SDL: Couldn't find matching GLX visual

Ubuntu Dapper, AMD 64-bit - Linux ver: 2.6.15-26-amd64-generic
ATI Radeon 9550 256mb, Proprietary ATI drivers, ver 8.28.8

This is the output I get when I run SL:

2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Checking marker file for lock...
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Marker file isn't locked.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Checking marker file for lock...
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Marker file created.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Removing message.log
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Exiting init_marker_file().
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Opening debug file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/logs/debug_info.log
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Second Life version 1.12.0
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Local time: 2006-09-01T19:58:29 PDT
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: CPU info:
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z processor	: 0 vendor_id	: AuthenticAMD cpu family	: 15 model		: 44 model name	: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3400+ stepping	: 0 cpu MHz		: 2411.740 cache size	: 512 KB fpu		: yes fpu_exception	: yes cpuid level	: 1 wp		: yes flags		: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall nx mmxext fxsr_opt lm 3dnowext 3dnow pni lahf_lm bogomips	: 4828.65 TLB size	: 1024 4K pages clflush size	: 64 cache_alignment	: 64 address sizes	: 40 bits physical, 48 bits virtual power management: ts fid vid ttp tm stc  
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Memory info:
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z MemTotal:      1028444 kB MemFree:        545520 kB Buffers:          9144 kB Cached:         314332 kB SwapCached:          0 kB Active:         177532 kB Inactive:       252840 kB HighTotal:           0 kB HighFree:            0 kB LowTotal:      1028444 kB LowFree:        545520 kB SwapTotal:     1052216 kB SwapFree:      1052216 kB Dirty:             196 kB Writeback:           0 kB Mapped:         163676 kB Slab:            23924 kB CommitLimit:   1566436 kB Committed_AS:   320624 kB PageTables:       5168 kB VmallocTotal: 34359738367 kB VmallocUsed:      6452 kB VmallocChunk: 34359731703 kB 
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: OS info: Linux 2.6.15-26-amd64-generic #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Aug 3 02:52:35 UTC 2006 x86_64
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading feature tables.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Applying Feature Mask: CPUSlow
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading configuration file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Couldn't open file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: LLXmlTree parse failed.  Line 1: Couldn't open file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Unable to open control file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Failed to load settings from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading legacy settings from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/settings.ini
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: LLControlGroup::loadFromFile unable to open.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Couldn't open file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/crash_settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: LLXmlTree parse failed.  Line 1: Couldn't open file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/crash_settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Unable to open control file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/user_settings/crash_settings.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading art table from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/viewerart.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading base colors from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/colors_base.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading user colors from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/colors.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Failed to load user colors from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/colors.xml
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Loading legacy colors from /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/colors.ini
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Default vfs data file not present, found /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Old salt: 1
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Bad or missing vfx index file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/index.db2.x.1
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z WARNING: Removing old vfs data file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/.
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Renaming /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/. to /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/data.db2.x.1455049372
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Renaming /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/index.db2.x.1 to /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/index.db2.x.1455049372
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Pre-sized VFS data file to 524288000 bytes
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: VFS: Using index file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/index.db2.x.1455049372 and data file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/SecondLife/cache/data.db2.x.1455049372
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: VFS: Using index file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/static_index.db2 and data file /media/extra/downloads/games/SecondLife_i686_1_12_0_51742/app_settings/static_data.db2
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: Initializing window...
2006-09-02T02:58:29Z INFO: createContext: creating window 800x600x32
2006-09-02T02:58:30Z INFO: createContext: window creation failure. SDL: Couldn't find matching GLX visual
2006-09-02T02:58:30Z WARNING: OSMessageBox: Window creation error

Any guesses?

Edit: forgot to mention, other openGL stuff works fine (UT2k4, screensavers, etc)

I just installed Ubuntu Edgy Knot(Alpha) 2 x86 with nVidia, installed and configured all packages required for SL, and I got pretty much the same errors as you. Before the Edgy install, i did have it working peachy on Dapper. Try doing this to see if you get any clues: glxinfo > glxinfo.log

Update: When I ran "glxinfo > glxinfo.log", I got this on the terminal:

Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Error: couldn't find RGB GLX visual
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".
Xlib: extension "GLX" missing on display ":0.0".

Jackson, what you need to do is edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf as root, and change the Driver entry in the "Device" section from nv to nvidia. Enable the nvidia-glx driver with "sudo nvidia-glx-config enable", then restart the X server with Ctrl+Alt+Backspace. If you get an nVidia splash screen, then your problem is solved!

heh, well, problem not solved - that may work for you, but since I have an ATI card I don't think the nvidia driver will help me

output from glxinfo:

