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- -------------------------------------------------------------------
- PowerStrip 2.75 Release Notes
- September 20, 2000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- (c) Copyright EnTech Taiwan, 1995-2000.
-
-
- 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
- ========
- LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND SUPPORT
- POWERSTRIP DESCRIPTION
- LIMITATIONS IN THE POWERSTRIP DEMO
- INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE POWERSTRIP
- UPGRADING THE POWERSTRIP
- REMOVING THE POWERSTRIP
- POWERSTRIP REFRESH RATE SUPPORT
- NON-ADMINISTRATORS UNDER WINDOWS NT
- NOTES ON SPECIFIC CHIPSETS AND DRIVERS
- KNOWN LIMITATIONS
- HISTORY
-
-
- LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND SUPPORT
- =================================
- This version of the PowerStrip is shareware. You must read and
- accept the terms of the legal disclaimer below before you
- can use this software.
-
- LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This software is provided "as is" without
- warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including,
- but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability
- and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the
- quality and performance of the software is with you. Should the
- software prove defective, you assume the cost of all necessary
- servicing, repair or correction.
-
- In no event will EnTech Taiwan be liable to you for damages,
- including any general, special, incidental or consequential
- damages arising out of the use or inability to use the software
- (including but not limited to loss of data or data being rendered
- inaccurate or losses sustained by you or third parties or a
- failure of the software to operate with any other programs), even
- if such holder or other party has been advised of the possibility
- of such damages.
-
- REGISTRATION - The PowerStrip can be purchased for US$29.95
- through RegSoft's Registration Service. For on-line registration,
- please follow the link at http://www.entechtaiwan.com/ps.htm.
- Voice and fax orders can be placed by calling 1-888-REG-IT80 or
- 770-497-9126 (voice), or 1-770-497-9234 (fax). Please refer to
- Product ID #3573.
-
- SUPPORT - PowerStrip support is available from EnTech Taiwan via
- Internet e-mail addressed to support@entechtaiwan.com. Program
- updates are made available over the Internet at
- http://www.entechtaiwan.com.
-
-
- 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, color correction, and
- extensive monitor support. A full description of PowerStrip features
- can be found in the online documentation.
-
-
- LIMITATIONS IN THE POWERSTRIP DEMO
- ==================================
- The PowerStrip Demo is fully functional, but will randomly discard
- your preferences from one session to the next. The single exception is
- DPMS settings, which are maintained but stay in effect for only 30
- minutes. Licensed versions of the PowerStrip do not display the
- "PowerStrip Demo" splash screen on start-up, and - naturally -
- save and restore all your preferences.
-
-
- INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE POWERSTRIP
- =========================================
- To install PowerStrip, you must have a PC running Windows NT/2000 or
- Windows 95/98, and a graphics card or monitor specifically approved 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 pstrip.inf file 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 settings,
- or on monitor image to preview settings.
-
- To remove the PowerStrip from your computer, select the Add/Remove
- option from the Control Panel, and select "PowerStrip (remove only)"
- from the list. Detailed instructions follow below.
-
-
- 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. There
- is no need to uninstall an older version of the program prior to upgrading.
-
-
- REMOVING THE POWERSTRIP
- =======================
- To completely remove the PowerStrip from your system, follow these
- steps:
-
- 1. Open the Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs applet, and select the
- "PowerStrip (remove only)" option from the list.
- 2. Re-install your display drivers to ensure that driver registry
- information has been restored to its original state.
- 3. Re-confirm your Windows monitor type (under Windows 95/98/NT5) to
- ensure that monitor registry information has been restored to its
- original state.
- 4. If you have a secondary 3D accelerator (e.g., PowerVR PCX1/2, Voodoo
- Graphics or Voodoo II card), re-install the drivers for this device.
-
-
- POWERSTRIP REFRESH RATE SUPPORT
- ===============================
- The PowerStrip may include 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 closest
- refresh rate supported directly by the driver, and only then switch to
- a custom 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 150Hz, Windows will
- typically startup at 120Hz (the closest rate supported directly by
- Rendition and nVidia), and then switch automatically to 150Hz when the
- PowerStrip loads.
