One of the reasons I bought this new computer and the very expensive monitor was because I fancied trying out sites like Second Life.
It wouldn't work on the old computer with XP, and now I find out it won't work with Vista either.
I downloaded the program OK, but then found out I can't use it.
Can anyone tell me why this is ?
Is it just because it hasn't been set up by it's developers to run with Vista yet ?
Excuse my ignorance, but are sites like Second Life in the same category as a game ? Is it what people came 'gaming" ?

Here is a quick search:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ond+life+vista

I would say Second Life is similar to gaming software although it is also a real money exchange community.

As far as the graphical mapping and technical development it is very backwards compared to cutting edge games.

What are your computer specs? Post back the results of this scan if you want:

http://www.d-a-l.com/hardware-scan.php

I tried several times to perform the scan, but didn't get a result. The run message came up, then the do you trust this file ?, then scan, then continue ? - then nothing.

What should I try now ?

Not sure about the scan. It generally works in IE7. Anyway I got the specs from HP:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...s=2093&lang=en

There should be no issue with your hardware here.

What exactly happens when you try to launch Second Life?

well jephree, it's odd. I tried downloading SL again last night. I had the box with the file transfer time and rate etc, and it took about 30 minutes. However, when it was complete, that dissapeared and nothing else came up, like install etc.
I could not find the program anywhere on the system, so I don't know where it is, of if it's there.
I ws going to download a driver, but was unsure which one - thank you for the recommendation.
When I go to SL home, I can't actually find any kind of launch point to get into the "world". I am logged in, but that is it. There is no "enter here", or "start now", nothing like that.
I will install the driver when I get home tonight.
Any idea where else I could sech for the SL download ? It is not in add/remove or all programs. Something was happening for about 40 minutes though...

It should be in Add/Remove Programs. Also under C:/Program Files

I and a few of us here at DAL have tried it as seen in this thread:

http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=50241

There should have been an Install procedure.

At this point I'd suggest trying the download again and SAVE it rather than RUN it. This way it will be on your hard drive where you can find it and won't have to download again. From here you can try to launch the Installer which is usually a file named SETUP.EXE

Again this is a server based "game" so your ISP again is involved. But you should at least have gotten an installation program.

downloading HP NVIDIA Spring 2007 now.
Another problem... can't find a driver for the Diamond View scanner. Diamond View says it doesn't support Vista. Or the Canon printer, that doesn't either - I am getting pretty confused by all this. Does "doesn't support" mean won't work ? or something else, like, we won't help if you have a problem ?
Can I get one from anywhere else ? Is something available at HP, and I am not recognising it as what I need ?

As to particular hardware not supplied by HP you are limited to their drivers.

Vista requires different drivers than XP as XP required different than 2K or 98 etc.

That is why I figured the Ethernet connection to your modem would work for you as it requires no drivers.

If you have hardware that specifically states that it does not support Vista then unfortunately you will have to wait until (if they do) update their drivers.

If you post the exact make and model of the hardware we can try to help look but if the manufacturer states that the hardware is not compatible that is pretty much the final say (at least at this point in time).

Just as an aside I would say that the Vista idea was for new computers and new hardware rather than upgrading and re-using.

thanks Jephree.
The driver install did not work. It did the whole thing and then I got an error box saying that the computer did not have the minimum requirements needed for this installation. Jeez
I know I'm computer useless, but surely it can't be that hard ?
I'll wait 'till we get to the shops and get that ethernet cable re: the printer & scanner, see if that makes any difference.
I'll go back (again) to SL and see if I have any luck.
You don't think I've been sold a faulty computer do you ? One with something intrinsically wrong with it ?

Reggie R: Angela, the drivers you are trying to install are specifically meant for spring 2007 models of computers only so they will not work in your DELL computer

angela montgomery: thanks Reggie. What driver do I need to download in order to download Second Life

Reggie R: May I know if you are trying to download the driver in DELL computer or a HP computer?

angela montgomery: Reggie _ I do not have a dell computer BTW, it's a compaq

angela montgomery: I should mention, we had to buy and use the recovery disks from HP last week, would this have made a difference to things ?

Reggie R: Please give me 5 minutes to research

angela montgomery: no worries, I'll take a break too & come back

Reggie R: Thank you for being online

Reggie R: I appreciate your patience

angela montgomery: no worries

Reggie R: I am sorry for the delay

angela montgomery: not a problem - I can do the banking while I wait

Reggie R: I understand that you are trying to play a game called Second life in the computer

Reggie R: Am I Correct?

angela montgomery: yes

Reggie R: I have checked the game specifications

angela montgomery: and...?

Reggie R: PC Minimum System Requirements:

· Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL
· Operating System: Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
o OR Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4)
NOTE: Second Life does NOT currently support Windows Vista
· Computer Processor: 800MHz Pentium III or Athlon, or better
· Computer Memory: 256MB or better
· Video/Graphics Card**:
o nVidia GeForce 2, GeForce 4mx, or better
o OR ATI Radeon 8500, 9250, or better

angela montgomery: but people are playing SL using Vista , I have confirmed this. Surely this computer has those minimum specs - or better ?

angela montgomery: what nvidia driver can I install to enable the game ?

Reggie R: You have to wait for the game manufacturer to release vista compatible version of second life to install in vista computers

Reggie R: The NVIDIA graphics driver is already installed in the computer

Reggie R: If you want you can reinstall it from application recovery Sans MS"][/FONT][/FONT]


jephree, this was the result of a my session with the HP online help. It was like banging my head against a wall. Honestly, I think I could get a job there...
Any suggestions for me ?