ATI Technologies Nexus GA User manual

Nexus
™
GA
User’s Guide
Version 1.0 - September 1997
P/N: 107-40084-10 Rev. A
Copyright © 1997, ATI Technologies Inc.
ATI and Nexus are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ATI
Technologies Inc. All other company and/or product names are trademarks and/
or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Pricing, availability,
features, performance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Product may not be exactly as shown in the diagrams.
All rights reserved, including those to reproduce this manual or parts thereof, in
any form without the express written permission ofATI Technologies Inc.
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Disclaimer
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, ATI
Technologies Inc. assumes no liability to any party for errors or omissions
contained in the Software or related documentation, any interruption of service,
loss or interruption of business or anticipatory profits or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use
of the Software and related documentation.
ATI Technologies Inc. reserves the right to make changes without further notice
to a product or system described herein to improve reliability, function or
design.
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Table of Contents
1. Getting Started................................................ 1
Introduction.....................................................................1
What You'll Need ...........................................................2
Related Documentation.................................................2
2. Installing Your Hardware.............................. 3
Installing your Nexus GA .............................................4
About Monitor Sensing .................................................9
3. Installing Your Software..............................11
About ATI Software .....................................................11
Installing Software .......................................................11
4. Using Nexus GA 3D Features....................... 13
Viewing 3D Graphics...................................................14
ATI Displays Control Panel ........................................15
A. Troubleshooting Tips.................................... 25
Before Contacting Customer Support .......................25
Solutions to Common Problems.................................25
B. Specifications................................................. 29
Video Mode Table ........................................................29
Memory Upgrade .........................................................32
Specifications.................................................................33
C. Compliance Information .............................. 35
D. Glossary.......................................................... 39
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Page 1
Getting Started
Introduction
Nexus GA represents the next generation in 2D and 3D
rendering and graphic acceleration for your PCI-based
Mac OS computer. Equipped with all the 3D hardware
drawing capabilities in demand by designers, your new
graphics accelerator provides:
¥ QuickDraw 3D acceleratation providing superior 3D
rendering performance and advanced imaging and
Þltering techniques
¥ QuickDraw acceleratation supporting 2D resolutions
up to 1920x1080 in millions of colors.
The ATI Displays control panel provides quick access to
all of Nexus GAÕs easy-to-use features, and you have
instant access to help using ATI Guide, the ATI Apple
Guide.
A glossary of the bold terms used throughout this manual
is available in the ÒGlossaryÓ on page 39 of this user guide
and also in the ATI Guide.
NOTE
1
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WhatYou'll Need
The Nexus GA card runs with the following minimum
system requirements:
¥ Power Macintosh or Mac OS compatible computer,
with a PCI expansion slot
¥ Mac OS 7.5.5 or later software
¥ Apple monitor or VGA-style monitor
¥ QuickDraw 3D 1.5.1 or later (included)
¥ Minimum 16MB of system memory (QuickDraw 3D
requires 16MB of system memory)
Nexus GA and ATI Multimedia components are Mac OS 8
compatible.
Related Documentation
The README Þle summarizes the latest product
revisions. Double-click the README icon on the
installation disk to open this Þle.
The Nexus GA card comes with ATI Guide, which
provides online help for making the best use of your
cardÕs features. Access the ATI Guide by clicking on the
Apple Guide icon on the ATI Displays control panel.
NOTE
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InstallingYour Hardware
Nexus GA fits into connectors called expansion slots, inside
your computer.
Your Mac OS computer has one or more slots, each designed to
accept Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) cards.
The following procedure details the installation of a card in a
typical Mac OS PCI-based tower computer. If your computer
does not match this configuration, please refer to the expansion
card installation instructions that came with your computer.
!
WARNING
• The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damage,
caused directly or indirectly, by improper installation of
components by unauthorized service personnel. If you
do not feel comfortable performing the installation,
consult a qualified technician.
• Make sure power is off during installation; otherwise,
damage to system components, the graphics accelerator
card, and injury to yourself may result.
NOTE
2
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Installing your Nexus GA
Turn off your computer, and disconnect the monitor cable.
Remove the computer cover. If necessary, consult your
computer system manual for removal instructions.
!
IMPORTANT
• If your computer stops responding (hangs) after
installing the Nexus GA card, you may have an
incompatible graphics accelerator extension.
• Restart your computer and hold down the SHIFT key
during startup. This disables all extensions from loading.
After disabling extensions, you can update the graphics
accelerator extension by installing the software included
with your card. For more information about installing
the software, see “Installing Software” on page 11.
1
2
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Choose the PCI expansion slot you wish to use.
Touch the metal part of the power supply case.
Touching the grounded portion of the power supply case
discharges your body’s static electricity.
Lower the auxiliary fan.
3
4
Power Supply
5
To lower the fan, squeeze the sides to unlatch it.
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Remove the metal access cover from the expansion slot you
want to use.
Align the connector on the card with the PCI expansion slot
and press firmly until fully seated.
Do not force the card. The card should fit snugly into the
expansion slot.
6
1.To release the
access port cover,
pull the two levers
next to the access
port apart.
2. Slide the access port cover out and away from the access port.
7
Connector
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