================================================================== Real 3D StarFighter(R) AGP Graphics Adapter README9X0259.TXT ================================================================== This is the Real 3D StarFighter AGP Windows 95/98 Display Drivers, version 0259. It is a candidate for certification by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) as designed for Microsoft(R) Windows 95(TM) and Microsoft Windows 98(TM), June 1998. -------- WARNING: The Version 0259 StarFighter Driver must be updated ------- *BEFORE* flashing the StarFighter Video Bios to Version 0146. Bios Version 0146 is NOT compatible with older drivers (a blue screen of death will be the result of this combination ... see recovery procedure below) The version 0259 display drivers are compatible with Version 0146 of the StarFighter Video Bios. These Release Notes address changes since the May 1998 Version 0229 Drivers. Please check the Real 3D website (www.real3d.com) for the latest StarFighter AGP Display Driver updates! New Features ------------ The 0259 driver now supports applications and games on Socket 7 systems based on the VIA MVP3 and VP3 chipsets using the current VIA AGP driver. The current VIA AGP Driver for Windows 95/98 can be downloaded from www.via.com.tw/driver.htm and installed by following the included README's instructions. Support for Windows 98 Multi-Monitor is now available. The StarFighter AGP can serve as secondary monitor to StarFighter PCI video adapters (with StarFighter PCI Driver versions higher than 0247) or with other makes of Windows 98 compliant PCI video adapters that support Multi-Monitor. Performance increases can be obtained on many Direct3D games and applications by checking the auto-mipmap box in the Real 3D Display Properties page. The 1152x864 resolution has been added for 8, 16, and 24 bit color depths. The 1600x1200 resolution was added for 16 bit color depth. The OpenGL Installable Client Driver (ICD) has been upgraded to handle multi-threaded applications. Various performance improvements have also been made, including support for the 3D Studio Max OpenGL gl_KTX_buffer_region extension. Auto-monitor detect is available with the TVOut video option. Various Direct Draw enhancements were made to improve video capture and DVD functionality. Limitations or Caveats ---------------------- Requires Windows 95 OSR2.1 (this is Windows 95 OSR2 with the USB Supplement) Requires DirectX 5.0 (release 155 or higher) Troubleshooting Hints: - Some of the StarFighter bundled software may experience problems on systems that do not contain a sound card or have sound directly on the motherboard. - Check README files or documentation that comes with other software for special system requirements or limitations. - If the graphics does not seem to be accelerated, check that the color depth is set to 16-bit color on the Display Properties Settings page. Also, some applications may have their own switch or selection to enable acceleration (Quake, for example). - Please ensure that the latest drivers for all plug-in cards have been installed. - Some monitors may not support higher resolutions or refresh rates. If some rates that StarFighter supports cannot be selected from the Display Properties Setting page, check with the manufacturer for a possible monitor .inf file update. - The current version of the StarFighter Video Bios can be obtained from the Display Properties R3D Information Tab. If the Video Bios version is not Version 0146 then you may experience minor problems. The Version 0146 Video Bios may be downloaded from the Real 3D web site at http://www.real3d.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ WINDOWS 95/98 INSTALLATION ------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- Hardware Installation --------------------- Please see Chapter 3 of the Getting Started Manual for details. 1. Shut down the computer, disconnect the monitor cable, and remove its cover. 2. Remove existing AGP video adapter from the AGP slot and save the screw. 3. Place the StarFighter AGP graphics board into the AGP slot, ensuring that it is inserted completely into the socket, and replace the screw. 4. Replace the computer cover and reconnect the monitor cable. Note: If you have no video when power is applied and the computer emits one long and two short beeps, this indicates that the StarFighter card is not seated properly. --------------------- Software Installation --------------------- Please see Chapter 5, section 5.2 of the Getting Started Manual for details on new StarFighter installations. SW Upgrades: updating previously installed StarFighter drivers ----------- Windows 95: ----------- 1. StarFighter board and drivers should already be installed in the system. Power On the system. 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose "Properties" or click on "Start", "Settings -> Control Panel" and double click on the "Display" icon. 3. Choose the "Settings" tab and click on "Advanced Properties" 4. Click on the "Change" button. 5. Click on "Have Disk". From the "Install from Disk" dialog box, click on "Browse". Navigate to C:\Real3d\Drivers, or the directory chosen when the download was unzipped (the .inf file will be the only file visible in the browser) and click "OK". 6. Click on "OK" in the "Install from Disk" dialog box. 7. Select the Starfighter AGP on the "Select Device" dialog box and click "OK". 8. Files will be installed. 9. Choose "OK" on the "Advanced Display Properties" dialog box 10. Click on "Apply" on the "Display Properties" dialog box. 11. Choose "YES" in response to the "DO YOU WANT TO RESTART?" query to reboot the system and complete the installation. ----------- Windows 98: ----------- 1. StarFighter board and drivers should already be installed in the system. Power On the system. 2. Right-click on the Desktop and choose "Properties" or click on "Start", "Settings -> Control Panel" and double click on "Display". 3. Choose the "Settings" tab and click on "Advanced..." 4. Choose the "Adapter" tab and click on the "Change..." button. 5. Click on "Next". 6. Select the top choice, "Search for a better driver" and click on "Next". 7. Clear all check boxes except "Specify a location:" and click on "Browse". Navigate to C:\Real3D\Drivers, or the the directory chosen when the download was unzipped (the inf file will be the only file visible in the browser) and click "OK". 8. Click on "Next". 9. Select "The updated driver (Recommended)" and click on "Next". 10. Click on "Next" and the files will be installed. 11. Click on "Finish". 12. Choose "YES" in response to the "DO YOU WANT TO RESTART?" query to reboot the system and complete the installation. --------------------------------------- Blue Screen of Death Recovery Procedure --------------------------------------- If you have inadvertantly updated the StarFighter video bios to Version 0146 before upgrading to the StarFighter Version 0259 Display Driver this will result in a fatal error. To recover your system use the following procedure: 1. Boot system into "Safe" mode. 2. Click the "Start" button. 3. Click "Settings -> Control Panel". 4. Double Click on the "System" icon. 5. Click the "Device Manager" tab. 6. Double Click the "Display adapters" icon. 7. Click "StarFighter AGP Release XXXX" 8. Click the "Remove" button. 9. Click the "Ok" button. 10. Reboot your computer. 11. See Chapter 5, section 5.2 of the Getting Started Manual for details on installing the new StarFighter Driver. ------------------------------------------------------------------ All product names listed are trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners. www.real3d.com ================================================================== Real 3D, Inc. Copyright 1998, All Rights Reserved ==================================================================