================================================================== Real 3D StarFighter(R) AGP Graphics Adapter README9X0295.TXT ================================================================== This is the Real 3D StarFighter AGP Windows 95/98 Display Drivers, version 0295. It is an update to the version 0281 Display Drivers. The version 0295 display drivers are compatible with Version 0146 of the StarFighter Video Bios. There is no need to upgrade the Video Bios again if it was already flashed to 0146 for earlier driver updates from the Real 3D web site. The Video Bios version can be verified on the Display Properties R3D Information tab. -------- WARNING: If updating the StarFighter Video Bios from a version ------- prior to 0146, the Version 0295 StarFighter Driver must be updated *BEFORE* flashing the StarFighter Video Bios to Version 0146. Bios Version 0146 is NOT compatible with some older drivers (a blue screen of death will be the result of this combination ... see recovery procedure below) These Release Notes address changes since the Version 281 Drivers. Please check the Real 3D website (www.real3d.com) for the latest StarFighter AGP Display Driver updates! New Features ------------ Performance enhancements and various fixes for display anomalies and video memory management in high-end applications were put in the OpenGL Installable Client Driver (ICD). An application error that occurred when the gradient fill was enabled on the Microsoft Office ToolBar was corrected. Limitations or Caveats ---------------------- Requires Windows 95 OSR2.1 (this is Windows 95 OSR2 with the USB Supplement) or Windows 98 Requires DirectX 5.0 (release 155 or higher) or Direct X 6.0 Troubleshooting Hints: - When using StarFighter with Socket 7 systems, please make sure that the latest versions of the chipset manufacturers' AGP Drivers for Windows 95/98 have been installed per their website README's instructions. Real 3D has determined the following minimum driver version requirements for compatibility: Minimum AGP -Chipset-- -Driver Rev- -Web URL----------------- VIA VP3 2.6 www.via.com.tw/driver.htm VIA MVP3 2.9 www.via.com.tw/driver.htm ALi M1541/M1543 1.1 www.ali.com.tw/eframes.htm & M1621 SIS 5591 1.2 www.sis.com.tw/html/driver1.html#5591agp Also note that the SIS systems are very sensitive to installation order. Before installing StarFighter, the previous video card MUST be removed and its drivers must be uninstalled. - 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 the desktop 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 or later 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 ==================================================================