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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: VLAR-42YT65

T55/T85 TFT LCD Color Monitor - Installation & operation hints & tips

Applicable to: World-Wide

This document contains the following information:
1.0 Before Installation
2.0 Connecting a Flat Panel Monitor
3.0 Installing the software drivers
4.0 Advanced Graphics card configurations
5.0 Trouble Shooting - Visual effects
6.0 Compatibility of products
7.0 Non Microsoft Operating Systems

1.0 Before Installation
It is advisable to change graphics adapter driver to Standard VGA Graphics adapter, accessible from Display Properties, before beginning card installation. This is because the drivers currently used by the system may not be compatible with a flat panel. Selecting Standard VGA ensures basic compatibility during the install process; thereafter the specific flat panel monitor drivers can take over for optimum performance.

2.0 Connecting a Flat Panel Monitor
2.1 Connecting a Flat Panel Monitor to any 15 way D-shell Analog port.
T55A/T85A - (15"/18" Flat Panel Analog Monitor). This monitor has a 15-way D-type connector and plugs into a standard D-shell analog receptacle. The monitor may be used with any graphics card or port supporting SVGA or better, video output.

2.2 Connecting a Flat Panel Monitor to a Matrox G200 15 way D-shell Analog port
T55A/T85A and Matrox graphics cards - some Matrox cards support both P&D 32-way Digital connector and 15 way D-shell connectors. The 15-way monitor plug must be inserted into the 15-way socket on the Matrox card. If the PC has a graphics adapter built into the motherboard, this will be disabled when the Matrox card is installed (It is advisable to change graphics adapter driver to Standard VGA Graphics adapter, accessible from Display Properties, before beginning card installation). Connectors can be used at once without damage to monitor or PC. However the T55A/T85A must always be plugged into the 15-way socket.

Graphics cards supporting the 25 way P&D connector with the A/D port may be used with a 15 way D-shell connection to analog panel, via a converter:

Molex Part Number: 887-4714-00

3.0 Installing the software drivers
3.1 Matrox Graphics Cards and software installation.
T55A/T85A and T55D/T85D monitors are available shipped with Matrox G200 graphics cards. If installing with one of these cards there are two methods of installation:

3.1.1 Driver .INI file installation.
Choosing 'Change Driver' and selecting 'Have Disk' when in Windows will load the device drivers for the card and nothing else. The Matrox display driver utilities will not be loaded. The user will have to manually set the required screen size and Color depth from display properties window.

3.1.2 SETUP program installation
This is the preferred method of loading the drivers. There are two methods of running this install, depending on the version of driver (see diskette label) :

Applicable machine types 9513-Dxx, use : mgasetup.exe
Applicable machine types 9513-Dxx and 9519-Dxx, use : setup.exe

mgasetup.exe - pre-configured display installation. Monitor configured to run at 1024 x 768 and 16 bit Color at end of installation. These are the IBM recommended settings for optimum viewing area, resolution and Color content for the T55. These drivers are not compatible with T85 monitors. The setup.exe file on the same diskette as mgasetup.exe can be used for install of a T55 monitor but without using default screen settings.

setup.exe - Combo version which installs Matrox drivers and Power Desk utilities on the system with the default video mode for the panel used (either T55 or T85).

Note:
Drivers supplied with early T55 flat panel monitors will not drive a T85 flat panel monitor!

3.2 Non Matrox Graphics cards and Software Installation
The user is advised to use the most current graphics drivers available, when using a third party graphics card. The video settings for T55 - 15" panels should be 1024 x 768 display size, 16-bit Color (65,536 Color content) and 60Hz refresh rate. For T85 - 18" panels, use 1280 x 1024 display size, 16 bit Color (65,536 Color content) and 60Hz refresh rate. If Digital flat panel support via P&D connector is available to drive a T55D/T85D, the user should follow the manufacturers instructions for installation of the graphics card and drivers.

3.3 Plug and Play or manual Monitor Installation
If Windows detects a plug and play monitor, the correct INF files may be loaded from the floppy disk included in the software disk set, shipped with the graphics card. To refresh the monitor settings manually, enter from Display Properties / Settings / Advanced Properties / Monitor / Change / Have Disk and insert the INF Files diskette into drive A.

3.4 Fine Tuning
3.4.1 Color depth
For optimum performance IBM recommend the use of 16-bit Color (65,536 Colors) for lifelike image and fast graphical manipulation. Selecting higher Color counts is at the expense of graphical throughput.

