The requested tool is not registered with the system.

Topic

This article explains how to workaround an error message when using new graphics function, for example

myplot = PLOT(/test)

The error message is dialog window that refers to:

"The requested tool is not registered with the system"

After that, no plot appears on the screen.

Discussion

The error message appeared in the following scenario:

1. Start IDL from the command line (not using Workbench).

2. Enter, for example:

p = plot(/test)

A dialog window appears.

         "IDL System Error".
         "A system error was detected during tool creation:
           The requested tool is not registered with the system."

Workaround

From the output of the command "printenv" the IDL_PATH token IDL_DEFAULT was located second in the list. 

Therefore, the solution to the problem is simple:

move the token IDL_DEFAULT up the list in the IDL path definition.