Matrox MGA PCI Video Card
User's Guide

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Specifications

All specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

Memory	2MB or 4MB of high-speed WRAM
Performance	28.9 Million WINMARKS in 1024 x 768, 256 colors at 75Hz on a 133MHz Pentium running Winbench ‘96
Bus	32-bit PCI local bus; 64-bit acceleration
Accelerator	Matrox MGA (64-bit) with 64-bit VGA-compatible driving engine
Resolution, color depth, vertical refresh for 2MB	1600 x 1200, up to 256 colors, up to 72Hz 1280 x 1024, up to 256 colors, up to 90Hz 1024 x 768, up to 65K colors, up to 120Hz 800 x 600, up to 16M colors, up to 120Hz 640 x 480, up to 16M colors, up to 120Hz
Resolution, color depth, vertical refresh for 4MB	1600 x 1200, up to 65K colors, up to 72Hz 1280 x 1024, up to 16M colors, up to 90Hz 1024 x 768, up to 16M colors, up to 120Hz 800 x 600, up to 16M colors, up to 120Hz 640 x 480, up to 16M colors, up to 120Hz
Connector	Standard 15-pin video
Software platform support	DOS, Windows, OS/2, UNIX
Drivers	Windows 95, Windows, AutoCAD for DOS, AutoCAD for Windows, MicroStation, Windows NT 3.5, OS/2 PM 2.1, and OS/2 Warp
Monitor support	Standard VGA 640 x 480 analog monitors or better
Electrical	.6A typical with 2MB WRAM .8A typical with 4MB WRAM (board with module)
Mechanical	Board dimensions excluding brackets=16.5cm x 9.5cm x 1.2cm
Environmental	Operating temperatures: 0°C - 55°C (ambient) Storage temperatures: -40°C - 75°C Operating humidity: 20% - 80% relative humidity (non-condensing) Storage humidity: 5% - 95% relative humidity (non-condensing)

Many Gateway 2000 products are custom engineered by our suppliers to Gateway 2000 specifications, and may vary with similarly marketed products.

Introduction

Your system contains a Matrox MGA 2MB PCI video card. This card takes advantage of 64-bit graphics engine technology, which provides you with the fastest graphics and video acceleration available.

Although the Matrox MGA extends performance beyond the scope of other graphics technologies, it remains 100% VGA compatible. It provides many additional features including a high-speed, high-resolution, flicker-free display.

The Matrox MGA’s hardware accelerated 3D capabilities render dazzling, full-screen 3D animations and designs in real time. Your texture-mapped and smooth-shaded 3D CAD, games and business applications fly onto your screen in full-motion, photo-realistic scenes. The Matrox MGA accelerates color-space conversion and video-up scaling directly from the hardware to deliver high-quality, professional video playback and true multimedia functionality.

Help Files

For each of the software utilities described in this manual, online Help files have been included for your convenience. Although the information in this manual is extensive, sometimes information is available in the Help files that has not been included in the manual.

Help under Windows 95

To access the Help files in Windows 95 utilities, click on the Help menu at the top of the screen. Several choices are available such as Contents, Search, etc. Click on one of these choices to bring up the Help menu. Utilities may have different Help options; follow the on-screen prompts to navigate through the files. Some utilities may also have a question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the dialog box. If so, click on the question mark icon. The mouse pointer now has a question mark attached to it. Place the mouse pointer with the question mark on top of the part of the screen you want information about and click. A pop-up window appears with helpful details.

Help under earlier versions of Windows

To access the Help files in earlier versions of Windows, click on the Help menu at the top of the screen, or if there is a Help button in a dialog box, click on the button to bring up the Help menu. If you know exactly what you are looking for, you can click on Search and follow the on-screen prompts. If you prefer to browse through the information in the Help file, click on Contents.

Card Layout

1. RAMDAC
2. VESA feature connector
3. Flash BIOS
4. Video upgrade connector
5. 2MB WRAM
6. DIP switches (both set to OFF)
7. Matrox MGA controller
8. PCI slot connector
9. 15-pin video connector (monitor)
10. MPEG connectors
11. Card bracket

1. 2MB video upgrade card
2. Connect the card as shown. Make sure all pins are securely connected.
3. Matrox MGA 2MB PCI video card

Configuring the Video Card

Before handling your video card, carefully read the following static electricity procedures and precautions.

Static Electricity Preventions

1. WEAR A GROUNDING WRIST STRAP (available at most electronic stores).

2. Turn off the system power.

3. Touch the back of the power supply fan, located on the back of the case.

4. UNPLUG ALL CORDS FROM WALL OUTLET.

5. Remove the system case cover.

Static Electricity Precautions

• Avoid static-causing surfaces such as plastic and styrofoam in your work area.

