Matrox M9120 User manual

User Guide
20070-301-0100
2008.05.13
Matrox M-Series
M9120 • M9120 Plus LP • M9125 • M9140 LP
ENGLISH

2 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Overview
Thank you for purchasing a Matrox M-Series graphics card. This product is a high-performance
graphics card that plugs into a PCIe (PCI Express)
× 1 or × 16 slot inside your personal computer.
With a Matrox M-Series card, you can use 2 or 4 computer monitors at a time depending on your
card.
Hardware supplied
Matrox M9120 or M9125
Matrox M9120 Plus LP
Matrox M9140 LP
Matrox graphics card
(M9120 card shown)
2 DVI-to-HD15 adapters
Matrox graphics card 1 dual-monitor cable (LFH60-to-DVI) 2 DVI-to-HD15 adapters
Matrox graphics card 1 quad-monitor cable (KX20-to-DVI) 4 DVI-to-HD15 adapters

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 3
Software available (for Windows 2000/XP/Vista)
 Matrox PowerDesk – to use your Matrox graphics hardware. Matrox provides 32-bit
and 64-bit versions of the display driver. Matrox makes new display drivers available on
the Matrox Technical Support Web site (www.matrox.com/graphics/support/drivers).
 Other software – see the CD-ROM Readme file
Installation overview
To install your Matrox product:
1 Install the Matrox card – see “Hardware installation”, page 4.
2 Connect your monitors – see “Standard (ATX) connection setup”, page 8 or “Low-profile
connection setup”, page 11.
3 Install the software – see “Software setup”, page 15.
Note: If your Matrox product is already partially or fully installed on your computer, some
or all the installation information in this guide may not apply to you. However, this
information may be useful if you need to reinstall your Matrox product.

4 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Hardware installation
This section describes how to install your Matrox card. For information specific to your computer,
like how to remove its cover, see your system manual.
1Open your computer and
remove your existing graphics
card*
If a graphics card isn’t already installed in
your computer, skip to step 2.
a Using Add/Remove Programs
(Windows XP) or
Programs and
Features
(Windows Vista) in the
Windows
Control Panel , remove any
currently installed display drivers.
Restart your computer for the changes
to take effect.
WARN I NG: To avoid personal injury and to prevent damage to your computer or Matrox
hardware, turn off your computer, unplug it, and then wait for it to cool before you install
your Matrox product and touch any of the internal parts of your computer.
While your computer is turned off but still plugged in, some electrical current is supplied
to the motherboard. This current may prevent newly installed hardware from working
properly.
Also, static electricity can severely damage electronic parts. Before touching any electronic
parts, drain static electricity from your body (for example, by touching the metal frame of
your computer). When handling a card, carefully hold it by its edges and avoid touching its
circuitry.
Note: Most Matrox low-profile graphics cards ship with standard (ATX) brackets
compatible with most systems. If you have a low-profile system, you may need to change
the standard bracket on your graphics card to a low-profile bracket. For more information,
see “Replacing brackets on a low-profile graphics card”, page 6.
* With multi-display mode, you may be able to use your existing graphics card. For Windows 2000/XP, see Windows 2000/XP
online help under “Install additional monitors”. For Windows Vista, see the Vista online help under “Add a second monitor”.

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 5
After your computer restarts, you’re prompted to install drivers for the new graphics
hardware detected. Click
Cancel .
b Turn off your computer and all peripherals such as your monitor or printer.
c Open the computer and remove your existing graphics card (if any). (If graphics
hardware is built into the motherboard of your computer, you may need to disable it
manually. For more information, see your system manual.)
2Choose an expansion slot
Most computers have different types of
expansion slots. Choose a PCI Express
(PCIe)
× 16 or × 1 slot depending on the
type of card. Your system manual should
identify the location of each type of
expansion slot in your computer.
Note: We recommend using a PCIe × 16
slot with 16 lane support. If your system
has multiple PCIe
× 16 slots, your choice
of PCIe slots may affect your card or
system performance. For more
information, see your computer manual.
(Back of computer)
(32-bit)
PCI Express
slots
(×16)
(×1)
PCI slots
(64-bit)
WARN I NG: Inserting your Matrox card
into the wrong type of slot could damage
your card, your computer, or both.
×16
×1 ×4 ×8
PCI Express card
64-bit
32-bit
PCI card

6 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
3Insert your Matrox card
a Position your Matrox card over the
expansion slot you’ve chosen.
b Push the card in firmly and evenly until
it’s fully seated in the slot.
c Secure the bracket of your Matrox card
to the computer frame.
Replacing brackets on a low-profile graphics card
Most Matrox low-profile graphics cards ship with ATX brackets compatible with most systems. The
following explains how to change brackets on your Matrox product.
1 Remove the current bracket
from your Matrox graphics card
by removing the screw (
a ) on top
of the graphics card, then the
nuts (
b ) on either side of the
monitor connector.
2 Attach and fasten the new
bracket with the two nuts you
just removed.
ATX bracket
Low-profile
bracket

