Inside Multimedia 1995 December/IMM1295.ISO/driver/miro/windisk1/readme.eng

Text File | 1994-11-08 | 18KB | 412 lines

miro Computer Products AG                       November 8, 1994
                        Current Information
                    ===========================

General information:

        To use a miroCRYSTAL/miroMAGIC/miroRAINBOW graphics board
        the 02E8h address must not be used. This address is used
        by COM3, COM4, and gameport expansions, and by some network
        boards. In addition, you have to deactivate the VGA on your
        motherboard (if there is a VGA).

        If the computer does not boot correctly (spec. with an
        EISA graphics board and an Adaptec EISA busmaster SCSI
        controller 1742) or if the monitor select program does
        not detect the installed graphics board, these are computer-
        specific problems. To solve these problems, activate ROM
        shadowing for the Video BIOS, using the motherboard BIOS
        setup or the corresponding Memory Manager option. For
        MS DOS 6.0 change the CONFIG.SYS file in the following way:
        DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE ... ROM=C000-C800 ...
        Please also refer to your computer's manual or to the
        MS DOS 6.0 manual.

        For all multiscreen and miroTWINFACE configurations ROM
        shadowing HAS to be activated for the Video BIOS.

        In a multiscreen or miroTWINFACE configuration with a high
        resolution VESA local bus (VLB) graphics board and another ISA
        or EISA graphics board, the VLB board has to be configured as
        first board by setting the jumper. This is not true for a
        multiscreen or miroTWINFACE configuration with a miroVGA or a
        miroCRYSTAL 8S/ISA.

        In a multiscreen or miroTWINFACE configuration the warm start
        with the key combination <CTRL> <ALT> <DEL> may not work. In
        this case use the reset key (cold start).


Information on the installation:

        If you have problems to install from diskette you can also
        copy them into a directory on your hard disk.Then, assign a
        drive letter to this directory with the SUBST command. Please
        refer to the MS DOS manual.
        When copying the disks, you have to keep the following order:
        first miroWIN Disk 2 and then miroWIN Disk 1

        When using a miroCRYSTAL 8S you should consider whether you
        prefer an extremely high vertical scan frequency or a high
        processing speed. As a compromise, select a 64 kHz monitor.
        The resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels with 256 colors is then
        realized with 75 Hz. This is due to the fact that the
        miroCRYSTAL 8S is equipped with DRAMs.

        If you installed a Windows network version, there may occur
        problems resulting from the configuration. The miro software
        has to be installed at the work place. The installation program
        has to be able to copy drivers, applications, and configuration
        files to the local Windows directory of the computer at the
        work place. In addition, it is neccesary that the local files
        SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, CONTROL.INI and MWINTOOL.GRP can be
        created/overwritten. With the help of the monitor-select-
        program each work place is adapted to its individual equipment
        by entering specific data in the OCTO.MON and the three *.INI
        files mentioned above.

        If you exchange your old graphics board by a miroCRYSTAL /
        miroMAGIC / miroRAINBOW graphics board or if you exchange
        one miro board by the other, you should reconfigure Windows
        for VGA. In doing so, you avoid that a wrong driver runs on
        your new graphics board when starting Windows and that your
        system crashes. Install the driver for the new board in the
        VGA mode.

        If the call for the OCTOINI program is still in your
        AUTOEXEC.BAT from a previous installation, you may
        delete this call.


Installation under Norton Desktop:

        If you use the Norton Desktop instead of the Microsoft
        Program Manager, the miroWINTOOLS group (MWINTOOL.GRP)
        which the installation program generates may not be
        integrated in the Norton Desktop. To avoid this, start
        the Program Manager (PROGMAN.EXE) as a symbol before
        starting the installation program or integrate this
        group manually in the Norton "Quick Access" group after
        the installation. To do so, open the drive window containing
        the Windows directory and the "Quick Access" window
        and drag the MWINTOOL.GRP file from the drive directory
        window to the "Quick Access" window. Also refer to your
        Norton desktop manual.


