IDirect3DDevice3 cannot be made

[A.T.]

Have installed FMS on a number of PC operating systems for friends but on one PC only have been unable to find a fix for error "IDirect3DDevice3 cannot be made".

PC = Windows 98SE. [Microsoft updates - all up to date].
DirectX 9 - all tests AOK.
Display adaptor = Nvidia Riva TNT2 Model 64/Model 64Pro
VIA PCI Audio Controller (WDM)
Processor = 667 KHZ Intel Celeron
32 Kb primary memory cache
128 Kb secondary mempory cache (system resources 83% free)
2.15 gigabyte useable harddrive capacity
924 mb hard drive free space (this was reduced after fault appeared and downloading all windows updates inc IE6

All drivers said to be working correctly, no conflicts of yellow highlights in device manager.

Loaded FMS and when starting, screen goes black and then blue with error message A fatal exception OE has occurred at 0028:C0059521. the current application will be terminated.
Press any key to terminate the current application.
Press CNTRL+ALT+DEL >>>snip>>>>
press any key to contnue.

Most time screen returns to normal window display but once only FMS started with a blank screen with "IDirect3DDevice3 cannot be made" in center.

Top drop down bar worked.
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Dave Brown RCFS 2001 runs with a few jitters. The control box (simstar) has to be recalibrated when throttle loses low setting and occasionally screen loses bakcground - all white and RCFS has to be closed and restarted.
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Have reformatted disc and reloaded all programs at least three times in case the latest update to the RIVA TNT2 had caused problems, loading earlier drivers. - original driver disc not received. PC is about 6 years old.
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Any suggestion welcomed
Thank you and regards
Alan T.
Alan's Hobby, Model & RC Web Links
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~atong/
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[A.T.]

Solved?
Reformatted once again, loaded a display driver two previous to the latest driver and DirectX 8.
Loaded FMS2.7 before any other sundry programs and it worked. Replaced 7 with Beta.8.5 and it still worked with additonal models & landscapes. Loaded other sundry programs at minimum levels as well as RCFS 2001 and all now appear to work better than before.
regards
Alan

[ggunners]

Alan,

You'll find that graphics card drivers cause all kinds of problems with any graphics intensive software. I always keep around several versions of the manufacturer's "registered" drivers so I can back level if the new stuff causes issues.

You may be able to move to DirectX version 9 with the current driver you have but you should snapshot your Windows installation and registry first.

-- ggunners

[A.T.]

Followed advice and reloaded DirectX9. Both FMS and RCFS 2001 are still working and with better results.
Thank you
Alan T.