driver and directX clashing?

I don't know if this is a driver, hardware, or OS problem, or otherwise!!! I have an old emachine I'm trying to set up for my daughter to play games on and do her homework. I can't get it to run her games, I get error messages related to DirectDraw and Direct 3D.

This system is not hooked up to the internet. OS is Windows 98. Driver is an ATI RAGE IIC AGP. I believe DirectX 6 is currently installed, I can't tell for sure and it won't accept DirectX 8 when the game tries to install it for me (during game installation). I did a directX diagnostic and it tells me Direct 3D is unavailable, and I got an error message when testing DirectDraw (cube never comes up plus an error code is given). But it didn't tell me how to fix it!

I believe I have all the current updates for Win98, and for my ATI driver, from the manufacturers websites. I don't understand how to install a newer DirectX from microsoft without an internet connection. I don't know what to do next?

My Dad used to run AutoCad on this machine which I remember had some serious 3d graphics work...but I uninstalled that plus a WHOLE lot more to try to clean it up a little--the defrag afterwards took hours. Maybe I deleted something(s) I shouldn't have?? Am I going to have to go back to that restore point???

 

Not sure if this command works on win98, but it should. Goto Start run then type in dxdiag and hit enter, On the second tab is should have a list of files, and say no errors or have a thing that lists files with errors. Post back with that and it might help us narrow down your problems.

 

Yes, the system requirements were met for these games. They're a collection of Nancy Drew mystery gamesfor my 12 year old...nothing too amazingly technical. These installation discs do offer to install Direct X, and I chose that option. But still got the errors.
Can't get to the internet with this system. Would be a major major project.
I will run the DX again and get the codes to you, Colemanguy.
Thank you.