Terragen Fails at startup

nesthead · July 15, 2011, 07:21:13 AM

I have been trying to get the latest version to work with a new Toshiba laptop (not admittedly the most powerful beast on the block) running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. The programme crashes at startup. The Event viewer shows an application error concerning TGD.exe and aticfx32.dll. When I uninstalled the 32 bit version and installed the 64 bit the only change was that the fault concerned TGD.exe and aticfx64.dll.

I have tried some variations and compatibility settings but the result is always the same.

Kadri · July 15, 2011, 08:11:38 AM

"aticfx32.dll" looks like a Ati graphics problem.
Did you try to load new drivers? Or maybe revert to older ones if you have the new ones?
You could look to the Toshiba website too.

nesthead · July 15, 2011, 09:25:02 AM

I did look but the current one does seem to be the most up to date. The numer of different models makes it difficult to be certain that you have the right drivers. I'll spend some time at it after work. the idea of going back to previous drivers is one I hadn't thought of - I might give that a try as well.

Thanks

Oshyan · July 15, 2011, 07:31:01 PM

That definitely appears to be graphics driver related. Do you know what graphics chipset you have? Rolling back to a previous driver version may help. Also, if you're using the drivers provided by your notebook manufacturer and not the ATI/AMD ones, they may not be the latest available (ATI/AMD will probably have the newest).

If all else fails you can try turning down graphics acceleration by right-clicking the desktop, going to Screen Resolution, then click Advanced Settings and in the window that pops up go to the Troubleshoot tab. Click Change Settings (if available) and it should let you turn down acceleration. You can also try running TG2 in Compatibility Mode by right-clicking the shortcut to TG2 and going to Properties, then Compatibility tab. Try some of those options, e.g. Disable Themes, etc.

- Oshyan

nesthead · July 17, 2011, 05:45:33 AM

Tried the various adjustments without any change but something that I don't understand is that the graphics on the laptop I'm using are intel. So I'm puzzled by why ati drivers are involved. There is also a file called atiogl.xml in the system directory. I am wondering whether there is some sort of ~~lash up~~ technical improvement involved. Blender also fails with a similar fault and Google earth won't work in OGL mode.

Henry Blewer · July 17, 2011, 08:08:07 AM

Look in the device manager under display adapters. There should be a graphics card or chipset listed there. You'll need to go to the site, AMD/ATI or Intel, to download the correct driver.

Oshyan · July 17, 2011, 12:08:42 PM

It definitely sounds like something odd may be going on re: drivers. If you're sure the graphics system in the laptop is Intel and not ATI, then maybe look for any ATI drivers in program removal and get rid of them. Be sure to install the proper Intel driver as well.

Is the laptop new, did it come like this from wherever you purchased it?

- Oshyan

nesthead · July 22, 2011, 05:30:48 AM

Thanks for your efforts but I have given up the unequal struggle and the good people at Amazon have taken the machine back and refunded my money.

I pointed out to them that it didn't run a number of programmes, Terragen, Blender and Google earth in open gl mode were examples. I also said that if I followed the instructions to update, amongst other things, the bios and it still didn't work they would not get back the machine they had sold me.

Once of a day I would just have worked at making it work but I am becoming increasingly tired of lazy manufacturers. You shouldn't need a degree in computer science and the patience of Job to make a new computer do what it should.

Crazy thing is that my ancient toshiba a30 handles it all with no problem - just a tad slow

Tangled-Universe · July 22, 2011, 05:59:37 AM

I've read numerous things about ATi cards which don't work well with apps using OpenGL and the like.
Therefore I chose an Nvidia card for my new setup.

Henry Blewer · July 22, 2011, 06:29:23 AM

Quote from: Tangled-Universe on July 22, 2011, 05:59:37 AM
Therefore I chose an Nvidia card for my new setup.

I am on the same page. I have been having problems with my ATI card and my Creative Extreme Gamer card. The ATI card has a conflict now with the Creative card, interfering with audio playback.

Kadri · July 22, 2011, 09:06:54 AM

Guys i hear the same things sometimes about the Ati cards.
I had a Ati 1950 , 3450 , 3870 , 4870 and a 6870 .
The last 3 are here now in our 3 computers in the house.
I didn't had such a serious problem.
The most problematic thing i had - have with Ati is the Catalyst suite.
It is sometimes really painful. I had many problems on the old XP computer.
But i had not a problem on the 2 newer Windows 7 computers .

I am not a fanboy about brands. I used only Nvidia cards before these.
And i could easily switch to Nvidia again now too.
Ati is not so bad as some would think when you hear such problems.
Could be a windows problem ...or bad user install etc.
When you look at their forums (Nvidia and Ati) there are always problems in either side .

Having said that , i would still say that Nvidia has a little better handling (from my old Nvidia experience) at driver and related software .
But Ati (we should say AMD of course now ) is getting better .

Tangled-Universe · July 22, 2011, 09:27:26 AM

I think nobody here said ATi is any worse than Nvidia.
Fact, kind of, is that ATi cards give troubles with OpenGL applications.
Except for the FirePro I think everybody in the industry uses Nvidia cards for that reason.
Speaking of ATi cards for games then they have more bang for buck.
So in the end you're right Kadri, that it doesn't really matter that much, but if you look at the context of certain applications you certainly can speak of better/worse than ...

Kadri · July 22, 2011, 11:17:09 AM

The last posts from you and Njeneb looked a little to pro Nvida

Martin , my only problem with this kind of Ati vs. Nvidia OpenGl threads are that i think most ordinary users (i do not say that you are one) say such things only because they did hear these in the past here and there and begin to say the same thing not knowing what they speak!

I had no serious OpenGl problems with the above cards. But one user experience means nothing .
And serious OpenGL software , driver and cards are very different as you say.
I know(!) from the past that Nvidia is better at OpenGL!
But would like to see some new evidence from developers and so how the things are now.
Some times if your name is attached to something it is hard to change it (could not find the right expression).

Otherwise , yes nothing much to argue here

Henry Blewer · July 22, 2011, 01:00:27 PM

I have used ATI cards exclusively on my Dell 510. They work well; they make this old machine able to keep up with new game titles. The sound thing is really pissing me off. I can't even watch a flash vid without the sound going haywire.

Maybe I have too much running at once. Windows is very good at not letting you know what is running. There's only four things that are supposed to run on the startup. Then there's all the software update crap from Apple and Adobe. Keep it simple please, just query for updates when I use the program. Don't install more programs that have to check back home every hour.

That's my rant of the day. Thank you for reading...

Kadri · July 22, 2011, 05:18:40 PM

Henry as you do the setup for the Ati drivers etc . you have options to not install the sound part .
Did you tried this?
Or you could disable the sound driver for the Ati card in the "device manager"(?) .
Not sure if this helps . I use basic stereo with onboard sound cards here.
I did not tried anything with these settings...
But i think you might have tried this already?