As I've started putting up some more old Benchmarks, I came across 3D Mark 99 MAX and 3D Mark 2000.

Using Win2000 SP4, 3D Mark 99MAX fails to launch because it doesn't find DirectX 6.1 (DX 9.0c installed obviously)

3D Mark 2000 fails to install with an error Message all together.

Any Ideas how that could be fixed ?

I've tried lots of things a long time ago but didn't get 3DMark99 running. I haven't tried Win98 in VMWare but that's probably useless  .

This is reminiscent of a problem that plagued the installation process for a number of TalonSoft games when DirectX 7.0 came out.  The programs were being installed with Install Shield scripts, and the scripts were apparently looking for a specific version of DirectX.  The workaround for this was to copy the Dsetup.dll, dsetup16.dll, and dsetup32.dll for the version of DirectX installed on your system into the temporary directory in C:\Windows\Temp which the Install Shield scripts created.  You had to do this after the install process started, but before you clicked an OK (or some such thing) in a dialog box in order to continue with the installation process.

Here is the original bulletin from TalonSoft (note that they only mention the dsetup.dll, but if I recall correctly, you have to also include the dsetup16.dll and dsetup32.dll as well, at least for some versions of DirectX):


November 28, 2000

TalonSoft Customers:

Since the release of Microsofts DirectX 7.0, conflicts between it and certain Install Shield scripts have been identified.  As a result of changes in DirectX operation, many TalonSoft products created prior to the release of DirectX 7.0 are unable to install properly without a workaround.

Direct X 7.0 and later versions will cause installation problems with East Front II, West Front, West Front Battlepack, West Front Elite Edition, West Front: Operation Sea Lion,  Chickamauga, and the entire Operational Art of War series.

For Problems Installing TalonSoft games with DirectX 7.0 or higher versions installed:

Symptom: The Install Shield either crashes or fails to complete when it attempts to install versions of DirectX included on our game CDs after the user has already installed the latest release of DirectX. This results in no installation of game files. To remedy this, follow these instructions to bypass the installation of DirectX:

Step 1: Download this file, Dsetup.Dll to a secure location on your hard drive or Desktop.
Step 2: Open up your Windows/Temp folder using My Computer or Windows Explorer. Select all of its contents and delete them from your hard drive. Do not remove the Temp folder itself.
Step 3: Insert the game CD and begin the installation process.
Step 4: As soon as the installation process begins, minimize the Install Shield window and locate your copy of Dsetup.Dll, right click on it and select Copy. Go into the Windows/Temp folder and Refresh its contents. You will notice a new folder inside it called _istmp. Open this folder, right click inside it and select paste to put Dsetup.Dll in it, overwriting the one that was already there.
Step 5: Maximize the Install Shield program and finish the installation process.
Alternative Installation Method:

For the Battleground Series and Campaign Series: Copy the game folder from the CD directly to your hard drive either by dragging between open windows or by Copying and Pasting. You must then run the game using the .exe file included in the program folder you just copied. You may make shortcuts on the desktop to the .exe files, but you must fill in the Start In: section of any shortcut made to include the path to the game files on your hard drive. You may also make shortcuts on your Start Menu following the same procedure.

Please feel free to contact our TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT for assistance with these procedures.

Did @akula65's hack fix your problem @Falcon? ???

(I'd like to be able to run 3d mark '99 MAX in WinXP - but until there's a work-around that...err...works, I'm out of luck!)