Red alert 2 failed to initialize please reinstall

Now, however, every game on my PC refuses to load and crashes to desktop, regardless of the launcher: Origin, Steam, etc.

So I promptly uninstalled the DirectX SDK and went about my business.

I did so and followed their directions closely, but was still unable to get 'Red Alert' to load. I attempted their second solution, which was to 'Download & install the DirectX SDK from March 2008'.

I recently purchased the 'Command and Conquer Ultimate Collection' for Origin and was attempting to play the original 'Red Alert'.