Author Topic: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"  (Read 13074 times)

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"unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
I get this error everytime I try to load The FreeSpace Source Code Project and the debug mode.

I've scoured these pages and found people with similar problems but no solutions. Usually suggestions include Vista being rubbish, videocard drivers being out of date etc.

I'm using Windows XP, have a Radeon 1950 graphics card with the latest drivers (as of September 2008), have a 6300 Core2 Duo processor and 2GB Ram.

I can't for the life of me work out what could be wrong. All my other Opengl games work fine, e.g. Doom 3, Quake 4 etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Matt

[attachment deleted by ninja]

 

Offline Jeff Vader

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Most of the time this error occurs, when the user has outdated graphics and/or chipset drivers. Or is missing either one. Try updating both of them.
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

18:53 < Achillion> Dicks are fun

21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

20:05 < sigtau> i'm mining titcoins from now on

00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
11:50 < achtung> Surely you've heard of DVDA
11:50 < achtung> Double Vaginal Double ANal
11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Ok, I have up to date graphics drivers, but chipset? What do you mean? Drivers for my CPU/motherboard?

 

Offline Jeff Vader

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipset

Download CPU-Z from my signature. Run it. Your chipset can be seen from the Mainboard tab.
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

18:53 < Achillion> Dicks are fun

21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

20:05 < sigtau> i'm mining titcoins from now on

00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
11:50 < achtung> Surely you've heard of DVDA
11:50 < achtung> Double Vaginal Double ANal
11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

 

Offline karajorma

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Change to 32-bit OpenGL on the video tab if you're in 16-bit. That's been known to fix the problem in the past.
Karajorma's Freespace FAQ. It's almost like asking me yourself.

[ Diaspora ] - [ Seeds Of Rebellion ] - [ Mind Games ]

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Thanks, but I've tried both 16-Bit and 32-Bit modes, neither work. D3D mode works by the way, but obviously looks about as good as DirectX 8 did, which wasn't what I was after! ;-)

Thanks for the tip on CPU Z. I'll try that...

Ok, so apparently I have a ECS motherboard, model number P4M800PRO-M. I'm guessing I just download drivers for it?

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... same deal by the looks of things! Updating the motherboard drivers don't make a difference, but then I guess they were just updates for things like USB 2.0, RAID and the onboard sound. I'm not keen on updating the BIOS - I just don't think it should be the problem and it's too risky.

It just doesn't seem that Freespace Open Source likes Opengl on my system! What gives?!

 

Offline Jeff Vader

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Again, to clarify: chipset isn't motherboard. Chipset is a part of a motherboard. But I did a quick search and also didn't find any clearly indicated chipset drivers for that particular model. And quite certainly that is the cause of the problem. So beats me. You could write an angry letter to the manufacturer and demand them to supply you with up-to-date drivers.

Or if (and when) you received a driver CD with the motherboard, check it. There should be drivers in there. Install them.
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

18:53 < Achillion> Dicks are fun

21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

20:05 < sigtau> i'm mining titcoins from now on

00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
11:50 < achtung> Surely you've heard of DVDA
11:50 < achtung> Double Vaginal Double ANal
11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

  
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Bizaare! Yeah, I might as well email them and ask. Thanks for your help anyway. I've just been playing through the first few FS2 missions (I'm an X-Wing/TIE Fight veteran, but have never played this before!). It seems a blast and I'm not afraid of vintage visuals, so it'll be good fun anyway!

Cheers

Matt

 

Offline Parias

  • 27
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
If it is a matter of chipset drivers, it looks like his motherboard is based on a VIA P4M800Pro chipset (per his motherboard specs here, the ECS website). It doesn't look like ECS actually provides any direct VIA chipset downloads however - just some basic packages for the onboard IDE, LAN, and video controllers (among other things).

Zaarin: You can poke around the ECS page a bit more or contact them to see if they have any specific VIA-based chipset updates, or as a more direct approach, try the VIAArena download site to see if those chipset packages may work.

However, something else I'm noticing is that your motherboard has an integrated graphics port. Have you gone into your BIOS settings and ensured this is completely disabled, especially since you seem to have a secondary add-in graphics card (the Radeon 1950)? If the integrated graphics card hasn't been disabled, it might be causing a conflict, or the FS2 code might be trying to enumerate the wrong card.

Beyond that, everything else seems to point towards a definite graphics card issue. Have you tried testing different screen resolutions, as well as the "Run in a Window" option in the Features tab (under "Dev Tools")? And what build are you running, specifically - was it the one provided by the installer that's available from here, or a different one?
« Last Edit: September 06, 2008, 12:33:28 pm by Parias »

 

Offline chief1983

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
I'm also curious, in your first post you said using the SCP and debug mode.  You mean you've only run it with debug window enabled, in the Features?  Or that you've only run the debug executable and not the regular one?  My suggestion would be to make sure you use the regular executable, and try disabling all the stuff under features.  You may also try a more recent build, since whatever's causing the problem may have changed now.  Be sure that you're not using any mods either.  Then see how it goes.  I'm curious what your install looks like, did you do a retail install and then add the SCP executables and launcher to the folder?  Or did you get it from Turey's installer or the like?
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Nuclear1:  Jesus Christ zack you're a little too hamyurger for HLP right now...
iamzack:  i dont have hamynerge i just want ptatoc hips D:
redsniper:  Platonic hips?!
iamzack:  lays

