Need a viewer that will work *now*, not later.

[LibGwen]

I need a viewer that will work *now*, not later.

 

My other computer  is down with malware, and this shiny new one won't run the viewers.

 

I've tried two different versions of Phoenix.  Both say Phoenix won't run because it's improperly configured and to please reinstall it.  Obviously the problem is with me, not Phoenix.

 

I've also tried the SL Viewer.  It says "Second Life is unable to run because your video card drivers did not install properly, are out of date, or are for unsupported hardware."  "Graphics initialization failed."  My drivers are up to date and SL Viewer is the only thing complaining about them.

 

Is there a viewer that will get me into SL to deal with all the stuff that's been screaming for my attention for the last two days?  I'll deal with trying to figure out why SL Viewer thinks my drivers are wrong later.  I don't even *like* SL Viewer.  I'd much rather have something reliable and non-crashy like Phoenix.

 

 Windows XP, ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro.

 

addendum:

 

Updating the video driver again got SL Viewer working, but it's terribly jerky.  I reduced everything I could think of and it only helped a little.  But at least it let me deal with all the emergencies.  I'm seasick from the jerkiness, though.

 

Both of the versions of Phoenix are still giving me the same message as before, so apparently it's not a video driver problem for them.  I don't know how to check if Phoenix is having firewall trouble.  If I'm having so much trouble with the most current SL Viewer and two different Phoenixes on this machine I would expect Firestorm to be worse.

 

More suggestions?

[iCade]

Have you tried Phoenix's twin Firestorm?

I can also recommend Singularity.

Also, make sure your firewall doesn't block SL or any of the viewers you may be trying to use.

[Knowl Paine]

A list of Viewers:

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Downloads#non-linden

 

I think some ATI cards have problems with SL. I can look for some data on that.

 

Another possibility would be to Roll-back by using an earlier Release Viewer.

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Category:Release_Notes

Clicking on a Release note will take you to the page that has the Installers. There are only Instalers for 3.0.0 and above, that's the earliest you can go back. (pretty sure)

 

http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/

 

http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/Pages/psearch.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.1&contentType=KB+Article&ostype=&keywords=&items=20

[Ariel Vuissent]

Are you sure the drivers are up to date? Just because the computer is new doesn't mean the drivers have been updated. Mine weren't, when I bought a new computer. Try updating, and try again.

[Chic Aeon]

Not a hardware specialist but your graphics card can be purchased online for $15 so it is VERY low end. I have a HD 6950 and it works very well with all the viewers I have tried. You need something simpler for this computer. Aside from all the info already listed, I would UNINSTALL the two versions of Phoenix (completely) since they won't work for you. Then give singularity a try since it works with low end computers (I have friends that use it and may put it on my old notebook sometime soon).

Actually I am amazed you could even get the LL viewer to work at all with that card. Gold stars there. If your drivers are now up to date, maybe you can get Singularity working. The 1.23.5 viewer (doesn't do what singularity does) is no longer available for download.

 

Good luck.

[Poenald Palen]

Um, I have heard of issues with both nvidia and ati and sometimes the SL client will not support something or messes up.

That card series should be fine. You have two choices of getting your drivers. The card manufacturer and AMD (they own ATI now) so...well, try one and if you still have issues try the other. 

Plus, each time you do try to install drivers you can try uninstall the old ones first, then reboot and remove the software (Catalyst is ATI's configuration and settings software). This can be done through the control panel. the drivers might need you to uninstall via system>hardware and then click on the thing that allows you to see the hardware and thier drivers...not sure what it is called, you will know it when you see it if you look for a filesystem like list of hardware. You find the graphics cards section, click it to expand and then right click on the ATI card and then 'uninstal' and then, reboot and uninstall the catalyst software.

Try the next ones you can get, most likely working drivier IMHO is the one from the manufacturer. This will at thier website. ATI makes the chips, someone else is handling support and maybe even design of the board you purchase. PNY, Zotec, Visionstek, Diamond....uh...wow, there are like 10 companies or something! Find the official site and keep an eye out for any phishing scams with fake sites! Uh, if that doesn't work....well, AMD.com has ATI drivers and help to find the right ones. 

[Lindal Kidd]

"Shiny new computer"?  Not with Windows XP and a 2400 graphics card.  Jack, you traded the cow for "magic beans", I think.

[Baloo Uriza]

I'd go with Singularity before Firefox or Phoenix. This is clearly driver related, not Windows "Firewall".