Matrox RAD Series User manual

Matrox RAD Series
User Guide
10888-301-0200
2005.03.22

2 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
Contents
Overview...................................................................................................................3
Hardware supplied....................................................................................................................................3
Software supplied......................................................................................................................................4
Installation overview.................................................................................................................................4
Hardware installation ...............................................................................................5
Replacing brackets on a low-profile graphics card..................................................................................8
Connection setup.....................................................................................................9
Connecting a standard (ATX) card..........................................................................................................9
Connecting a low-profile card................................................................................................................11
Software setup .......................................................................................................12
Display setup..........................................................................................................13
Accessing PowerDesk..............................................................................................................................13
Monitor setup .........................................................................................................................................13
Portrait monitor setup............................................................................................................................14
Multi-display setup .................................................................................................................................15
Grayscale setup........................................................................................................................................15
More PowerDesk information................................................................................................................15
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................16
Basic procedures .....................................................................................................................................16
Main troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................16
Extra troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................21
Product information ...............................................................................................30
More information....................................................................................................37
Warranty .................................................................................................................38
Software license agreement ..................................................................................40
Index .......................................................................................................................41

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 3
Overview
Your Matrox RAD Series product is designed to provide reviewing and diagnosing capabilities to the
medical imaging market. With its high image quality, sharp grayscale and color output, and multi-
display support, this product can be used for a range of medical applications, including PACS (Picture
Archiving and Communication Systems), X-ray imaging, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and
digital radiography.
You can connect up to 2 monitors (analog or digital) at a time to your Matrox RAD Series product.
RAD Series cards support display resolutions up to 2 megapixels with analog monitors (1600
× 1200
in landscape orientation and up to 1200
× 1600 in portrait orientation), and up to 3 megapixels with
digital monitors (2048
× 1536 in landscape orientation and up to 1536 × 2048 in portrait
orientation), depending on your product.
This guide provides information for AGP, PCI, and PCIe (PCI Express) versions of Matrox RAD
Series products.
Hardware supplied
Matrox RAD2mp, RAD3mp, or RAD PCIe
Matrox RAD PCI (Low-profile)
Matrox card (AGP card shown)DVI-to-HD15 adapter *
* For more information, see page 9.
Matrox card Dual-monitor cable DVI-to-HD15 adapter *
* For more information, see page 11.

4 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
Software supplied
! Matrox PowerDesk – to use your Matrox product
! Other software – see the CD-ROM Readme file
Installation overview
To install your Matrox product:
1 Install the Matrox card – see “Hardware installation”, page 5.
2 Connect your monitors – see “Connection setup”, page 9.
3 Install the software – see “Software setup”, page 12.
4 Set up the software – see “Display setup”, page 13.
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.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 5
Hardware installation
This section describes how to install your Matrox card. If your Matrox card is already installed in your
computer, skip to “Connection setup”, page 9. 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 in the
Windows
Control Panel , remove any
currently installed display drivers.
Restart your computer for the changes
to take effect.
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, this graphics hardware should
automatically disable itself after your Matrox card is installed. For more information, see
your system manual.)
WARNING: To avoid personal injury, turn off your computer, unplug it, and then wait for
it to cool before you touch any of its internal parts. 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: 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 8.
* 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”.

6 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
2Choose an expansion slot
Most computers have different types of
expansion slots. Choose an AGP, PCI, or PCI
Express ×16 (PCIe) slot, depending on the
type of Matrox card you have. If you have a
PCI card, your card supports both 64-bit
and 32-bit PCI slots. Your system manual
should identify the location of each type of
expansion slot in your computer.
(64-bit)
(Back of computer)
(32-bit)
PCI
Express
slots
AGP slot
(×16)
(×1)
PCI
slots
Note: If you’re using a PCI graphics card in a PCI-X compatible slot, your choice of PCI slot
may affect your card or system performance. For more information, see your computer
manual.
WARNING: Inserting your Matrox card
into the wrong type of slot could damage
your card, your computer, or both.
If you have a PCI card and the versions
(32- or 64-bit) of your card and PCI
expansion slot are different, only part of
the card’s edge connector (the part closest
to the bracket) or expansion slot (the part
closest to the back of the computer)
should be used.
PCI card
32-bit 64-bit
AGP card
PCI Express ×16 card

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 7
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.
Your Matrox card is now installed.
Before restarting your computer, connect your monitor or
monitors (see “Connection setup”, page 9).
After connecting, restart your computer and install your
Matrox software (see “Software setup”, page 12).
WARNING: If your computer doesn’t restart after your Matrox card is installed, turn off
your computer to avoid damaging electronic parts. For troubleshooting information, see
page 16.