-
-
- NON-ADMINISTRATORS UNDER WINDOWS NT
- ===================================
- By default, the PowerStrip provides direct hardware support under NT
- only to administrators. Non-administrator access to the PowerStrip is
- available by using the Setup program. Note that it is very important
- to follow the Setup program instructions to the letter, to ensure the
- PowerStrip is properly registered as a service. A registry patch to
- facilitate non-Administrator use is available from the link below:
- http://www.entechtaiwan.com/files/psntuser.zip (~25kb)
-
-
- 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 several Socket 7 AGP boards from VIA, SiS
- ALI or ETEQ, you will need to ensure you have the appropriate GART manager
- installed.
-
- AGP transfers - If you find you need to force AGP transfers to 1X for
- purposes of stability, you can do so by adding the switch "/AGP:nX" to the
- command-line or shortcut you use to launch the PowerStrip, where "n" is 1, 2
- or 4. Fast writes and sideband addressing can be similarly turned on or off
- with the switches "/SBA:nn" and "/FW:nn", where "nn" is either On or Off.
- Note that many cards do not support dynamic adjustment of the transfer rate
- and will crash, either immediately or on initiating AGP transfers.
-
- Non-DDI compliant drivers - Some display drivers report support for
- downloadable gamma ramps, when in fact this support is not implemented and
- may result in a GDI illegal instruction error. To circumvent this
- problem, you may need to manually add a "No-DDI=1" switch to the [Options]
- section of the pstrip.ini file.
-
- ATI - PowerStrip refresh rate support may not work with ATI cards under
- Windows 95/98 unless you are using a Microsoft driver. Because of ATI's
- PLL settling characteristics, programmable refresh rates are not supported.
- Also note that all clock settings are critically dependent on the reference
- oscillator, which can vary from one ATI board to another. If the PowerStrip
- reports abnormally high or low clock speeds, please contact tech support
- for instructions on how to fix this problem, which involves manually setting
- the "OSC=n" switch in the pstrip.ini to match the oscillator on the card (e.g.,
- "OSC=14" or "OSC=27").
-
- S3 ViRGE/GX2 - PowerStrip TV output controls for the GX2 under NT
- requires BIOS version 2.16.08 or a later release.
-
- Voodoo Rush - The PowerStrip has been tested and approved for use
- with the AT3D and AT25 only. While the program can detect earlier Alliance
- chips 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 3Dimage/
- Blade3D series of chips. It is unlikely to work correctly with earlier ProVidia
- 96xx chipsets. Also, under NT, the PowerStrip may occasionally set an incorrect
- custom refresh rate.
-
- 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.
-
- Intel740/752 - The PowerStrip should not be used with Asus drivers for
- Intel chips, under Windows 95/98.
-
- NVidia - Under NT, DPMS services may appear to work correctly, but be
- unable to wake up with certain BIOS and driver combinations. Setting the
- "Force DPMS" switch on the PowerStrip Trouble shooting page may fix this
- problem. Suspend mode should not be enabled.
-
- Dedicated 3D Acceleraters - PowerStrip support for dynamically switching
- between primary and auxiliary D3D devices has been tested with 3Dfx Voodoo
- Graphics I and II, and Matrox M3D/Videologic PowerVR cards only. Note that
- for PowerVR support, you must be using driver release 4.0 or higher. If
- you have a Voodoo card which uses proprietary drivers, a special undocumented
- switch may need to set before you can safely change the default D3D device.
-
- 3dfx cards - Banshee drivers will normally overwrite Voodoo I/II
- Glide files with Banshee files of the same name. In the event, you can use
- the "Disable Banshee Glide support" option on the PowerStrip 3Dfx page, and
- then proceed to re-install your Voodoo drivers. From that point on you can
- safely switch between Banshee and VoodooI/II Glide support from within
- the PowerStrip. Note also that PowerStrip clock support mirrors the
- native registry support provided by the drivers. Changes take place in real-
- time, without restarting, and are also written to the registry where they
- will be read by the display driver. As a reult, you should always reset the
- clocks to their default values before un-installing the PowerStrip.