Information on Windows:

        At the 640 x 480 resolution do not select the option
        "TV overscan" with miroSUPERSCREEN.

        If the icons in one of your program groups are black (or you
        get an error message concerning this), there are too many icons
        in this group. Split this group up into smaller ones. This is
        due to Windows and occurs with 65k/16.7 mill color drivers.

        If key commands are not accepted after switching to the MS-DOS
        prompt, press the <ALT> key. Then, Windows checks the state of
        this key and the following key commands will be accepted.

        In some cases lines remain on the desktop. To avoid this, enter
        VXPBLT=1 in the SYSTEM.INI file under [928.drv].

    In exceptional cases additional expansion boards may cause that
    the graphics driver does not function properly. For example
    network problems, problems with modems or a sticky mouse cursor.
    In these cases     enter the line FIFO=1 under [928.drv] in the
    SYSTEM.INI file.

        In the SYSTEM.INI file in the [386Enh] section, you can add
        EMMEXclude=A000-FFFF. Then, the whole adapter address range is
        excluded from the scanning of free memory blocks.

        miroSCOPE has to be closed before calling the MS DOS prompt.
        If you don't do so, you can not switch from the full-screen
        to the windowed mode by entering <ALT>+<RETURN>.

    It is not possible to use an high resolution mode in the
    dos-box.

    To achieve optimal performance under MS Video for Windows,
        change the driver parameters in the WIN.INI file in the
        [drawdib] section to
        "5,0,0,0"       for 8  Bit
        "5,5,5,5"       for 15 Bit
        "5,5,5,5"       for 16 Bit
    "5,0,5,5"     for 24 Bit

    Some applikations like
        PC Paintbrush 1.0
        CCAM
        IRON HELIX
        Quick Time Picture Viewer
    use not Windows komform bitmaphandling.
        In these cases the bitmaps look chopped.
        Please add under [928.drv] in the SYSTEM.INI file the line
        DDBCACHE=0

        For the 1600x1200x8 Bit resolution the standard systemcolors are 24.
        If in some applikations may occur wrong colors, please delete under
        [928.drv] in the SYSTEM.INI file the line
        SYSCOLORS=24

        Do not use miroSCREEN ADJUST with fixedfrequenzy monitors.
        Please do not change the adjustments too far, because this can
        destroy your monitor.

    It is not recommended to use the miroSCREEN-Adjust tool together with
    a fixed-frequency monitor. If you change the image size, the video
    mode might not comply with the monitor┤s characteristics. Do not change
    the monitor┤s size and position in a way that the settings differ too
    much from the default setting, because then your monitor might be damaged.

    When the message "This is no miro driver" appears, no suitable miro
    graphics driver is active. miroPINBOARD does not support any resolution
    with 16 colors  and any TrueColor for 1 MB miro graphics boards.



    Glossary
    =======

    This glossary contains the most important concepts from the field of
    computer hardware. Cross-references are marked by this symbol ~.

    Address
    All memory positions in a computer have numbers (addresses). Through these
    addresses each memory position can be addressed directly. Some addresses are
    reserved for certain ~ hardware components and must not be used. If two
    hardware components use the same address, there is an address conflict.

    ANSI
    American National Standards Institute. ANSI character set (~ Font): used by
    Microsoft Windows and Windows applications. The character assignation only
    differs slightly from the assignation of the ~ ASCII character set.

    ASCII
    American Standards Committee of Information Interchange. ASCII character set
    (~ Font): standard character set used by IBM and compatible computers.
    The ASCII character set consists of 256 characters, the first 128 of which
    are standardized.

    AUTOEXEC.BAT
    A special DOS ~ batch file which is processed automatically after the
    computer has been started. The file contains among other things commands
    which load the country-specific keyboard driver (~ Driver), set the time or
    load programs automatically.

    Batch file
    A ~ DOS file where a sequence of commands is processed one after the other.

    BIOS
    Basic Input Output System. Number of basic input and output commands stored
    in a ~ ROM, PROM or EPROM. The ~ operating system uses these commands.
    The basic task of the BIOS is to control the data input and output. After
    starting the system the ROM BIOS performs some tests (checking the
    ~ interfaces, the disk drives, etc.).

