Gigabyte Gv-rx24p256he User manual

GV-RX24P256HE

RadeonTM HD 2400 Pro Graphics Accelerator

User's Manual

Rev. 101

12MD-RX24P2HE-101R

without the expressed, written permission of GBT.

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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Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this booklet.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.

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Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewing

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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 -

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1. Introduction

1.1. Features

•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

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GV-RX24P256HE Graphics Accelerator

2. Hardware Installation

2.1. Board Layout

DVI-I Connector

D-Sub Connector

(15-pin)

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

DVI-I to HDMI Adapter

HDMI Monitor

D-Sub

Output

Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor

OR D-Sub Output

Hardware Installation

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 -

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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.

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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 -

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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.

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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 -

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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

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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 -

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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

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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 -

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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.

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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 -

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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.

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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.

Table of contents

Gigabyte GV-RX24P256HE User manual

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