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 7
For M9140 – Secure the bracket to your graphics card
After you install your Matrox
graphics card in your computer,
but before you connect the
quad-monitor cable, properly
secure the large washer to the
metal frame of your computer.
To secure the washer, slip it over
the monitor connector, then
screw the washer onto the
bracket of your graphics card.
Make sure the washer lies flat
against the frame of your
computer.
WARN I NG: To support the weight of your quad-monitor cable and avoid damaging your graphics
card, you need to secure the bracket of your graphics card to your computer.
Note: Two washers are provided with your Matrox product. Use the small washer if the large
washer doesn’t fit on the frame of your computer.
washer
(small)
washer
(large)
washer graphics
card

8 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Standard (ATX) connection setup
This section describes how to connect your monitors to a standard (ATX) Matrox graphics card.
Note: To c o n n e c t a digital monitor (a
monitor that uses digital input, usually a
flat panel monitor) to your Matrox
product, your monitor must have a DVI
connector.
Some monitors with DVI connectors
support both digital and analog input. If
you’re using one of these monitors with
your Matrox product, make sure it’s configured to use the correct type of input. For more
information, see your monitor documentation.
WARN I NG: Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on. While
your computer is turned on, it may be using monitor settings that are specific to the current
monitor connections. Some devices may be permanently damaged if incorrect settings are
used.
Note: Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct
connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened.
Whenever you restart your computer, make sure your monitors are already turned on.
Otherwise, the software may not be able to properly detect your monitors.
DVI connector
(DVI-D: digital)
HD-15 connector (analog)
DVI connector
(DVI-I: analog/digital)

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 9
Connection overview – DualHead
Step-by-step connection setup – DualHead
1Connect the first monitor
Connect your preferred monitor to the
main connector (
A ) on your Matrox
graphics card.
If your monitor has a DVI connector,
connect it directly to the main connector of
your graphics card.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use the DVI-to-HD15 adapter included with
your Matrox product to connect your
monitor to the main connector.
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (HD-15)
Monitor connector (HD-15)
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (HD-15)

10 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
2Connect the second monitor
If your second monitor uses a DVI
connector, connect it directly to the
secondary connector (
B ) of your graphics
card.
If your second monitor uses an HD-15
connector, use a DVI-to-HD15 adapter
included with your product to connect your
monitor to the secondary connector.
Your Matrox card is now installed. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Software setup”, page 15).
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (HD-15)

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 11
Low-profile connection setup
This section describes how to connect your monitors to a low-profile Matrox graphics card.
Note: To c o n n e c t a digital monitor (a
monitor that uses digital input, usually a
flat panel monitor) to your Matrox
product, your monitor must have a DVI
connector.
Some monitors with DVI connectors
support both digital and analog input. If
you’re using one of these monitors with
your Matrox product, make sure it’s configured to use the correct type of input. For more
information, see your monitor documentation.
WARN I NG: Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on. While
your computer is turned on, it may be using monitor settings that are specific to the current
monitor connections. Some devices may be permanently damaged if incorrect settings are
used.
Note: Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct
connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened.
Whenever you restart your computer, make sure your monitors are already turned on.
Otherwise, the software may not be able to properly detect your monitors.
DVI connector
(DVI-D: digital)
HD-15 connector (analog)
DVI connector
(DVI-I: analog/digital)

12 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Connection overview – DualHead
Step-by-step connection setup – DualHead
1Attach the dual-monitor cable
Attach your dual-monitor cable to the
connector on the bracket of your Matrox card.
Make sure the connectors are properly
fastened.
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector
(HD-15)
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
Dual-monitor cable
Dual-monitor cable
WARN I NG: To avoid damaging the LFH-60 connector on your dual-monitor cable or on
your graphics card, carefully insert the connector on your dual-monitor cable as straight
as possible into the connector on your graphics card. Specifically, inserting the connectors
into each other at an angle is likely to bend and damage the pins on the connector of the
dual-monitor cable.