3.4.2 Screen Size
3.4.2.1 Default screen size
The IBM default screen size is 1024 x 768 pixels for T55 monitors and 1280 x 1024 for T85 monitors. These displays are not able to show higher resolution than their default.

3.4.2.2 Small screen size - Analog
T55A/T85A monitors can be configured through the monitor front panel On Screen Display (OSD) to auto-expand the display to full size. This function may also be disabled.

3.4.2.3 Small screen size - Digital
T55D/T85D monitors achieve higher picture stability and clarity through one-to-one digital bit mapping. Expanding the desktop is achieved by selecting the required size from Display Properties and as such there is no analog expand function accessible through the monitor.

3.4.3 Refresh Rate
Select 60Hz refresh rate if available. All T55/T85 monitors operate a physical refresh rate of 60Hz. If the PC supply's frames at a higher rate, these are shadowed by the T55A/T85A monitor, which then selects the most recent frame to display at a 60Hz frequency.

T55D/T85D flat panel monitors only support a 60Hz frame refresh rate.

3.5 Upgrading Graphics card BIOS and Driver software

This section details step by step instructions on how to upgrade the BIOS and device drivers for Matrox G200 AGP and PCI graphics cards (sometimes referred to as graphics accelerator cards).

Note:
These instructions apply only to systems that use Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 Instructions for users of OS/2, Windows 3.11 and Windows NT 3.51 will be issued at a later date. These instructions are written on the assumption that the user will have access to a system operating under Windows 95 or Windows 98 for formatting a DOS bootable diskette.

3.5.1 When do I need to use this upgrade?
You only need use this upgrade if:



3.5.2 Why do I need this upgrade
In order to give more user features and functions, some power on protocols have been changed in the T55D flat panel monitor. To use these features you must update the BIOS of the Matrox G200 graphics adapter.

3.5.3 Obtaining the BIOS files
3.5.3.1 AGP Card
If you are using an AGP graphics card, you should obtain the following file from your IBM distributor or IBM Web site:

IBMUPAGP.EXE

This file is a self-extracting ZIP file and unpacks the data contained by executing it. Make sure you also have the correct driver files for your PC system - see section 3.5.8

3.5.3.2 AGP Card
If you are using a PCI graphics card, you should obtain the following file from your IBM distributor or IBM Web site:

IBMUPPCI.EXE

This file is a self-extracting ZIP file and unpacks the data contained by executing it. Make sure you also have the correct driver files for your PC system - see section 3.5.8

3.5.4 Make a bootable DOS diskette:
Note: This operation can only be performed on systems operating Windows 95, Windows 98 or which have a separately bootable DOS session. If you operate a system under Windows NT 4.0 and cannot operate DOS independently of Windows, you must first create a DOS bootable diskette on another system.

3.5.4.1 Click sequentially on the 'Start', 'Programs' and 'MSDOS Command Prompt' icons to enter a DOS session.

3.5.4.2 At the command prompt, type the following: format /s a:

3.5.4.3 Insert a blank diskette, then press enter.

3.5.4.4 Enter a volume label (e.g. IBMUPAGP) then press enter.

3.5.4.5 When prompted to format another diskette, type 'n' and press enter.

3.5.4.6 This will return you to the command prompt line. Type 'exit' and press enter to end the DOS session.

3.5.5 Copy the files needed for upgrading the BIOS on to the diskette.
3.5.5.1 Insert the bootable diskette you have just formatted into the floppy drive of the system on which you have stored the downloaded files.

3.5.5.2 Double click on the self-extracting Zip file. Ensure the destination drive shows A:/ if you want to unpack the files directly to the bootable diskette. Then go to section 4.

3.5.6 Set Graphics mode to VGA
Before installing the new BIOS, it is important to select VGA display drivers (which are compatible with all display drivers and BIOS types) before continuing.

3.5.6.1 Users of Windows 95 and 98 should click through the following sequence:
Start - Settings / Control Panel - Display - Settings - Advanced Properties - Change - Show all devices - (Manufacturers) Standard Display Types - Standard Display Adapter - OK

3.5.6.2 Users of Windows NT 4.0 should click through the following sequence:
Start - Settings / Control Panel - Display - Settings - Advanced Properties - Change - Show all devices - (Manufacturers) Standard Display Types - Standard Display Adapter - OK

3.5.6.3 Select 'Shut down and Restart my Computer' to complete changes.

3.5.7 Install the new BIOS
3.5.7.1 Insert the diskette from section 3. into the floppy drive of the system unit that has the digital monitor attached and ensure that the system is powered off.

