Latest DisplayLink drivers and DirectX fullscreen errors
 

After the latest drivers (also tried the June drivers), DirectX is having fullscreen issues and various games (notably Skyrim and Rift) won't launch in fullscreen mode (they error out). This did not happen in the past. I do see that other threads in the recent (4 to 6 months) have experienced similar issues.

Any ideas? Support debug log attached.

Hi,

Do you recall which version of DisplayLink software this was previously working with?

Thanks,
James

I'm not sure of the exact version, but, when I started having the error, I noticed that my driver was dated in June (I assume I had 7.3 M1 installed), and I then noticed that there was 7.4 out, so, I updated to that... I'm going to try installing 7.2 M1 and see if that helps (and will reply here after I try)

BTW - just tried going back to 7.2 M1, 7.1, and back to 7.0 even (after a full uninstall and reboot each), and no dice.

While I was there, I also tried uninstalling all DisplayLink drivers and just trying without any DisplayLink drivers installed, and yes - this allows DirectX games to run in fullscreen mode without error, so, without changing anything else, I'm pretty sure it's the DisplayLink pieces causing the issue.

Displaylink,

I would really appreciate some feedback on the status of this well known issue. My docking station is stored and collecting dust until it's fixed.

Thank you.

This is a known issue and has been for some time. I wouldn't hold your breath.

Hi,

Thanks for the information - I'll raise this internally tomorrow.

Thanks,
James

I have personally experinced something similar, with the 7.4 version, where instead it was a direct3d error (internally) happening in Battlefield 3. When running though debugger, the stack trace revealed that there was some sort of retangular copying, which later caused a crash. (installing version 7.3 fixes the problem.. )

Hi James -

Just wanted to check and see if there was any findings / outcomes on this. Thanks!

Hi,

Nothing to report just yet but will keep you posted.

Thanks,
James

What kind of machine are you running?
 

I'm also having issues with the display link drivers.

After the drivers are installed and even though the USB monitor is not plugged in, most games will not run in fullscreen mode. I believe it has something to do with my laptop running an NVIDIA Optimus setup.

Using the NVIDIA control panel, if I force the game to use my Intel integrated graphics, the game will run. If I give the NVIDIA driver the option to use auto-select or force it to use the NVIDIA processor, the games error out again.

Once I uninstall the DisplayLink drivers, everything works fine again.

Hi,

The issue you describe with Optimus should be fixed in the next release.

Thanks,
James

Direct3D renderer creation error:
 

I have exactly the error that Mark reports -

I get the message 'Direct3D renderer creation error:' when starting a game (such as Wizard101) if the DirectLink software is installed.

There is no need to have the USB to VGA device plugged into the laptop.

If I uninstall the DisplayLink Core, then the game works again (but the multiple monitors do not work).

Setting that the WizardGraphicalclinet.exe uses integrated graphics (instead of NVidia) doesn't affect the failure.

Setting so the game doesn't use full screen doesn't affect the failure.

Uninstalling and reinstalling between tasks is quite tedious. :mad:

I have Windows 7 Ultimate, Nvidia GeForce GT 640M LE with latest drivers (as of 11/2013) , and DirectX version 11.0, and latest DisplayLink software.

I have gathered the DisplayLink support files and will send them to someone from Support; posting them here seems to be giving too much information to the world. It is interesting that you have a basic encryption on the DisplayLink logs; but that all of the details of my laptop and what programs are installed and when you gather in plaintext; and hence if I posted them all could oggle my fine machine's specifications :D

I have exactly the same issue. The newest release does not help.

Hi,

I've just sent you a PM about this.

Thanks,
James

Hi,

What application are you trying to run and what is the error message?

Please attach the logs from this tool as soon as you get the error message:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269

Thanks,
James

Hi James,

as soon as I start a game in Steam in full screen mode an error messsage appears:
- Skyrim: Faild to initalize renderer. Unknown error creating the renderer.
- Crusader Kings 2: CK 2 Funktionier nicht mehr. Windows kann online nach einer Lösung für das Problem suchen. (The genuine Windows error message: CK2 does not work any longer. Windows can search online for a solution for the problem.)
- X-Com: Failed to create the D3D9 Device! This can happen if the desktop is locked. Exiting...
- Railroad Tycoon 3: No hardware accelerated DirectX 8.1 drivers present. (translation form german)

Probably there are more games... I haven't checked all...

The first three games are running perfectly fine in a windowed mode. RT3 doesent have a windowed mode.

All games were running on my old laptop without Nvidia Optimus.

If you need the log-files from other crashes then X-Com please tell me.

Thanks for your help,
Tebor

There are still the same problems with the 7.5M0 version.

No reaction at all? Not even a look in the log-files? :confused:

Disappointing. :mad:

Latest version also rendered Ableton Live version 6.0.11 completely useless. Windows render with empty contents.
7.3 is the last stable, usable one.

This problem is unacceptable!

Reporting problems with following games:
Only in windowed mode works Shadow Warrior and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Not Working at all: State of Decay, Call of Juarez Gunslinger.
Working fine: BioShock Infinite
DisplayLink software in 7.5.52874.0.

So, if you cannot fix this, is there any way to disable your software temporarly? Stopping processes in Task Manager does not work.

Hi,

In some cases stopping the DisplayLink Service may help.

- Search for "Services"
- Select "DisplayLinkManager"
- Select "Stop the service"

We are looking into a way of dynamically doing this.

Thanks,
James

Hello,
your advice was useless like I wrote before. Anyway I got for you list of some other games:

Far Cry 3 is working
PAYDAY: The Heist is working not - no error, just crashes to desktop
Dead Rising 2 - Classic not responding dialog.