• Remove parts from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use it. Do not lay parts on the outside of antistatic bags since only the inside provides antistatic protection.

• Always hold cards by their edges and their metal mounting bracket. Avoid touching components on the cards and the edge connectors that connect to expansion slots.

• Never slide cards or other parts over any surface.

When you add a PCI component to a PCI system, the system BIOS automatically maps it to an available memory space for you. This technology is known as "Plug and Play," which means you should not have to set switches or change jumpers on your board.

However, this video card has two DIP switches that can be set if necessary. See the previous illustrations and note where switches are located on the video card. To change a DIP switch setting, use a small screwdriver or a ball-point pen. Avoid using a pencil tip, which can leave electrically-conductive graphite residue.

Switch 1: Flash EPROM switch for VGA BIOS

If you decide to upgrade your video BIOS in the future, you will need to reprogram the Flash EPROM. This safe and simple operation is accomplished with a software utility and a BIOS upgrade file that can be downloaded from the BBS. The utility is called UPDBIOS.BAT.

 

To allow reprogramming of the Flash EPROM:

1. Copy the BIOS flash utility to a bootable diskette and insert the diskette into drive A:.
2. Power down the system and open the case. Remove the card and set DIP Switch 1 on the video card to the ON position. Place card back in system.
3. Power up the system and boot from the diskette. Run UPDBIOS.BAT from the A:\> prompt.

Switch 2: VGA Enable/Disable switch

By default the VGA of your video card is enabled (Switch 2=OFF) for single-screen operation. This means that you must remove your existing VGA adapter or disable any on-board VGA. If the VGA is on the system board of your PCI system, it should be disabled automatically.

This switch must be set to ON if you want to work in a dual-screen configuration. In this case, you will also be using a VGA card either in another slot or on the system board, or another video card for output to the second monitor.

Installing the Video Card

If you purchased the video card with the computer, you can skip this section.

The Matrox MGA video card is plug and play compatible, so Windows 95 automatically recognizes and configures the video card. Should you later want to make changes to the card’s configuration, see "Installing the Software" for information about using the video utilities. If your system uses Windows 95, skip the following section and continue with the section beginning with static electricity procedures and precautions.

If you are installing this card in a system with an earlier version of Windows, please complete the following steps first.

1. Before you remove the old card, power up the computer. At the C:\> prompt, type:

   edit autoexec.bat

   
   and press <Enter>. Then remove all lines in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file that refer to the old video card and driver. Save and Exit. Using this procedure, do the same for the CONFIG.SYS file.
2. If your computer automatically enters Windows, exit to DOS by closing Program Manager. Be sure you are in DOS. You should see a C:\> prompt on the screen.
3. Go to the Windows directory by typing:

   cd\windows

   
   and pressing <Enter>.
4. You are at the C:\WINDOWS> prompt.
5. Once you are in the Windows directory, type:

   setup

   
   and press <Enter> to start the Windows Setup program.
6. Follow the prompts on the screen to change the Display: line to VGA.
7. Exit the Setup program. Accept the installed VGA driver by pressing Enter when you see the message about replacing the driver. Restart Windows to be sure Windows loads with VGA selected.

Before opening the case to install the card, please observe all static electricity procedures and precautions.

 

To install the video card:

1. Exit Windows. Power down the system, discharge your body’s static electricity and unplug the power cord. Remove the screws from the back of the case and slide the case off the system unit. Instructions for opening your case are included in the manual shipped with your system.
2. Unplug the cable from the old video card.
3. Remove the screw that holds the old video card in the system and keep it. Pull out the old video card.
4. Remove the new video card from its antistatic packaging. Do not touch the connectors that plug into the expansion slot.
5. Press the card into a PCI slot on the system board. You can rock the card end to end as you insert it, but do not bend the card sideways.
6. Store the old video card in the antistatic packaging left over from the new video card.
7. Use the screw from Step 3 to secure the new video card’s mounting bracket to the system unit.
8. Reattach the video cable to the video card’s connector.
9. Replace the cover and plug in the power cable. Continue with "Installing the Software."

Installing the Software in Windows 95

If your system shipped with the video card installed, you can skip this section.

Once the video card has been installed in the system, there are only a few short steps left to complete the installation procedure.

 

To install the software in Windows 95:

1. Power up the system.
2. The Windows 95 system automatically detects the new piece of hardware. A dialog box appears with the message New Hardware Detected.
3. Before clicking on OK, place the Windows 95 Matrox MGA driver diskette in the floppy drive (this diskette must be in the drive in order for the installation to be successful). Once you have placed the diskette in the drive, click on OK.

   ---

   Note:
   If you purchased your system with a CD-ROM drive installed, you received the System CD. If you did NOT receive the installation diskettes referred to in these instructions, the files are on the CD. Reference the System CD booklet included in the CD’s case for installation instructions.

