# Computer question, invovles games, display drivers, and opengl

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 15, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153 "2003-12-15T17:31:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![swami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@swami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swami)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/1 "2003-12-15T17:31:56Z")

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Okay my computer will not play **Metal of Honor** Whenever I run the game I get this message

> [@](#):
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> could not run opengl subsystems

So I check out [this](http://www.opengl.org/) website and it tells me that:

> [@](#):
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> If OpenGL is not working for you correctly and your PC or laptop does have an OpenGL-savvy graphics card, all you should need to do is install the latest OpenGL driver from your graphics card manufacturer. Simply go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download and install their latest OpenGL driver. If you cannot find the driver, send an email to the technical support department of the card manufacturer. If you are still having trouble, check the OpenGL Hardware, Software, & Gaming Message Board.

So I check out what graphics card is, and where is the manufacturer’s website. So I Right click on my desktop then go to properties \< settings and look under display. It says

> [@](#):
>
> “Plug and Play Monitor on ATI Technologies Inc. RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP”

So I go to ATI Technologies’ [website](http://mirror.ati.com/) and checked out their drivers and software section. In choosing my specs I select Windows XP \< Graphic Driver \< Rage 128 PRO Family. It sends me to the [RAGE 128 PRO Windows XP Display Drivers](http://mirror.ati.com/support/products/pc/rage128pro/winxp/rage128prowinxpdrivers.html?type=xp&prodType=graphic&prod=productsXPdriver&submit.x=14&submit.y=13).

There is where I download the “Recommended Driver - 6.13.3279”

> [@](#):
>
> This is a fully released and supported display driver for Windows XP. DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL support are included.

I think: “Gee, all I need to do is install this driver then I will be killing NAZI’s in no time.”. So I download and install but my installation is stopped by an error message

> [@](#):
>
> This display driver is not compatible with the display adaptor(s) installed in your system

To quote my favourite comic book “AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!”. What is the problem? Where did I go wrong? What can I do to start killing Nazi’s right away? I need help.

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**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/2 "2003-12-15T17:37:21Z")

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Try going into your device manager… and uninstalling your card. Rebbot…and let XP find the drivers itself. Then test the game.

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**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/3 "2003-12-15T17:38:40Z")

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Rebbot = tech speak for reboot apparently. :smack:

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**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/4 "2003-12-15T17:45:53Z")

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Daizy - The windows XP standard drivers do not support OpenGL. He needs to install the new drivers.

**swami** does your motherboard have onboard graphics? (is there a monitor plug directly connected to the motherboard at the back) It might be possible that winXP is seeing the wrong card when you try to install your drivers.

If so, try disabling them in the bios. If not… contact tech support for ATI, your card sounds like an old one to me.

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**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/5 "2003-12-15T18:03:35Z")

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Oops…nice catch **Lobsang**  
Back to the original plan… you’ll need to find the proper drivers for your card. As **Lobsang** has mentioned…do make sure you’ve disabled any onboard graphics if you’ve got them.  
I also ran across [this](http://www.uq.net.au/~zzmbisho/how_to_fix-OpenGL-Subsystem.html) article. Seems to work for a few people.

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**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/6 "2003-12-15T18:17:43Z")

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Along with the link I just posted…[Here’s a fabulous post](http://wolfensteinresource.com/forum/board4/thread9.htm) itemizing things you might want to try.

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**Author:** ![Elycien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/48db29/32.png) [@Elycien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elycien)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-invovles-games-display-drivers-and-opengl/219153/7 "2003-12-15T21:22:21Z")

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Swami, is your video card on it’s own card or integrated. If integrated you will have to go to the motherboards manufacturers site and d/l the drivers there.

Would help if you posted your system make and model. I’m assuming you didn’t make your own from your statements (no offense intended).