Hi folks-

I got started on the course a little late, and I'm having a problem with the virtual worlds. Every time I try to compile and download a program (I am using one of the sample programs), I get an error message that says that the ROBOTC Integrated Development Environment as stopped working. To the best of my knowledge, I have followed all of the instructions properly. I tried reinstalling ROBOTC (the most recent version) several times with the same result. I'm using a Dell Latitude E5530 with Windows 7 (less than a year old) that appears to meet all of the minimum requirements to run Virtual Worlds. I have read all of the forum posts that I could find that seem to discuss a similar problem, but I haven't been able to find a solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Andy

I'm not a master at this... But what program are you doing? And just to help out, can you post the code as well?

Usually when we see this issue, it is because the graphics power of the computer is not enough to run the Robot Virtual Worlds program. Researching your computer, it looks like it either has an Intel HD 3000 or Intel HD 4000 graphics chip, which may not be powerful to run Virtual Worlds properly.

To confirm this is the problem, please send the DirectX Diagnostic report from your computer to me directly via jwatson@robotc.net. Not only will this show me which graphics chip is being used, it will also let me know if the correct driver is installed for it which is another possible cause of this issue.

You can open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking the Windows Start button, typing dxdiag in the Search box, and then pressing ENTER. Once the window that pops up has loaded completely, click the 'Save all information' button to generate a report in the form of a text file; this is what you will need to send to me.

Thanks John. I just sent you the report. I appreciate your help.

Andy

Hi Andy,
If this is a bug in our software, I want to make sure it gets fixed, if possible. Would you try the following things?

1. What Virtual World are you trying to open? Does it work with any other Virtual Worlds you have installed?
2. Open up C:\Program Files\Robomatter Inc\ROBOTC Development Environment\RVW\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Robomatter Inc\ROBOTC Development Environment\RVW\ (depending if you're using 32- or 64-bit Windows), right click on Binder.dll and select Properties. What date does it report next to Created?
3. If you have a license for either VEX or NXT physical robots (or you can activate your 30-day free trial if you haven't used it yet), choose Window>>Menu Level>>Expert, then Robot>>Compiler Target>>PC-Based Emulator. Does ROBOTC still crash when you Compile and Download?

Thanks,
--Ryan

Hi Ryan-

I tried what you asked...here's what I found-

1. RobotC crashes no matter what world I try to open. I am specifically trying to use the curriculum companion world right now, but I tried a couple of others and they crashed as well. I was able to open up the level builder utility.

2. The date is November 2nd 2012

3. RobotC still crashed when I activated my license (I have a perpetual license) and did as you asked.

Hopefully this is helpful. Maybe it is a computer issue on my end...I'll wait and see what John has to say when he gets a chance to look at the specifications that I sent him.

Thanks for your help.

Andy

One amendment to my previous post....I can open up all of the virtual worlds by themselves by opening them through the RVW folder except for LearningRobotCTables (it crashes when I try to open it). RobotC crashes however, when I try to compile and download a program to any of these worlds.

Hi Andy,
From your responses, it sounds like we can isolate this to a problem ROBOTC is experiencing, not something to do with Robot Virtual Worlds. I emailed one of the ROBOTC developers, Tim Friez (tfriez), and this was his response:



So try:

• Uninstall ROBOTC and any virtual worlds you have installed.
• Manually delete the C:\Program Files\Robomatter Inc and/or C:\Program Files (x86)\Robomatter Inc folder.
• Press WindowsKey-R, type regedit, and click OK. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Robotics Academy and delete the ROBOTC key. Close Registry Editor
• Reinstall ROBOTC

You may also want to try temporarily disabling any anti-virus or other security software or policies that you have, as there's a small chance these could be interfering with ROBOTC.

If you have a problem with licenses when you reinstall, follow up with John by email.

Best,
--Ryan

That seems to have worked. Thanks for your help! Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here.

it will also let me know if the correct driver is installed for it