   ---

4. Click on the Windows 95 Start button. Then click on Run. In the box, type

   a:\setup.exe

   
   and click on OK.
5. The Setup program prepares an install shield wizard to guide you through the installation process.
6. Once the wizard is prepared, the following screen appears:

   
   Choose the destination location listed in the box (the default location) by clicking on Next.

7. The next screen that appears asks you to choose the programs you want to install. Click in the boxes to select your choices and then click on Next to accept them and move to the next screen.

   

8. The next screen that appears asks you which language you want the Setup and other utilities to use (the language should be the same as the one the operating system uses). Click on the appropriate box to choose the language, then click on Next to continue the installation.
9. A Decompressing Files window appears showing the status of file decompression for the installation process.
10. After decompression is complete, the system tells you that changes have been made to the system WIN.INI file. The old file has been saved under a new name. Click on OK to accept this information.
11. The next screen appears:

    
    Click on Yes if you want to use the Windows 95 monitor mechanism to select your monitor. Click on No if you want to use the MGA Matrox utility to make the monitor adjustments for the new card.

12. Once the installation is complete, a screen appears telling you that the following items have been installed: Drivers, QuickAccess, MGA Monitor Program, and Default Configuration. Click on OK to accept this information.
13. Now the MGA Change Display Wizard screen appears:

    

    ---

    Note:
    The first step asks you to click on the Start button. The Start button is at the bottom of the Wizard screen; do not use the Start button in the Windows 95 operating system.

    ---

    
    Follow the instructions on the screen to install the display drivers for your MGA Matrox video card.
14. Double-click on the Display icon. The Display Properties window appears:

    

15. Click on the Change Display Type button to access the window.
16. Click on the Change button in the Adapter Type portion of the Change Display Type window.

    

17. The Select Device window appears. Click on the circle in front of Show all devices to darken it in and enable the option, then click on the Have Disk button.

    

18. The Install From Disk window appears:

    

19. Reconfirm that the Windows 95 Matrox MGA driver diskette is in the floppy disk drive (usually drive A:), and type:

    a:

    
    in the text box. Click on OK. Another window appears with the Matrox MGA (mga95x64.inf) driver highlighted in it. Click on OK to install the driver.
20. Reboot the system to enable the new video card.

The MGA Advanced PowerDesk Settings

The installation program creates an MGA Settings tab in the Display Properties window. To get to the Display Properties window, double-click on the Display icon in the Control Panel window.

Once you have opened the Display Properties window, click on the MGA Settings tab to see these alterable features.

Click on the Advanced button to access the MGA Advanced Settings tabs where you can adjust the characteristics of the MGA Matrox video card for maximum performance. A description of these tabs and the information they present is found on the next few pages.

MGA Advanced settings descriptions

Performance options

The first tab in the MGA Advanced Settings window is the Performance tab. Click on this tab to see its window.

Click in the various boxes to select or deselect each option.

When you select the Use Device Bitmaps Caching option, and then reboot the system, hardware acceleration is used to cache some bitmapped objects in the video memory. This caching process speeds up screen redraws and some drawings in bitmaps.

When you select the Use Rectangle acceleration option, and then reboot the system, hardware acceleration is used for drawing bordered rectangular objects.

When you select the Use Polygon acceleration option, and then reboot the system, hardware acceleration is used to draw complex polygon objects.

When you select the Circle & Ellipse acceleration option, and then reboot the system, hardware acceleration is used to draw circles and ellipses.

When you select the 3D Acceleration option, and then reboot the system, 3D hardware accelerations and double-buffering are enabled under the following modes:

• 2Mb on-board RAM — 640 × 480, 16 bpp (high color)
• 4Mb on-board RAM — 640 × 480, 16 bpp (high color); 800 × 600, 16 bpp (high color); 640 × 480, 32 bpp (true color)
• 8Mb on-board RAM — Up to 1280 × 1024, 16 bpp (high color); up to 1024 × 768, 32 bpp (true color)

PowerDesk options

The second tab in the MGA Advanced Settings window is the PowerDesk options tab. Click on this tab to see its window.

Use the three HotKey settings to choose keys to press to instantly access the features listed. Setting a PixelTOUCH hot key allows you to instantly enable hardware accelerated panning and zooming features. Press the hot key you defined to toggle through the 3 zoom factors; these zooms are centered around the current mouse position on the screen.

Setting a CenterWINDOW hot key allows you to instantly center the display on the current active window when you press the defined key or key combination.

Setting a PanLOCK hot key allows you to instantly enable or disable panning and scrolling features when you press the defined key or key combination.

Information tab

The third tab in the MGA Advanced Settings window is the Information tab. Click on this tab to see its window.