-
-
- 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.
-
- BSoD/Crash under Windows 2000
- -----------------------------
- If starting the PowerStrip results in a BSoD, you may need to create
- or edit the pstrip.ini in your WinNT directory, and add a "Mechanism=2"
- switch to the [Options] section. An attempt is made to do this
- automatically, but to be sure you should check to ensure the switch
- is present before running the PowerStrip again.
-
- ACPI Problems under Windows 2000
- --------------------------------
- If you find that the PowerStrip prevents Windows from switching into a
- power-saving state, you may need to disable the hardware keyboard monitor
- on the PowerStrip Trouble Shooting page.
-
- Screen Saver under Windows 2000
- -------------------------------
- The pstrip.scr screen saver is a compact, "lite" version of the
- EnergySaver, which is free to all registered PowerStrip users. The
- EnergySaver can be found here: http://www.entechtaiwan.com/dpms.htm.
-
-
- HISTORY
- =======
- 2.75 - 20/09/2000
- Validated with 6.2x Detonator drivers
- Trapped phantom devices on bus
- Added display cache device info
- 2.74 - 27/08/2000
- Beefed up diagnostic module
- Isolated but could not trap D3 NVDISP bug
- Improved multimonitor ID
- Patched around VIA sub-class code bug
- 2.73 - 20/08/2000
- Maintenance release - NVidia D3 compatibility fixes
- 2.72 - 28/07/2000
- Maintenance release - several small bug fixes
- 2.71 - 23/07/2000
- Added preliminary Radeon support
- 2.70 - 15/07/2000
- Revised VSA100 support for quad configurations
- Fixed DOS compatibility problem under Win2K
- 2.69 - 17/06/2000
- Upped NV DDR default ceiling to 420MHz
- Fixed up ATI MAXX CLKDAC sychronization
- Added support for 3dfx custom resolutions
- 2.68 - 04/06/2000
- Upped NV DDR ceiling to 450MHz
- Fixed memory detect problem with 64MB cards
- Fixed docs/embedded font problem
- Fixed NT5 installation drive problem
- Bumped gamma hotkeys to provide +/-5 clicks
- 2.67 - 20/05/2000
- Qualified AGP config against master and target
- Fixed up Internet keybrd conflict
- 2.66 - 12/05/2000
- Disabled ICH check
- Enabled 1080i NV support
- Upped NV15 core clock range
- Corrected NV Windows 2000 driver switches
- Corrected S2K clock routines
- Revised keybd hook
- Fixed to scan multiple PCI buses
- 2.65 - 26/03/2000
- Added visual controls for AGP run-time configuration
- Sync'd screen saver with EnergySaver 2.0
- Sync'd multimonitor support with MultiRes 1.16
- Added W2K 3dfx & ATI R128 driver switches
- Added V/H sync off support for Number Nine T2R4
- Rewrote Tseng PClk calculator
- Fixed broken monitor/refresh selection
- Added NVidia overlay gamma control (disabled)
- Added NVidia interlacing support (disabled)
- Upd - added gamma mini-toolbar
- Upd - maintenance for non-admin users, etc.
