Windows 7 and OpenGL

I installed Windows 7 (64 bit) on my Macbook that uses the Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset. One of the apps that I use is ClearView, an RC flight simulator for radio controlled planes and helicopters, so I can learn how to fly my Heli-Max Axe CP. On the first run, ClearView said that OpenGL wasn’t installed. The Windows 7 Beta display driver (Pre-release WDDM 1.0) didn’t have OpenGL.

I installed the Intel Vista 64 bit drivers 7.14.10.1504 for the 945GM Chipset from downloadcenter.intel.com, which installed OpenGL 1.4. ClearView seems to work OK.

July 22, 2009: Windows Update notified me that there was a updated Intel display driver for the 945 Express Chipset for Windows 7 RC. I installed it, version 8.15.10.1825, and it runs OpenGL on my flight sim program. It also works with these Intel chipset families:

Intel® 3 Series Chipsets
Intel® 82945G Express Chipset
Intel® 82946GZ Graphics Controller
Intel® 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q963 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 946 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family
Intel® G31 Express Chipset
Intel® G33 Express Chipset
Intel® G35 Express Chipset
Intel® Q33 Express Chipset
Intel® Q35 Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Update, January 19, 2010 (backgrounder): Why you should use OpenGL and not DirectX

13 Replies to “Windows 7 and OpenGL”

  1. Hello Everyone,
    I’m using a dell D830, was using windows XP then upgraded to Windows 7 64 bit. In XP I was using Google Sketchup with no problems then when I moved to Win7 I could not use the OpenGl hardware acceleration. The solution to the problem was to actually turn ON windows AERO. Then everything worked. I guess for some reason if the user turns of aero the OS just assumes you don’t want to use hardware acceleration or something. Anyhow I hope this helps someone and maybe save a few people the days it took me to solve.

  2. Im also have 2 laptops using the intel 945 series (and 32 bit and 1 64) and the built in driver for windows 7 (1.0 prerelease lacks opengl so is very slow and many games wont play.)
    I was successful in installing the vista driver for both 32 and 64 bit versions by changing the compatibility mode for the setup file. Prior to that both installers said os not supported.

  3. I already try 15.6 driver that you gave..
    I always get bluescreen afterboot… Y_Y..
    maybe we should wait for final release..^^

  4. I had Vista Driver 32bit version 15.4.1.1268.

    I got bluescreen and memory dumping when install it…after crash and boot, I run dxdiag..
    The driver version change to 7.xxx and WDDM 1.0..
    I still can’t play CS (not responding)…

    I’ll try 15.6 driver, maybe work..thanks bro.

  5. I using win7 b.7077 32bit with Intel GMA 965GM chipset.
    I installed CS Condition Zero, but when I run the game it says not support OpenGL, I run in software mode. But when the map start, I can’t click anything, the “~” button didn’t work too.

    I run dxdiag, the driver version is 8.15, driver model WDDM 1.1…what wrong with windows 7 ???

  6. Darrin, I didn’t have any resolution problems. It just installed and worked in the native 1280×800. It also installed a tray app, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for mobile.

    I wrote Eduard, and he was downloading the x86 driver. When he downloaded the x64, it worked for him.

    The driver date on mine is 6/18/2008 and is version 7.14.10.1504.

    Are you using installing on a Macbook? Which one?

    When you use Windows update, that installs the driver that doesn’t support OpenGL.

  7. I am running the same chipset as you (945GM) with Windows 7 x64 Build 7000 and my resolution won’t change from 1024×768. Did you have this same problem? I tried the same drivers as you (also got the same error as Eduard) as well as some on Windows Update and it still didn’t help.

  8. Well …
    It works because Windows 7 is just Vista with some bugfixes 😉
    Just like Win98 and Win98SE. The Drivermodel is the same.

  9. Edaurd, there are 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Are you sure you downloaded the correct version? At the Intel download page for the Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family, I selected Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit version.
    I did not have to change compatibilty settings on the file, it just worked.

  10. Hi.
    I’m just wondering how did you manage to install the vista driver on on W7. It won’t go for me, says that OS is not supported.
    I would really appriciate your help.
    Regards Eduard

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