8.1 pro - Directx, game, and other applications crashing

Question

I did a clean, non-UEFI install of Windows 8 Pro, installed 68-odd windows updates, then upgraded to Windows 8.1. I've since had problems installing and/or running several applications.
#1 : Before the Windows 8.1 upgrade, windows updates failed to install on the first attempt. I rebooted the PC, 47 updates installed, then I successfully installed the rest of the updates
before moving on to the 8.1 upgrade.
#2: DirectX setup, obtained from the MS download centre. Dxwebsetup.exe displays an error message when launched : “Error creating process <D:\Temp files\User temp\IXP000.TMP\dxwebsetup.exe>.
Reason: INDOWS\system32\advpack.dll”(sic – ie. I made no typos, that is the exact error message – note the missing C:\W). Oddly, the “program name” field in the UAC prompt reads “DirectX SDK” even though I specifically avoided the SDK download page.
#3: Logitech Gaming Software setup silently crashes. I tried both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions.
#4: Planetside 2 installed without issue (including the 10GB or so of game data files) but crashes on launch with the message “Planetside2.exe has stopped working.” Event log entry:
Faulting application name: PlanetSide2.exe, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x525d7846
Faulting module name: PlanetSide2.exe, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x525d7846
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x013e1c22
Faulting process ID: 0x1ee4
Faulting application start time: 0x01ced29959d2bf72
Faulting application path: C:\Games\Planetside 2\PlanetSide2.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Games\Planetside 2\PlanetSide2.exe
Report ID: 9ce9169b-3e8c-11e3-be72-c860006a17b0
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
#5: The Secret World's launcher installed ok (not including the game data itself) but crashes when launched. Error message: “The update manager encountered a problem
and needs to close.” This error window gives me an option to send a report to Funcom and includes fields to add comments and my email address. Event log entry:
Faulting application name: ClientPatcher.exe, version: 1.0.0.1, time stamp: 0x4fd50032
Faulting module name: ClientPatcher.exe, version: 1.0.0.1, time stamp: 0x4fd50032
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x001f9ee2
Faulting process ID: 0x1b84
Faulting application start time: 0x01ced294fc84a0f1
Faulting application path: C:\Games\The Secret World\ClientPatcher.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Games\The Secret World\ClientPatcher.exe
Report ID: 3c064459-3e88-11e3-be72-c860006a17b0
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
My system:
ASUS P9X79 PRO mobo
Intel i7-3930K
16GB RAM
MSI Geforce GTX 670 2GB “Power Edition”
Realtek HD Audio
OCZ Revodrive 240GB PCI-E SSD (this is the reason I didn't do a UEFI installation)
500GB HDD
Misc: Logitech G15 keyboard (original version), Logitech G500 mouse, Logitech USB mic, Canon LiDE 90 scanner, Freecom 320GB USB HDD
I'd like to include links to Logitech Gaming Software and my Dxdiag and msinfo files on skydrive but apparently my account that I've had for years isn't verified :-|
EDIT: And it removed all my clear lines between paragraphs... enjoy the wall o' text.

Answer 1

Hi,
Firstly, I’m not full agree with Hrishi Patel, as when you try to make system refresh, it would prompt your need to insert Windows Media. Except you can find Windows 8.1 media.
Secondly, According to your description, this probably a DirectX or Graphic driver problem that caused these errors. You can try to reinstall Graphic driver for test to fix this problem. In addition, make sure chipest and motherboard driver upgraded to be
latest.
Thirdly, you mentioned this error” Error creating process <D:\Temp files\User temp\IXP000.TMP\dxwebsetup.exe>”, I want to know, did you changed your User folder to D drive?
In the end, if problem persists, please try to use system file checker to fix this problem for test.
Open Command Prompt(Admin), type sfc /scannow, press enter.
If you need further assistance on this particular issue or any other Windows related issue, let us know and we will be glad to assist you.
Roger Lu
TechNet Community Support