    Bit
    Binary Digit. Smallest information unit in a computer. One bit can take on
    two states: ½0╗ and ½1╗, two bits can take on two to the second power=
    four states and three bits two to the third power =eight, etc. In a computer
    those states are realized by ½0 V╗ (no current = 0) and ½5 V╗ (current = 1).
    To display a character (letter, number etc.), 8 bits = 1 ~ byte are required.

    Bus
    In a computer, busses provide for the communication between the ~ processor
    and the installed hardware (hard disk, graphics board, etc.). Depending on
    the bus width, the bus transfers a different amount of information. An 8-bit
    bus can transfer 8 ~ bits (= ~ byte = one character) at a time.

    Byte
    One byte consists of eight ~ bits. One byte represents exactly one character
    (letter, number etc.). The characters are binary-coded with ½zero╗ (0) and
    ½one╗ (1). The character ½E╗ has the ~ ASCII code ½01000101╗ or ½45h╗
    (hexadecimal).

    CGA
    Color Graphics Adapter (IBM). Graphics board which displays four colors in
    the graphics mode.

    Clock frequency
    Rate at which individual commands are processed in a processor. The higher
    the ~ clock frequency, the quicker the commands are processed.

    CLUT
    Color Look Up Table. Color table which contains all indexed color values.

    Color depth
    Number of ~ bits used to represent the color information for each ~ pixel.
    At a black and white display 1 bit color depth displays two to the first
    power=two colors. At a color depth of 8 bits two to the 8th power=256 colors
    are available and at 24 bits two to the 24th power=16,277,216 (~ TrueColor)
    colors are available.

    CONFIG.SYS
    A ~ DOS configuration file which is processed automatically when the system
    starts. The CONFIG.SYS file includes ~ drivers which control the output to
    the monitor and the keyboard and the mouse.

    DIP switch
    Dual Inline Package switch. A row of small switches designed to make certain
    hardware presettings.

    DOS
    Disk Operating System. The most common ~ operating system for PCs (Personal
    Computer). MS DOS is the Microsoft version of DOS.

    Driver
    Programs which integrate the hardware (e.g. driver for a CD-ROM drive) in
    the computer and which adapt the software to the hardware (e.g. driver for
    a graphical user interface, such as Microsoft Windows). The software then
    uses the features of the graphics board.

    EGA
    Enhanced Graphics Adapter (IBM), graphics board which displays 16 colors
    in the graphics mode.

    EISA bus
    Extended Industry Standard Architecture. 32-bit bus: The EISA bus can
    transfer an amount of data of 33 ~ MB per second at a ~ clock frequency
    of 8.33 MHz.

    Fixed-frequency monitor
    Monitor operating at a very small frequency range (~ multifrequency monitor).

    Font
    Character set in a certain type, size and style, e.g.
    Times New Roman 11, normal; Times New Roman 11, italics;
    Times New Roman 11, bold; Times New Roman 11, bold, italics.

    Graphics board
    Graphics boards are the ½link╗ between the computer and the monitor. Without
    a graphics board no image appears on the screen. Graphics boards operate
    in two modes: the text mode and the graphics mode. In the text mode only
    ~ ASCII characters are displayed. The ASCII character set includes some
    simple ½graphical╗ characters to display simple graphics. The graphics mode
    uses individual ~ pixels. The more pixels are available (the higher the
    ~ resolution) the more detailed characters and graphics can be displayed.

    Hardware
    The hardware includes all computer components which are ½hard╗, such as
    the monitor, the hard disk, the keyboard, the mouse and the printer.

    HGC
    Hercules Graphics Card, monochrome (black and white) graphics board.

    Horizontal scan rate
    Number of horizontal scans of the electron beam per second required to
    create a new line. The higher the ~ resolution the higher the required
    horizontal scan rate.

