RE: [Visualpython-users] IDLE works, but video demos freeze

[David S. <dsc...@vy...>]

> I just installed VPython on Windows2000. I have this problem, listed
> under FAQ: IDLE works, but video demos freeze. I did what is listed
> under FAQ:

Yes, this is an excellent problem report, thanks.

> I tried to set the hardware acceleration in Display Properties to "none"
> and then the demos work.

As mentioned in the FAQ, this means the problem is almost certainly your GL
drivers.

>   Vendor: S3
>   Version: 1.1 7.30.36
>   Renderer: SavageMX

This is a mobile chipset, so I assume you have a laptop.  (You probably
already know that :)  The safest place to get the latest drivers for a
laptop is the *laptop* manufacturer's web site, since they are generally
compelled to provide support if anything goes wrong.  I suggest that you
look there first.  If you can't find anything there that fixes the problem,
you could try the latest SavageMX drivers from S3's web site
http://s3graphics.com/.  The latest drivers for Win2K appear to be version
7.31.17 (vs. the 7.30.36 you have installed).

> PS: I also went to see the page www.glsetup.com, but I didn't do
> anything with it because there is that warning: "You may experience
> SERIOUS problems with your computer, including being unable to run
> Windows"...

Since working video drivers are needed to run Windows, any source of video
driver upgrades will come with a similar caveat.  However, you may find it
comforting that in my fairly wide personal experience with video driver
problems, I haven't seen a case where the system didn't work well enough to
reinstall the older drivers.

> PS2: I just sent you an email about the shell. Well, I found it. No
> answer is needed concerning this.

Oops.

Dave