Automated Use
This section utilizes advanced browser features on Microsoft Windows platforms to provide the most convenient method of accessing the application. On Microsoft Windows platforms, it will automatically attempt to determine if you have the required prerequiste software and then offers either a link to launch the application or a link to install the required software. Recent versions of other platforms (e.g., Mac OS X 10.4 and Solaris 10) have the prerequiste software included. Linux users and users of other platforms must ensure that they have the necessary prerequiste software installed and configured correctly.
Automated Use Troubleshooting
The following provides information about troubleshooting some of the more commonly encountered problems with the Automated Use procedure.
| Symptom | Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| When you click on the Launch Application button, you see a dialog window indicating that your browser doesn't know what to do with a file of type application/x-java-jnlp-file. | You are using a platform other than Microsoft® Windows. Although the application is supported on other platforms, the automated Java install procedure is only supported on Microsoft® Windows and IE platforms. | Perform a Manual Installation of the prerequiste software. Be certain to complete the procedure for configuring your browser to support JavaTM Web Start (this is an extra step on some platforms and browsers). Then return to this page and you should see a Launch Application button that will launch the application. |
| You are using Microsoft® Windows and IE but have ActiveX, JavaScript, or VisualBasic disabled. | Enable ActiveX, JavaScript, and VisualBasic or perform a Manual Installation and Manual Launch of the application. | |
| You don't see either a Launch Application button or a Download/Install button. | You have JavaScript disabled. | Enable JavaScript or perform a Manual Installation and Manual Launch of the application. |
| Installation of the prerequisite software fails indicating that you don't have sufficient privileges to install the software. | Installation of the prerequisite software requires administrative privileges on Microsoft® Windows 2000/XP and Apple Mac OS X. | Log into the computer with an identity which has administrative privileges or enter the administrative password when prompted. If this is not possible, have the computer's system administrator perform the installation. Unix users can usually acquire most of the prerequisite software in a form that can be installed for an individual user without administrative privileges. |
Manual Installation
This section provides instructions for manually installing the prerequisite software required to run the application. You only need to read this section if the Automated Use procedure above will not work for your platform or if you prefer to do a manual installation.
You must have the following software installed on your system before attempting to use the client:
- JavaTM 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE), version 1.4.0 or higher
- On Mac OS X 10.3.x only, you must install Java 3DTM 1.3.
- On a few platforms, you must install OpenGL® version 1.1
or later
- The OpenGL® that is included with Microsoft® Windows is usually sufficient so it is not usually necessary to install any OpenGL® software.
- The OpenGL® that is included with Mac OS X systems is always adequate so it is not necessary to install any OpenGL® software.
- On some versions of Sun Solaris (e.g., Solaris 9), you must install OpenGL® version 1.1 or later.
- On some distributions of Linux, you must install OpenGL® version 1.1 or later.
To install the prerequisite software, follow these instructions:
- Open these instructions in a pop-up window (and position the window so it won't be covered by the main window). Do not close either of these windows until you have completed the entire installation procedure.
- Follow the instructions in the pop-up window.
- When finished, return to this page and attempt to use the link provided in the Automated Use section above to launch the application.
Manual Launch
To run this application, you must ensure that the prerequisite software is installed. Refer to the Manual Installation procedures. If you have the prerequisite software installed but the Automated Use procedure above failed to provide a functioning link to launch it, the following link can be used to download/launch the application:Uninstall
The following describes how to uninstall this application and all prerequisite software.
If you originally followed the Manual Installation procedures, then you should refer to the uninstall procedures that accompanied each product (e.g., graphics device drivers, OpenGL, Java 3D, etc.) and follow those instructions.
The 3D Orbit Viewer application can be uninstalled in one of two ways depending upon the platform and version of Java you are using. The two methods are described below.
- On Microsoft Windows with Java 1.5, use the Windows Add/Remove Programs control panel.
- On all other platforms and with Java 1.4 on Microsoft Windows, start the Java WebStart application. Select the 3D Orbit Viewer application and remove it.
If you did not have Java before visiting this page and now wish to uninstall it, it may be removed by using the Windows Add/Remove Programs control panel.
Feedback
Comments and questions about this application are welcome. Please use this e-mail address to send your comments, question, or problem reports.
- Curator: Tami Kovalick, Perot Systems
-
NASA Official: Robert
McGuire
(301)286-7794, Robert.E.McGuire@nasa.gov - Last Modified: 03/09/2006