This window provides you with information about the video card that is installed in your system. The information changes only if you install a different Matrox video card or if you install a different version of the Matrox drivers.

Installing the Software in Earlier versions of Windows

To get the best performance from your video card, you must install and run the video software. Your Matrox MGA diskettes contain software utilities, PowerDrivers, applications for Windows 3.1, AutoCAD, MicroStation and more. If you plan to use a particular driver, the corresponding program must already be installed on your system.

Most of the files are installed under the MGA directory, each program in its own subdirectory. You should read any README files that are copied to these subdirectories by the installation program. The README files may contain last minute information and additional notes not included in the manual.

If you purchased your card with the system, the software installation has already been done. However, if this card is different from the card it replaces or if you decide to reinstall the video software, follow the directions for the software you are installing.

This section contains information about installing the Windows 3.1 drivers, the PowerDesk utilities, a screen saver, a DCI driver, and DynaView 2D and 3D for Windows. Instructions for installing optional driver and operating system software support are included in "Optional Software Installation."

 

To install the software in earlier versions of Windows:

1. You should have already set your Windows resolution to VGA. If you have not completed this procedure, do so now using the directions in the section "Installing the Video Card."
2. Start Windows.
3. Insert the disk labeled Matrox MGA Drivers for Windows into the floppy drive, usually drive A:. (If your 3.5-inch diskette drive is drive B:, substitute the letter "b" for the drive letter "a" in command lines).

   ---

   Note
   If you purchased your system with a CD-ROM drive installed, you received the System CD. If you did NOT receive the installation diskettes referred to in these instructions, the files are on the CD. Reference the System CD booklet included in the CD’s case for installation instructions.

   ---

4. From Program Manager, select File from the menu bar, and then the Run option.
5. In the Command Line: text box, type:

   a:\setup

   
   and click on OK.

   ---

   Note:
   Do not select DynaView for Windows if you don’t have AutoCAD for Windows installed.
   The default path for AutoCAD for Windows is C:\ACADWIN for Rel 12 and C:\ACADR13\WIN for Rel 13. If your AutoCAD software is not located in the default directories, make sure you indicate the path your software is actually installed, otherwise the MGA driver will not be found by AutoCAD.
   Read the README.MGA file in your destination path for information on configuring the MGA driver. The DynaView 2D driver comes with a Bird’s Eye utility. To run it, type: dsviewer, from within AutoCAD. Online help is available for DynaView 2D; just press the Help button.

   ---

6. If you select DynaView for Windows, you are prompted to select the specific products to install: DynaView 2D for AutoCAD 12, DynaView 2D for AutoCAD 13 and DynaView 3D. Click on OK.
7. Once you have selected the products to install, the installation program asks you to confirm the installation path for each product. Press <Enter> to accept the default directory. We recommend you accept the default directories.
8. The installation program begins.
9. A window appears asking if you wish to enable the DCI driver. Click on Yes.
10. An informative window appears with a reminder to install Video for Windows 1.1D on your system, if it is not already installed (this program can be found on the System CD). Click on OK to continue.
11. Another window appears instructing you that to set a start display mode, you must choose and test your monitor. Click on OK.
12. The software is installed.
13. The Monitor Selection program is automatically invoked to let you select an appropriate monitor and startup display. You must select a monitor and startup display setting.

    ---

    Note:
    If you are updating one of our previous drivers, then the monitor program is not invoked, but the installation program asks if you wish to keep your present MGA.MON file in case you have customized the file for a particular monitor. If you have not customized this file, click on Yes to overwrite it with the new version. If you have customized this file and do not want to lose the data, click on No so that the file you created will not be overwritten.

    ---

14. Click on the Selection button.
15. The Monitor List dialog box appears.

    

16. Select your monitor. If your monitor is not listed, see the user’s guide that shipped with your monitor for information on selecting an appropriate substitute. An appropriate monitor must be selected or the driver may start up in a resolution not supported by your monitor. The Monitor Selection program is explained in its online help file: click on the Help button to view.

    

17. After selecting a monitor, click on the OK button. This returns you to the Matrox MGA Monitor Selection window.
18. Click on Test.
19. The Monitor Test window appears.

    

20. Select a display mode for Windows (see the following table). The range of resolutions and colors available to you is limited by the amount of RAM on your video card. Choose a combination of one of the following available resolutions and pixel depths. You are testing to see what different resolution and color combinations your monitor supports. Later, you’ll be able to make the same kind of selections using the MGA Control Panel program.

