so even with the end user run time i get the same error, Now what i dont understand is that when i took it out of the compatibility mode and let it run on Windows 8 i can get to character select screen, hit enter and it says microsoft visual C++ runtime error, so does that mean direct x9? but i have downloaded it, gone through the setup and it just says i have a better or equivelant version of DX9

Simple answer: You have done something wrong. Start all the way over.

I just performed a clean install of Windows 8 two days ago on my main development PC.
I copied my eq\Underfoot directory to the PC and then launched it.
Immediately received Direct X error.
I ran the dx setup included in the RoF (F2P) client from steam.
Logged in with no issues.

The only thing i didnt do is reformat my computer, redid everything got the F2P DX9 and nada, any other ideas??? I can get it to the load screen leaving char select

Which server are you trying to play on? Have you tried PEQ yet? It should work with any compatible EQEmu client, while some servers require custom files and may cause crashes if you don't have them. Also, have you tried using windowed mode?

I had this bug this morning and am also on Windows 8. I ran options editor and switched to 1024x768. I switched off compatibility mode and also switched off 'run as administrator'. WinEQ2 then loaded the client normally, camped it, put all my settings back to normal, and has been fine since.

You do not need WinEQ with UF or newer it does everything that EQPlaynice did and more natively now.

I don't use EQPlayNice and I have my uses for WinEQ2; was just explaining my setup in hopes it might help the poster.

Except provide the hotkeys to switch between clients easily. That is the only feature I use it for.