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IBM Fire GL Series Graphics Accelerator
IBM Fire GL Series Video Driver for Windows 2000
Release 1100
Driver Version 5.12.2195.2046
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Please read the entire contents of this document. Information in this
file may not appear in printed documentation or online help.
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 List of Product Files
1.2 Installing the IBM Fire GL Series Graphics Accelerator
2. INSTALLING THE IBM FIRE GL SERIES VIDEO DRIVER
2.1 Menu-controlled Video Driver Installation
2.2 Unattended Video Driver Installation
3. CHANGING THE VIDEO SETTINGS
3.1 Setting Resolution and Color Depth
3.2 Choosing Monitors and Display Refresh Rates with Windows 2000
3.3 Adjusting the Monitors' Display
4. UNINSTALLING THE IBM FIRE GL SERIES VIDEO DRIVER
4.1 Menu-controlled De-installation
4.2 Unattended De-installation
5. CONFIGURATION FEATURES AND INFORMATION
5.1 Diamond Information Dialog
5.2 Diamond Configuration Menu (for experienced users only!)
6. NOTES, PROBLEMS, AND LIMITATIONS
7. SERVICE, SUPPORT, AND SOFTWARE UPGRADES
8. SUPPORTED RESOLUTIONS, COLOR DEPTHS, AND REFRESH RATES
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
----------------------
1.1 List of Product Files
-------------------------
The following files are in the \DIAMOND subdirectory of your
video adapter device driver CD or harddrive:
\INSTALL
INSTALL.EXE Diamond Installer
INST16.EXE Diamond Installer 16-Bit extension
DMINSTAL.SYS Diamond Installer device extension
_INSTALL.??? Diamond Installer resource extension
COMPANY.INI Diamond Installer script
SETUPNT5.IN Diamond Installer script
READ-ME.TXT This file ( English )
READ-MEJ.TXT This file ( Japanese )
SETUP.BAT Command file for unattended installation
UNINSTALL.BAT Command file for unattended de-installation
\NT5
FIREGL23.INF Driver installation script
VERSION.TXT Information about current driver version
FGL23.DL_ Display driver
FGL23EXT.DL_ Display driver extension
FGL23M.SY_ Miniport driver
FGL23GL.DL_ OpenGL driver
FGL23GLS.DL_ OpenGL driver
FGL23GLW.DL_ OpenGL driver
FGL23MON.??_ Diamond Monitor control panel
F23MO???.HL_ Diamond Monitor control panel context help
FGL23MON.IN_ Diamond Monitor data base
FGL23INF.??_ Diamond Information control panel
FGL23CFG.??_ Diamond Configuration control panel
F23CF???.HL_ Diamond Configuration control panel context help
FGL23ADJ.??_ Diamond Adjustment control panel
F23AD???.HL_ Diamond Adjustment control panel context help
FGL23EVI.??_ Diamond Visual Enhancements control panel
F23EV???.HL_ Diamond Visual Enhancements control panel context help
FGL23DEL.EX_ Diamond driver uninstall utility
FGL23DEL.IN Diamond uninstall script
FGL23OGL.DR_ Driver for 3D Studio MAX/VIZ
F23MXINS.??_ 3D Studio MAX/VIZ driver install utility
FGL23MUL.??_ Diamond DualScreen control panel
F23MU???.HL_ Diamond DualScreen control panel context help
F23HAPP.EX_ Diamond DualScreen hook loader
F23HDLL.DL_ Diamond DualScreen hooks
F23HSER.EX_ Diamond utility device driver
GETVPDC.EX_ IBM Vital Product Data Utility
PMEMNT.SY_ IBM Vital Product Data Utility
PMEMW.DL_ IBM Vital Product Data Utility
WHATGRAP.EX_ IBM Vital Product Data Utility
where '??' or '???' stands for supported language identifiers (e.g., ENG/EN).