    Resolution	Bits/Pixels (2MB)	Bits/Pixels (4MB)	Max. Refresh (175MHz DAC)
    640 × 480	8, 16, 24	8, 16, 24	120MHz
    800 × 600	8, 16, 24	8, 16, 24	120MHz
    10240 × 768	8, 16	8, 16, 24	120MHz
    1152 × 882	8, 16	8, 16, 24	120MHz
    1280 × 1024	8	8, 16, 24	90MHz
    1600 × 1200	8	8, 16	72MHz

21. Click on the Test button. A screen appears. If the screen appears scrambled or blank with any one of the combinations, an appropriate monitor has not been selected and you need to return to the Monitor Selection window and select another. To exit the test screen, press the <Esc> key.
22. Once all the combinations have been tested and an appropriate monitor selection has been made, click on the Close button in the Monitor Test window.
23. You are back at the Matrox MGA Monitor Selection window. Click on the Save and Exit button.
24. The Startup Display Mode window appears:

    
    
    Click on the desired resolution and pixel depth. After you click on the OK button in the Startup Display Mode dialog box, the installation program either reboots your system (in the case of a first-time installation) or reboots Windows (in the case of any upgrade). Rebooting the system on a first-time installation is essential to set the MGA environmental variable.
    An MGA environment variable is automatically added to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file by the installation program. Make sure you don’t delete the

    set mga=c:\mga\setup

    
    line from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you delete this variable setting, your video card loses track of any customized configuration done in the Monitor Selection program.

The Matrox MGA PowerDesk Utilities

The installation program creates a Matrox MGA PowerDesk program group icon. To open the program group and access the application icons, double-click on the program group icon. The program group window contains icons for each application included with the software installation. To start an application, double-click on the icon.

The Matrox MGA Control Panel

The Matrox MGA Control Panel is invoked by double-clicking on the Control Panel icon in the Matrox MGA PowerDesk utilities program group window.

The Matrox MGA Control Panel allows you to set up to four different video modes. It also has several other features you can enable or disable according to your preference.

Modes — You can configure up to four different video modes in the Control Panel. The Setup button lets you choose the desired settings for each mode. To enable a mode, click in the button to the left of the preferred mode. The setting information is displayed below the mode.

CenterPOPUP — If the CenterPOPUP feature is enabled, pop-up windows appear in the center of the visible screen.

MaxVIEW — If the MaxVIEW feature is enabled, it maximizes any window you open within the boundaries of the visible desktop area.

Zoom — Allows you to pan and zoom; click on the desired range.

ModeSWITCH with QCDP — QCDP hardware dithering simulates true color in 8- and 16-bit modes at resolutions up to 1600 × 1200. Enabling the mode switch allows you to change the resolution and color depth setting of fixed or virtual desktop modes without restarting Windows. Click again to disable the ModeSWITCH function.

Hotkeys — Click here for a list of the default hotkeys or to change a desired hotkey setting.

Cursor — Click here to change the properties of the mouse cursor.

The Quick Access menu

The Quick Access menu is a convenient toolbar that can be opened by double-clicking on the Quick Access icon in the Matrox MGA PowerDesk utilities program group window.

Number pad — Click on the number of the desired mode that was configured in the Control Panel to activate it.

This button enables the ModeSWITCH with QCDP.

PanLOCK — Click here to lock the virtual desktop working area in place.

CtrPOPUP — Click here to enable or disable the CenterPOPUP function.

MaxVIEW — Click here to enable or disable MaxVIEW.

Zoom — Click on the plus button to increase the zoom ratio. Click on the minus button to decrease the zoom ratio. The active zoom ratio is displayed here.

The Matrox MGA Monitor Selection program

The monitor selection program allows you to select and test a monitor selection. Double-click on the Monitor Selection icon in the Matrox MGA PowerDesk utilities program group window to start the program.

Selection — Click here to bring up the Monitor Selection list dialog box.

Test — Click here to test a monitor selection. If the screen appears scrambled, an inappropriate monitor has been selected. Choose another and repeat the test.

The Matrox MGA Uninstallation program

This program allows removal or disabling (and later re-enabling) of all or parts of the Matrox MGA Windows and DynaView software. To start the Uninstall program, double-click on the MGA Uninstallation icon in the Matrox MGA PowerDesk utilities program group window. When you have made your selections, click OK. Answer appropriately to the windows that appear. The program exits Windows to delete the selected software and reboots the system so the changes take effect.

Matrox MGA Board Information

To open the Board Information dialog box, double-click on the Board Information icon in the Matrox MGA PowerDesk utilities program group window. The Board Information dialog box allows you to quickly survey technical information about the video card.

The dialog box only displays information about the card. To exit the dialog box, click on OK.

Help files

The information in this manual briefly outlines the various programs and how they work. For more extensive information on using a certain program, click on the Help button in the program’s dialog box.

The Matrox MGA Screen Saver

The Matrox MGA screen saver displays 3D images created with the DynaView 3D software. A few 3D images are included on the disks. The screen saver also supports DPMS, for EnergyStar-compatible monitors.

