Gigabyte GV-RX24P256HE User manual

GV-RX24P256HE
RadeonTM HD 2400 Pro Graphics Accelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MD-RX24P2HE-101R
Copyright
© 2007 GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
Copyright by GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. ("GBT"). No part of this manual may be reproduced ortransmitted in any from
without the expressed, written permission of GBT.
Trademarks
Third-party brands and names are the property of their respective owners.
Notice
Please do not remove any labels on VGA card, this may void the warranty of this VGA card
Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this booklet.
The author assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear in this document nor does the author make a
commitment to update the information contained herein.
Macrovision corporation product notice:
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights.
Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewing
uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

- 2 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 3
1.1. Features ..................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Minimum System Requirements ................................................................... 3
2. Hardware Installation ........................................................................... 4
2.1. Board Layout .............................................................................................. 4
2.2. Hardware Installation ................................................................................... 6
3. Software Installation ............................................................................ 9
3.1. Windows® XP Driver and Utilities Installation ................................................. 9
3.1.1. Operating System Requirement ................................................................................... 9
3.1.2. DirectX Installation ........................................................................................................ 10
3.1.3. Driver Installation ........................................................................................................... 11
3.1.4. Taskbar Icon ................................................................................................................. 13
3.1.5. Display Properties pages ............................................................................................ 15
4. Troubleshooting Tips ........................................................................ 32
5. Appendix .......................................................................................... 33
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS mode .............................................. 33
5.2. Resolutions and Color Depth Table (In Windows® XP) ............................... 34
Regulatory Statements.......................................................................... 35

Introduction- 3 -
English
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
Powered by ATi RadeonTM HD 2400 Pro Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
•Supports PCI Express x16
•Integrated with 256 MB GDDR2 memory
•Supports DirectX 10
•SupportsAV output
•Supports 1 Dual-Link DVI-I connector
•Supports 1 D-Sub connector
•Supports HDMI connector (by adapter, optional)
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®4 or AMD AthlonTM
- 512 MB of system memory; 1 GB or more for best performance
- Optical drive for software installation (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive)
•Operating System
- Windows® Vista
- Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XP Professional x64 Edition

- 4 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
DVI-I Connector
D-Sub Connector
(15-pin)
RCA
RCA
DVI-I
Connector
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Sub
Connector
(15-pin)
DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
AV Output
NTSC / PAL TV Projector
OR
DVI-I to HDMI Adapter
HDMI Monitor
D-Sub
Output
Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor
OR
Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor
OR D-Sub Output

Hardware Installation
- 5 -
English
The entire Radeon HD 2000 series support HDMI output which can handle both
audio and video signals. However, audio output from the onboard audio control-
ler or the external sound card will be disabled when HDMI output is activated.
If no need for HDMI output function, set the onboard audio controller or the external sound
card to be the default Sound Playback device to obtain audio output from your system. For
more details, refer to page 14.
Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To
protect them against damage from static electricity, you should follow some
precautions whenever you work on your computer.
1. Turn off your computer and unplug power supply.
2. Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer components. If you do not have
one, touch both of your hands to a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as
the power supply case.
3. Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or on the bag that came with the
components whenever the components are separated from the system.
The card contains sensitive electric components, which can be easily damaged by static
electricity, so the card should be left in its original packing until it is installed.
Unpacking and installation should be done on a grounded anti-static mat. The operator
should be wearing an anti-static wristband, grounded at the same point as the anti-static
mat.
Inspect the card carton for obvious damage. Shipping and handling may cause damage
to your card. Be sure there are no shipping and handling damages on the card before
proceeding.
DO NOT APPLY POWER TO YOUR SYSTEM IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED ON
THE CARD.
In order to ensure your graphics card working correctly, please use official
GIGABYTE BIOS only. Use none official Gigabyte BIOS might cause problem
on the graphics card.

- 6 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
2.2. Hardware installation
Installing Your graphics card.
Now that you have prepared your computer, you are ready to install your graphics accelerator
card.
To remove the existing graphics card:
1. Power off the computer and monitor, then
disconnect the display cable from the back
of your computer.
2. Remove the computer cover. If necessary,
consult your computer's manual for help in
removing the cover.
3. Remove any existing graphics card from
your computer.

