Copyright (c) 2000 Creative Technology Ltd.
All rights reserved
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Creative 3D Blaster Savage4 BIOS upgrade utility
BIOS version : 1.04.1
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==============
Release notes
==============
The new release has the following fixes:
* better support for motherboards of VIA chipset
* better EDID support to solv some monitor detection problem
* fixed Windows DOS box corruption problem on some system
=============
GENERAL INFO
=============
The 3D Blaster Savage4 BIOS Upgrade utility consists of the following
files:
* sw1041kb.exe
* README.TXT
SW1041kb.EXE : Bios flash program with AGP Sideband Addressing enabled.
===================
sw1041kb.exe USAGE
===================
sw1041kb.exe can be executed from the MS-DOS prompt using the
following
syntax:
sw1041kb.exe <command-line option>
command-line option:
/ver : display BIOS version of this flash program
/board_ver: display BIOS version of your 3D Blaster Savage4
adapter
============
PROCEDURE
============
(A) To determine if your video bios has the latest update, examine
the version display during computer bootup. If your version is
newer than current version, you do not need to upgrade your bios.
Alternatively, you may run with command-line option /board_ver to
display BIOS version of your 3D Blaster Savage4 adapter.
(B) Due to the nature of windows environment, this program has to be
executable in native DOS mode. Refers to the following section on
"BOOT TO NATIVE DOS MODE" if you are not familiar with the steps.
(C) Boot to native DOS, and run the bios upgrade program.
(D) The programming process takes about 10 seconds (including
verification time) to complete. This process should NOT be
interrupted. Failing to observe this may result in unexpected
(and undesirable) consequences.
(E) When the program has finished, reboot your system.
(F) The system should now boot up with the updated 3D Blaster Savage4
BIOS (verified by the new version number displayed during bootup)
===================
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
===================
1) BIOS upgrade program display error message :
"This program cannot be executed in Windows-DOS box"
Solution :
You need to boot to native dos mode before running the
program. Refers to the following section on "BOOT TO NATIVE
DOS MODE" if you are not familiar with the steps.
2) BIOS upgrade program display error message :
"3D Blaster Savage4 not present"
Solution :
You are trying to use this program on a video card that is not
Creative 3D Blaster Savage4. If you are certain that you have
a Creative Savage4 card, your bios is probably being flashed
with a non-Creative-Savage4 image. Contact Creative technical
support for further assistance.
3) BIOS upgrade program display error message :
"unknown EPROM type!"
Solution :
Your EPROM is probably defective. Contact Creative technical
support for further assistance.
5) If you do not see any display upon rebooting.
Solution :
You can try reprogram it with the use of another PCI VGA card
1) Install with non-Savage4 VGA as primary display card.
Insert a second (not Savage4) PCI VGA card into the 1st PCI
slot and the 3D Blaster Savage4 into the AGP slot (or 2nd PCI
slot if it is a PCI adapter). Make sure the option "Initial
VGA adapter" (or equivalent option) selects "PCI" in your
motherboard BIOS. Connect the non-Savage4 VGA card output to
a monitor, boot up and check if the monitor displays
anything. If it doesn't, change the slot positions of the VGA
card and 3D Blaster until you can bootup with the non-Savage4
VGA as primary display card.
2) Reprogram Savage4.
When the systems boots up successfully with the VGA card, you
can then program the 3D Blaster Savage4 BIOS as described
above, beginning from Step (C). After the program finished,
you can remove the non-Savage4 card and bootup with your 3D
Blaster Savage4 card. If you still do not see any display,
contact Creative technical support for further assistance.
=========================
BOOT TO NATIVE DOS MODE
=========================
Presented here are 2 methods that helps you boot to native dos
mode.
(Method 1 - Boot diskette)
Put a un-use diskette in your drive A. Type "format a: /s" at
prompt to create a bootable diskette. Then re-boot with the
diskette left in the drive. This will boot your system to a
native dos mode.
(Method 2 - the F8 key)
Re-boot your system, pay attention to the on screen
initializing messages. When you see the text "Starting Windows
95..." or "Starting Windows 98", hit the F8 key within 5
seconds to obtain the menu. Select Command-Prompt-Only option
to put the system in native dos mode.
====End of Readme File====
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.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.