1.2 Installing the IBM Fire GL Series Graphics Accelerator
----------------------------------------------------------
Your computer is shipped with the first/primary IBM Fire GL Series
Graphics Accelerator and its drivers factory-installed. Refer to the
following directions and information only if you plan to install
additional Fire GL Series, for example, for a multi-monitor configuration.
Refer to the User's Guide of your computer to install the IBM Fire GL
Series Graphics Accelerator in your system. NOTE: If you want to install
the Fire GL Series card to replace your existing graphics solution it may
be helpful to set your display driver to standard VGA before you shut down
your PC and remove a previously installed card.
If you plan to set up a multi-monitor system:
The provided drivers are designed exclusively to support Fire GL Series
Graphics Accelerators with the Windows 2000 operating system. The drivers
DO NOT SUPPORT any other type or brand of graphics card or operating system.
2. INSTALLING THE IBM FIRE GL SERIES VIDEO DRIVER
-------------------------------------------------
Your computer system is shipped with the graphics software drivers for the
Fire GL Series card pre-installed.
You need the information in this section on re-installation of the basic
driver software for Windows 2000 only if you are re-installing the
operating system.
For your convenience the following procedures describe how to install
the graphics driver software.
The Unattended Video Driver Installation as described in 2.2 allows to
install (uninstall - see 4.2) the drivers and configure your display
settings by command line editing. You can also set parameters for a
'silent' installation (no messages displayed during the installation).
NOTE: Before installing the IBM Fire GL Series video driver, please
close all open application programs and disable any anti-virus
software that is running on your computer until the driver
installation is complete!
2.1 Menu-controlled Video Driver Installation
---------------------------------------------
1. After Windows 2000 reboots, it detects your Fire GL Series Graphics
Accelerator and gives the message that new hardware was found. It then
compiles a driver database. The 'Found New Hardware Wizard' appears. Click
'Cancel.'
2. Click the 'Start' button in the task bar, click 'Run' and then
select 'Install.exe' from the hard drive or CD-ROM directory where the
video driver files are stored. The 'Diamond Install' dialog appears.
NOTES:
You can find the factory-installed 'Diamond Install' dialog on your
hard drive via Start > Programs > Diamond. Then click 'DIAMOND
Install/Uninstall Utility.'
The Diamond installation dialog displays in English if the
language of your operationg system is not supported.
3. Enter the path to which you want to install the driver software
and click 'Next.' Then click 'Next' again.
4. When the 'INSTALLATION COMPLETE' message appears click 'Next' again.
This will restart your computer.
5. After Windows 2000 reboots, if the 'Found New Hardware' message displays.
The 'Digital Signature Not Found' dialog prompts you 'Do you want to
continue the installation?'. Click 'Yes'to install and start the
drivers. The 'Found New hardware' message will appear one time for
each Diamond Fire GL Series card installed in the system. Click 'Yes'
each time it finds a Fire GL Series card.
6. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Settings, or
right-click on the Windows desktop, and select 'Properties' and
'Settings'. Set the resolution (Screen area) and color depth, that
best suit your requirements and your monitor's performance.
NOTE: For a multimonitor configuration first click on the monitor icon
that corresponds to the graphics accelerator you want to set.
7. Click OK.
2.2 Unattended Video Driver Installation
----------------------------------------
If you prefer to configure your system by command line editing you may
install the video drivers and set the monitor configuration of your
primary display as follows:
1. Click the 'Start' button in the task bar, click 'Run' and then enter
or browse to the INSTALL subdirectory on the hard drive or CD-ROM
where the video driver files are stored.
2. Enter the following command:
INSTALL -0[x] -1[y] -s[e] -r
These are the command line options:
-0[x] Resolution (horizontal)
-1[y] Color Depth (in bit)
-s[e] Silent Installation - no installation messages displayed during
installation
[e] no error messages displayed
-r Restart system after installation
Note: If you do not set the commmand line option -r, the system
does not restart after the installation is complete.
