Copyright: ®1996, Matrox Graphics Inc., Help Rev1.3, 06/96
Citation: ® 1996, Matrox Graphics Inc., Copied from MGA Millennium Help Rev.1.3 (all rights reserved).


Monitor Selection Utility

Monitor Selection

Monitor Testing

Saving and Exiting


Selecting a Monitor

The MGA Monitor Selection utility identifies your monitor to the MGA hardware, and tests the display.

1. Double-click on the MGA Monitor Selection icon in the MGA PowerDesk group window to start the program.

2. Click on the Selection button, then highlight your monitor from the list.

If your particular monitor is not listed by name, highlight the generic category that it falls into. Note that virtually all monitors will function correctly at 60 Hz., and that most monitors support the VESA  standard timings.

3. Click on OK.

DDC-compliant monitors

DDC is a VESA standard which allows graphics drivers like the MGA Windows driver to automatically obtain a monitor's timings from the monitor itself. Note that many new monitors are now DDC-compliant.

If a DDC monitor is detected, your MGA board will automatically use the monitor's timing information, and the Monitor Selection program will be disabled. To override the DDC timings, a monitor file must be created from the DOS MGA setup program, which is located on the MGA CAD Driver disk.


Direct Data Channel


Video Electronics Standards Association


Testing Your Monitor

Click on the Test button. The Monitor Test dialog box appears. Using the Resolution and Pixel Depth panels, select the mode that you wish to test. A status bar shows the horizontal and vertical refresh rates and pixel clock for the specific mode.

When you click on Test, you should see the test screen of a grid and a color spectrum bar.

• If your monitor displays properly, use the test pattern to fine tune your monitor in terms of screen size, position, and aspect ratio. Most monitors on the market today will automatically save your adjustments for future use. Duplicate this monitor test procedure for each display mode that you plan to use.

• If your monitor does not sync (display) properly within a few seconds, press Esc to return to the main dialog box and make a different monitor selection.


Save and Exit
Saving and Exiting

Once you've made a satisfactory monitor selection, use the Save and Exit button to confirm your choice. The Monitor Selection utility will suggest that you restart Windows in order to make this change now.