Virtual Earth 3D hardware acceleration
The running of the Virtual Earth 3D Beta version has some requirements for the system. These requirements are as follows. The Windows XP as the operating system and it should have a Service Pack 2, a Windows Server 2003, or the Windows Vista. It also requires a framework 2.0 of Microsoft .NET. Imaging Component from Windows, an internet browser as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Windows Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, etc. however remember that they should be either 32 bit or 64 bit versions. In addition to this, it should also have a broadband internet connection.
A hard disk space of or more than 250 MB. A processor having the speed of 1.0-gigahertz (GHz), however, the processors faster than 2.8GHz work better. The system memory should be around 256 MB however, 1 GB or more would be better. Your computer should also have a video card having a 32-MB to 256 MB or more. In addition to this it should also support the Microsoft DirectX 9, and it should be enabled with 3D hardware acceleration. A high speed or broadband Internet connection.
Remember that, Virtual Earth support the 3D Beta version only in the countries US, Canada and Great Britain. However, the Virtual Earth is constantly trying to include more and more countries for this feature. So you should keep on checking whether it has become available in your country or not.
The windows imaging component website would provide the full information about the windows imaging component. So you should check with it if you have any doubt. The Virtual Earth recommends that if you have a multiple-monitor hardware configuration you should run the Virtual Earth 3D on the primary monitors only. This would prevent the possible issues related to the performance.
Also note that though the three dimensional data is provided for the whole world the detailed data showing the 3D views of buildings are available for only some important cities. Therefore, you should check whether they are available for your cities or not. This you do with the help of the Current 3D Cities website. Further, note that this website is available only in the English.
Running the Virtual Earth 3D Beta version: For running the Virtual Earth 3D version, you have to turn on the hardware acceleration of your system. More than this there are some other requirements.
First thing that is required is that the Direct3D and DirectDraw accelerations of the system are enabled. If even one of them is not enabled the 3D Beta version may not run.
The procedure for making it on is as under:
a) If you are having a windows XP as the operating system go to the “Start” menu and from it choose “Run”. Alternatively, if you have the Windows Vista as the operating system, from its “Start” menu, choose text box saying “Start Search”.
b) Then in these search boxes enter “dxdiag”. c) Then turn on the Direct3D Acceleration and DirectDraw Acceleration from the Display tab. This is done by clicking on the option Enable next to them. d) Then click “Exit”.
After this for making it to come into effect, you have to turn on and then again restart your computer.
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Virtual earth, live maps, using virtual earth, system requirements, virtual earth plug ins,
Tags: Microsoft Virtual Earth
