ATI Technologies 3D XPRESSION User manual

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3D XPRESSION
User’s Guide
Version 1.0 CD
© Copyright 1996, by ATI Technologies Inc.
All rights reserved, including those to reproduce this guide or parts thereof, in any form without
the express written permission of ATI Technologies Inc.
Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Trademarks and/or registered
trademarks are the properties of their respective owners:
ATI, mach64, 3D XPRESSION, 3D RAGE, ATI DeskTop, FlexDesk+, DeskScape, WinSwitch
— ATI Technologies Inc.; AutoCAD, AutoShade, 3D Studio — Autodesk Inc.; MicroStation —
Bentley Systems Inc.; Pentium, Pentium Pro — Intel Corporation;
IBM, PC, VGA, OS/2 — International Business Machines Corp.; Windows 3.1x, Windows95,
Windows NT, Video for Windows — Microsoft Corp.; MultiSync — NEC Technologies Inc.;
VL-Bus, VESA — Video Electronics Standards Association.
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Disclaimer
The manufacturer (MFR) reserves the right to make changes to this
document and the products which it describeswithout notice. The
MFR shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
made herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting
from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
The MFR makes no representation that the interconnection of products
in the manner described herein will not infringe on existing or future
patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained herein imply the
granting of license to make, use or sell equipment constructed in
accordance with this description.
The PCI mach64 accelerators have been designed to support the PCI
local bus standards.Some computersuse proprietary local bus circuitry
and therefore may not be fully compatible with the MFR’s local bus
cards. Although tested successfully in a wide variety of computer
systems, the MFR cannot be held responsible for any incompatibilities
which may occur between this card and the system configuration you
plan to use. We recommend that you check with the dealer or
distributor for your computer system before installing your card.
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Table of Contents
Getting Started ...............................................................1
What is 3D XPRESSION? ..................................................2
What’s in the Package? .......................................................3
System Requirements ..........................................................3
Using this Guide ..................................................................4
Other Sources of Information ..............................................4
Hardware Installation ....................................................5
Preparing Your Computer ...................................................6
Installing the Hardware .......................................................7
Installing ATI’s Enhanced Drivers .............................11
Installing Enhanced Drivers for Windows 95 ...................12
Installing Software MPEG for Windows 95 ...............13
Installing Enhanced Drivers for Windows NT ..................14
Installing Enhanced Drivers for Windows 3.1x ................15
Using Software MPEG with Windows 3.1x ................17
Installing Enhanced Drivers for OS/2 ...............................18
Installing Enhanced Drivers for AutoCAD .......................20
Installing Enhanced Drivers for MicroStation ..................22
Using VESA BIOS Extensions .........................................24
Special Features ..........................................................25
Adding ATI’s TV Tuner ....................................................26
Adding ATI’s Hardware MPEG ........................................26
Reference .....................................................................27
Running Diagnostics .........................................................28
Troubleshooting Tips .........................................................29
ATI Multimedia Channel ..................................................32
Specifications ....................................................................33
Video Mode Table .............................................................34
Compliance Information ....................................................35
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CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
Welcome to the exciting world of 3D! This new technology
adds a new dimension to your computer experience.
ATI’s 3D XPRESSION brings games to lifewith stunning
graphics and screaming fast action previously available only on
gaming consoles. Its features will transform your computer into
a high performance multimedia workstation.
This guide provides all the information you need to install the
3D XPRESSION. Enjoy the new dimension!
IN THIS CHAPTER...
• What is 3D XPRESSION?
• What’s in the Package?
• SystemRequirements
• Using this Guide
• Other Sources of Information
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2 Getting Started
What is 3D XPRESSION?
The 3D XPRESSION isa 3D games and multimedia accelerator
card. It uses ATI’s 3D RAGE accelerator chip to provide
advanced 3D support, accelerated 2D graphics, and TV quality
video.