- Upd - monitor support fix
- 2.64 - 15/02/2000
- Fixed up W2K installer
- Fixed up 3dfx screen saver anomoly
- Fixed up gamma compatibility with Word 2000
- Fixed up broken Matrox sync support
- Optimized application launcher
- Added desktop icon management for Win9x/ME
- Added W2K D3D driver switches for 3dfx, 3dlabs and ATI R128
- Added W2K OGL driver switches for NVidia
- Enhanced AGP configuration routines
- 2.62 - 03/02/2000
- Added explicit support for Rage128 Pro and MAXX
- Added undocumented support for forced GeForce pclk scaling
- Patched around Neon250 and T2R4 VESA calls
- Added composite sync switch for ATI
- Added sync-on-green switch for Number Nine
- Fixed up compatibility issue with W2K ACPI
- Rewrote screen saver message handler
- Added HW support for NeoMagic color correction
- Revised ATI access mechanisms
- Validated with Windows Millennium and Win2K RTM
- 2.60 - 12/31/1999
- Full support for Windows 2000
- Fixed ATI Rage support under W2K
- Finalized Savage2000 support
- Added full Number Nine T2R4 support
- Improved GeForce256 DDR support
- Fixed Rendition CRTC calculator
- Tapped NV Detonator drivers to provide custom resolutions
- Fixed Intel/Real3D LUTDAC support under NT and W2K
- Raised clock ceiling for TNT2 M64
- Added command-line switches for vsync and AGP bus configuration
- 2.54 - 10/28/99
- Validated with NT4 SP6
- Fixed resource leak in 2.53
- Added transparent NV 2.x and 3.x driver switch support
- 2.53 - 10/23/1999
- Fixed Voodoo3 LUTDAC support under NT
- Added preliminary Savage2000 support
- Added GeForce256 DDR support
- Broadened range of in-game gamma hotkeys
- Added custom refresh rates for P3/R3 under NT
- Added R/O CRTC timing details to screen adjustment screen
- Added multimonitor on/off support to associations and presets
- 2.52 - 10/10/1999
- Added Voodoo3 LUTDAC support for video overlays
- Revised Savage4 clock support
- Raised clock ceiling
- Updated monitor database
- Improved Windows 2000 B3 support
- Added preliminary GeForce256 support
- Impoved P3-Oxygen/VX1 routines
- Tapped MGA PD to provide custom resolutions
- Added sync-on-green for Matrox & 3Dlabs
- Broadened range of color controls
- Added Desktop support for DX modes
- 2.51 - 06/24/1999
- Added prelimary i810, SiS620 and VIA MVP4 support
- Restored SiS6326 VCLK and MCLK support
- Fixed up Voodoo Graphics gamma
- Revised 3dfx, Intel, Matrox, S3, NVidia, Rendition VClk
- Validated Windows 2000 Beta3 RC1 support
- Beefed up Blade3D support
- Added i752 and G400 support
- Revised Intel and MGA VClk routines
- Fixed up TNT clock support
- Added V3 custom refresh rates at up to 2046x1536
- Added undocumentated support for <60Hz refresh rates
- Enabled gamma controls by default
- 2.50 - 05/31/1999
- Added Rage128 and Voodoo3 support
- Added vsync switch for i740
- Fixed non-US time format conversions
- Added memory recovery hotkey
- Fixed V3 22 bit switches and NT LUTDAC support
- Revised NVidia VClk, MClk and NVClk routines
- Padded V3 VClk routine
- Replaced DX properties menu link with Performance link
- Resolved reappearing toolbar issue
- Validated TNT2/Vanta/Savage4 support
- Fixed Rage3D SClk error
- Altered NT installed service detection
- Rewrote VClk routines for all S3 chips
- 2.40 - 03/13/1999
- Added Banshee and NVidia support for 56Hz
- Added DX hotkey support for color correction w. alternate modifiers
- Fixed Banshee blank screen after closing screen saver
- Reduced level of hardware support for SiS6326
- Changed i740 refresh rate implementation
- Added some LCD portrait-mode support
- Changed installation
- Added support for new V2K driver switches
- Added more Savage vclk support (720xNNN)
- Disabled HW support for NT5B3 Build 1946 (BSoD)
- Added Blade3D support
- Added dual MGA monitor support under NT4
- 2.35 - 01/20/1999
- Added stand-alone DPMS screen saver for NT
- Eliminated redundent register checks
- Improved ATI support
- Added command-line clock parameters
- Added programmable TNT memory timings
- Fixed up S3 CommandDMA and AGP aperture size switches
- Added support for G200 1280x1024x32bpp at 85Hz
- 2.30 - 11/28/1998
- Added color temperature control (RG:B ratio)
- Updated monitor database and added best-match DDC routines
- Bolstered NT DPMS routines with direct hardware calls
- Re-instated aggressive memory timing option for nVidia chips
- Revised MGA base address aquisition
- Improved Glide switcher
- Added Savage3D AGP texture size control
- Changed default association method to CreateProcess/suspend
- Added physical memory flush controls and methods
- Added undocumented support for Obsedian and Pure3D2
- Added full support for S3 LC2X
- Validated NT5B2 multi-monitor support
- Added Polish language support
- Added programmable refresh rates for the P2 under NT
- Added IE4 shell crash handler
- Added LUTDAC support for TNT under NT
- Reduced resource consumption
- 2.29 - 10/10/1998
- Added LUTDAC support for TVP3026 (Permedia/1, Millenium, etc.)