3.5.7.2. Switch on the power and perform no other action until you hear a "beep" from the system unit. The BIOS has now been upgraded. This could take up to 1 minute.

3.5.7.3. Switch the system unit off and remove the diskette.

3.5.7.4. Switch the system unit back on and it should boot normally.

3.5.8 Obtaining the driver files
You now need to ensure you have the correct Driver files. Choose from the following options:

If you have Windows 95 or Windows 98 you will need the file W9x43040.exe self-extracting Zip.
If you have Windows NT 4.0 you will need file NT437015.exe self-extracting Zip.
Other operating system drivers are available for Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT 3.51 and OS/2 Warp. These are available from the IBM Flat Panel Driver Web site for T55 and T85 monitors, at URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/monitors.html

Unpack the driver files by running the executable version. The drivers will form up to three folders, disk1 to disk3, containing a number of files.

For example, if you have the file W9x43040.exe on your C:\ drive:

  1. Double click on W9x43040.exe program
  2. You will be asked to unzip the files to a specified folder, such as C:\TEMP
  3. Select UNZIP or choose a preferred directory and select UNZIP
  4. Format three 1.44Mb blank diskettes. Label the diskettes Disk1, Disk2 and Disk3
  5. Copy the *contents* of (example) C:\TEMP\DISK1 to diskette labeled Disk1
  6. Similarly, copy folder contents of DISK2 and DISK3 to the remaining floppy diskettes.


Note:
Experienced users may install directly from the unpacked folders on the hard drive, without creating the floppy disk set. In such cases each of the three folders represents the three diskettes.

3.5.9 Installation of Windows 95 / 98 Drivers

  1. Insert the first diskette (9x device driver dsk1) into the floppy drive.
  2. Click on the start tab on the taskbar, then select the run option.
  3. Type the following command in the box: a:\setup.exe
  4. Click on OK.
  5. Click on the language that you want to install.
  6. Then click on either typical or custom installation (usually typical).
  7. The drivers will then begin to load and you will be prompted to insert diskette 2 and click on OK.
  8. You will then be prompted to insert diskette 3 and click on OK
  9. Once this disk has been installed, click on next and then on finish. Remove any floppy diskette from drive A:.The system will automatically reboot and the drivers will be installed.


3.5.10 Installation of Windows NT 4.0 Drivers

  1. Insert the first diskette (NT device driver dsk1) into the floppy drive.
  2. Click on the start tab on the taskbar, then select the run option.
  3. Type the following command in the box: a:\setup.exe
  4. Click on OK.
  5. Click on the language that you want to install.
  6. Then click on either typical or custom installation (usually typical).
  7. The drivers will then begin to load and you will be prompted for diskette 2 and click on OK.
  8. You will then be prompted to insert diskette and click on OK.
  9. Once this disk has been installed, click on next and then finish. Remove any floppy diskette from drive A:. The system will automatically reboot and the drivers will be installed.


4.0 Advanced Graphics card configurations
4.1 Disabling Multiple graphics cards
Where an after market graphics card is plugged into a PC, and a graphics port already exists on the PC motherboard, the motherboard graphics port will usually be automatically disabled. The user is directed to the specific graphics card documentation for more information.

4.2 Enabling Multiple graphics cards in multiple PC slots
Graphics cards supporting ISA, VL, PCI, and AGP may be used concurrently in a PC system supporting them. The user should insure the correct graphics drivers are installed for each card added. Note that Windows 95 does not support multiple graphics cards

4.3 Enabling Multiple monitors in a single PC
4.3.1 Operating systems supporting Multi-monitor mode.
This function is available in Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 only. Windows 95 does not support multi-screen display

4.3.2 Multi-monitor card Installation
Install graphics cards one at a time not all at once. After installing a card, connect the monitor and power up. Ensure the operating system recognizes the monitor. Run Display Properties or Matrox Display properties to enable and set the multi-monitor configuration.

4.3.3 Multi-monitor performance
There is a system performance impact in adding multiple monitors, particularly during the boot sequence. The extent to which this is evident will depend on the amount of available system memory, the processor performance and the architecture of the graphics card interface to the motherboard. There is a maximum limit of FOUR active graphics cards per PC.