Valid Resolution/Color/Refresh combinations for the command line option are
[y] -Color
Resolution [x] -Resolution Depth (bpp)
---------- --------------- -----------------
640x480 640 32
800x600 800 32
1024x768 1024 32
1280x1024 1280 32
1600x1200 1600 32
1792x1344 1792 32
1920x1200 1920 32
NOTES:
1) Monitor refresh rates are controlled by the Windows 2000
operating system. For information on setting the montior
refresh rate, see section 3.2.
2) If an invalid entry is made for any of the above parameters, the
operating system will boot up at 640x480x32bpp the first time after
the driver is installed.
Example: For a silent installation of the Fire GL Series video drivers,
configuring your monitor for 1280x1024, TrueColor, and restart
the system after installation, the command looks like this:
INSTALL -01280 -132 -se -r
Warning!
Selecting a resolution or refresh rate that your monitor does not
support can permanently damage the monitor.
Check the documentation of your monitor and make sure that the
monitor supports the selected resolution and refresh rate.
3. CHANGING THE VIDEO SETTINGS
------------------------------
The following dialogs in the 'Display Properties' menu allows setting and
adjusting the video settings to suit your requirements best.
Settings: set resolution and color depth
Settings/Advanced/Monitor: choose monitors and display refresh rates
Settings/Advanced/Adjustment: adjusting the monitors' display
To access the 'Display Properties' menu:
1. Start Windows 2000.
2. After Windows 2000 has finished starting, click on the START
button, select 'Settings,' and then click on 'Control Panel.'
3. Double-click on the 'Display' icon. The 'Display Properties' window
appears.
Note: You can also display the 'Display Properties' window by
right-clicking the Windows Desktop background and then
selecting the 'Properties' option from the pop-up menu.
3.1 Setting Resolution and Color Depth
--------------------------------------
Select the 'Settings' dialog in the 'Display Properties' window.
Set the resolution (screen area) and color depth that best suit your
requirements and your monitor's performance.
NOTES:
For multi-monitor configurations, drag the monitor icons to match the
physical arrangement of your monitors.
In a multi-monitor configuration click the corresponding monitor icon to
set resolution and color depth individually for all monitors. Check the
documentation of your monitors and make sure that each monitor supports the
resolution and color depth setting selected for it.
Use the Windows 2000 'Monitor' dialog (see 3.2) to select the display refresh
rates individually for all monitors in a multi-monitor configuration.
Use the Diamond 'Adjustment' dialog (see 3.3) to adapt the display of the
monitors connected to the Fire GL Series Graphics Accelerators in your
system.
Refer to your Windows 2000 online help and documentation for further
information on using the 'Settings' dialog.
3.2 Choosing Display Refresh Rates with Windows 2000
----------------------------------------------------
Select the 'Monitor' dialog via Display Properties > Settings > Advanced
> Monitor.
For a multi-monitor configuration click the corresponding monitor icon in the
'Settings' dialog before clicking the 'Advanced' button.
In the 'Monitor Settings' section set the refresh rate for each monitor
connected to the Graphics Accelerator(s) in your system.
Warning!
Selecting a refresh rate that your monitor does not support can
permanently damage the monitor.
Check the documentation of your monitor and make sure that the
monitor supports the selected resolution and refresh rate.
NOTE: Refer to your Windows 2000 online help and documentation for further
information on using the 'Monitor' dialog.
3.3 Adjusting the Monitor's Display
-----------------------------------
Select the Diamond 'Adjustment' dialog via Display Properties > Settings
> Advanced > Adjustment.
For a multi-monitor configuration click the corresponding monitor icon in the
'Settings' dialog before clicking the 'Advanced' button.
For each Fire GL Series Graphics Accelerator in your system you can
adjust the display of the connected monitor. You can find more information
on adjusting the monitor's display in the context sensitive online help.
A. Monitor Tuning
With the buttons in the 'Move' and 'Size' sections you can tune the
position and size of the monitor's display for the indicated resolution
and refresh rate.