 

Offline Wanderer

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Just a thought... Is your desktop set to 16 or 32 bit colors?
Do not meddle in the affairs of coders for they are soggy and hard to light

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Hey guys;

the plot thickens! I'll try to answer everything I can. Thanks for taking the time to input, everyone. :-)

I'm using a retail version of FS2 I obtained from Ebay without mods and attempting to use the most recent official version, 3.6.9 installed via the automatic installer found at http://scp.indiegames.us/bnr_launcher.php. I then copied the MediaVPs from their directory to the directory where the 3.6.9 .exe is, which I think is the FS2 directory.
When using the autoinstall, I didn't install the mods such as the Battlestar Galactica one, as I've not played the original game before and want to do that first.

Ok, so my desktop is usually on 32bit and I hadn't tried running it in different resolutions or in a window but since then, I've tried and get the same response - it doesn't load. Only now I've found that when 'run in a window' is ticked, I get an additional message after the original one as posted previously. See attached.

I've tried running the debug .exe from the launcher and the regular .eve from the launcher too, same results.

I'm now going to try installing that chipset driver. If that doesn't work I'm going to try installing 3.6.10. Fingers crossed!

Thanks

Matt


[attachment deleted by ninja]

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Interesting about the onbard graphics card thing. I've never disabled the onbard graphics chip and presumed that when you install a new graphics card it just takes over. I'll have a poke in the BIOS and see what that does too..
Matt

 

Offline Jeff Vader

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
I then copied the MediaVPs from their directory to the directory where the 3.6.9 .exe is, which I think is the FS2 directory.
Don't do that. Any non-retail files should be in their own subfolders. Which is why the MediaVPs were in a subfolder called "mediavps". The point would be to use the Launcher (specifically the MOD tab) to select the desired subfolder as a mod.

I didn't install the mods such as the Battlestar Galactica one, as I've not played the original game before and want to do that first.
Technically, BtRL is a total conversion. As such, it is a standalone, it should be installed separately and it does not require the original FS2 in any way.
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

18:53 < Achillion> Dicks are fun

21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

20:05 < sigtau> i'm mining titcoins from now on

00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
11:50 < achtung> Surely you've heard of DVDA
11:50 < achtung> Double Vaginal Double ANal
11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

 
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Ok, I tried the chipset drivers; I'm sure they are the right ones, but the result? Windows hangs without an error message, seconds after booting up. I'm with you now after using Safe mode and a restore point.

This makes my PC sound messed up, but I assure you I have no problems with it usually! So I'm not sure why the chipset drivers didn't work.

I also couldn't find a setting to switch of the onboard graphics in the BIOS and have put the MediaVPs back in the correct folder (not sure where I got that from, but a copy was in the MediaVP folder anyway).

*sigh*

Like I say, DirectX8 mode seems to work fine, it just looks a bit pants, but that's ok. Maybe a future build will fix this? I'm happy until then if this can't be resolved!

Thanks all

Matt

 

Offline Jeff Vader

  • The Back of the Hero!
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  • Bwahaha
Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Maybe a future build will fix this? I'm happy until then if this can't be resolved!
Hate to ruin your day, but that is highly unlikely. At least I'm convinced that this is an issue on your end. You can indeed play in Direct3D for the time being, but that limits you to 3.6.9, since 3.6.10 builds already select OpenGL forcefully, and that isn't going to change since Direct3D support has been dropped.
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

18:53 < Achillion> Dicks are fun

21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

20:05 < sigtau> i'm mining titcoins from now on

00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
11:50 < achtung> Surely you've heard of DVDA
11:50 < achtung> Double Vaginal Double ANal
11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

 

Offline chief1983

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Isn't there a tool to check OpenGL status?  I can't remember what it's called right now, but it might identify any problems there.
Fate of the Galaxy - Now Hiring!  Apply within | Diaspora | SCP Home | Collada Importer for PCS2
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"You may not sell or otherwise commercially exploit the source or things you created based on the source." -- Excerpt from FSO license, for reference

Nuclear1:  Jesus Christ zack you're a little too hamyurger for HLP right now...
iamzack:  i dont have hamynerge i just want ptatoc hips D:
redsniper:  Platonic hips?!
iamzack:  lays

 

Offline Wanderer

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
Hmm.. Isn't there some options in windows control panel (through device manager->display adapters->properties or something) where you can optionally disable that graphics card?
Do not meddle in the affairs of coders for they are soggy and hard to light

 

Offline chief1983

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Re: "unable to get proper pixel format in OpenGL Win32"
You can go to the general device manager and do it.
Fate of the Galaxy - Now Hiring!  Apply within | Diaspora | SCP Home | Collada Importer for PCS2
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#freespace | #scp-swc | #diaspora | #SCP | #hard-light on EsperNet

"You may not sell or otherwise commercially exploit the source or things you created based on the source." -- Excerpt from FSO license, for reference

Nuclear1:  Jesus Christ zack you're a little too hamyurger for HLP right now...
iamzack:  i dont have hamynerge i just want ptatoc hips D:
redsniper:  Platonic hips?!
iamzack:  lays