Directx Error, D3DERR_Not Available, Direct3D Acceleration Unavailable?

[RilianT]

<p>I'm having a problem with my card interacting with Directx.  I do have the latest versions of Directx and video card drivers installed. I have reinstalled them several times, along with reinstalling several games and programs. When I run a DXDIAG everything tests fine, but Direct3d Acceleration is disabled and unavailable (greyed out). It says I need to get the latest drivers from the manufacturer (as mentioned before, already done). The *only* thing that has changed on my computer was a system restore to a previous date. Since then I have rolled back drivers, reinstalled latest, etc. All the standard processes and fixes aren't fixing the problem. If there's some trick to re-enabling 3d output, I don't know it.  Please keep in mind, I had no problem running anything until RoK came out, and I upped my page file capacity.  EQ2 and other games worked for about 2 days, and ever since, I've had the problem on two different graphics cards, both using the latest drivers.  To answer the obvious question, I have also tried lowering the page file back to its previous state with no results either way.</p><p>I'm running Windows XP SP2 on a Gateway 550GR, Pentium 4 3.2GHz, 1GB RAM.  I was using an ATI x700 Pro, but was convinced the drivers suck, so I switched it for an Nvidia 8500 GT.  The problem persists.Error messages include:Everquest 2: Everquest 2 has encountered an unrecoverable error and must close. <verify> E:liveeq2frameworkcoredevicessrcDirectx9RenderDevi ce.cpp (1019): Directx Error (D3DERR_NotAvailable)</p><p>Guild Wars: Unable to intialize 3D output. Please verify that you have installed Directx 8 and an updated video driver.</p><p>Half Life 2: No message, just spits me to the desktop. </p><p>Bioshock:  Bioshock has encountered a problem and must close.  We are sorry for the inconvenience. (lol)</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p>Need to see the DXDaig for a verification, but would be willing to bet the AGP post is disabled in system. Make sure you have the latest chipset drivers loaded on the OS. Check Gateway's website for them</p>

[RilianT]

Not sure what exactly you need from the dxdiag, but it says on every tab "No problems found" with the exception of the display tab that reads: <p>No problems found.</p><p>To test DirectDraw functionality, click the "Test DirectDraw" button above.</p><p>Direct3D functionality not available. You should verify that the driver is a final version from the hardware manufacturer.</p><p> The card I'm using is PCI Express, so would the AGP thing even matter?  Also, chipset drivers sound scary and intimidating to someone like me.  Would I need to uninstall my old ones before installing the new?  If so, could that potentially screw something up in my system?  (Graphics cards and little stuff I can do, but I'm terrified of frying my motherboard or something).</p><p> Thanks, please let me know if there's any other information that could help solve this.</p>