anyone know any place other than microsoft''s page for downloading directx 8 sdk

Hey, I was looking for a better way too. Get Download Accelerator. It will let you download about 30% faster (really!) and it will save the file at its progress, even if the power gives out (as it did for me! Phew!). Saved me many days of frustration. Don''t remember where to get it, but just do a Google.com search and you should find it.