not working without the crack -> contact the game publisher tech support for help... issue is not crack related.. wonder how everyone overlooked that..

issues getting direct x from microsoft, really could only be
1. bad connection
2. non genuine windows (if your windows is not legit, you can't get the new versions)

in the case of either of the above, directx might be included on the cd/dvd of the game, try checking (and installing from there if its available)..

@TippeX: That monolithic DirectX download is available without any GWA/WPA/whatever bullshit... ;) But you're absolutely right: game distributions almost always contain the system components - DirectX, video codec, Adobe Acrobat Reader etc. - necessary for properly running the game or reading the manual etc.