Diamond Fire GL 1000 Pro README ------------------------------- Diamond Multimedia Release 0198 This README file contains the following information: 1. Introduction 1.1 General Information 2. Installation 2.1 Installation under Windows 95 2.2 Installing the Windows NT 4.0 Graphics Driver 2.3 Choosing a Monitor 3. Features and Restrictions 4. Diamond Multimedia: Support & Service 1. Introduction ================ 1.1 General Information ----------------------- For a complete overview of the contents of this CD, please refer to the HTML file "Docs\Cdcont.htm". IMPORTANT! Read this README file and all the documentation supplied BEFORE you continue the installation. These documents contain useful information that will help you complete the install procedure as quickly and easily as possible. 1.2 System preparation ====================== Follow these steps before beginning the installation procedure: 1) If you are upgrading the graphics card in your system, return the display adapter settings back to 'Standard VGA', then remove the graphics card to be replaced from your PC. 2) Follow the hardware installation instructions provided with your card before beginning the software installation. If you plan on installing Diamond Autocad productivity tools (BigFocus for ACAD 13 and 3DWin ACAD 13/14), make sure that Autocad release 13 or higher is correctly installed first. 2. Installation =============== The installation procedures described below refer to the installation from the Diamond Fire GL 1000 Pro SuperCD. 2.1 Installation under Windows 95 ================================== Power up your computer and start Windows95 using the standard VGA driver. Select the Windows Start Menu and then 'Run'. Then enter: :START Note: some versions of Windows95 delivered preinstalled on the hard disk of your computer may detect new graphics devices if the current display adapter was not set to "Standard VGA" when the system was delivered. If the Win95 Hardware Wizard detects new graphics devices, and prompts you for the location of graphics drivers for these devices, enter: :\drivers and then continue with the installation. This may be required more than once. 2.2 Installing the Windows NT 4.0 Driver ======================================== Select the Windows Start Menu and then 'Run'. Then enter: :START For more information, please refer to the online documentation. 2.3 Choosing a Monitor ====================== In order to make the best use of your Diamond Fire GL 1000 Pro board, the capabilities of graphics monitor you choose should match those of this board. The monitor refresh rate can be directly selected under Windows NT 4.0 under display settings. To select refresh rates under Windows 95, click on the 'Display' icon in the 'Control Panel'. Select the 'Settings' property page, and then 'Change Display Type...' The current Adapter Type and Monitor Type will be displayed. Choose 'Change...' next to Monitor Type, and select the monitor type that best matches the description of your monitor. For more information, please refer to your manual. *** IMPORTANT *** Only use settings that your monitor supports. If you specify settings that exceed the ratings specified for your monitor, you may permanently damage the monitor! If you change the monitor, first check the ratings of the new monitor and, if necessary, reconfigure your settings accordingly! 3. Features and Restrictions ======================= BIOS Updates - Your Fire GL 1000 Pro is supplied with a 'flash' BIOS which can be reprogrammed by the user if necessary. The BIOS need not be reprogammed as part of a new installation. Future software releases may require a BIOS update. Check with Diamond's online services for current information. AGP - This software release includes AGP support for Windows95 SR2.1 only. The AGP VXD provided is compatible with the Intel 440LX chipset only. If you have a motherboard which uses a different chipset, please contact the manufacturer for the appropriate software. AGP support is only installed when an AGP Fire GL 1000 Pro is present in the machine during software installation, and the correct version of Win95 has already been installed. DirectX - The Windows95 drivers supplied with this software release are compatible with DirectX5 only. Dual Screen - This product does not support dual screen operation under Windows95 or NT4.0. Dualscreen Hardware Support is available with the Fire GL 3000. Stereo - This software release now supports stereo shutter glasses under NT4.0. Stereo display reserves some of the memory available on your Fire GL 1000 Pro for additional stereo images. This limits available 3D accelerated resolutions 640x480 with 4MB, and 1024x768 with 8MB (16 bit). Before using applications which support stereo, select the 'stereo' entry in the device properties, under the 'configuration' tab. HexenOGL and HexenII - Add the extension "-LM_4" to the command line shown in the properties of the shortcut in order to ensure correct texture display. Remove or rename the file "openGL32.dll" installed with the game. Animated Cursor - Software animated cursors may cause corrupted display when used with Direct3d windows under Windows95, and with the 1920x1080 and 1920x1280 modes under NT4. 16 bit Z-buffer - 16 bit Z-buffer resolution is more than adequate for most applications. Those applications that rely on Z-buffer resolutions greater than 16 bits may not display some objects correctly. 3DStudio MAX 1.2/Heidi - Heidi support is provided for NT4 only. When using 32 bit graphics modes, textures may not be mapped to objects correctly. 16 bit color modes operate correctly. 4. Diamond : Service & Support =============================== Technical support for the installation and configuration of Diamond graphic boards and multimedia products, as well as software updates, or optional software packages, are available: - from the Diamond Mailbox - via CompuServe - in the internet - via the Diamond ExpertLine Refer to your manual for more information (addresses, phone numbers, etc).