First of all, I'm a geographer, not a computer science guy. So my ignorance is nearly without boundary.

I have 2 computers for which I purchased stereo hardware. One of them works and the other does not. Both are used primarily for GIS analysis. Both are running XP Pro SP 2.

Computer A: The working system
Dell T7400 with 2 gigs of RAM; a Samsung SyncMaster 1100 MB monitor set at 120 hz; Nvidia Quadro FX 3500 using Forceware version 162.5 and 256 MB of memory on a PCI bus. FWIW, it has a RAID system with a terabyte of storage. Stereo display by Stereographics ZScreen 2000.

Computer B: The not working system
Dell Precision 670 with 2 gigs of RAM. Viewsonic G225F monitor running at 120hz. Nvidia Quadro FX 3400 using Foreware v 162.5 and 256 MB of memory on a PCI bus. 2 internal drives for a total of a terabyte. Stereo display by Stereographics ZScreen 2000i.

Both workstations are running ArcMap 9.3 with the StereoAnalyst 9.3 extension. Both work fine in 2-d.

After setting them both up we ran the Morph and Diagnose software. Both checked okay using Diagnose but only Computer A is able to display the 3-d polygon in Morph. Computer B displays the polygon as a moving, unfocused polygon that does NOT appear to extend out of the screen.

So we made sure that all of the settings were identical and switched the cable and it made no difference. Then we shifted the ZScreen 2000i screen to Computer A and it worked. So both screens work with Computer A.

I have not tried the ZScreen 2000 on Computer B. That's on the agenda for this morning.

Any suggestions why the ZScreen 2000i does not work on computer B?

I hope this isn't too confusing. Please ask for any clarifications as I am in great need of help.

Could be differences in the graphics cards. Can you check to make sure you have the latest drivers for both of them?

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MB-less

Sweet! I am a geographer / GIS guy too!

I can't help you with your problem, though We don't use stereographic stuff here at the geological surcvey.

Who do you work for? Is it one of those NGA-type places?

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

I don’t get a completely clear description from your comments. Nothing wrong with the comments but it doesn’t set up the issue well for me. I'm not clear on the specific nature of the failure. It sounds as if it is the ability to do modeling is okay but it is not scaling properly?

On the guess that the problem is due to the video adapter card:

Computer b is having the problem. If I understand, you have relocated the Zscreen from computer B to computer A and it works okay. Is that correct?

If so, next would be to swap the video adapter card from computer B to computer A to see if computer A still works okay when modeling. You’ll want to have the install software for this adapter card on hand before running the experiment. Shut down computer A, remove or disable the video card from Computer A and put in the video card from computer B.

This may or may not work as not all video cards are compatible with all computers. If there is any doubt about compatibility, call Dell support and ask.

Also are you certain that the Nvidia FX 3400 is 1) able to do 3d modeling and 2) *expressly stated* as compatible with the other components?

**Edit: Sometimes there are general compatibilities for video such as "Open-GL" while other times the adapter has to provide express driver support for the specific hardware it is intended to work with

You get the award -- Folks we have a winner!

The Nvidia FX 3400 fails to send the sync signal to the ZScreen via the 3-prong cable. That card is no longer made (of course...) and the new cards cost a couple of grand. But from what I read, they are a major, major upgrade in capability. It wont bust my budget, but it puts an unexpected hole, which will require a decrease in training budget for my peeps. That's TDB, really. I had hoped to send one of them off for an Erdas workshop on classification this summer. Now I get to look like the Pointy-Haired Boss.

B

Too many wackos on the Internet for me to be specific. I f'd up a couple of times which resulted in a stalker. Not doing it again. Sorry.

B

I don’t know what the spec is you’re after but check out compatibility for the NVIDIA geforce 9800 gtx or one of it’s close siblings. I bought 2 of these recently and they are good at 3d modeling. Cost is around a couple of hundred $ (IIRC). I bought them from Dell after checking that they were compatible with the computer (hint)

There are a lot of good video cards that do 3d that aren’t that expensive. The FX 3500, as example, sells for around $400. Do a little shopping for something that matches the stated spec.

Really? Geez.

Ok then. Maybe I should take down where I work too.

__________________
Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

The problem is that the specialized software I use has only been checked out on a few systems -- all high-end. They especially like the Nvidia FX series. The software license & maintenance & support fees are freaking insanely expensive, making the graphics cards seem reasonable. Ah, I'm just *****ing because of frustration. The software is pretty damned good and the tech support is very helpful -- very prompt and knowledgeable. Not your typical "You are caller 17, listen to Tom Jones sing ..." support. I can't recall being put on hold for more than a minute or so. But lordy, you pay for it!

What display system do you use for your 3d work?

You'll probably be okay. I have a special gift for pissing-off people, 2 of whom have offered me a free ass-kicking and others dug around looking for stuff -- they were clumsy, fortunately. Now I rarely give out my name, even in PM's with folks that I communicate with here. The thing is that everybody seems reasonably sane when you communicate via keyboard. I wish I had been more anonymous when I first signed-up.