8 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
Replacing brackets on a low-profile graphics card
Matrox low-profile graphics cards ship with standard (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 hexagonal nuts
on either side of the monitor
connector.
2 Attach and fasten the new
bracket with the two hexagonal
nuts you just removed.
Standard (ATX)
bracket
Low-profile
bracket

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 9
Connection setup
This section describes how to connect monitors to your standard (ATX) and low-profile Matrox
products. For information on how to connect a low-profile card, see page 11.
Connecting a standard (ATX) card
1Connect the first monitor
Connect your preferred monitor to themain
connector (
A ) on your Matrox card.
If your monitor has a DVI connector,
connect it directly to the main connector of
your card.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use the DVI-to-HD15 adapter included with
your productto connect your monitor to the
main connector.
WARNING: 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.
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector (HD-15)

10 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
2Connect the second monitor
If your second monitor has a DVI connector,
connect it directly to the secondary
connector (
B ) of your card.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI-to-HD15 adapter to connect your
monitor to the main connector. If you need
a
second DVI-to-HD15 adapter, contact
your computer vendor.
Your Matrox card is now installed. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Software setup”, page 12).
Note: To connect 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.
If you have an
analog monitor (a monitor
that uses analog input) with a DVI
connector and you want to connect it to
an HD-15 connector, you’ll need a separate adapter. If this adapter isn’t included with your
monitor, contact your monitor vendor.
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.
DVI connector
(digital)
HD-15 connector (analog)
DVI connector
(analog/digital)
Monitor connector (DVI)
Monitor connector
(HD-15)
Note: 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.
Note: The left-to-right order of your displays isn’t dependent on your connection setup
and, through Matrox PowerDesk software, you can re-order your displays to match your
Windows desktop. For more information, see Matrox PowerDesk help.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 11
Connecting a low-profile card
1Attach the dual-monitor cable
Attach your Matrox dual-monitor cable to the connector on the bracket of your Matrox card.
Make sure the connectors are properly fastened.
2Connect the first monitor
Connect your preferred monitor to the main
DVI connector (
1/3 ) of your dual-monitor
cable.
If your monitor has a DVI connector, connect it
directly to the main DVI connector (
1/3 ) of
your dual-monitor cable.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector, use
the DVI-to-HD15 adapter included with your
product to connect your monitor to the main
connector. Make sure all connectors are
properly fastened.
3Connect the second monitor
Connect your second monitor to the secondary DVI connector ( 2/4 ) of the dual-monitor
cable. Depending on the connector type of your monitor, connect the same way as in step 2.
Your Matrox card is now installed. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Software setup”, page 12).
WARNING: 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.
Dual-monitor
cable
DVI-to-HD15
adapter
Monitor connector
(HD-15)
Monitor
connector
(DVI)

12 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
Software setup
This section describes how to install Matrox software for Windows
2000/XP
.
You may need administrator rights to install certain software. For
more information, see Windows documentation or contact your
system administrator.
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. Follow the on-screen instructions. (The Matrox Windows 2000/XP display driver is in
the
Win2kXP folder of your Matrox installation CD-ROM.)
2Install optional software After your computer has restarted, insert (or reinsert)
the Matrox installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive – the CD-ROM installation
program automatically starts.
*
This program shows you a list of items you can install and
information you can access. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3Set up your display software See “Display setup”, page 13.
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.
* If Windows doesn’t automatically start the setup program, you can start it manually from the root folder of the CD-ROM.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 13
Display setup
Windows 2000/XP – Your Matrox display driver includes Matrox PowerDesk software. This software
helps you get the most out of your Matrox card. This section has important information on how to
configure your display settings using Matrox PowerDesk software.
Accessing PowerDesk
Many display controls are available through Matrox PowerDesk. To access Matrox PowerDesk, right-
click your Windows desktop background, then click
Properties " Settings " Advanced "
PowerDesk " Matrox PowerDesk-HF . If you’re using a multi-display desktop, select a display before
clicking
Advanced .
Also, to quickly access PowerDesk features, double-click the Matrox PowerDesk 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.
Monitor setup
Before changing your display resolution, color palette, or other Matrox PowerDesk settings, make
sure correct software monitor settings are selected. If you have a Plug-and-Play (DDC) monitor,
correct settings are usually automatically selected. The following explains how to make sure your
monitor settings are okay.
If you have a Plug-and-Play (DDC) monitor, Windows should automatically use correct
settings for your monitor. To make sure the correct monitor is selected in Windows:
1 Right-click your Windows desktop background, then click Properties " Settings "
Advanced " Monitor . If you’re using a multi-display desktop, select a display before
clicking
Advanced .
Note: Multi-display mode is supported under Windows 2000/XP. For more information on
multi-display mode, see Windows 2000/XP online help under “Multiple Display support”.
WARNING: If you’re using BNC connectors with a Plug-and-Play monitor, the Plug-and-
Play feature of your monitor can’t be used.
WARNING: If incorrect software monitor settings are applied, some monitors can be
permanently damaged. For more information, see your monitor manual.

