IMPORTANT INFORMATION for the ATI January 2001 Maintenance Release for Mac OS 9
January 2001
Read this document completely before attempting to use this software!
Contents
Introduction
Hardware/Software Requirements
Installation Notes
Release Notes for Mac OS 9
Introduction
This document contains last-minute updates and important information. Please finish reading this file before proceeding with the installation.
Hardware/Software Requirements
Minimum Requirements: Mac OS 9
Recommended System Basics:
Installation Notes
The ATI Maintenance Installer contains the following items:
The installer will install the above components. Some of these components offer support for other ATI display devices. Not all components may be necessary for proper operation of a specific card. These components may safely be left in your extensions folder. For example, if you do not have an ATI Rage128 based product (Nexus128, Rage Orion, or Xclaim VR128) the ATI Rage 128 3D Accelerator will be installed, but will not load.
NOTE: If you already have an existing ATI retail product, do not remove your previously installed ATI files. This installer will overwrite any files that need to be updated. If you remove your existing ATI files, your older ATI product may no longer function as expected (if a file not included in this package has been removed).
You must restart your computer after installation is complete.
Uninstalling ATI Software under Mac OS 9
If you experience problems uninstalling ATI software, restart your system with extensions OFF (hold down the shift key during startup), and run the Installer. Then select "Uninstall" from the pull-down menu on the main installer window.
Release Notes for Mac OS 9
OpenGL Version Requirements for Mac OS 9
In order to fully utilize the capability of your new ATI card with Apple OpenGL, it is recommended that you have Apple OpenGL v1.2.2 or later installed on your system. Apple OpenGL is available as part of the Mac OS 9.2.1 Upgrade available from Apple's web site at http://www.apple.com. Check Apple's site for the latest Apple OpenGL downloadable files. All new systems from Apple ship with OpenGL 1.2.2 pre-installed.
Please see the ATI website at http://www.ati.com for new updates for all your ATI products.
QuickTime Player - QuickDraw 3D RAVE Requirement
Movie acceleration requires the "QuickDraw 3D RAVE" extension which is included with Mac OS 9. However, recent changes to version 1.7 of this extension may cause playback problems, including a system hang. This version ships with newer Mac OS 9 updates, including 9.2.2
It is recommended that QuickDraw 3D RAVE version 1.6 be used for problem-free operation. This version of the extension ships with most other revisions of Mac OS 9 and is also included with QuickTime installers (currently verified up to version 5.02). Deleting version 1.7 and then running the QuickTime 5 installer will provide you with a proper setup.
Apple DVD Player
Both Rage128 and RADEON AGP/ PCI products fully support Apple DVD Player version 2.2+. You do not specifically require an AGP video card. Version 2.x of Apple DVD Player will not run on older machines (it will run on any AGP G4 and some iMac, Powerbook and iBook models).
PowerMac G3/ PCI G4: Older systems supporting DVD must use Apple DVD Player 1.3. This hardware-based DVD Player will only run with the built-in DVD Decoding hardware installed in your machine. You must have a monitor connected to your built-in display hardware and this device should be the startup screen (Happy Mac icon in Monitors Control Panel). For Blue and White G3 or PCI-Only G4, the Rage128 with Hardware DVD module must remain in its default slot (PCI-66). For further information on Apple's DVD Player 1.3, please see Apple's web site and Knowledge Base (Tech Info Library).
Apple DVD Player 2.7 is the latest version shipping on new machines as of this release. In order to provide maximum compatibility, you should run the latest version available for your computer. See Apple's web site, http://www.apple.com, for any updates.
Adaptive De-Interlacing for DVD Playback
The de-interlacing feature may be enabled from the ATI Config Menu in your menu bar. It is compatible with Apple DVD Player 2.x
The feature is intended for use with interlaced DVD content (often material that was originally shot on video, such as TV programming, or deleted scenes and documentaries included on many DVD titles as extras). Turning it on while watching non-interlaced movies may slightly degrade certain elements, such as static text displays. An interlaced source can easily be identified on a monitor; you will be able to see horizontal striping (a shutter effect) in the video (easiest to see with fast moving subjects and high contrast areas).
The feature defaults to OFF when you restart your computer. It applies to all suported ATI cards (Radeon) installed in the system.
ATI Config Menu - How to Disable / Enable
The ATI Config Menu appears along the menu bar. It is initiated by clicking on the ATI logo that appears next to the system clock.
To disable this feature: when booting, hold the OPTION+C keys. This will disable the ATI Config Menu permanently.
To re-enable the ATI Config Menu: reboot your system and hold the OPTION+C keys.
