Microsoft has identified a problem with running DirectX 8.1 on AMD processor-based systems. We have the fix.
Story originally covered by The Inquirer, but files found here 
"Some DirectX 8.1 programs may simply stop working on AMD PCs, and Microsoft has come up with a patch to fix the problem.
The problem applies to DirectX programs running under Windows XP on AMD platforms. Intel processors are unaffected, the posting on Microsoft's support site
here says.
According to the posting, "the DrawIndexedPrimitive function stops working without displaying an error or debug message". Microsoft fesses up and says the error occurs because of "a code error in the AMD-specific optimized code. This code error may lead to heap corruption," it says.
So Microsoft, not AMD, messed up, in case you were wondering. "
To fix the problem you'll have to call Microsoft… Until now.
The MS KnowledgeBase Article describes the fixed dll:
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date Time Version Size File name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
06-May-2002 13:51 5.1.2600.44 1,180,672 D3d8.dll
SLCentral is proud to present both the fixed
d3d8.dll
Or the whole hotfix:
Q321178_WXP_SP1_x86_ENU.exe
People using a beta release of Service Pack 1 will need to just download the fixed dll file and copy it to their "\Windows\system32" folder.
People that are not running any versions of SP1 are free to install the Q321178*.exe hotfix file.
Thanks to Dan for this.