Smart notebook 11.x windows 8.1

[sted]

Im trying to install smart 11.4(iirc but ive also tried older versions) onto a windows 8.1 pc 9all pcs here have/are going to 8.1 as they have a new domain and im not prepared to use 10 as I still think it feels unfinished) on my test pc it installs fine but on running notebook (ive not installed any other bits as its for staff laptops and these no longer connect to the boards (they have shiny new all in ones for that)

 

on opening notebook I just get a message

 

notebook.exe bad image

c:\windows\system32\d3dx9_43.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator ot the software vendor for support. error status 0x000012f

 

any ideas?

 

ive downloaded and installed dxweb components which seems to be the suggested fix but seems to make no odds. All the posts I find about it on google are steam issues