Linux specific Troubleshooting

Compiletime

hpiutil2 error with cmake

make[1]: *** [rts/lib/CMakeFiles/hpiutil2.dir/all] Error 2 make: *** [all] Error 2

Run cmake TWICE. It doesn't always work properly on the first run.

invalid use of ILvoid / ALCvoid

During compiling, if you get a lot of the following errors:

/usr/include/IL/il.h:497: error: '<anonymous>' has incomplete type 
/usr/include/IL/il.h:497: error: invalid use of 'ILvoid'

This happens because the version of libdevil-dev you have installed is not compatible with gcc version 4.2 and newer. Update it.

Ingame

Slow Mouse

Run:

echo '# Slow fullscreen cursor fix for Spring' >> ~/.xsessionrc
echo 'SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE=0' >> ~/.xsessionrc
echo 'export SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE' >> ~/.xsessionrc

And log out and log in again.

The mouse should now be as fast as in windowed mode.

Rotating Buildings

You can rotate a building before you give the build order, but the keys that do this don't work in linux by default for some users. Issue the following commands in the beginning of the game:

/bind keycodex buildfacing inc
/bind keycodey buildfacing dec

Keycodex and keycodey above are just placeholders. What you want to write depends on which key you want to use. To see what keycodes any keys have, do:

/keydebug yes

And then hit the keys you want to use, and spring prints the keycodes in the message buffer.

If you want to save these keys you have to edit the uikeys.txt.

Problems with Audio

The engine needs at least OpenAL Soft 1.6 for its sound. If you still have the old openal-0.0.8 installed, you should update it.

Additionally, pulseaudio causes lots of issues, so try to disable it for spring if you have sound problems.

Desync in game

Spring only send the commands and not the result over the network, so it needs to run all math in a repeatable manner, so all other clients in a multiplayer match get the same results. So some CPU specific features have to enabled/disabled. If you desync you either have a CPU that isn't SSE capable or you set the wrong -march /-mtune compiler flags. If you compile Spring via scons you should try:

scons configure arch=i686

Cmake users should try:

cmake -DMARCH_FLAG="i686"

If You Still Have Problems

Join either IRC chat in #taspring on Freenode or #sy on QuakeNet, or ask for help in the lobby channels #sy or #springlobby.

However, generic linux problems not really related to installing this should be asked elsewhere.

Prepare to list your distribution, which installation method you used, and what exactly is the error. Don't ask if people are around or not, just go straight to business and tell all details, for maximizing your chances of getting help.

FAQ

IRC

1. #sy @ QuakeNet
2. #sy @ taspringmaster.clan-sy.com (with SpringLobbies only)
3. #taspring @ FreeNode

Asking For Help

Okay, so you need human help. This is how NOT to do it:

15:54 -!- **** [n=****@*] has joined #taspring
15:54 < ****> Hi, i have a problem with compiling spring on debian
15:54 < ****> can anyone help me?
15:57 -!- **** [n=****@*] has quit [Client Quit]

Don't ask to ask, instead go straight to business by stating the exact problem you have, and giving all necessary information. What you were trying to achieve, how did you try to do it, what happened and what did you expect to happen.

Then WAIT for someone to notice you.