How does one do a "clean" install of a new rev of DirectX?

[Caveman]

Reformatting/reinstalling Win XP home...

Is there any way to completely wipe out an old version of DirectX similar to the "Detonator Destroyer" for nvidia drivers? I'd assume that the baseline DXv8 that comes with Win XP will leave behind some trash when I install DXv9, right?

I'd assume theres some good way to make a "clean" installation??? Anyone know how?

 

[BenSkywalker]

DX doesn't work like that, in fact that will break it

When you update DirectX it replaces files that it needs to that have been updated and inserts new files that have been added. It still requires all of the older files in order to function properly. Say you wipe DirectX8 from your system, a game that wants access to the D3D8.dll will no longer work, you are SOL. When updating DirectX just update it, don't do anything special, it will only make it worse.

 

[Caveman]

Gotcha. Thanks for the help. I've read that it's impossible to revert back to a previous version without reformatting? Is that true?

 

[BenSkywalker]

I've read that it's impossible to revert back to a previous version without reformatting? Is that true?

In absolute terms no, but in realistic terms yes. It is possible to extract a new version of DirectX, but unless you are running a beta build with serious issues you shouldn't attempt it. Removing DirectX is a bigger pain in the @ss then formatting and reinstalling, and if anything goes wrong you will end up formatting and reinstalling anyway