Help with Vista...won't open SL

I just got this brand new computer as compensation for my old one being ruined by Best Buy. This is brand new...amazing, and it has the fastest processor I've ever seen. It has Windows Vista Home Premium. I dont know if that is good or bad...but I have SL downloaded on it for the Windows / XP thingy selection. I log in on the normal screen, but when the bar is fully complete and the window is supposed to open into Second Life screen, it "crashes"...every time. And asks if I would like to send a crash report...which I've sent two of them....for no good. Please someone help me...I would greatly appreciate it.

Details? Machine Specs? Atleast make & model? Then some of us can begin to give you ideas perhaps on where to go...

Right off the bat, my first guess is it's old video drivers that need to be updated.

ok, i have the machine specs and other good information. I dont think it would be old video card because I just got this computer and it is supposed to be top of the line and the best with video card and sound card. Machine specs are here:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 5/27/2007, 06:48:46
Machine name: USER-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-FZ145E
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7100 @ 1.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.8GHz
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 1114MB used, 3181MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: /PackageInstall
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

I dont know if this will help or not....but please tell me if this does. I would greatly appreciate it.

Not "old video card"...

Old video drivers for your video card. Try the easy thing first and using windows update to check for new drivers for your hardware.

Or you may have to visit the website for the manufacturer of the video card in your system, download and install the latest drivers for it that way. I don't see where your video card is listed there, I'll look at the model for that Sony and see what I can find if you don't beat me to a reply.

I was going throught the system requirements again...and this time I noticed that in bold letters it says that Second Life does not support/work on Windows Vista....as of yet. This ruined my day as I have had a file on SL for a long time and now I have to wait for SL to update to Vista....which might take forever.

hundreds of us are using SL on Vista with no more problems than on any other OS, in fact less than some others.

The one thing I didn't see in your system specs was what video card you were using. If it's just an on board intel card with default drivers then no it will not run SL.

Updated real drivers from intel might get it working though your experience would be sub par.

Even if it is an nvidia or ati, if the REAL drivers have not been installed and only the default drivers then SL will not run well if at all.

Find out what the graphics card is, go to the manufacturers website and DL/install the latest video driver for it.

I went on the site that manufactured my computer (sony) and my program model number is VGN-FZ145E . . . the video card that I believe I have is this:

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Display Devices
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Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_9005104D&REV_0C
Display Memory: 358 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 358 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1230 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/23/2007 22:06:04, 2363392 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-3377-0FB0ADC2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A02
SubSys ID: 0x9005104D
Revision ID: 0x000C
Revision ID: 0x000C
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C

I have absolutely no ideo what any of this means, but I think this is helpful. I looked up on the Sony site, and the only video update thingy was the one that was basic and sent with the standard computer, the chip set.

"Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family"

And there's the answer why it doesnt work. Integrated Intel Graphics chipset.

Yeah try looking on intels website and putting in that chipset name into the search box. See if they have any better drivers for you...

My problem, switching over from XP to Vista laptop, can't stay connected, either disc 10/15 mins or 30 later, can't see what the prob is :?
Nps on XP though.

You said to use this one...buit is this on the best for laptops? I looked on the site, and clicked on chipsets for laptops, and this one didn't pop up, just trying to make sure before I download the wrong one.

I didnt find the one chipset that you mentioned, just a bunch of other one's that involved those words with like 945Pm or 945GMS....I have no idea what any of these mean, but do I want a performance, a mainstream, or a value chipset...whatever those mean. Does it matter what thingy it has (945PM, Intel 855GM, or something alon those lines..)

Based on what you give here:

Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Shared Memory: 358 MB
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1230 (English)

And on everything I found here:

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/intelgm965/

You are on driver build 1230. The latest from Intel is 1255.

You could indeed try to update your drivers, you need to select which operating system you have, download it and run the installer. Of course proceed with caution as there is a certain risk in using a non-vendor supplied driver from Sony vs. directly from Intel. I would make sure you have recovery CD/DVD's handy and ready to go just in case and back-up anything important should it crash and burn, but if it were me in your situation, I'd give it a shot.

You can find the place to select the OS here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2800

I would have chosen for you, but I don't see where you've mentioned whether you have 32-bit or 64-bit Vista Home Premium.

WOW, you have made everythin gso clear...thank you so much....I will definitly hit the links you gave me, but I have to first make some backup DVD's. Thank you so much again.

I have the Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit. I selected it, but the only problem is that it has 4 selections to download. I dont know if I need all four, or just three (two do the same things, just one for advanded and one for novice), or if I just need one. I know that you've done so much already, but I'd appreciate it if you could please just let me know which of the four, if not all four, I need to download. Thank you oh so much.

I want to thank you guys the first place I thought to look was here and you guys came through like champs.

I am in SL live and loving it! thank you very much


Josie

I have gone to the site recommended here, and downloaded both this: INF Update Utility (2347KB) 8.3.0.1013 6/4/2007 Download
This utility installs INF files that inform the operating system how to properly configure the chipset for specific functionality such as USB and AGP.

and I downloaded this: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver (exe) (15415KB) 15.4 5/9/2007 Download
Installs drivers for the integrated graphics controller of Intel® chipsets. This is not to be used if the system has a 3rd party graphics controller.

I have downloaded them, and restarted my computer numerous times, but my computer still says it has the Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family installed and whenever I go into the advanced settings, hit hardware, and look at the device manager to see the display adapters, all it has is the 965 Express Chipset Family. I dont know what I did wrong, if I did do anythin wrong at all. But I am lost and confused as to why Secondlife still crashes right after the bar fully loads and the screen is about to open. . . any ideas?

i'm having the same problem

If you look on the system requirements, it clearly states that SL wont run graphics cards if they are Intel

.......oh........well now.... that throws a large brick into the machine. Anyone have any ideas on how to solve that one???? Would changing from an Intel graphics card to another one be stupid? I thought that Intel cards were the best out there....and if I have to downgrade.....I don't think I would downgrade.

I was/am having the same problem. Last week the whole graphics card went kablooey. (Question.. Can software actually kill a graphics card?). The only option is to get a new card (which, as I've learned, is impossible to do with a laptop....).

Don't feel bad. I thought my computer would run SL like a dream. It ran okay for a bit, but then completely lost the plot.

I can't be that hard to sell a 5 month old laptop, can it?

these video/image cards. Anybody know if there are any image/video cards that are better than Intel cards? I'm looking for a graphics card that SL will run on...but is better than my graphics card....my graphics card information is on page 1....I'd appreciate any help.