Hardware Installation
- 7 -
English
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please
refer to next chapter for detailed instructions.
2. Replace the screw to fasten the card in place,
and replace the computer cover.
3. Plug the display cable into your card; then
turn on the computer and monitor. If your
graphics card came with a DVI-I connector,
you can connect a flat panel display to the
appropriate connector, as shown below. Or
use the DVI-I-to-HDMI adapter to connect
an HDMI monitor.
Connectan HDMI monitor viaDVI-I to HDMI adapter
To TV/VCRTo D-Sub Monitor To Flat Panel Display
To install your new graphics card:
1. Locate a PCI Express x16 slot. If necessary,
remove the metal cover from the slot; then
align your graphics card with the PCI
Express x16 slot, and press it in firmly until
the card is fully seated.
* Please make sure that the gold edge connector
of the graphics card is securely inserted.

- 8 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
GIGABYTE Thermal Solution Guidelines:
1. GIGABYTE established the use of silent pipes on graphics card's thermal solution, and has been
the leading company for silent thermal solution. GIGABYTE's passive thermal solution allows
system to work perfectly in chassis with 40~50 degrees Celsius through the air flow of the system.
Please beware of the other excess component or insufficient system thermal design that may
cause high system temperature. Excess high temperature will affect the passive thermal design
and thus compromising system stability.
2. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY's passive thermal design effectively implemented heat exchange,
radiation and convection to improve stability of the system. Please maintain passive thermal sink
at a normal and clean environment. Extra dust on heatsink may decrease the effectiveness of the
thermal design.
Silent Thermal Technology Passive Thermal Design

Software Installation- 9 -
English
3. Software Installation
In this manual, we assume that your CD-ROM Drive letter to be Drive D:
The installation of Windows®XP drivers is very simple. When you insert the driver CD into
your CD-ROM drive, you can see the AUTORUN window (if it does not show up, run "D:
\setup.exe"). Then you can follow the guides to setup your graphics card driver. (Please
follow the subsection 3.1.3 "Driver Installation" to install the driver for your graphics
accelerator.)
3.1. Windows®XP Driver and Utilities Installation
3.1.1. Operating System Requirement
•When loading the graphics card drivers for the system, please make sure your system
has installed DirectX 9.0c or later version.
•If you install the graphics card drivers for the motherboard, which consist of SIS, or VIA
chipsets, please install the appropriate driver program for that motherboard. Or please
contact your motherboard nearest dealer for motherboard driver.

- 10 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
3.1.2. DirectX Installation
Install Microsoft DirectX to enable 3D hardware acceleration support for Windows®XP to
achieve better 3D performance.
0Note: For software MPEG support in Windows®XP, you must install DirectX first. Users
who run Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or above do not need to install DirectX
separately.
Step 1. When autorun window show up, click the
Install DirectX 9 item.
Step 2. Choose I accept the agreement
and click the Next button.
Step 3. Click the Next button.
Step 4. Click Finish to restart computer.
Then the DirectX 9 installation is completed.
Installing the components.
Click the Install DirectX 9 item.

Software Installation- 11 -
English
3.1.3. Driver Installation
A. New hardware found
After the graphics card is inserted into your computer at the first time, the windows will
automatically detect a new hardware in the system and pop out a "New Hardware Found"
message. The following is the step-by-step installation guide.
Step 1: Found new hardware wizard: Video controller (VGA Compatible)
Click the Next button to install the driver. (There is
a driver CD disk that came with your graphics
accelerator, please insert it now.)
Or click the Cancel button to install the driver from
AUTORUN window.
Step 2: Found new hardware wizard: Searching and installing
The wizard will search for the driver and install it automatically.
Step 3: Found new hardware wizard: Finish
Click the Finish button to finish the installation.

- 12 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
B. Driver installation (Autorun Window)
Insert the driver CD disk into your CD-ROM, and then you can see the AUTORUN window.
If it does not show up, please run "D:\setup.exe".
Click the Install Display Driver item.
Step 1. When autorun window show up, click the
Install Display Driver item.
Step 2. Click Next button. Step 3. Click Yes button.
Setp 4. Click Express or Custom icon.
Step 5. Click the Finish button to restart computer.
Then the driver installation is completed.
Windows installings the components.

Software Installation- 13 -
English
3.1.4. Taskbar Icon
ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center:
After installation of the display driver, you will find an ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center icon on
the taskbar's status area. The ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center is used to configure all your graphics
card settings. Right-click the icon to enter the CATALYSTTM Control Center (refer to Fig. 1). Or you
can right-click on the desktop and select ATI CATALYST Control Center (refer to Fig. 2).
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

- 14 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
Using the picture to the left as the example, to set HDMI audio
to be the default Sound Playback device, in the Default
device box, select ATI HD Audio rear output. Otherwise,
select Realtek HD Audio output, which is the onboard
audio controller.
Configuring Audio Output
Configure the default audio output device based upon your needs.
Step 1:
Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices.
Step 2:
In the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box, click the Audio tab.

