Unable to create the Direct3D device. (8876086C)

[maffewl]

Unable to create the Direct3D device.  (8876086C)

I just downloaded MAME (most recent 148-64 bit) to test some things on my "faster" computer and this is the error code that pops up at MAME start.  The computer runs on a Windows 7-64 bit platform.  After googling the error, I downloaded and installed the most recent DirectX from Microsoft.  However, I'm still getting this error.  I figured I would try to change the D3D option in the mame.ini file to ddraw which as worked for my other computer, however, I can't seem to find the mame.ini file anywhere.  I don't understand command lines at all, so I don't know how to create with that method.  Any help?

[BadMouth]

Try installing these directx runtimes.  Never versions don't contain all the old ones.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35

Never heard of it happening with MAME, but it's a common problem with a lot of other emulators.
Maybe because people use older computers or they already have them installed for other emulators.

[maffewl]

Thanks for the reply BadMouth. 

Sadly, those are the runtimes I just installed, still getting the error.  Any other ideas?

[BadMouth]

I'm at a loss for the error, but to create mame.ini, the command is mame.exe -cc or mame.exe -createconfig (either one would last I heard)
If you're not sure how to navigate to MAME via command line, open up notepad and enter

mame.exe -cc

save it as config.bat (all file types)
drop it in the mame folder and click on it.
That should create mame.ini

[maffewl]

Thanks for the help BadMouth... not sure why, but when I re-started the computer, no more error message. 

[Gray_Area]

Thanks for the help BadMouth... not sure why, but when I re-started the computer, no more error message. 

Re-started the first after loading the runtimes?  Some things don't say to re-start after installing, but some applications need you to.