NOTE: Use the hardware setting controls on your monitor, if available,
to adjust your display size or position - instead of the software
controls in 'Adjustment - Monitor Tuning.' Check the documentation of
your monitor for information on your monitor's hardware controls.
NOTE: Resizing the display slightly changes the actual refresh rate.
If you operate a fixed-frequency monitor check the documentation of your
monitor for information on refresh rate tolerances.
Sync Polarity: If you do not get a satisfactory display with the default
sync polarity setting for the current resolution, you may try and change
the settings.
Undo: Click this button to undo the last change you made (i.e. when you
clicked 'Apply').
Default: Click this button to set the 'Monitor Tuning' to the
manufacturer's default settings.
NOTES:
Press the ESC key on your keyboard to undo the changes if your monitor
has lost synchronization.
If you change the resolution (in 'Settings') and/or the refresh
rate (in 'Monitor'), you may need to re-adjust the monitor's display.
B. 'Gamma Correction': Adjust the montior's gamma correction for optimal
brightness with the red, green and blue slider bars.
NOTE: You cannot adjust 'Gamma Correction' for 256-color modes.
When these sliders are changed the gamma correction table modifies each
pixel's color value. The brightness produced at the face of the display
is proportional to the input voltage raised to the power gamma. This
nonlinearity must be compensated to achieve correct reproduction of the
image's brightness. The effect of display gamma is to darken the
midtones relative to the dark and light regions. The gamma correction
adjustment affects the entire screen display. The possible setting
range is 0.3 - 4.0. The default setting is 1.0.
With 'Link sliders' selected, the three sliders move together as
you drag any individual slider. With the check box unchecked, you can
adjust colors individually by dragging the applicable slider.
Click the '>1<' button - for each color - to set the gamma correction
to the default value of 1.0.
C. Click the 'Apply' or 'OK' button to enable your monitor settings.
D. Repeat steps A through C for each monitor you want to set up.
4. UNINSTALLING THE IBM FIRE GL SERIES VIDEO DRIVER
---------------------------------------------------
This section describes how to properly remove your IBM Fire GL Series
software from your system should you need to do so.
NOTE: Before removing the IBM Fire GL Series video driver, please close
all open application programs and disable any anti-virus software
that is running on your computer until the driver de-installation
is complete!
4.1 Menu-controlled De-installation
-----------------------------------
1. From the 'Start' menu, go to Start > Programs> Diamond, then click
'DIAMOND Install(Uninstall) Utility'. The 'Diamond Install' dialog
appears.
2. Click 'Remove the product' and select the 'Diamond Fire GL Series'
card.
Note: Make sure that only those components are selected that you want
to remove now. (Click 'Back' and 'Add/Remove components' to
select specific software components for removal).
Then click 'Next.'
3. Click 'Next' to remove the software and shut down your computer.
4.2 Unattended De-installation
------------------------------
This section describes the unattended, command line driven
de-installation of the IBM Fire GL Series video driver.
1. Click the 'Start' button in the task bar, click 'Run' and then enter
or browse to the INSTALL subdirectory on the hard drive or CD-ROM
where the video driver files are stored.
2. Enter the following command:
INSTALL -u[s] -r
These are the command line options:
-u[s] Driver de-installation
[s] silent - no messages displayed during
de-installation
-r Shut down system after de-installation
Note: If you do not set the commmand line option -r, the system
does not shut down when the driver de-installation is
complete.
Example: For a silent de-installation of the Fire GL Series video driver and
shut down of the system, you would type the following:
INSTALL -us -r
5. CONFIGURATION FEATURES AND INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------
5.1 Diamond Information Dialog
------------------------------
Check the Diamond 'Information' dialog in Display Properties > Settings >
> Advanced > Information' for detailed hardware and driver information on
each Fire GL Series card. This data may be helpful when contacting
TechSupport.
