Direct3D error - "Failure at step 8"

[Dan]

I have a nVidia GeForce FX 5600 and if I try installing
any of the latest driver versions none of my Direct3D
programs (read: games) work.

At first I just went back to the last set of working
drivers - 53.03 - but now I'm determined to get the
things working.

The latest version of nVidia's ForceWare drivers for my
card is 56.72

I've downloaded them an installed them cleanly and used
dxdiag to help me troubleshoot. When I run the Direct3D
test I get the following error messages:

Direct3D 7 test results: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x887602eb (error code)
Direct3D 8 test results: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x8876086a (3D not available)
Direct3D 9 test results: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x8876086a (3D not available)

I've also updated my VIA chipset drivers in the vain hope
that might help but to no avail.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Relevant dxdiag info:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/11/2004, 03:26:25
Machine name: XXXX
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build
2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: VIA Technologies, Inc.
System Model: VT8367-8233
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2100+, MMX,
3DNow, ~1.7GHz
Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 140MB used, 1353MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. Direct3D 7 test
results: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D Device): HRESULT
= 0x887602eb (error code) Direct3D 8 test results:
Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D Device): HRESULT =
0x8876086a (3D not available) Direct3D 9 test results:
Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D Device): HRESULT =
0x8876086a (3D not available)
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5600
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key:
Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0312&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: FLATRON 795FT PLUS/SUPER
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.5672 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/24/2004 10:04:00, 4274560 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/24/2004 10:04:00, 1895648 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4052-11CF-9875-0A2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0312
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x887602eb (error code)
D3D8 Test Result: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x8876086a (3D not available)
D3D9 Test Result: Failure at step 8 (Creating 3D
Device): HRESULT = 0x8876086a (3D not available)