Games andsoftware applications that support the 3D RAGE run
with fluid motion and in brilliant color. Graphics are smooth
and highly detailed.
The 3D XPRESSION’s advanced features support the next
generation of3D capabilities:
• Mip maps
• Gouraud shading
• Lit and video textures
• Alpha blending and fog effects
• Six levels of texture mapping
• Perspectively correct texture mapping
The 3D XPRESSION is a part of ATI’s legendary mach64
family of graphics accelerators. Your existing 2D games and
applications will snap to life with 64-bit acceleration and faster,
more vibrant colors.
Viewing full-screen, full-motion video is now possible with the
3D XPRESSION’s superiorMPEG and video playback. The
TV quality video playback is the best available today.
For future expansion, you can use the ATI Multimedia Channel
to blend the entertainment of your TV with the intelligence of
your PC. ATI’s TVtunerand hardware MPEG player are add-in
cards designed to work with the 3D XPRESSION. (For more
information, see Special Features on page 25.)
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Getting Started 3
What’s in the Package?
Your package includes the following hardware, software, and
documentation:
• 3D XPRESSION accelerator card
• ATI’s Installation CD-ROM
• User’s Guide
If any components are missing or damaged, please contact your
dealer.
System Requirements
•Computer System — 486/Pentium®/Pentium Pro®, or
compatible systems with PCI Local Bus
•Expansion Slot — 32-bit PCI Local Bus
•Operating System — DOS 5.0 or higher, Windows 95®,
Windows 3.1x®, Windows NT®, orOS/2
Software MPEG playback is currently supported in
Windows 95 and Windows 3.1x.
•Monitor — VGA, supporting minimum 640x480 resolution.
A Plug-and-Play monitor which supports VESA’s Display
Channel specifications (DDC1 or DDC2b) is required to
take advantage of the DDC1/DDC2b features.
•Display Drivers — Any standard VGA or VESA drivers
For best performance, install ATI’smach64 enhanced
drivers that are supplied in this package.
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4 Getting Started
Using this Guide
The organization of this guide is as follows:
Other Sources of Information
If you need additional help or require information that is not
included in this guide, see the following sources of information:
Readme File
This file contains the latest information aboutyour
3D XPRESSION.
To view the Readme file in DOS
1InsertATI’s Installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2Type D: (If Dis not yourCD-ROM drive, substitute Dwith the
correct drive letter).
3Type README.
Online Help
If you require additional information, you can refer to the online
help available under Windows 3.1x and Windows 95 for more
information about using ATI’s mach64 enhanced drivers.
Hardware Installation contains step by step instructions to
help you place your card in your computer.
Reference contains troubleshooting tips and specifications
about your card.
Installing ATI’s Enhanced Drivers describes how to
install display driver software.
Special Features explains how you can take advantage of
the extra add-in features.
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CHAPTER 2
Hardware Installation
Installing your 3D XPRESSION consists of two easy steps.
• Placing the card in your computer
• Installing ATI’s mach64 enhanced display drivers
This chapter explains how to place your card in your computer.
.
IN THIS CHAPTER...
• Preparing Your Computer
• Installing the Hardware
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6 Hardware Installation
Preparing Your Computer
If you are using an operating system other than Windows 95,
you may need to do the following before installing your card:
• If your current system configuration uses special drivers that
are not 640x480 VGA, you may encounter conflicts with the
card. We recommend that you first reconfigure your
operating system to use a standard VGA driver before
installing the card. For more information about changing
your operating system configuration, see your operating
system documentation.
Discharge your body’s static electric charge by touching
a grounded surface — e.g., the metal surface of the
power supply — before performing any hardware
procedure.
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damage,
caused directly or indirectly, by improper installation of
any components by unauthorized service personnel. If
you do not feel comfortable performing the installation,
consult a qualified computer technician.
Damage to systemcomponents, the acceleratorcard, and
injury to yourself may result if power is applied during
installation.
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