You can display the Diamond 'Information' dialog by right-clicking the
Windows Desktop background and then selecting the 'Properties' option from
the pop-up menu. Then click 'Settings' > 'Advanced' and select the
Diamond 'Information' tab.
5.2 Diamond Configuration Menu (for experienced users only!)
------------------------------------------------------------
If you experience problems with your application, or if you want to try
to optimize the performance of your system on specific applications, you
may modify the configuration settings.
Select the Diamond 'Configuration' dialog via Display Properties > Settings >
> Advanced > Configuration. You can find more information on the settings
in the Diamond 'Configuration' dialog in the context sensitive online help.
You can display the Diamond 'Configuration' dialog by right-clicking the
Windows Desktop background and then selecting the 'Properties' option from
the pop-up menu. Then click 'Settings' > 'Advanced' and select the
Diamond 'Configuration' tab.
For some of the most popular applications the optimal configuration
profile is factory-set by default. Select the application from the list
in the 'Configuration Profiles' section. This will change the necessary
Windows 2000 registry settings. Click 'Apply' and then restart Windows
2000 if a message pops-up requiring you to do so.
1. Click the 'Add' button in the 'Configuration Profiles' section and
enter the new application for which you want to set the configuration
parameters.
2. To modify the configuration settings of a specific application, for
example, Softimage, select the application from the list in the
'Configuration Profiles' section and click the 'Modify' button.
3. In the 'Settings' section select or clear the following checkboxes
according to your requirements:
Overlay Planes
8-Bit double-buffered
Use 8 bit double-buffered overlay planes in the depth buffers. The
driver exports pixelformats with 8-bit double-buffered overlay
planes for OpenGL applications.
8-Bit single-buffered
Use 8 bits of each 32-bit frame buffer pixel as single-buffered
overlay planes.
Force copy swap
Force blit copy from back to front buffer.
Wait for vertical retrace
Buffer swap 'synched' to vertical retrace. This improves the
picture quality but reduces the view performance in, for example,
benchmark testing.
4. Click the 'Apply' or 'OK' button to enable your Configuration
settings.
6. NOTES, PROBLEMS, AND LIMITATIONS
-----------------------------------
NOTE: The current driver version provides no hardware support for Direct3D
and DirectDraw
7. SERVICE, SUPPORT, AND SOFTWARE UPGRADES
------------------------------------------
Video driver updates can be obtained from IBM at the following web
location:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/
-select your country and do a search on "drivers"
For technical problems, contact the IBM HelpDesk at 1-800-772-2227
8. SUPPORTED RESOLUTIONS, COLOR DEPTHS, AND REFRESH RATES
----------------------------------------------------------
The resolutions and refresh rates supported by the Fire GL Series cards
are dependent on the monitor that is selected. Check the documentation
of your monitors and the 'Monitor' dialog for information on supported
resolutions and maximum vertical refresh rate for each of your monitors.
You can display the Windows 2000 'Monitor' dialog by right-clicking the
Windows desktop and selecting 'Properties'. Then click 'Settings' >
> 'Advanced' and select the 'Monitor' tab.
The table below shows the screen resolution, pixel size, horizontal
line rate and refresh rate for ALL modes supported under the Windows 2000
operating system, all modes provide full screen double buffering using the
OpenGL API.
+==========+=======+=======+===================+
|Resolution| Color | Alpha | Refresh Rate |
| | Bits | Bits | (Hz) |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
| 640x480 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75, 85 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
| 800x600 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75, 85 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
|1024x768 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75, 85 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
|1280x1024 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75, 85 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
|1600x1200 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75, 85 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
|1792x1344 | 24 | 8 | 60 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
|1920x1200 | 24 | 8 | 60, 75 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------------------+
| |
+-------+- This combination appears as 32bpp or TrueColor
in the Display Properties -Settings tab
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All product names listed are trademarks or copyrights of their
respective owners.
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Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (c) 1993-99, All Rights Reserved
Professional Graphics Division
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Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
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