name of display: :0.0
display: :0  screen: 0
direct rendering: Yes
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.2
server glx extensions:
    GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating,
    GLX_EXT_import_context, GLX_OML_swap_method, GLX_SGI_make_current_read,
    GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_hyperpipe, GLX_SGIX_swap_barrier,
    GLX_SGIX_fbconfig
client glx vendor string: ATI
client glx version string: 1.3
client glx extensions:
    GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_EXT_import_context,
    GLX_ARB_get_proc_address, GLX_SGI_video_sync, GLX_ARB_multisample,
    GLX_ATI_pixel_format_float, GLX_ATI_render_texture
GLX version: 1.2
GLX extensions:
    GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_EXT_import_context,
    GLX_ARB_multisample
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9550 Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6011 (8.28.8)
OpenGL extensions:
    GL_ARB_multitexture, GL_EXT_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array,
    GL_S3_s3tc, GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_ARB_fragment_program,
    GL_ARB_fragment_program_shadow, GL_ARB_fragment_shader,
    GL_ARB_multisample, GL_ARB_occlusion_query, GL_ARB_point_parameters,
    GL_ARB_point_sprite, GL_ARB_shader_objects, GL_ARB_shading_language_100,
    GL_ARB_shadow, GL_ARB_shadow_ambient, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp,
    GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map,
    GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine,
    GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3,
    GL_ARB_texture_float, GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat,
    GL_ARB_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_transpose_matrix, GL_ARB_vertex_blend,
    GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object, GL_ARB_vertex_program, GL_ARB_vertex_shader,
    GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_ARB_draw_buffers, GL_ATI_draw_buffers,
    GL_ATI_element_array, GL_ATI_envmap_bumpmap, GL_ATI_fragment_shader,
    GL_ATI_map_object_buffer, GL_ATI_separate_stencil,
    GL_ATI_texture_env_combine3, GL_ATI_texture_float,
    GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once, GL_ATI_vertex_array_object,
    GL_ATI_vertex_attrib_array_object, GL_ATI_vertex_streams,
    GL_ATIX_texture_env_combine3, GL_ATIX_texture_env_route,
    GL_ATIX_vertex_shader_output_point_size, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_EXT_bgra,
    GL_EXT_blend_color, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_EXT_blend_minmax,
    GL_EXT_blend_subtract, GL_EXT_clip_volume_hint,
    GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, GL_EXT_fog_coord, GL_EXT_framebuffer_object,
    GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays, GL_EXT_packed_pixels, GL_EXT_point_parameters,
    GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_EXT_secondary_color,
    GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap,
    GL_EXT_texgen_reflection, GL_EXT_texture3D,
    GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc, GL_EXT_texture_cube_map,
    GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp, GL_EXT_texture_env_combine,
    GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3, GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic,
    GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias, GL_EXT_texture_mirror_clamp,
    GL_EXT_texture_object, GL_EXT_texture_rectangle, GL_EXT_vertex_array,
    GL_EXT_vertex_shader, GL_HP_occlusion_test, GL_NV_blend_square,
    GL_NV_occlusion_query, GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_SGI_color_matrix,
    GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_SGIS_texture_border_clamp,
    GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, GL_SUN_multi_draw_arrays
glu version: 1.3
glu extensions:
    GLU_EXT_nurbs_tessellator, GLU_EXT_object_space_tess

   visual  x  bf lv rg d st colorbuffer ax dp st accumbuffer  ms  cav
 id dep cl sp sz l  ci b ro  r  g  b  a bf th cl  r  g  b  a ns b eat
----------------------------------------------------------------------
0x23 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x24 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x25 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x26 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x27 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x28 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x29 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x2a 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x2b 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x2c 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x2d 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x2e 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x2f 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x30 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x31 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x32 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x33 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x34 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x35 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x36 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x37 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x38 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x39 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x3a 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x3b 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x3c 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x3d 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x3e 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x3f 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x40 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x41 24 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x42 24 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x43 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x44 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x45 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x46 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x47 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x48 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x49 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x4a 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  1 0 None
0x4b 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x4c 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x4d 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x4e 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x4f 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x50 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x51 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x52 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  2 1 None
0x53 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x54 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x55 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x56 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x57 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x58 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x59 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x5a 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  4 1 None
0x5b 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x5c 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x5d 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x5e 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0 16 16 16 16  1 0 None
0x5f 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x60 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  8  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x61 24 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  6 1 None
0x62 24 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  8  8  8  0  0 24  0  0  0  0  0  6 1 None

Jackson:

log in as root, open your /etc/X11/xorg.conf

look for a section that looks like this:

Section "Screen"
  DefaultDepth 24
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      15
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

make sure "DefaultDepth" is set to 24. Honestly I'm not really sure if this works for ATi. You might even have to change it to 32 instead of 24. Let us know if this helped.

Thanks for replying Zi. My default is already 24. I tried to change it to 32 just to try it, but X wouldn't even start:

(**) fglrx(0): Depth 32, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
(II) fglrx(0): Pixel depth = 32 bits stored in 4 bytes (32 bpp pixmaps)
(==) fglrx(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(**) fglrx(0): Option "DPMS" "true"
(EE) fglrx(0): Weight given (000) is inconsistent with the depth (32)
(EE) fglrx(0): PreInitWeight failed

I don't know where it gets that "Weight" from - I changed every instance of depth from 24 to 32 in the xorg.conf file. I'd rather not spend too much time trying to figure out how to bump it to 32 unless someone can verify that this would fix my problem...

ok, I just tried out the latest preview release, and it crashed as well, but among the error messages was:

2006-09-04T17:38:24Z WARNING: Unable to create window, be sure screen is set at 32-bit color in Control Panels->Display->Settings

so I guess I will try to get it to 32bit before trying anything else

Ok, so according to this thread http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1471336 it appears I won't be able to get 32-bit color in Ubuntu. How do I tell the client to default to 24 instead of 32-bit?

Just set the DefaultDepth to 24, and it'll pick up the alpha immedately (on the card it's 32).

where? In xorg.conf? I tried to do that before and got the error:

Weight given (000) is inconsistent with the depth (32)

(more details about 4 posts up -----^ )

It's not possible to tell the SL client to run at 24-bit color?