.activewin.com/articles/2001/dx8b.shtml

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=497781

http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9470

 

A particular reason you need the "b" one? (ref. what's to be replaced)

like i said, i simply want to know if it has a direct impact or not on the stability / performance of the operating system but i have not found any people who personally used directx 8.0b and what differences they saw. from what i see, wouldn't the operating system still function better with the updated files from directx 8.0b vs 8.0a in all sense? 

Well...

8)      For Win9x, assuming c:\windows is your OS directory, copy c:\temp\d3dx8d.dll to c:\windows\system. For Win2K, assuming c:\winnt is your OS directory, copy c:\temp\d3dx8d.dll to c:\winnt\system32

9)      Rebuild all Direct3D samples

10)  Rebuild your apps that depend on D3DX8

Now, all of the other "replace" files (#1->#7) have *only* to do with the SDK, so that you may/*must* perform #9/#10. That leaves #8 as the only relevant *operational* file, right? Besides DirectX is an *add-on* and has nothing to do with the OS, right? So, the SDK seems absolutely unnecessary.

 

1 - Install DX8.0a

2. Get the 8.0b package, unzip, and replace file in #8 above

*** Done!

 

Here, do a little light reading (from Wikepedia of all places) -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX

Please note the Direct3D reference (the only relevant file).

Well...

 

8)      For Win9x, assuming c:\windows is your OS directory, copy c:\temp\d3dx8d.dll to c:\windows\system. For Win2K, assuming c:\winnt is your OS directory, copy c:\temp\d3dx8d.dll to c:\winnt\system32

9)      Rebuild all Direct3D samples

10)  Rebuild your apps that depend on D3DX8

Now, all of the other "replace" files (#1->#7) have *only* to do with the SDK, so that you may/*must* perform #9/#10. That leaves #8 as the only relevant *operational* file, right? Besides DirectX is an *add-on* and has nothing to do with the OS, right? So, the SDK seems absolutely unnecessary.

 

1 - Install DX8.0a

2. Get the 8.0b package, unzip, and replace file in #8 above

*** Done!

 

Here, do a little light reading (from Wikepedia of all places) -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX

Please note the Direct3D reference (the only relevant file).

yes, this seems more straightforward and makes more sense. i shall try it out soon and give feedback on the results. thanks for the help.