Software Orbiter not working on laptop

[carlosthepineapple]

So I recently tried downloading Orbiter 2016 on my laptop. It's not really meant from flight simulators though and I'm starting to think it's probably a hardware issue at this point. But just in case here are the issues:

When I open orbiter_ng.exe I don't get an option to check D3D9, even though I have downloaded DirectX (June 2010).


When I open up orbiter.exe, I try to launch any scenario and the splash screen just loads for about 5 seconds before the orbiter crashes and closes. Sometimes the screen goes white before crashing. I also don't have the option to select D3D9 under modules here either.


Also here's something from Orbiter.log that clearly doesn't look right.


Otherwise when I run orbiter_ng.exe I get the following, which seems to be working, just there no D3D9 so no graphics (I think..?).


I'm current on a Surface Laptop 5 (which I know isn't ideal), and have an i5 Intel (R) Iris (R) Xe Graphics card. But let me know if y'all need any other information that I haven't provided.

 

[GLS]

Hi there!

When I open orbiter_ng.exe I don't get an option to check D3D9, even though I have downloaded DirectX (June 2010).

Maybe this is a silly question, but did you download and install D3D9?
If you have it, can you post the (full) log of when you run orbiter_ng.exe? Also, use the dependency walker (google it) in orbiter.exe and D3D9.dll to check for missing files.

 

[n72.75]

Here's a link if you need it.

D3D9 for Orbiter 2016

This is a graphics client/engine project to Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator. To install the client you need to download the package and extract it in the root folder of the Orbiter. Any previously existing files should be replaced. Also to use a...

www.orbiter-forum.com

 

[carlosthepineapple]

I've downloaded DirectX and ran the SETUP.exe and I guess I assumed D3D9 came with that package but I guess not. But I definitely do have the D3D9.dll file located at C:\Windows\system32. I've attached the dependency walker results. I think I read somewhere that I should be using Profile mode for a more detailed diagnosis, but start profiling is greyed out and not available. Sorry for being clueless on this I haven't really used dependency walker before.


I've attached the start up for orbiter_ng.exe:


And the complete log should be attached to this post.

 

[DaveS]

The D3D9Client is supposed to be installed like a normal Orbiter add-on, so it all goes into your Orbiter folder, not your Windows folder.

 

[n72.75]

Yes, you need DirectX 9 and D3D9 client installed.

 

[carlosthepineapple]

The D3D9Client is supposed to be installed like a normal Orbiter add-on, so it all goes into your Orbiter folder, not your Windows folder.

Yes, you need DirectX 9 and D3D9 client installed.

Cool, thanks everyone! Is a link for downloading the D3D9 client? Everytime I search for it I only find links for DirectX.

 

[DaveS]

You can find it here: https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/d3d9-for-orbiter-2016.5493/

 

[carlosthepineapple]

You can find it here: https://www.orbiter-forum.com/resources/d3d9-for-orbiter-2016.5493/

Thanks. that worked. I think there's just one more issue.

When I check D3D9 under modules, the check box disappears and my page starts to load indefinitely and stop responding. I found this similar thread but I don't think my laptop has a MUX switch. And I've set my graphics preference for orbiter_ng.exe to high performance in my settings so I'm not sure if there's anything more I can do.

 

[misha.physics]

And I've set my graphics preference for orbiter_ng.exe to high performance in my settings so I'm not sure if there's anything more I can do.

Set the high performance for the /Modules/Server/orbiter.exe, not for orbiter_ng.exe.

 

[carlosthepineapple]

Set the high performance for the /Modules/Server/orbiter.exe, not for orbiter_ng.exe.

Wups, just changed it, but I'm still running into the same problems with checking D3D9 in modules.

 

[misha.physics]

When/if you're installing DirectX 9 do you see the progress like this?:

 

[carlosthepineapple]

When/if you're installing DirectX 9 do you see the progress like this?:

View attachment 34333

Yeah I did, I think when I was running the DXSETUP.exe.

 

[misha.physics]

Try to install this (attached) DirectX 9.
Also, maybe you need some of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
And you can try to install MSI installation of Orbiter 2016, not ZIP (if you use that).

 

[carlosthepineapple]

Try to install this (attached) DirectX 9.
Also, maybe you need some of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
And you can try to install MSI installation of Orbiter 2016, not ZIP (if you use that).

I just downloaded the latest supported C++ redistributable for Visual Studio 2022, reinstalled directX using the attached document, and used the MSI installer instead but the problem still occurs where the check box disappears after clicking it and the screen freezes.

Could it be a GPU or hardware issue? I think I have enough RAM to at least run something (16 GB) and a 12th gen i5 core with an Intel Iris Xe Graphics card. I've seen on some threads that there's usually issues with Intel graphics but I'm not sure.

 

[misha.physics]

I just had the same problem:

where the check box disappears after clicking it and the screen freezes

but in was on Linux. Then I switched to Windows, and now I'm using a discrete graphics card on my laptop, and that problem dissappeared. Maybe it's due to your Intel graphics, sadly I don't know...

 

[misha.physics]

Not a solution, but you can try OpenOrbiter whre D3D9 Client is integrated as default.

 

[n72.75]

I just downloaded the latest supported C++ redistributable for Visual Studio 2022, reinstalled directX using the attached document, and used the MSI installer instead but the problem still occurs where the check box disappears after clicking it and the screen freezes.

Could it be a GPU or hardware issue? I think I have enough RAM to at least run something (16 GB) and a 12th gen i5 core with an Intel Iris Xe Graphics card. I've seen on some threads that there's usually issues with Intel graphics but I'm not sure.

I know this has been an issue for users of newer laptops that use integrated graphics and a dedicated GPU in tandem.

Have you tried changing the performance settings specifically for Orbiter.

Do you have any BIOS options to force the dedicated GPU to run.

Anything under "Display settings" for GPU selection?

 

[jarmonik]

I have been running Orbiter on my Intel HD Graphics 4000 laptop with 60fps, so Iris graphics should be fine. Has there been other reports D3D9Client crashing right after clicking the checkbox ? It was a known issue with DX7Client.

Could you click the box and post the Orbiter.log after the crash ? In you previous log there was no D3D9Client installed.

 

[carlosthepineapple]

Do you have any BIOS options to force the dedicated GPU to run.

Anything under "Display settings" for GPU selection?

There is a display graphics setting and I can try and explore the BIOS options.

I have been running Orbiter on my Intel HD Graphics 4000 laptop with 60fps, so Iris graphics should be fine. Has there been other reports D3D9Client crashing right after clicking the checkbox ? It was a known issue with DX7Client.

Could you click the box and post the Orbiter.log after the crash ? In you previous log there was no D3D9Client installed.

Also, here's my orbiter.log as well (attached) after the app stops responding. There doesn't appear to be any errors or warnings.