 

To set up the screen saver:

1. Start Windows.
2. Double-click on the Main program group icon to open it.
3. Double click on the Control Panel icon to open the Windows Control Panel.
4. Double-click on the Desktop icon to open the Desktop window.

   

5. In the center of the Desktop dialog box, find the Screen Saver section.
6. Click on the down arrow to the right of the Name: text box.
7. If necessary, scroll down to find the MGA 3D option.
8. Click on the MGA 3D option to highlight and select the screen saver.
9. Click on OK.

Online help is provided; click on the Help button.

The DCI Video for Windows Accelerator

The Matrox MGA DCI (Display Control Interface) driver is a driver that accelerates the MPEG software player, as well as playback of Video for Windows 1.1D (only the 1.1D upgrade supports DCI). The DCI driver and some upgrade files for Video for Windows are installed in your C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.

You must be using "DCI-aware" codes in order to have video window acceleration. See the README.WIN file for a list of known DCI-aware applications.

The DCI driver is installed by the installation program, but only enabled at your request during the installation process. If you wish to enable or disable the DCI driver after the initial installation, it can be done with the Uninstall utility.

DynaView 3D

This product comes in two parts: the 3D Viewer program and the ADS program. The installation program adds an icon for the 3D Viewer (and its associated README file) in the PowerDesk group.

For the 3D Viewer to display Gouraud shading, the Matrox MGA Windows driver must be "3D-enabled."

 

To enable 3D:

1. Start Windows.
2. Double-click on the Matrox MGA PowerDesk program group icon to open it.
3. Double-click on the Matrox MGA Control Panel icon to open the Matrox MGA Control Panel.

   

4. Select a display mode that allows you to enable the 3D checkbox. If the checkbox is grayed out, it cannot be enabled. To enable the checkbox, simply click on it.

When the 3D option is enabled, the available range of resolutions and pixel depths is reduced. Online help is available for DynaView 3D; just click on the Help button.

Optional Software Installation

The following sections pertain to optional software included on your diskettes. Each section contains its own installation instructions and information about the software.

The Matrox MGA CAD drivers disk

 

To install drivers:

1. Power up the computer. Stay at the C:\> prompt, or exit Windows to get to the C:\> prompt.
2. Insert the disk labeled Matrox MGA CAD Drivers into your diskette drive, usually drive A:. (If your 3.5-inch floppy drive is drive B:, substitute the letter "b" for the drive letter "a" in command lines).
3. At the C:\> prompt, type:

   a:\install

   
   and press <Enter>.
4. A README file appears.
5. Next a menu appears, listing the installation choices.
6. Use the keyboard arrow keys to select an item.

When you select a program or driver, Install decompresses it from the diskette, places it under the MGA directory and then returns to the Main menu so you can install another. See the following sections for information regarding the installation options.

The utilities and Setup program

This selection installs utilities such as the Flash EPROM Programmer and the DOS Setup program. If you have already installed the Windows drivers and selected a monitor with the Monitor Selection program, you don’t need to install the Setup program.

When you select this option, you are prompted for the following information:

• The install path for the Setup program (the default path is C:\MGA\SETUP).
• Your boot drive (the default is C:).
• For more details, see the README.SET file.

We recommend you accept the default directories.

The AutoCAD DynaView driver for DOS

This selection installs the AutoCAD for DOS driver, with its DynaView 2D and 3D features. Install this if you have AutoCAD 11, 12, or 13 for DOS. This driver also supports 3D Studio and AutoShade.

When you select this option, you are prompted for the following information:

• The installation path for the driver (C:\MGA\ACADRV is the default).
• The AutoCAD product you want to run (AutoCAD 11, 12, or 13 for DOS). Use AutoCAD 11 for 3D Studio and AutoShade.
• You are asked if you wish to run ACADRV.BAT from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you do not run this file from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you must remember to run ACADRV.BAT before starting AutoCAD, as it sets certain environment variables necessary for the driver and AutoCAD. We recommend that you run this file from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
• Refer to the Matrox README.ACA file installed in the C:\MGA\ACADRV directory for instructions on configuring the driver for AutoShade and 3D Studio 2.0.

We recommend you accept the default directories.

The MicroStation PC driver

The MicroStation PC driver supports MicroStation 5.0 only.

• The default installation path for the files is C:\USTATION. If you installed MicroStation in another directory, use that path instead. Press <Enter> to continue, and the driver files are copied to the C:\USTATION\DRIVERS subdirectory.

We recommend you accept the default directories.