- Updated monitor database
- Relaxed standard refresh rate some more
- Fixed up TNT and Banshee memory size/type issue
- Fixed G200 CREXT error
- Added preliminary Glide switcher
- 2.28 - 10/06/1998
- Reworked the AGP diagnostic report
- Fixed up compatibility problems with NT5B2
- Relaxed standard refresh rate support
- Revised G200 clock support
- Fixed AGP/PCI multi-monitor priority
- Added IDirectDraw4 support
- Improved Savage3D TV-out support
- Added new method for screen positioning
- 2.27 - 09/25/1998
- Moved color controls to the toolbar
- Right-click on Info icon now brings up Performance page
- Added BIOS code to support ATI chips
- Prioritized LUTDAC over DDI support
- Reworked the DPMS code to support NT security
- Added TV-out for Savage3D (needs work)
- 2.26 - 09/20/1998
- Added preliminary TNT and Banshee support
- Fixed GX2 TV hotkeys and DuoView control
- Revised and validated MGA G-series clock controls
- Refined color calibration controls
- 2.25 - 08/18/1998
- Revised monitor calc
- Fixed V2k refresh rates
- Added DPMS command-line support
- Added DDC disable switch
- Relaxed Riva memory timing optimizations
- Added specific FPU code word support
- Revised GX3 support and added D3D switches
- Added G100 and G200 support
- 2.24 - 07/14/1998
- Updated monitor database
- Added some hardware support for ATI and Matrox
- Improved 3Dfx support under Win98
- Added support for flat panel controllers
- Added timing optimizations for i740 and Riva
- 2.23 - 06/25/1998
- Updated monitor database
- Added support for 100MHz ZX parts
- Added polygon mipmap support for Rendition ICD
- Fixed CRTC/VClk conflict under NT
- Expanded PCI latency support to cover all PCI devices
- Revised monitor and cursor dialog boxes
- 2.22 - 06/12/1998
- Added multi-monitor support
- Optimized NT hardware calls
- Improved (?) installation
- 2.21 - 05/30/1998
- Added Savage3D support
- Fixed up some Voodoo and PVR methods
- Improved non-admininistrator support under NT
- 2.20 - 05/20/1998
- Added DDI and CLUT color calibration
- Revised Verite clock and other controls
- Shifted some routines to secondary threads
- Fixed compatibility problem with SiS 6326 NT driver
- Fixed broken associations with color depth
- Fixed GX2 PAL uder/overscan support
- Added Voodoo support for NT
- 2.17 - 05/01/1998
- Added 3Dfx Voodoo I and II controls
- Revised D3D HAL selection
- Revised NT DPMS support again
- Added PowerVR controls
- Revised RivaZX support
- 2.16 - 04/17/1998
- Fixed up broken GX2 TV-out support
- Revised 3Dimage and i740 MClk
- Added I/O access to PCI configuration registers
- 2.15 - 04/12/1998
- Added overview
- Revised 3Dimage and i740 support
- Reduced default monitor to 75Hz/48kHz
- Added support for NV3T
- Added PCI device enumerator
- Moved some code to new pstrip.dll
- 2.11 - 03/21/1998
- Added non-administrator support under NT
- Revised DPMS support under NT
- Fixed 3Dfx D3D bug under 95/98
- Revised monitor override support
- Changed Rendition methods under NT
- Added support for Permedia P2v and P2a
- 2.10 - 02/26/1998
- Initial shareware release
- [..]
- 1.00 - 02/01/1996
- Initial OEM release for Permedia
-