Readme.txt
Digital's Optimized Alpha-only Windows NT Driver for
Matrox Millennium and Millennium II Graphics Options
Release Date: 5/5/97
Release Version: V2.0
Please read this document prior to installing the Display Driver.
This document describes the Windows NT Display Driver for
Matrox Millennium and Millennium II for Digital's Alpha platforms.
1. This Display Driver has been optimized for Alpha Platforms.
You will see performance gains in running both OpenGL
clients and 2D applications over the Matrox Display Driver that
ships as a part of Microsoft Windows NT V4.0 Release. In addition,
this Display Driver supports the new Matrox Millennium II and
Multi Head displays.
2. Files Included in the ZIP File
amga.dll ; Display Driver
amga_mil.sys ; Miniport Driver
oemsetup.inf ; Installation Script (see 4)
amga_set.dll ; Optional Tuning Applet (see 5)
Readme.txt ; This File
3. System Requirements
Base Platform: Alpha-only (This driver will NOT work on
Intel platforms)
OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT V4.0
NT V4.0 SP1
4. Installation
To install the driver, please perform the following steps:
- Log in as an administrator or as a user who has administrative
privilege to change the display settings.
- Start the "Display" applet by right-clicking "Desktop" and selecting
"Properties". A window titled "Display Properties" will appear.
- Click the "Settings" tab. This lists display configurations, like
"Color Palette", "Font Size", and so on.
- Press the "Display Type" button. A new window titled "Display Type"
will appear.
- Press the "Change..." button in this window. A new window titled
"Change Display" will appear.
- Press the "Have Disk..." button in this window. A window titled
"Install from Disk" will appear.
- Specify the path(Net or floppy) where the unzipped files are and
press "OK". The "Change Display" window will appear with two
sub-windows. Press "OK".
- Then follow the instructions and quit the control panel applet.
When asked if you want to restart the machine press "Yes"(or "No"
to delay shutdown). The new settings will take effect at next
reboot.
- After reboot, you can select the right resolution suitable for your
needs.
5. Optional Tuning Applet
The optional tuning applet ("amga_set.dll") is provided to help
you tune your display driver. However, we strongly recommend
that you choose the system defaults. The optional tuning applet
is integrated into the Display Properties in the Desktop.
- To start the optional tuning applet: Right-click on the "Desktop"
and select Properties. A window titled "Display Properties"
will appear on the Desktop. Click on the "AMGA" tab. The options
displayed are a part of the optional tuning applet. The
three different settings are described below.
a) Enable Software Polling - (Default: Disable)
Disabling software polling of the hardware FIFO results in improved
performance. However, this may cause side effects if any other PCI
devices are present on the system. We have obsevered none so far
on any of our Alpha Platforms.
The above setting is valid for both Millennium and Millennium II.
b) Enable Fast Alternate Lines - (Default: Enable)
Enabling Fast Alternate Lines results in better line performance
but it trades off the compliance with Windows NT conventions.
The above setting is valid for both Millennium and Millennium II.
c) Enable Direct Memory Access (DMA) - (Default: Enable)
Enabling DMA may result in better 3D performance. 2D primitives
do not use DMA.
This setting is valid only for Millennium II. It has no effect on
Millennium.
Once you have chosen the settings:
- Select the "OK" button to confirm your selection. A new dialog
box will ask if you would like to reboot.
- Select "Yes" to restart your machine. The new setting will only
take effect on the next reboot.
6. Problems and Feedback
If the driver fails to load, please do the following:
- Start the "Event Viewer" from "Administrative Tools" group
which can be found in "Programs" group after clicking "Start"
button. A window will appear, titled "Event Viewer".
- Select "System" from "Log" menu to view your system log.
- Double-Click the event named "amga" under "Source" column.
It will bring up the "Event Detail" window.
- Please report the relevant information via problem reporting
mechanism.
7. Limitations
OpenGL optimizations are supported in the following configurations only:
- 4MB and 8MB Millennium boards under 15bpp(32768 Colors),
16bpp (65536 Colors), and 32bpp (True Color) color modes only.
- 4MB Millennium II boards under 15bpp (32768 Colors),
16bpp (65536 Colors), and 32bpp (True Color) color modes only.
* bpp = bits per pixel
8. Hardware Acceleration Table
The following table lists the (approximate) maximum window sizes which
permit the various levels of hardware acceleration for 4 MB Matrox hardware.
Monitor Window Color Double DB + DB +
Resolution Resolution Bits Buffer (DB) Z (16 Bits) Z (32 Bits)
===============================================================================
800 X 600 800 X 600 8 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Accelerated
800 X 600 800 X 600 16 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Accelerated
800 X 600 800 X 600 32 Bits Accelerated Software Software
1024 X 768 600 X 600 8 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Accelerated
1024 X 768 600 X 600 16 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Software
1024 X 768 600 X 600 32 Bits Software Software Software
1024 X 768 700 X 700 8 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Software
1024 X 768 700 X 700 16 Bits Accelerated Software Software
1024 X 768 700 X 700 32 Bits Software Software Software
1280 X 1024 600 X 600 8 Bits Accelerated Accelerated Software
1280 X 1024 600 X 600 16 BITS Software Software Software
1280 X 1024 600 X 600 32 Bits Software Software Software
Copyright (c) 1997 Digital Equipment Corporation
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.