Hello,

I've got my new Alienware x51 up and running , and have installed 2 games, Tesla Effect & Broken Sword 4.
The computer came with Windows 8 , and Tesla Effect played with no problems. I did have to download a copy of Direct X for BS4 to work. (It gave me an error on a missing d3dx9_30.dll file, but installing Direct x fixed it).

Now I'm wondering if I should download the Windows 8.1 upgrade, or will it break something that would prevent those games from running? Is anyone running either game on 8.1?

Thanks,
Louis

I've upgraded my computer and all the computers I work on for others to Windows 8.1 and not had any problems with 8.1 and games. I've got many, many dozens of games installed from old games to new shooters and it didn't affect any of them.

You will need to get 8.1 installed and then the 8.1 Update in order to keep receiving security updates. If you stay back on Windows 8, you will get updates, but I'm not sure for how long.

So, you actually have TWO updates to do if the computer only came with Windows 8. I find that kind of unusual as all new computers should at least have 8.1 on them.

If the games work on 8, they'll work on 8.1.


That's completely normal. Neither Windows 8 nor 8.1 comes with DirectX 9. They come with DirectX 11, which is NOT backwards compatible.

Draclvr, I don't think the computers Amazon sells can be considered "new" in that respect. They have some with Windows 7 on them. I was considering getting one myself as a second Win 7 but the video cards I see in them seem pretty old and (as you know) I am not a DIY person and would probably not upgrade the card.

Yes, oldbroad, you're right. I forgot that Louis ordered from Amazon... It's very likely it would have had Windows 8 on it. If the computer would have been ordered from Dell, then it most likely would have had 8.1 on it.

Thanks, I'll go ahead and update. I ordered from Amazon since it was $100 less than a similar system from Alienware (dell). The video card is a bit older but still excedes what I nees to run current adventure games.

Louis

I think it's the perfect computer for right now. Plus it looks awesome!

The 8.1 upgrade will be available in the Store, but only if you have patched it fully for the original Windows 8. Once you have, it will show up in the Store as soon as you open it up. The 8.1 Upgrade will be in your automatic updates. You might have to do a couple of "check for updates."

I'd like to backup my save games before i upgrade, so you know where the Telsa Effect save games are stored? Thanks!