14 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
2 If the monitor name listed isn’t Plug-and-Play and doesn’t match your monitor, click
Properties " Driver " Update driver . Follow the on-screen instructions.
3 If you’re using a multi-display desktop, repeat steps 1–2for each display in your
Windows desktop.
For more information on Windows monitor settings, see Windows documentation.
If you want to customize your Windows monitor settings:
1 From the main interface of PowerDesk (see “Accessing PowerDesk”, page 13), click
Monitor Adjustments .
2 Select the appropriate device.
3 Click Adjust visible area and refresh rate .
Portrait monitor setup
Most standard monitors are landscape monitors – that is, they’re wider
than tall.
Portrait monitors are taller than wide. Different models of
portrait monitors may have different types of support for this orientation.
Some portrait monitors support portrait mode by rotating the monitor
signal and reporting support for portrait display resolutions to the
graphics hardware. For most monitors, the display resolutions supported
are automatically detected and used by the Matrox display driver.
If your monitor supports
both portrait and landscape orientations, it may have one connector for
landscape mode and one for portrait mode. Which connector you use determines whether portrait
or landscape mode is used. For more information, see your monitor documentation. Before changing
your connection setup, always shut down your computer.
Some portrait monitors are merely landscape monitors physically rotated 90 degrees. These monitors
don’t rotate the monitor signal and don’t report support for portrait resolutions. In this case, use
Matrox software to rotate the display to match the monitor orientation.
Note: A monitor using BNC connectors can’t report its capabilities to the display driver.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 15
To rotate your display with Matrox software:
1 From the main interface of PowerDesk (see “Accessing PowerDesk”, page 13), click
Monitor Adjustments .
2 Select the appropriate monitor, then click Adjust orientation .
3 If you’re using multiple displays and you want to re-orient your displays as if they were
one display, enable
Rotate as one display .
4 Using the arrows buttons, re-orient your display, then click OK .
Multi-display setup
To set up multi-display mode:
1 From the main interface of PowerDesk (see “Accessing PowerDesk”, page 13), click
Multi-Display Setup .
2 Select the number of displays and the multi-display setup you want to use.
3 Click OK or Apply for your changes to take effect. You may be prompted to restart your
computer.
Grayscale setup
To select the grayscale setup for your displays:
1 From the main interface of PowerDesk (see “Accessing PowerDesk”, page 13), click
Grayscale Setup .
2 Select the grayscale setup you want. For more information, see the Matrox PowerDesk
online documentation.
3 Click OK or Apply for your changes to take effect. You may be prompted to restart your
computer.
More PowerDesk information
For more information on Matrox PowerDesk, click Help " PowerDesk guide from the main interface
of PowerDesk (see “Accessing PowerDesk”, page 13).
Note: With your Matrox RAD Series product, DICOM-compliant grayscale output is
intended primarily for
digital monitors. For analog monitors, the accuracy and consistency
of the grayscale setup is dependent on your monitor and its calibration.

16 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
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 – What follows is information on how to restart your computer in VGA mode
1 Click Start " Shut Down " Restart " 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”, then press [Enter].
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 5.
2
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.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 17
3
Cause Your computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings may be incorrect.
1
Solution Change your BIOS settings, specifically the AGP aperture size . For more information on your
computer BIOS, see your system manual.
4
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.)
5
Cause The BIOS of your Matrox card may need to be updated or restored.
1
Solution Windows 2000/XP – For advanced users – If you have another VGA-compatible graphics
card, you can try resetting the BIOS of your Matrox 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 6.
2 Plug your monitor into the other graphics card and restart your computer.
3 Insert your Matrox installation CD-ROM.
4 Click Start " Run , type d:\SysUtils . You will need to use the PBIOSWin program to
update the BIOS of your Matrox 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 card.
6 Restart your computer.
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 (see “Choose an
expansion slot”, page 6) 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.