Windows NT 3.5 driver installation

The MGA Windows NT 3.5 Display driver supports 8-bit (256 colors), 16-bit (64K) colors), and 24-bit (true color) display modes under Windows NT, in resolutions ranging from 640 × 480 to 1600 × 1200. This driver also supports dual-Matrox MGA configurations. Use the following steps to change a display driver.

 

To change a display driver:

1. Double-click Control Panel’s Display icon.
2. Click on the Change Display Type button.
3. In the Display Type dialog box, click on the Change button.
4. In the Select Device dialog box, click on the Other button.
5. In the Install From Disk dialog box, type the locations of the Matrox MGA installation files (for example, a:\winnt).
6. From the displayed list, select a resolution and pixel depth that is supported by your card and monitor, then select Install. See the following table for resolution and pixel depth combinations.
7. Answer Yes in the Installing the Driver dialog box.

   Resolution	Bits/Pixels (2MB)	Bits/Pixels (4MB)	Max. Refresh (175MHz DAC)
   640 × 480	8, 16, 24	8, 16, 24	120MHz
   800 × 600	8, 16, 24	8, 16, 24	120MHz
   10240 × 768	8, 16	8, 16, 24	120MHz
   1152 × 882	8, 16	8, 16, 24	120MHz
   1280 × 1024	8	8, 16, 24	90MHz
   1600 × 1200	8	8, 16	72MHz

8. If the Matrox MGA drivers are already installed on your system, you are prompted to choose between the installed drivers and the new ones. If you select New, you are prompted for the path for the new driver files. By default, this is the path that was entered in the Install From Disk dialog box (Step 5).
9. In the Display Settings Change dialog box, you should select Restart now in order for the new settings to take effect.

If your system does not reboot at the expected resolution, it is probable that your card does not support the selected resolution and/or pixel depth combination. Open the Control Panel’s Display program and click on the List All Modes button to obtain a list of all the modes that are available for your card. You can also experiment with the Color Palette and Desktop Area controls to select a new mode. Use the Test button to ensure that the new mode is supported by your monitor.

Changing resolutions

Whenever you want to change the display resolution, run the Control Panel’s Display program. The available modes can be displayed via the List All Modes button.

The current version of the driver supports multiple Matrox MGA video cards, enabling use of a single large desktop that spans multiple monitors. The multi-board modes that are supported by your hardware configuration can be selected and tested (as with any regular mode) using the Control Panel’s Display program.

Monitor configuration

By default, the display driver assumes that you have a 60Hz monitor. If your monitor is capable of higher refresh rates, you can customize your monitor to reflect these.

 

To customize your monitor:

1. Open the Control Panel’s MGA Monitor program.
2. From the list of monitors, select the appropriate monitor, or one whose maximum refresh rate matches the one you are using. An MGA.INF file is created in the SystemRoot\SYSTEM32 subdirectory.
3. To ensure that the newly-created MGA.INF file is correct for your monitor:

• From the Control Panel, start the Display program.
• Select the resolution and pixel depth that you want to test.
• Click on the Test button. The test uses the video parameters that are appropriate for the monitor selected in the MGA Monitor program.
• If your monitor does not display a stable test screen, then the parameters set by the MGA.INF file are not suitable for your monitor. Click on the Cancel button to close the Display program. Run the MGA Monitor program again to select another monitor from the list; repeat the Display test.

No resolution higher than the set limit appears in the Display program window list. Deleting the MGA.INF file removes all monitor limits to the resolution, but the refresh rate defaults to 60Hz.

In a multi-board configuration, the MGA.INF file settings affect all monitors. We recommend that the monitor you select in the MGA Monitor program be compatible with the least-capable monitor in your system. For more information, refer to the README.NT file on the installation disk.

The OS/2 PM MGA display driver

This MGA OS/2 PM driver supports 8-bit (256 colors), 16-bit (64K colors), and 24-bit (16M colors) display modes under OS/2 2.1 up to "Warp," in resolutions ranging from 640 × 480 to 1600 × 1200. The driver also includes a Seamless Windows driver.

 

To install the drivers:

1. If you are installing this driver for the first time, have the Matrox MGA video card installed and boot up OS/2. Select VGA as the display driver.
2. Using the Command Prompts folder of OS/2, open an OS/2 Window or Full Screen session.
3. Insert the driver disk into your floppy drive, usually drive A:. (If your 3.5-inch diskette drive is drive B:, substitute the letter "b" for the drive letter "a" in command lines).
4. Make the floppy drive in which you inserted the floppy disk active, and type:

   a:\os2\install

   
   and press <Enter>.
5. A dialog box appears in which you can select the Primary Display. Choose Matrox MGA.
6. The drivers install. When the installation process is complete, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Driver configuration

If you are installing this driver for the first time, OS/2 restarts in the default MGA resolution (640 × 480 × 256 colors). It is advisable to select the desired resolution immediately before rebooting, by means of the OS/2 System Setup folder.