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 13
2Connect your monitors
If your monitor has a DVI connector,
connect your monitor cable directly to the
dual-monitor cable.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI-to-HD15 adapter included with
your product to connect your monitor cable
to your dual-monitor cable.
Make sure all connectors are properly
fastened.
Connection overview – Quad Display
Monitorconnector
(HD-15)
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector
(DVI)
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (HD-15)
DVI-to-HD15 adapter
Quad-monitor cable

14 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Step-by-step connection setup – Quad Display
1Connect your quad-monitor
cable
Attach your quad-monitor cable to the
connector on the bracket of your Matrox
card. Make sure the connectors are properly
fastened.
2Connect your monitors
If your monitor has a DVI connector,
connect your monitor cable directly to the
quad-monitor cable.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI-to-HD15 adapter included with
your product to connect your monitor cable
to your quad-monitor cable.
Make sure all connectors are properly
fastened.
Your Matrox card is now installed. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Software setup”, page 15).
Quad-monitor
cable
Monitor connector
(HD-15)
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor
connector (DVI)
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
Note: Monitors are numbered consecutively based on which
connector each is attached to. Numbering starts with the
primary display – the one that first displays information
when you restart your computer. If another graphics card is
installed in your computer, display numbering may be
different
.
2
4
3
1

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 15
Software setup
This section describes how to install Matrox software for Windows
2000
, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 , Windows XP ,
and
Windows Vista . The installation of the display driver is the same
for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
You may need administrator rights to install certain software. For
more information, see Windows documentation or contact your
system administrator.
Windows 2000/XP
1Install display driver
Windows detects new hardware when you restart. If Matrox display drivers haven’t been
previously installed, Windows prompts you to install a display driver. When prompted by
the
Found New Hardware wizard to install a display driver for your graphics hardware, click
Cancel .
Insert the Matrox Installation CD-ROM and follow the on-screen intructions. The Matrox
installation program installs Matrox display drivers and PowerDesk software for your
Matrox product.
2Install optional software
After your computer restarts, the setup program shows you a list of additional items you can
install. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3Set up your display software
Use Matrox PowerDesk software to change certain display settings or access Matrox features.
To access PowerDesk, double-click its icon ( ) on your Windows taskbar. To see the
PowerDesk icon in Windows XP, you may need to click the
Show hidden icons button ( )
on your Windows taskbar. For more information on how to use Matrox PowerDesk, see
Matrox PowerDesk help.
Note: This guide has references that are specific to the Matrox installation CD-ROM. If your
Matrox product wasn’t packaged by Matrox (for example, if it was included with your computer),
your product may not include this CD-ROM.
If you don’t have this CD-ROM, certain references in this guide may not reflect the software you
have. For more information, see other software documentation provided by your system vendor.

16 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
Windows Vista
1Install display driver
Windows Vista detects new hardware when you restart and installs a standard VGA driver.
To install the Matrox display driver and PowerDesk software for your product, insert the
Matrox Installation CD-ROM and follow the on-screen intructions.
2Install optional software
After your computer restarts, you can install additional software from the installation CD-
ROM. If Windows User Account Control (UAC) is disabled, the setup program restarts
automatically. Otherwise, you need to manually restart the setup program. To restart
manually, on your Windows taskbar, click
Blocked Starting Program Æ Run Blocked
Programs Matrox
Æ CD Setup . Follow the on-screen instructions.
3Set up your display software
Use Matrox PowerDesk software to change certain display settings or access Matrox features.
To access Matrox PowerDesk, double-click its icon ( ) on your Windows taskbar. To see
the PowerDesk icon, you may need to click the
Show hidden icons button ( ) on your
Windows taskbar.
If you don’t have an icon on your Windows taskbar, you can access Matrox PowerDesk by
clicking
Start Æ All programs Æ Matrox Graphics Æ Matrox PowerDesk .
For more information on how to use Matrox PowerDesk, see Matrox PowerDesk help.

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 17
Troubleshooting
Basic procedures
This section explains basic procedures that are referred to by some troubleshooting items in this
guide.
Restarting in VGA mode
Windows 2000/XP/Vista – What follows is information on how to restart your computer in VGA
mode
.
1 Click Start Æ Shut Down * Æ Restart Æ OK * to restart your computer. (* Depending on
your version and configuration of Windows, this part of the step may not be necessary.)
If your primary monitor is unusable, see your system manual for information on how to
restart your computer using a hardware control.
2 Before Windows starts, press [F8] for the Windows startup menu to appear. (If [F8]
doesn’t work, instead try pressing and holding [Ctrl] before Windows starts.)
3 Select “VGA mode” (or “Low resolution video”), then press [Enter].
Graphics – Main troubleshooting
This section addresses possible problems that could prevent you from using your computer.
Problem Computer doesn’t display information or boot after Matrox card is
installed
1
Cause Your Matrox card may not be properly installed.
1
Solution Make sure your Matrox card is properly installed. Specifically, make sure the card is firmly
inserted in its expansion slot and that all connections to it are firmly in place. For more
information, see “Hardware installation”, page 4.
Note: If your system stops responding while it’s in VGA mode, select “Safe mode”
instead.

