HELP!! it wont run :O

[die dishwashers]

I've tried both the low-res and normal editions of Celestia and I'm getting the same error, Memory could not be referenced at point <hex number>.

it works on my 400mhz notebook (scratchy) but not on my 1900+ desktop. whats the prob:?: :!::!:

[Bob Hegwood]

Die Dishwashers?

Perhaps if you could give us a bit more information about your system?

What version of Celestia are you using? The exact details of your PC... Type processor, model, graphics card?

And finally, when does this happen? Can you load Celestia at all? Does this occur when you try to view a particular object?

In other words, as much information as you could give would be more helpful.

Take care, Bob

[selden]

But just so you know, the most common cause of this kind of problem is obsolete graphics drivers. Download and install the most recent versions available from the Web site of the company that made your graphics card.

Celestia uses the most advanced OpenGL routines that the graphics driver claims to support. Too often those routines are buggy, especially in older drivers. Celestia depends on the OpenGL graphics drivers working correctly.

[Die Ds [cant sign in now]]

400mhz P2
384mb SDRAM
8mb video card [not sure about the details]
its a dell latitude CGi notebook

[^him]

D'OH!

wrong comp

um its actually...
AMD Athlon XP 1900+
256 MB DDR
i dont have a clue about the graphics...

but it needs updating

-Die Dishwashers

[selden]

You really need to know what kind of graphics controller is installed, on either system.

Celestia's Help menu, OpenGL Info usually includes that information in the "Renderer" line.

[die dishwashers]

You really need to know what kind of graphics controller is installed, on either system.

Celestia's Help menu, OpenGL Info usually includes that information in the "Renderer" line.

problem with that is that celestia crashes on startup

would it show up under 'device manager'

[selden]

Under Windows XP, and probably Win9x, the name of the graphics adaptor is shown by "Display Properties".

1a. Select Start menu
1b. Select Control Pnael
1c. Select Display
or
1. Right-mouse-button-click on the desktop backdrop
then
2. Select the Settings tab
3. Select the Advanced button
4. Select the Adapter tab

For my card, this window has more information about the graphics adapter itself than the Device Manager does. (e.g. amount of memory, etc)

[die dishwashers]

k it gives me

adapter type: Diamond Stealth III S530
Chip type: S3 Savage4
DAC Type: S3 SDAC
Memory Size: 8MB
Adapter String: S3 Compatible Display Adaptor
Bios Info: 02.1D.30[/code]

[don]

Another user on the forum also uses a S3-based graphics card and has trouble running Celestia. S3 / Diamond are old and no longer made (I had one). Their OpenGL support was very basic, as OpenGL had not been implemented very widely at that point in time.

Celestia requires an OpenGL capable graphics card that supports version 1.4 of OpenGL. If your graphics card / chip does not support this, then you will not be able to happily run Celestia.

Celestia uses OpenGL in order to be "cross-platform" (it runs on Mac, Windows, AND Linux/Unix). The downside is it's OpenGL requirements.

You should be able to upgrade to a newer, fairly decent, OpenGL supporting graphics card for under $100 (US).

[die dishwashers]

yeah i know diamonds out of business..

well, ill see if i can get a new vidcard.
or can i use some shared DDR or something......:s

[don]

or can i use some shared DDR or something......:s

I *wish* it was that easy <sigh>. Unfortunately, the chip on the card is the heart of supporting new graphics stuff, like OpenGL. Then, second in line, are the drivers.

Cards with nVidia chips are the best for Celestia and OpenGL in general, with ATI/Radeon cards pulling a not too distant second. But, be forewarned that not everything that works with an nVidia works with the ATI in Celestia. Chris has an nVidia, which is why it comes first. When he has time, he tries to figure out how to make something work on the ATI cards.

Hope this helps.