ATI Displays 3D Settings (feature not applicable to RADEON series)
If you change the 3D Quality, 3D Compression, or 3D Sync settings in the ATI Displays control panel, the change is not saved when you restart your computer. Any change you make goes back to the default setting when you restart or power up your computer. These options vary for different graphics cards.
ATI Popup Menu and Hot Keys Availability
The ATI Popup Menu and Hot Keys remain inactive during the display of a dialog window. For example, while using the Monitors control panel, the Popup Menu and Hot Keys are displayed, but disabled.
ATI Popup Menu Mode Display
The ATI Popup Menu only displays the valid and safe modes available for the monitor(s) attached to ATI accelerator cards. Additional modes may be accessed through the Monitors control panel or the Control Strip. An example of this is when using the Popup Menu on a TV - there are no modes that are both Valid and Safe for TV-Output, therefore no resolution selections appear.
Mac2TV (Video Output) with RADEON and XCLAIM Cards
All newer ATI cards allow access to TV modes directly from the Resolution Control Strip module (labeled either NTSC or PAL). Rage II XCLAIM VR cards must enable TV features from the ATI Displays Mac2TV controls.
TV modes on RADEON are only available when booting with a TV connected. If you have just connected a TV, you must reboot to see the new modes. XCLAIM VR supports hot-plugging a TV without restarting the computer. If the TV Out modes do not appear in the Control Strip module after connection, use the Mac2TV controls found in the ATI Displays control panel.
NOTE: A configuration with TV and analog display connected to the DVI port is not supported. example: a VGA monitor connected to the DVI port with an adapter and a TV also connected.
Mac2TV - Simulscan (Monitor & TV with the same image)
To enable this feature, choose a mode labeled "simulscan" in the Resolution Control Strip module. Note that simulscan only works with NTSC TV Out.
Simulscan mode is not supported when ONLY a DVI flat panel and TV are connected. With the original RADEON Mac Edition, simulscan is only possible when a CRT and TV are connected.
Mac2TV and Computer Graphics
The display quality of computer graphics on NTSC/PAL capable monitors or televisions can vary greatly from model to model. Adjustments to screen size, brightness and contrast (using the Mac2TV Controls found in the ATI Displays Control Panel) can improve the display.
Mac2TV and Saturation Controls
The saturation slider in the Mac2TV control panel (as part of ATI Displays Version 2.x) may produce unexpected results when moved to extreme settings. This may produce a black and white display with certain types of NTSC capable televisions or monitors when the slider is moved to the far right. This is normal and will not harm the television or monitor. Move the slider to a position that restores the desired color.
DVI Port and Analog (VGA-type) Displays - DDC (Display Data Channel)
Please note that DDC is not supported when using an analog display with an adapter on the DVI connector. This may cause resolutions that are unsupported by your monitor to appear on the Control Strip, and the Monitors Control Panel. Use the VGA port as the primary port for connecting analog displays when possible. DDC is fully supported when using a digital display on the DVI port.
System Memory and Applications/Games
Systems with less than 128MB of physical system memory should keep Virtual Memory turned ON and set to at least 128MB. Note that some applications will require even greater amounts; this is typical with some newer games. Please check individual game/application requirements.
Virtual Memory is not an ideal substitute for physical memory and may not work optimally with all programs.
Motorola StarMax 4000 (5 PCI slot models) & RADEON PCI
Please note that your RADEON PCI should be installed in either of the two inside slots (closest to main board). The three outside slots are currently not supported for this specific main board configuration.
Multiple Displays and 3D Games - Display Selection
Some games will work on any of your active displays and will provide an interface for selecting which display to play on. This selection process may occur when running the game for the first time, may need a special key-press when launching (example: American McGee's Alice) or may require a change to a configuration file. Please see the documentation for your specific game. Also note that some older games require an update for this added functionality (example: Cro Mag Rally)
Other games may only work on one of the displays. They may automatically come up on the Menu bar display or may come up on the Startup display (Happy Face in the arrange panel of the Monitors Control Panel).
Video Mirroring - 3D Acceleration
Using the Arrange tab in the Monitors control panel, or the Video Mirror control strip module, it is possible to set two independent displays to show an identical desktop (useful for presentations). When using this mode, 3D acceleration is disabled and all 3D operations will go through Apple's software renderer. To maintain optimum acceleration and associated features, the monitors should be run in a standard Extended Desktop configuration. This limitation does not affect simulscan TV modes - acceleration is fully supported in those instances.
ATI, XCLAIM, Nexus, ImpacTV, RAGE THEATER, RAGE PRO, RAGE 128, RADEON, RADEON 7000, and Mac2TV are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ATI Technologies, Inc. QuickTime, QuickDraw, Mac, and Macintosh are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other company and/or registered trademarks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.
Copyright © ATI Technologies Inc., 1996-2001
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