 

To configure the driver:

1. Click the right button on the PM desktop background.
2. Select System Setup to open the system setup folder.
3. Double-click on the System icon.
4. Select the Screen tab and choose the resolution/pixel depth.
5. Restart the system so that the changes take effect.

Monitor configuration

By default, the driver assumes that you have a monitor which supports all resolutions available to your video card at a 60Hz refresh rate (non-interlaced). If you have a monitor that is capable of refresh rates higher than 60Hz, you can customize the monitor configuration with the MGAMON program. This program creates a file called MGA.INF, which contains the appropriate video parameters for your monitor. The MGA.INF file is read by the MGA display driver when OS/2 boots.

The MGAMON program is located in the C:\MGA\OS2 directory. It is a DOS program, so it must be run in a DOS session (either windowed or full screen).

 

To run the MGAMON program:

1. Open a DOS session.
2. Enter:

   cd\mga\os2

   mgamon

3. Select a monitor and exit the program.
4. Restart the system for the changes to take effect.

For more information about this driver, refer the README.OS2 file on the distribution diskette. Topics covered include uninstalling the driver, dual-boot limitation, and BIOS-related issues for older MGA graphics accelerators.

Troubleshooting

The system won’t boot with the MGA card installed.

If there is another VGA card in your system remove it. If the VGA card is on the system board, it should have been disabled, but check the Technical Reference that shipped with your system to see if this has to be done manually.

Problems with the DOS/Super VGA (VESA) programs.

Is the program compliant with version 1.2 of the VESA standard? Some programs are written to run in Super VGA modes that are not VESA compliant. They depend on a specific chip to be used for VGA and are probably not compatible with this VGA’s extended modes.

Problems with the MGA Windows installation.

Check the README.WIN file for the list of changes normally made to SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, and PROGRAM.INI.

Problems with the AutoCAD DOS driver.

To insure that the drivers work correctly with this program, it is essential that AutoCAD’s environment variables be set correctly. In particular, verify the following variables: ACAD and ACADDRV.

Video problems in Windows, AutoCAD, or another MGA utility.

• Recheck the cable connections.
• Set the monitor’s RGB inputs (and sync switches, if this option is available) to 75 ohms, with the sync set to "external."
• Try adjusting the brightness, sharpness, and contrast symbols of your monitor.
• Try adjusting the centering and positioning controls of your monitor to position the picture on the screen.
• Your monitor file may be inappropriate. Delete the C:\MGA\SETUP\MGA.INF file. Restart Windows and the 60 Hz driver is used by default. If this works, start the Monitor Selection utility and try to find the best match (start selecting higher timing speeds and/or higher resolutions). Always test a selection before saving using the Display program in the Windows Control Panel.

Notices

All rights reserved

This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted by any means or in any form, without prior consent in writing from Gateway 2000.

The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate. However, Gateway 2000 assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this manual. In no event will Gateway 2000 be liable for direct, indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omission in this manual, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

In the interest of continued product development, Gateway 2000 reserves the right to make improvements in this manual and the products it describes at any time, without notice or obligation.

Trademark acknowledgments

AnyKey, cow spot motif, CrystalScan, Destination, Field Mouse, Gateway 2000, GW2K, HandBook, TelePath, Vivitron, stylized "G" design, and motto "You’ve got a friend in the business" are registered trademarks and EZ Pad, Family PC, and Gateway Solo are trademarks of Gateway 2000, Inc. Intel, Intel Inside logo, and Pentium are registered trademarks and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only, and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Copyright © 1997 Gateway 2000, Inc. 610 Gateway Drive, N. Sioux City, SD 57049 USA

Regulatory Compliance Statements

American users:

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Canadian users:

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par Industrie Canada.

European users:

This Information Technology Equipment has been tested and found to comply with following European directives:

[i] EMC Directive 89/336/EEC amending directive 92/31/EEC & 93/68 EEC as per
- EN 50081-1:1992 according to
EN 55022:1995 Class B
EN 61000-3-2:1995 or EN 60555-2:1986
EN 61000-3-3: 1995

- EN50082-1:1992 according to
EN 61000-4-2:1995 or IEC 801-2:1984
ENV 50140:1994 or IEC 801-3:1984
EN 61000-4-4:1988 or IEC 801-4:1998

[ii] Low Voltage Directive (Safety) 73/23/EEC as per EN 60950: 1992

Japanese users:

This equipment is in the Class 2 category (Information Technology Equipment to be used in a residential area or an adjacent area thereto) and conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment aimed at preventing radio interference in such residential area.

When used near a radio or TV receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct handling.

Australian and New Zealand users:

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 3548 set out by the Spectrum Management Agency.