Software Installation- 15 -
English
3.1.5. Display Properties pages
To access Display Properties pages, right-click on Desktop and then select Properties. The
Display Properties dialog box shows the information of display adapter, color, the range of
display area, and the refresh rate.
Settings (Resolutions and Color depth for Windows)
You may adjust the screen resolution and color quality settings in this dialog box.
You can click the item to change the color quality.
Click the Advanced button for adapter and setting.
You can move the slider to change the resolution.
(Note) The CRT+TV configuration requires that you connect your CRT display to the DVI-I connector
on the card using the DVI-I to D-Sub adapter to ensure normal operation.
This configuration is not supported if the CRT monitor is directly attached to the D-Sub port on the
card.
Display
Matrix
Model GV-RX24P256HE
CRT+TV (Note) Yes
CRT+DVI Yes
DVI+TV Yes
DVI+TV+CRT No
HDMI+TV Yes
HDMI+CRT Yes

- 16 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center Basic View :
The Basic View is the default view when CATALYST Control Center is launched for the first time. This
interface provides access to the basic settings and advanced features of your ATI graphics products.
You can switch between Basic View and Advanced View at any time.
To access more settings in Basic View , click
Basic, and then click Next.
Easy Setup Wizards:
Choose a wizard from the central list and click Go for step-by-step assistance.
Avivo Video Converter
This wizard assists you to convert videos from one file format to another.
Step 1: Select Avivo Video Converter,
then click Go.
Step 2: Select the video file to be converted.
Step 3: In the Output Folder area, select the destination folder where the new file will be located. Click
Next.

Software Installation- 17 -
English
The video file has been successfully converted.
Setup my display configuration
This wizard allows you to configure display
setting for desktop viewing.
Step 4: In the Output Video Format list, select a
file format for the new file. If you wish to change the
name of the new file, enter the new name in the
Output File area. Finally, click Next to start file
conversion.

- 18 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
Information Center:
The Information Center page in Basic andAdvanced View provides hardware and software information
about the installed graphics card.
Graphics Software
Provides software information including driver
version, CATALYST version, Direct 3D ver-
sion and so on.
Graphics Hardware
Provides hardware information incluing graph-
ics chipset, BIOS version, memory size, core
clock and so on.
Quick Settings:
The Quick Settings page provide access to three main settings.
3D Quality
3D Performance and Quality settings allows
your 3D games and applications to get faster
performance and better quality with a more
balanced setting.
Video Playback
Use this option to optimize video playback in
different room environment or to select how
video playback appears on the second display.
Display Setup
This option allows you to configure your
desktop, including changing desktop resolution
and desktop mode, setting up extended desk-
top (requires more than one display), and rotat-
ing desktop image to match new display
orientation.

Software Installation- 19 -
English
ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center Advanced View
TheAdvanced page allows you to configure all of the many available settings of your ATI graphics card.
View Properties:
The CATALYST Control Center dashboard supports three types of views: Basic View/
Advanced View/ Custom View.
Basic View
The Basic view is the default view when
CATALYST Control Center is launched for the
first time. Refer to the previous pages for details.
Advanced View
The Advanced view provides access to the
advanced features on each page. The left
navigation pane displays a tree view that lists
all the advanced features. The Advanced view
is recommended for experienced users.
Custom View
The Custom view allows you to display only
the features you choose in the left navigation
pane. The Custom view is recommended for
experienced users who want to expose only
the features they adjust most often or that their
3D application supports.
Hotkeys Properties:
The Hotkeys Manager allows you to create shortcut key combinations to quickly perform tasks such
as changing a graphics setting or opening an application. A Hotkey is a combination of a modifier key
or keys, such as Ctrl, Alt, or Shift, and any letter from the alphabet.

- 20 -
English
GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator
Profiles Properties:
You can use profiles to create customized environments for your desktop, video, and 3D applications.
Define and save your own personal video settings that can be quickly activated manually, through a
Hotkey, or by file association.
Preferences Properties:
The Preferences page helps to restore defaults, change skins, and update the CATALYST Control
Center. The CATALYST Control Center Preferences page contains the following options:
Always on Top
Hide Tooltips
Hide Toolbar Text
Hide Splash Screen
Enable System Tray Menu
Select a Language ...
Select a Skin ...
Restore Factory Defaults ...
Note: A profile applies to a specific graphics
card. If there is more than one graphics
card installed in your computer, you need
to select the appropriate card before
creating, loading, or activating a Profile.