KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q277649: DirectX: Screen Flickers When You Start a Program

Article: Q277649
Product(s): Microsoft Home Games
Version(s): 2000,95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbdisplay kbimu
Last Modified: 13-JUN-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95 
- the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 
- the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition 
- the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition 
- the operating system: Microsoft Windows 2000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you start a program that uses Microsoft DirectX 8.0, you may experience the
following symptoms:

- Your screen may flicker.

- Programs that are running on your computer may briefly stop responding.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior occurs because DirectDraw tests the capabilities of your video
adapter the first time that you start a program that uses DirectX 8.0 on your
computer.

The symptoms occur while DirectDraw tests different display modes.

MORE INFORMATION
================

DirectX 8.0 cycles through several display modes to test the capabilities of
your video adapter. The results of the video tests are written to the following
file:

  D3d8caps.dat

If you delete the D3d8caps.dat file or change the configuration of your video
adapter, the same symptoms occur the next time that you start a program that
uses DirectX 8.0.

NOTE: These symptoms also occur if you test DirectDraw by using the DirectX
Diagnostic Tool (Dxdiag.exe).

Additional query words: msgame direct-x dx8 dxdiag flash blink winme

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbdisplay kbimu 
Technology        : kbOSWin2000 kbOSWin98 kbOSWin95 kbOSWinME kbOSWin98SE kbOSWinSearch
Version           : :2000,95
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.