------------------------------------------------------------------- PowerStrip 2.05 Release Notes January 10, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright EnTech Taiwan, 1995-98. HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ======================== To view pstrip.txt on screen in Notepad, maximize the Notepad window. To print pstrip.txt, open it in Notepad or another word processor, and then on the File menu, click Print. CONTENTS ======== POWERSTRIP DESCRIPTION INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE POWERSTRIP UPGRADING THE POWERSTRIP POWERSTRIP REFRESH RATE SUPPORT NOTES ON SPECIFIC CHIPSETS AND DRIVERS KNOWN LIMITATIONS POWERSTRIP DESCRIPTION ====================== The PowerStrip is a desktop enhancement and display control utility, specifically optimized for use with current and future 32-bit versions of Microsoft Windows. The PowerStrip works in conjunction with your display driver and graphics hardware, supporting on-the-fly color depth, resolution, and refresh rate switching, user-defined presets, program/ shortcut associations, an optional toolbar, graphics system information, screen saving, power management, cursor controls, and extensive monitor support. A full description of PowerStrip features can be found in the online documentation. INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE POWERSTRIP ========================================= To install PowerStrip, you must have a PC running Microsoft Memphis, Windows NT or Windows 95, and a graphics card or monitor specifically licensed for use with the PowerStrip. These instructions assume that you have already successfully installed the very latest display drivers provided by your graphics card manufacturer or by Microsoft. NB: The PowerStrip is NOT designed for use with proprietary display drivers and/or firmware which deviates significantly from the chip vendor's reference designs. To install PowerStrip software, carry out the following steps: 1. Run the included Setup program. Or to install manually, right-click the file pstrip95.inf file (for Windows 95/98) or the pstripNT.inf file (for Windows NT) using the Windows Explorer, and then click Install. 2. Run the PowerStrip from the PowerStrip folder in the Start menu and double-click the PowerStrip icon on the system tray, or select PowerStrip configuration... from the PowerStrip popup menu or toolbar. 3. Select color depth, resolution and refresh rate combinations of your choice and drag-and-drop on Preset button to save setting, or on monitor image to preview setting. To remove the PowerStrip from your computer, select the Add/Remove option from the Control Panel, and select "PowerStrip (remove only)" from the list. UPGRADING THE POWERSTRIP ======================== When you upgrade the PowerStrip from an older version, all your presets and associations are preserved, but custom monitor information and refresh rates will be lost. This is a deliberate safety precaution. POWERSTRIP REFRESH RATE SUPPORT =============================== PowerStrip+ software includes extensive refresh rate support which goes far beyond the level of support provided by the chip vendor's BIOS and drivers. However, this additional support requires that the PowerStrip be running. Since the PowerStrip will, of course, be loaded after the Windows desktop appears, Windows will first start up at the highest refresh rate supported directly by the driver, and only then switch to a higher refresh rate (if enabled) when the PowerStrip loads. For example, if you have a Rendition or Riva128 accelerator and have used the PowerStrip to set the refresh rate to 160Hz, Windows will typically startup at 120Hz (the highest rate supported directly by Rendition and nVidia), and then switch automatically to 160Hz when the PowerStrip loads. Note that this support, and limitation, only applies to PowerStrip+ software, and not to standard versions of the PowerStrip. NOTES ON SPECIFIC CHIPSETS AND DRIVERS ====================================== AGP cards in general - Under Windows 95 you will need OSR2.1 (with USB support installed), as well as a special VXD provided by your mainboard's chip vendor. Many graphics card vendors are automatically installing Intel's VXD driver with their display driver, but this will only work with Intel core logic. If you have one of the new Socket 7 AGP boards from VIA, SiS or ETEQ, you will need to ensure you have their AGP VXD installed. ATI - PowerStrip refresh rate support will not work with ATI cards under Windows 95/98 unless you are using a Microsoft driver. S3 ViRGE/GX2 - PowerStrip TV output controls for the GX2 under NT requires BIOS version 2.16.08 or a later release. Matrox MGAs - PowerStrip refresh rate support will not work with MGA cards under Windows 95/98 unless you (1) configure the Matrox PowerDesk to use a native Windows monitor, or (2) use a Microsoft driver. Under NT, if you select a Matrox monitor using the PowerDesk, your refresh rates will be limited to the ones you define using the PowerDesk. AT/3Dfx - The PowerStrip has been tested and approved for use with the AT3D and AT25 only. While the program can detect earlier versions like the AT24 and 6422, timing characteristics are likely to be very different. BIOS version will not be reported. Trident ProVidia 96xx - The PowerStrip is designed for use with the 9685. It is unlikely to work correctly with earlier Trident 9660/9680 chipsets. Under NT, the PowerStrip may occasionally set an incorrect custom refresh rate. Tseng ET6x00 - If you encounter problems under NT, refer to the "Trouble Shooting" section in the on-line documentation for instructions on enabling the PowerStrip "HW-Exclusive" switch. Cirrus Logic Alpine - The PowerStrip contains optimized code for the 5436/46 and 5480; earlier 5430/34/40 chipsets are also supported in API mode. Rendition Verite - The PowerStrip has been optimized for and tested with the V2200 only. Because Rendition does not currently support doubling the pixel clock, the PowerStrip must monitor even standard BIOS refresh rates calls to ensure double-clocking is disabled when it should be, so double clocking is disabled by default; it can be enabled by setting DClk=1 in the pstrip.cfg file. KNOWN LIMITATIONS ================= Icon Corruption after Changing Color Depth On-the-fly ----------------------------------------------------- Under Windows 95 it is possible that icons (even PowerStrip icons) may be corrupted after switching color depth dynamically. Multi-language Support ---------------------- Some of the translated text strings may be either too long or less than accurate. If you encounter a translation error and/or can suggest a more accurate or abbreviated translation, we would appreciate your input. Naturally, we apologize in advance for any translations that are inaccurate. Translations are not available for extended Plug and Play monitor information. UnInstall under Windows 98 -------------------------- Although PowerStrip files are un-installed, shell links and registry entries are not removed. This will be fixed for the retail release of Windows 98. Support for Windows NT 5.0 Beta ------------------------------- BIOS level hardware support under NT 5.0B is partially disabled in this release. Some functions (e.g., VESA BIOS information) will be unavailable.