Hi I hope you might help me,

I am having a nightmare installing the Apprentice
> software to enter the houdini competition.
>
> I have wasted a lot of time installing and
> uninstalling and now I am running out of time!
>
> When it loads I try the start bar or the unix shell
> and every time the license manager tries to load and
> jsut screen blanks.
>
> Once I actually saw writing in the window which said
> *server not found* (I am working an home with no
> network and dial up connection!)
>
> I have read the help file which says to bypass the
> commercial license I have to submit server details-
> but the manager I cannot see(window freezes and never
> loads) so there is no way I can get it to work!!
>
> I have tried installing on XP and 2000 and I get the
> same problem every time.
>
> Source houdini_setup doesn't do anything either.
>
> very frustrated, Looking forward to your help!

MichaelC:

houdini_setup is a script that initializes the Houdini environmet. You have to run it from a c shell. Type tcsh or csh at the prompt to change shells.

If you can't even see the license manager Window it's probably due to your graphics card. If you have a decent card, you may need to either install the proper drivers or try a deifferent set of drivers.

BTW, I don't work for SESI, so you'll probably get better help if you ask in the main forums, if you haven't already.

I have been experiencing an error on the card from the license manager for Houdini software

(see http://www.sidefx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4736#4736 [sidefx.com] )

Is there any way to rectify this error?

IP: Logged
Louie
Member

Posts: 21131
Registered: Aug 2000 posted May 15, 2003 11:25 AM         
————————————————————————
I do not think this error is related to the Matrox card or software.
The only thing we can recommend is to be sure you have the latest Matrox drivers installed.

Try the following steps in this exact order.
- Uninstall your drivers with the uninstaller from here: http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/files/ftp_util2.cfm [matrox.com]
- Reboot and go in your system BIOS.
- Be sure that USB is enabled, PNP OS set to YES, Assign IRQ to VGA enabled and AGP aperture size set to 256 or the highest.
- Boot in normal mode.
- Upon detection of the card install drivers from windows list only or cancel the install wizard. Do not install Matrox drivers at this point.
- Install any available update from Microsoft.
- Install the latest patches for the chipset of the motherboard.
- Reboot.
- Install the latest Matrox drivers from here by running the SETUP.EXE file http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/latest/home.cfm [matrox.com]

——————
Louie
Matrox Graphics
Technical Support
Hardware group

OK! so I went through that, and no joy, still haven't got anywhere

I have a screen shot I can email you if it would help

thank you

:!: :arrow: :?:

Can anyone help?

are you using Matrox graphics card? Does Matrox graphics card actually works…?

Dreamshadow
> Once I actually saw writing in the window which said
> *server not found* (I am working an home with no
> network and dial up connection!)

Does your computer have a network card installed? (Not necessarily working, but installed).

… fairly certain that you have to have a NIC so hserver can get a MAC address.

I am using a Matrox dual head G550. It works normally, and has the latest drivers installed.I don't know if there is a history of problems with this card and Houdini or not.


NIC? I am using PC, so why do I need a MAC address, or am I missing something!?

If I disable/uninstall my net card- would that make a difference?

:wink:

It's your graphics card. Matrox doesn't have a very good record at developing robust OpenGL drivers in the past. Houdini requires a pretty complete OpenGL driver implementation.

Please see the Side Effects web site for approved graphics cards or ask the list right here. I use a Quadro 4 750 and is a good solution.

As a workaround, you can disable the hardware OpenGL and use the software OpenGL that comes with windows by setting the following environment variable in the Windows sysetm preferences that you can access in different ways depending on wether you use NT, win2K, or XP:

HOUDINI_OGL_SOFTWARE
and set it to a value of 1

Just remember to remove the variable if you get another graphics card.

-jeff

Thanks Jeff-I'll try to get your workaround to work!