Hope this information will be useful. You can let us know about your progress in solving this bug. It will be highly appriciated.

Here is link for list of games I encountered while having Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 with DisplayLink technology. I tried to sumarize which of theme are working correctly and which are not. First section are my own games bought on Steam, other section is for games with problems I encountered on this forum.
I hoped I could find some kind of relation between game engine and it's functionality. For now I'm pretty sure Unreal Engine 3 does not work. Thats all. Feel free to add another games to this document. Thank you.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...0E&usp=sharing

Anything new on this issue? It's extremely irritating not to being able to play any games on my laptop because of these drivers :(

Nothing new. I am really pissed off. 8 of 14 of my games don't work and other useres added 21 other games with issues. There is no way how to make them work. Great buy for more than hundred bucks.

Updated list of games is here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...rive_web#gid=0

Hello !

I use this software with 5 monitors, and since the last update i can´t play the game World of tanks. http://worldoftanks.eu/

What is going on ? I i unnistal de driver it woks with the new driver dont.

Please give me a solution for that.

Best regards

Kariff

Hello !

Any heads-up regarding this problem ? Unfortunately, the latest drivers release last week does not seem address the fullscreen issue with some DirectX applications :(

Thanks for the 7.5M1 update though !

Regards

Damn, I was really hoping it would. Thanks for the heads up though, so I don't have to try :/

It's been almost two months since the last reply. No response whatsoever. Not even a heads up saying they're looking into this. Not anything

I've been talking everyone out off buying stuff from Displaylink. Their products are clearly broken in terms of functionality :mad:

DisplayLink, can we at least get an answer if this is even going to get solved at all? Or have you given up on this issue?

I would also like an update on this issue.

I agree. I am experiencing - for over a year now - Problems with StarCraft II which I can only use in windowed full screen mode when the drivers are installed. I tried unplugging, deactivating the service and even the usb-entry in the registry path I deactivated. But only uninstalling helps.

Interesting thing is: When I reinstall the drivers I can still use StarCraft II in full screen mode. Only AFTER I connected one monitor I no longer can use full screen mode. It then also does not help to unplug everything and stop the displayLink service (and restart).

Anyway, since I am not playing on the attached monitors but on my primary big scree connected via HDIM I'd prefere something else than always un- and reinstalling everything. That's not what i bought this product for!

So, when can we expect a fix for this?

I am dissapointed about this situation too. Found out solution using Fullscreenizer for some games (tested on Mass Effect and Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior). For the StarCraft II I have no problem. Works like charm.

That's a really good tip! I'll try that out when I get my laptop back.

Again though, I would love an update on the issue - even if it's just to say "no fix possible", at least then we'd know.

Update?
 

This is an important issue and the staff must look into this!

I am also having this issue (and have had it for several months now). Would appreciate an update on whether this issue is being resolved or not.

The last drivers 7.6 M0 fix one of the two main issues I've had
with the displaylink drivers on only one game. (Windowed mode only)

I have the ASUS USB 2.0 USB20_HZ1_DOCKINGSTATION running on an ASUS X73S and Nvidia GT 540M with Win7 64bit

The new drivers let the game SSF4 AE start in Windowed mode only. You cannot go into full screen as the screen will literally flicker endlessly.

Other games behave still the same "Cannot create D3D Device..."

I'd also appreciate some feedback from DisplayLink. At least tell us it will never work so we can get rid of these expensive USB hubs. I have not recommended any of Displaylink's products to costumers, colleagues and friends because of this.

I'll add my two cents.

With the latest drivers:
Final Fantasy XIV won't work in full screen (directx error)
League of Legends won't work at all (directx error)

On top of it all, the applications that do work -all- suffer from severe fps drops at irregular intervals. The application would run fine for a while on 59-60 fps until it suddenly drops to an unplayable 6-7 fps for a few minutes after which it will go back to normal fps. Rince and repeat. This happens with windows 7, windows 8, windows 8.1. With the dock connected ánd the dock unplugged. With extended display, projected display, non projected display.

Also, even when it's working 'fine' the displaymanager service hogs up an insane amount of cpu power. On my laptop with an i7-4771 processor, 16 gig of internal memory, nvidia 7600m gfx card, simply moving my internet explorer window around will use 40-50% (!!) of cpu capacity.

I uninstalled everything that had displaylink in the name and now all my applications show a noticable fps improvement, i can play my games fullscreen on a projected display, no more fps drops and moving my windows around won't use half of my cpu.

I'm not an expert, but I believe the DisplayLink software essentially works by emulating a graphics renderer entirely in software. This is why you see such a large CPU spike as it scrambles to update its virtual framebuffer.

I don't know enough to know how well this can be optimised, I'd like to think that it could be little more than a blitting operation between the actual graphics card's framebuffer and the displaylink one but that's above my level of knowledge. Ideally, they'd utilise the graphics hardware itself to do all of this and maybe they do, but there certainly seems to be room for improvement.

In any case, it seems their implimentation isn't complete and certain operations (such as fullscreen directX) cause their driver to fall over somewhat. It would be nice if they could disable the displaylink stuff when the dock is not in use, for a start.

That would solve the problem that you "can't" use your laptop anymore even when it's not docked. When you have it docked, you still have the same problem. Yes it's would help a bit but there's a reason i need the dock (ethernet mainly).

Thanks for the reply though, the load would make more sense if that's true. Not to say i understand -why- it would have to emulate anything. It only has to pass through the signal received from the hdmi cable, done. Let my laptop handle all the graphical heavylifting.