Video driver problem on laptop

[Guest]

Hi,

Yesterday, I posted a similar message on "Windows XP General," by accident.
I meant to post it here, and that's what I'm doing now.

I'm using a Sony PCG-K13 laptop, with Windows XP, all service packs, updates
and patches installed, always have the firewall turned on, scan for viruses
and malware regularly. I've never been infected.

This machine uses the Radeon IGP 345M chipset, for video display, I guess.
That terminology might not be quite right.

Trying to use Google Earth causes a severe system crash, forcing Windows to
quit altogether and do a memory dump. The error messages say there is a
problem with the video driver. They also say the manufacturer has no remedy
for this problem.

At first, I thought this might be a driver corruption problem, or a hard
disk directory error, or something. But now that I've Googled around, it
looks like the driver for the video display is obsolete. It also looks like
neither Sony nor ATI has updated the driver, and probably never will.

The machine isn't really very old. It shouldn't be obsolete already.

So, maybe Google Earth just won't work on my computer. True?

On some forums, users have suggested an independently developed (hacked,
apparently) driver update at

http://www.omegadrivers.net/

I don't know if this is a good idea. I don't know if this is a trustworthy
site. Is this my best option?

Would I be better off just blowing of Google Earth?

Advice? Suggestions?

Thanks,


Tim

 

[DL]

Advice?
As per that given in your prev.post

 

[Guest]

Advice?
As per that given in your prev.post

Hey, DL

I have not disregarded your original message, and I did mention at the top
of my message that I had previously inquired on a different Windows forum. No
need to get huffy. It's perfectly reasonable for me to solicit about other
opinions. I didn't mean to trouble you again.

Beyond that, your comments have been quite terse. You've said the Omega
website is trustworthy. That's all you've said. That's fine, as far as it
goes. But I do have other questions.

Secifically:

--Can I be certain that an obsolete video driver is the cause of severe
crashes with Google earth?

--What other applications might I have a similar problem with?

--Is Omega the only video driver likely to solve the problem?

--Is there a danger that I will brick my machine by installing Omega, if
something goes wrong? (I don't have a Windows boot CD or DVD. My machine
shipped without one, and the manufacturer won't supply one.)

Cheers,


Tim

 

[Guest]

It's me, the OP, replying to myself.

I've solved the problem, without touching the video driver. If anyone else
is having a similar issue, try this first.

Partly by accident, partly from ignorance, I was launching Google Earth in
DirectX mode. This causes a severe crash, memory dump and shutdown, followed
by an error message indicating there's a problem with my video card driver.

It goes away if I launch Goggle Earth in OpenGL mode. These are two
different options in Start:All Programs:Google Earth: Just luanch in OpenGL
mode.

You can also set the default video mode in goggle earth:toolsptions:3D
view. If you have additional difficulty, try turning "safe mode" on.

I hope this might be helpful to someone.

DL, If you were more knowledgeable, or tried harder, your arrogance might be
less offensive.

SNAT