    Interface
    Link between two parts of a system or between two systems where information,
    pulses and signals are adapted in a way that the receiving part can
    understand the sending part. For example, signals which the computer sends
    to the printer have to be adapted by an interface so that the printer
    ½understands╗ what it has to print.

    Interlaced
    Image refreshing technique: the screen is subdivided into lines. When
    refreshing the image first all even lines and then all odd lines are
    refreshed.

    ISA bus
    International Standard Architecture. 16-bit bus which transfers 8 ~ MB of
    data per second at a ~ clock frequency of 8 MHz.

    Jumper
    Jumpers can set up or interrupt electrical leads. To establish electrical
    leads with a jumper, the jumper has to be mounted, to interrupt the lead
    the jumper has to be removed.

    KB
    1 KB (Kilobyte) is equal to 1024 ~ bytes. Here ½K╗ (kilo) is always equal
    to ½1024╗.

    MB
    1 MB (Megabyte) equals 1024 ~ KB.

    MDA
    Monochrome Display Adapter. Monochrome (black and white) graphics board.

    Multifrequency monitor
    A multifrequency monitor adapts itself automatically to different
    frequencies supplied by the graphics board (~ fixed-frequency monitor) and
    can display different ~ resolutions.

    Operating system
    The operating system provides for the communication between ~ hardware,
    ~ software and the user. The tasks of the operating system are among others
    the file and the program management.

    Parallel interface
    The parallel or Centronics ~ interface transfers data through an 8-bit data
    line. This means that 8 ~ bits (1 ~ byte) can be transferred at a time.
    The transfer through the parallel interface is considerably faster than
    the transfer through the ~ serial interface, over long distances the
    parallel data transfer is, however, more susceptible to interference.
    Parallel interfaces are designated by LPT and a number (e.g. LPT1).

    PCI Local Bus
    Peripheral Component Interconnect. Local Bus concept by IBM: 32-bit bus,
    a PCI bus can transfer 132 MB per second at a ~ clock frequency of 33 MHz.

    Pixel
    Picture element. Pixels are the smallest elements of a monitor image
    (~ resolution).

    RAM
    Random Access Memory. An RAM is a read-write memory component from which
    data can be read and to which data can be written any time. The computer
    memory is equipped with RAM components. The memory is a so-called ½volatile╗
    memory meaning that the memory contents are removed as soon as the computer
    is switched off.

    Refresh rate
    Also vertical scan rate. Number of image refreshes per second measured in
    Hertz (Hz). The higher the vertical scan rate the less flicker.

    Resolution
    Number of ~ horizontal and vertical pixels. 1408 x 1024 means that
    1408 horizontal pixels and 1024 vertical pixels are displayed on
    the monitor. The higher the resolution the more details the monitor
    can display.

    ROM
    Read Only Memory. A ROM is a memory component which can only be read but
    which cannot be modified. The ROM's contents remain in the component also
    after the computer has been switched off. All functions which have to be
    available immidiately after switching the computer on, e.g. the data for
    the system test, the character output on the screen, etc. are stored
    in ROM components. There are also PROMs (Programmable ROM) EPROMs (Erasable
    PROM) and EEPROMs (Electric EPROM).

    Serial interface
    Also RS232. The serial interface transfers data through a data line bit
    by bit (all ~ bits of a ~ byte one after the other). The serial data
    transfer is considerably slower than the transfer through the ~ parallel
    interface but it is less susceptible to interference. Serial interfaces
    are designated by COM and a number (e.g. COM1).

    Software
    General term for all programs a computer can run (system programs,
    application programs, ~ drivers etc.) and files.

    TrueColor
    16.7 million colors can be displayed at a time (~ color depth).

    VESA
    Video Electronic Standards Association. Committee founded in 1988 in
    the USA which establishes common standards for the computer technology.

    VESA Local Bus
    Bus concept defined by the ~ VESA committee: 32-bit bus operating at
    a ~ clock frequency of up to 50 MHz. At a clock frequency of 33 MHz
    the VL bus transfers up to 132 ~ MB per second.

    VGA
    Video Graphics Array (IBM), graphics board which displays 256 colors in
    the graphics mode.