Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the directx version shown under dxdiag system tab (version 9) and the version under the directx tab (version 5). I still cannot run a game and I wondered if I had done the upgrade properly?

Thanks
Louise

On the first page (System tab) at the bottom is the DirectX Version that is installed (most recent is 9.0c)

The DirectX Files tab shows the FILE-versions (currently in some 5.xx incarnation)

Thanks for your reply but I need further clarification (doh). If my game requires at least version 8 I should be ok with version 9 (system tab) despite the version 5 on the dxdiag tab?

Forget about the file-version, it's the version at the bottom of the opening (System) tab that is decisive. So your version 9 superseeds the minimum 8, OK?

OK, got it, thanks - must be some other issue - will keep on trying!

Run all the tests in DXDIAG, that will show any problems you may have.
If the tests are OK, you have other issues.