Help with installation: OpenGL problem

[pdeierlein]

I've just downloaded my trial copy of PixInsight, and it seemed to go OK initially.  But when I try to start it, I get an error message "Failed to create OpenGL context for format qsurface..."  The message goes on to tell me to "Install a driver providing OpenGL 2.0 or higher".

I know that OpenGL support is supposed to be included with my Windows 7 operating system, but I've never used any software that required OpenGL before.  I searched my C: directory and there are over 20 folders and files containing "opengl" in their names, so something's there.  Does it require some type of activation process?

I tried to go on the internet to see if an update is needed, but the sites I found took over my browser's opening screen and installed their own.  I couldn't bring up a new "clean" tab at all.  Some kind of hack attempt or virus??  I did manage to get out of that and restart my browser (Google) in its original form.  Apparently nothing was done relating to OpenGL, because PixInsight still gives the same error message and everything else works fine.

I'm wondering if my machine is possibly not suitable for PixInsight; it's only got the bare minimum of hardware:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 at 2.93 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 700 GB conventional hard drive (no SSD) with over 550 GB free, Intel G33/G31 Express chipset.
Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1 and DirectX 11, driver igdum64.dll and igdumx32.

I've never had a problem before with this machine; it runs my existing image processing software (Nebulosity and StarTools) just fine.  I'm trying PixInsight based on its popularity and would consider upgrading my machine a little (like maybe an SSD drive), but a new high-end supermachine is not in the budget right now.

I also have a laptop that I intend to use in the field, but my trial edition of PixInsight is good only for one machine.  It's about the same age as my desktop, but has a smaller screen.  Does anyone think it would work any better? It's a Dell N5110 with the same Windows 7 operating system and an Intel Core i5-2450 at 2.5 GHz, 6GB RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive with over 700 GB free.  It also runs my existing image processing software, which is also very effective and reliable doing image capture, control and tracking.

Please advise.  I'd like to upgrade to PixInsight, but not if it requires an expensive high-end machine that costs more than my imaging setup.  I've asked for help directly via PixInsight support, but they haven't responded.

Peter

[pfile]

well, the question is what kind of video card do you have? discrete or integrated? the OpenGL stuff is going to be part of the video card driver either way.

rob

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Peter,

Current 1.8.5 versions of PixInsight require a fully working and compliant implementation of the OpenGL 2.0 or later standard. This requirement is exactly the same on all supported platforms: FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and Windows. The error message you are receiving tells you that your machine, with its current hardware and software configuration, does not fulfill that requirement.

Unfortunately, OpenGL implementations on Windows tend to be lacking or deficient for relatively old versions of the operating system, especially on Windows 7. Even on Windows 10 with quite modern hardware, we have seen a few cases of defective OpenGL implementations that prevent execution of PixInsight 1.8.5. AFAIK, there are no problems at all with OpenGL implementations on FreeBSD, Linux and macOS.

The available solutions in these cases typically involve radical changes in software, and in some cases also hardware changes. Basically, you should install a 64-bit version of Windows 10 and the latest drivers available for your graphics card, as a first step.

With a Core 2 Duo processor and just 4 GB of RAM, your machine cannot be used for practical image processing tasks with current PixInsight 1.8.5 versions. The limitations of this machine will be even more severe with the next version of PixInsight that we'll release soon, since hardware and software requirements tend to grow with the implementation of more complex algorithms, and our graphical user interface tends to use more resources.

Your i5 laptop with 6 GB should work much better; try installing PixInsight on it and see if it works. You can move your trial license across machines as described in FAQ 2.19:

http://pixinsight.com/faq/

[pdeierlein]

Thanks All;

Based on input from Juan and a very similar response from Isabel of the PixInsight Development Team, I have abandoned using PixInsight on my main machine, and successfully installed it on my laptop.  I'll have to live with the laptop's small screen, but at least it will get me started on my PixInsight adventure.

Best Regards,
Peter

[msmythers]

Peter

If it's convenient you should be able plug in the monitor from your other computer into the laptop if they have the same connector.  Check the manufactures information on the laptop for specifics.



Mike