Deflektor wrote on 2024-06-13, 12:15:

I've installed direct X 9.0c, same thing. I have found dinput8.dll on the net, put it in RetroArch folder and get "this file doesnt support this version of Windows".

This might not be enough.
There wasn't just one final DirectX 9.c redistributable runtime, as far as I know.

There was the normal DirectX 9 runtime for both Windows 9x and NT line, respectively (separate EXE files).

Then, there had been many DirectX 9 updates over the years after normal DirectX went "EOL" (not really, but DirectX 10 was out by then).

For example, Vista's era DirectX 9 (DirectX9 EX) had been kept updated for many years.
It still receives updates, maybe. DirectX 9 is still included in Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 as a separate thing.

I have to check, but I think the Windows 9x type DirectX 9.c can still be updated with the 2004 or 2006/2008 redist runtime.

Edit: To my experience, in the days were living in, it really makes a difference if something like KernelEx (9x), One Core API (XP), Extended Kernel for Windows Vista or VxKex (7) has been installed.

I noticed this with quite a few things like Python 3.6 or 3.8 runtime, Ren'Py games, RPG Maker games and emulators.
Some of them really expect to see Windows 10 or its system files by now.
Having an updated compatibility tab and a few more recent link libraries makes those run.

Anyway, I don't mean to advertise these things and won't get into great detail here. They're hacks, after all.

It's just that I noticed these things, since my "main" Windows PC runs Windows XP SP3 x86.
It's a Mac Pro 1.1 from 2006, upgraded with SSDs and 24 GB of RAM.
And I use it for my favorite emulators and VMs.

Edit: But it's still unexpected that dinput8.dll isn't available.
Should be there since DirectX 8.1 or so..

Hey thanks for quick reply. Need to check out, but its kinda scary to install dx 2006/2008 redist runtime... I mean there are many messages on forum about how more modern directx could crash win98se... Although mine 9.0c version is working fine...

I've never had DX9 kill Win98se, you'll be fine. Never take individual DLL files from the internet however

though note the 2k/98 version of RA may be untested and break without notice. It was only tested in virtual machines

I'm not sure what the deal is either. So far I have never had a problem with DirectX 9 breaking an install of Windows98SE. I've never heard of it before until recently.

Well indeed, no problems with directx 9.0c 2006 runtime ( i assume it is the latest supported by win98se), But Retroarch won't run with the same error.

I'm using old versions of famous emulators, it works fine.

But nevertheless it sucks that retroarch still wont working.

Try windowsupdaterestored.com

It's basically a functional clone of the old windows update site.