Google Earth 5, Can't see anything up close

tekhead2 · 07-23-2009, 01:35 PM

I just installed Google Earth 5 from the Linux bin file. I've managed to get it installed and running, but I'm not able to see my house or anything up close. I can zoom to a certain point, but past that everthing just turns into a bluish white blur, but the items and roads still show. I've done everthing I can think of to get it to work. I'm running Linux Mint 7 on a Lenovo SL500 with Intel Graphics. I'm not able to load full 3D graphics like Compiz. Is it possible that this version of earth requires more then OpenGL in order to display full zoom? Any ideas??

jdkaye · 07-23-2009, 01:41 PM

You only needed to check the google earth webpage:

Quote:

Minimum:

* Kernel: 2.4 or later
* glibc: 2.3.2 w/ NPTL or later
* XFree86-4.0 or x.org R6.7 or later
* CPU: Pentium 3, 500Mhz
* System Memory (RAM): 256MB
* Hard Disk: 400MB free space
* Network Speed: 128 Kbits/sec
* Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 16MB of VRAM - Screen: 1024x768, "16-bit High Color" screen

Recommended:

* Kernel 2.6 or later
* glibc 2.3.5 w/ NPTL or later
* x.org R6.7 or later
* System Memory (RAM): 512MB
* Hard Disk: 2GB free space
* Network Speed: 768 Kbits/sec
* Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 32MB of VRAM
* Screen: 1280x1024, 32 bit color

Tested on Ubuntu version 6.06, but certainly works on others.

cheers,
jdk

tekhead2 · 07-23-2009, 01:44 PM

I was a little confused since in previous versions I was able to zoom in, but for some reason in the latest I'm unable to. I'll have to revert back to an older version. They have always said that you required 3D, I was inquiring if this newest version was not fully functional with OpenGL. In previous version you could tell it to use OpenGL I thought. I've got the installers for the old versions I'll just use that then. I really wanted to see the ocean stuff though.

jdkaye · 07-23-2009, 01:47 PM

I can zoom down to my house with no problems and I don't have compiz installed. I do have 3D acceleration working, however. As you can see the current version required 3D capability. Don't you have that on your graphics card?
cheers,
jdk

tekhead2 · 07-23-2009, 02:15 PM

unfortunately I don't think that I do. I've tried to find a better graphics driver, but I'm using a "Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller". Thats the output from lspci. I've not been able to get effect enabled either. I'm just disaapointed because previously I've used my old Toshiba Laptop with a Trident card to pull up my house no issues. I'm thinking it's just this most recent version. Does anyone know where to find older versions of Google Earth? They seemingly take them down.

jdkaye · 07-23-2009, 11:41 PM

Try googling to get the exact specs of your card or {card name} + linux + 3D
Maybe that will turn up a solution (if there is one).
cheers,
jdk

tekhead2 · 07-25-2009, 01:57 PM

Well I think I figured out what my issue was. I had been running a dual screen setup with Gnome , I took my laptop home from work and was running LXDE with only one screen and suddenly I could zoom in like normal!!! I've had similar issues with xinerama and vlc playback on dual head where the video output would only show on the main LCD and not he secondary. Very peculiar. I just have to figure out if the issues with Gnome or with the dual display. Thanks for your inputs everyone.