18 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
6
Cause The power supply of your computer may not be powerful enough for all the devices on your
computer.
1
Solution For advanced users – Remove unnecessary devices from your computer (for example, an
unused network card or an extra CD-ROM drive). For more information, see your system
manual or the documentation for each device.
2
Solution You may be able to upgrade the power supply of your computer. We recommend a power
supply of 300 Watts or more. For more information, contact your computer vendor.
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 “Connection setup”, page 9) 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.
If your monitor uses BNC input, make
sure the Red (
R ), Green ( G ), Blue ( B ),
Horizontal Sync (
HSYNC – white or gray
wire), and Vertical Sync (
VSYNC – black
wire) connections are firmly in place and
plugged into the correct input.
3
Cause If your monitor uses BNC input, one or more connection settings may be incorrect.
1
Solution Make sure the input signal supported by your monitor is compatible with the output signal
of your Matrox card. For most devices, the signals are configured to use 75 ohms. For some
devices (for example, some analog grayscale monitors), the signals are configured to use 50
ohms. For more information, see your product specifications.
Bayonet Nut Connect (BNC)
Note: For most analog grayscale monitors using BNC connectors, not all BNC connectors
are needed. In most cases, only the Green (
G ), Horizontal Sync ( H ), and Vertical Sync ( V )
connectors are used.

Matrox RAD Series – User Guide 19
4
Cause If display problems occur after the startup screen of your operating system, your software
monitor settings may be incorrect.
1
Solution Make sure correct software monitor settings are selected.
If your primary display is still usable, see “Monitor setup”, page 13. Otherwise, see the next
troubleshooting item.
2
Solution Windows 2000/XP – Make sure you’re not using inappropriate monitor setting
customizations:
1 Double-click the PowerDesk icon ( ) on your Windows taskbar to access the
PowerDesk main interface. To see the PowerDesk icon in Windows XP, you may need to
click the
Show hidden icons button ( ) on your Windows taskbar.
2 Click Monitor Adjustments .
3 Select the appropriate device.
4 Click Adjust visible area and refresh rate " Restore defaults .
5
Cause You may be using a gray palette setting that doesn’t conform to the DICOM standard.
1
Solution Make sure you’re using either a fixed linear or a fixed non-linear gray palette. For more
information, see the Matrox PowerDesk help.
6
Cause Your monitor may not be properly calibrated.
1
Solution Make sure your monitor is calibrated for the gray palette you’re using.
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 The Matrox display driver may be trying to use settings your monitor doesn’t support. This
can happen if a monitor was never selected in the software and the display resolution was
changed to one your monitor doesn’t support, or if the monitor connected to your computer
was changed without changing it in the software.
1
Solution Windows 2000/XP –
1 If your primary display is unusable, restart your computer in VGA mode (see “Restarting
in VGA mode”, page 16).
WARNING: If incorrect software monitor settings are applied, some monitors can be
permanently damaged. For more information, see your monitor manual.

20 Matrox RAD Series – User Guide
2 Right-click the Windows desktop background, then click Properties " Settings .
3 Move the Screen area (Windows 2000) or Screen resolution (Windows XP) slider down
to its lowest setting, then click
OK .
4 Restart your computer normally.
5 Make sure the correct monitor is selected in Windows (see “Monitor setup”, page 13).
6 Restore your original display settings (see steps 2and 3).
2
Cause Files on your system may have been deleted or corrupted.
1
Solution Remove, then restore Matrox software:
Windows 2000/XP –
1 If your primary display is unusable, restart your computer in VGA mode (see “Restarting
in VGA mode”, page 16).
2 To remove Matrox software, click Start " Settings * " Control Panel " Add/Remove
Programs
(double-click*) " Matrox PowerDesk-HF and Driver " Change/Remove "
Yes . (* Depending on your version and configuration of Windows, this part of the step
may not be necessary.)
3 Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
4 After your computer has restarted, install the latest display driver for your Matrox card.
You may also need to reinstall other Matrox software.
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.
Note: Windows 2000/XP – You may need administrator rights to remove certain software.
For more information, see Windows documentation.