Error Message: This Pre-Release Version of DirectX Has Expired, Please Upgrade to the Latest Version... (311805)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q311805

SYMPTOMS

When you try to view a Web page or start a program that requires Microsoft DirectX or one of the DirectX components, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
This pre-release version of DirectX has expired, please upgrade to the latest version from http://microsoft.com/directx
Note that this error message may describe DirectX or a DirectX component such as Microsoft DirectDraw.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if all the following conditions exist:
  • You installed a Beta version of DirectX or one of the DirectX components.
  • The trial period of the Beta version of DirectX has expired.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior:
  1. Obtain and install the current version of DirectX. For information about how to do so, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.asp

  2. Test to determine if the behavior is resolved. If the behavior is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the behavior is not resolved, go to the next step.
  3. To remove the Beta version of DirectX from your computer, perform an in-place upgrade of your operating system. This restores DirectX to the version that is included with your operating system. After you do so, complete step 1 to install the current version of DirectX. Microsoft recommends that you back up your files and settings before you perform an in-place upgrade of your operating system. For additional information about how to perform an in-place upgrade of your operating system, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    315341 How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP

    292175 How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000

  4. Test to determine if the behavior is resolved. If the behavior is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the behavior is not resolved, go to the next step.
  5. Manually remove the DirectX files:

    Warning This method may not work on your computer.
    1. Click Start, and then click Run.
    2. In the Open box, type dxdiag.exe, and then press ENTER.
    3. On the DirectX Files tab, find the files that are marked Beta in the Attributes column, and then write down these file names.
    4. Click Save All Information to save a text file of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Dxdiag.exe) file information. You may want to print this file for use in step f.
    5. Click Exit to quit Dxdiag.exe.
    6. Search for the Beta files that you noted in step c, and then rename each file with the .old extension.
    7. Complete step 1 to install the current version of DirectX.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/21/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB311805
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.