What is a shader model?

I just purchased a game that says under video card requirements "128 MB
shader model 1.1 and directx 9.0c compatible video card" I have Nvidia
GeForce4 MX 420 with the latest driver from the manufacturers website. My
problem is when I start the game, I can hear sounds but there isn't the
correct picture. Do I have to purchase a new card or is there some way of
downloading what I need?
Thanks for any help!

"tpedro" <tpedro.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5DA252AA-6A58-4955-904E-A50D5FEFA18B@microsoft.com...
>I just purchased a game that says under video card requirements "128 MB
> shader model 1.1 and directx 9.0c compatible video card" I have Nvidia
> GeForce4 MX 420 with the latest driver from the manufacturers website. My
> problem is when I start the game, I can hear sounds but there isn't the
> correct picture. Do I have to purchase a new card or is there some way of
> downloading what I need?
> Thanks for any help!

You may require the latest DirectX installed with a minimum of DirectX 9.0c.
But normally if your PC's spec didn't meet the minimum requirements when
attempting play the game you would receive an on-screen error message?
You can run the directx diagnostic tool which will check your configuration:
1. Click Start, click Run, type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click
OK.
2. On the System tab, view the processor and memory details of your
computer.
3. Click the Display tab. In the Device section, note the name of the
video card and its Approx. Total Memory.
. Click Exit.




If your system requires the latest directx, download it from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx