Vista - DirectX 9.0c problem

I'm coming here because every website and forum so far has been unsuccessful in getting me a solution. My issue is that I cannot update DirectX 9.0c to the November 2008 release. I try to run recent games (Spider-Man WoS, Fallout 3) and get the message that D3dx9_38.dll is not found - which is true, a search does not find it. All these other sites say to just update the DirectX. Ok, I try that. But when I try to update DirectX from either the web update on Microsoft's page or the direct install from either of those disks, I get the error message that the file is in use, even with ZERO programs running and even virus protection shut down. I've tried booting in safe mode, I run the file as admin (I am on the admin account), renamed various DirectX files - all to no avail. Can anyone here give me ANY suggestions as to what to do? These games are worthless, as are any others coming out, as they will all be using this newer version that I can't install/update.

Thank you in advance.

have you tried to install the directx that was supplied with the game(on the disc), the november update only updates directx 10, not directx 9. Try this and i will be surprised if it doesnt work.

I'm coming here because every website and forum so far has been unsuccessful in getting me a solution. My issue is that I cannot update DirectX 9.0c to the November 2008 release. I try to run recent games (Spider-Man WoS, Fallout 3) and get the message that D3dx9_38.dll is not found - which is true, a search does not find it. All these other sites say to just update the DirectX. Ok, I try that. But when I try to update DirectX from either the web update on Microsoft's page or the direct install from either of those disks, I get the error message that the file is in use, even with ZERO programs running and even virus protection shut down. I've tried booting in safe mode, I run the file as admin (I am on the admin account), renamed various DirectX files - all to no avail. Can anyone here give me ANY suggestions as to what to do? These games are worthless, as are any others coming out, as they will all be using this newer version that I can't install/update.

Thank you in advance.

Please Help. I can't install fallout 3. I've all the system requirements and more, I have vista 64 bit with a dvdrw drive with labelflash.(might be the problem?) I heard it could be a securom issue, but I can't download the securom patch without having the game already installed. I've tried everything from running fallout as an administarator to copying into a new folder and running it from there. Any help please.

The answer to your question is in the post.

Ok, I tried the redistributable - no luck.
Tried again from the disk - no luck.
Checked for update to video drivers (Nvidia 7600GT) - up-to-date (9/28/08 version).

Still a no-go.

At this point, am I looking at a Windows wipe and reinstall? Something is seriously wrong with this.