18 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
2
Cause If you have more than 1 PCIe × 16 slot, your graphics cards may be using a slot wired
electronically to support PCIe
× 1, × 4, or × 8 speeds.
1
Solution Try moving the PCIe card to another PCIe slot in your computer. For more information on
the PCIe support of your system, see your system manual.
3
Cause There may be unsupported graphics hardware in your computer.
1
Solution If an unsupported graphics card is plugged into an expansion slot, remove it.
2
Solution If graphics hardware is built into your computer motherboard, your system may not have
automatically disabled it when you inserted your Matrox card. Check your system manual
for instructions on how to disable your computer’s built-in graphics hardware.
4
Cause Your computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings may be incorrect.
1
Solution Change your BIOS settings. For more information on your computer BIOS, see your system
manual.
5
Cause Your computer BIOS may not be up to date. For more information on your computer BIOS,
see your system manual.
1
Solution Reinstall your previous graphics card and, if possible, update your computer BIOS. This can
usually be done with software from the manufacturer of your computer. Contact your
system vendor or manufacturer to get a BIOS update for your computer.
To get the correct BIOS update, you may need to know the serial number your computer
displays when it restarts. (This number is usually in the lower-left corner of the display.)
6
Cause The BIOS of your Matrox graphics card may need to be updated or restored.
1
Solution For advanced users – If you have another VGA-compatible graphics card (PCI), you can try
resetting the BIOS of your Matrox graphics card.
1 Turn off your computer and insert the other graphics card into an expansion slot. For
more information on expansion slots, see “Choose an expansion slot”, page 5.

Matrox M-Series – User Guide 19
2 Plug your monitor into the other graphics card and restart your computer.
3 Insert your Matrox installation CD-ROM.
4 Click Start Æ Run , type D:\Sysutils . You will need to use the PBIOSWin program to
update the BIOS of your Matrox graphics card. For more information on how to use this
program, see the
Readme file in the Sysutils folder.
5 Turn off your computer, remove the other graphics card, then plug your monitor into
your Matrox graphics card.
6 Restart your computer.
Problem Wrong color balance, screen image off-center, or no picture at all
1
Cause Your monitor video controls may be improperly set.
1
Solution Adjust your monitor controls (brightness, contrast, and so on). For more information, see
your monitor manual.
2
Cause Your monitor may not be properly connected.
1
Solution Make sure you’re using the correct connectors (see “Standard (ATX) connection setup”, page
8or “Low-profile connection setup”, page 11) and that all connectors are properly fastened.
2
Solution Make sure the monitor power cable is firmly in place.
3
Solution Make sure the connection to the back of the monitor is firmly in place.
3
Cause If your monitor supports multiple input sources (analog/digital), it may be configured to use
the wrong source.
1
Solution Make sure your monitor is using the correct input source. For more information on selecting
the input source for your monitor, see your monitor documentation.
Note: Make sure your computer uses the other graphics card to control your primary
display. The graphics card that controls your primary display is the one that first
displays information when you restart your computer.
Your computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and the slot type (PCI, or PCIe –
see “Choose an expansion slot”, page 5) of each graphics card help determine which
graphics card controls your primary display.
To control which graphics card is used for your primary display, you may be able to
change the configuration of your computer BIOS. For information on how to change
your computer BIOS settings, see your system manual.

20 Matrox M-Series – User Guide
2
Solution Change your connection setup to use a different input source. For more information, see
“Standard (ATX) connection setup”, page 8 or “Low-profile connection setup”, page 11.
Problem After the startup screen, or after display settings are changed, the
screen image is garbled or unusable
(blank screen, rolling or overlapping screen images)
1
Cause Analog monitors only – The Matrox display driver may be trying to use settings your
monitor doesn’t support. This can happen if the display resolution was changed to one your
monitor doesn’t support or if the monitor connected to your computer was changed without
changing the display or monitor settings in the software.
1
Solution Make sure your monitor supports the display mode currently in use. After installing your
Matrox product, your system uses either the preferred display mode for your monitor or a
display mode of 800 × 600 at 60 Hz.
2
Solution If none of your displays are available, reinstall your Matrox display drivers. For more
information on reinstalling your display driver, see the following solution.
2
Cause Files on your system may have been deleted or corrupted.
1
Solution Uninstall, then reinstall Matrox software:
Windows 2000/XP/Vista –
1 If your primary display is unusable, restart your computer in VGA mode (see “Restarting
in VGA mode”, page 17).
2 To remove Matrox software:
Windows 2000/XP –
a Click Start Æ Settings * Æ Control Panel Æ Add/Remove Programs (double-click*)
Æ Matrox PowerDesk-SE Æ Change/Remove Æ Yes . (* Depending on your version
and configuration of Windows, this part of the step may not be necessary.)
b Click Matrox Driver Æ Change/Remove Æ Yes .
WARN I NG: If incorrect software monitor settings are applied, some monitors can be
permanently damaged. For more information, see your monitor manual.
Note: Before removing software, make sure you have all the necessary files to reinstall
software that may still be needed. Also, make sure the display driver you reinstall supports
all Matrox products in your computer.