4.3.4 Boot Monitor display
The screen displaying the start-up sequence may change when installing multiple monitors. It is common for PC cards (including graphics cards) to be initialized by the PC in sequence. The user should be aware that in adding a second (or further) graphics cards, the original graphics card (and driver) may not continue to be the first (Primary Display Device) seen by the system on boot up. That is, the boot-up sequence normally seen may not continue to be displayed on the original display adapter.

5.0 Trouble Shooting - Visual effects
5.1 Color flash seen around video clip
Video clips may flicker pink or green when moved across the screen or re-sized.
Back end scaling - standard feature. The user may wish to disable this method of video display for a slightly lesser performance type, which does not show any flicker. To implement this change, run:

C:\Program Files\Matrox MGA PowerDesk\scaler0.reg

To restore to system default, run:

C:\Program Files\Matrox MGA PowerDesk\scaler1.reg

5.2 Black border seen around desktop
Select a larger desktop size from Display Properties. 1024 x 768 is the recommended viewing size for T55 monitors, while 1280 x 1024 is recommended for T85 monitors.

If using a T55A/T85A or other analog monitor, enable screen expansion on the monitor On-Screen Display (OSD). This will enlarge the desktop to fill all available viewing space.

5.3 Image changes Color when clicking on different windows.
This is caused by using a restricted Color palette. Windows chooses the best Colors / closest matching Colors and assigns them to the current palette. Selecting a different window may cause the palette to change for best representation of the currently active window. This may result in areas of the display (in the background or non-active windows) changing Color.

To eliminate or reduce this effect, select a larger Color palette from Display Properties. Using a larger palette allows sufficient Colors for all applications, but uses more video and system memory. IBM recommend 16-bit Color, giving 65,536 Color palette - as being the optimum for visual effect and system performance.

5.4 Display flicker
Ensure the correct drivers are installed for the graphics card in use. It is possible for a different model or version of software drivers to operate the graphics card and display - but not at the correct frequency. Check the drivers are correct before continuing.

5.4.1 Analog Monitor
The user is reminded that the T55A/T85A requires auto set-up for best results, when first installed. (Although all units are shipped factory set). To auto set-up the monitor, run the test pattern from the MONITOR INF FILES diskette. This produces a test pattern which allows the monitor auto set-up (accessible from the monitor On-Screen Display (OSD) panel, to set video lock, horizontal and vertical position.

If the test pattern is not available, it is recommended a display showing a 50% black/white hatching is arranged, and the manual OSD setting is used. The T55A/T85A user guide gives details of the procedure for accessing the manual set-up of the flat panel.
Note that analog monitors are subject to thermal effects. Set-up should be carried out once the monitor has reached operating temperature (10 minutes from switch on, with power save disabled). Subsequent use of the monitor should allow a warm up time before adjusting any OSD display lock settings.

5.4.2 Digital Monitor
The digital T55D/T85D Flat Panel displays require no auto set-up. The panels are factory set for best display. The complete digital nature of the system, from processing the image in the PC to displaying on the TFT liquid crystal of the panel, means there is no position variation of displayed pixels. However, it is possible to see a very small amount of flicker under some circumstances. The usual cause of flicker and remedy on this type of panel may be summarized as follows:



5.5 Display Appears Dim



5.6 Display goes blank during boot
Some operating systems will blank the display for a short period during the boot sequence. This is not a fault with the Flat Panel Display, but is caused by the system reading the electronic device identification of the attached Flat Panel, during which time, the video signal is suppressed.

5.7 Display goes blank on Windows NT 3.51
Due to a lack of forward compatibility in Windows NT 3.51 with the AGP interface, a DOS window can not be set to full screen with Alt-Enter.
6.0 Compatibility of products

6.1 Graphics cards
Ensure if changing or upgrading graphics cards, particularly from the same manufacturer, that the old drivers are uninstalled, and that the display driver is set to Standard VGA before installing new. Manufacturers attempt to ensure that all combinations of installation are completely successful in installing their product. However, due to the number of combinations of PC, operating system, graphics card, graphics driver and monitor, it is impossible to guard against occasional problem combinations.

6.2 Drivers and updates
If problems are found in installing or using the graphics drivers, ensure the following:



http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/monitors.html

6.3 Hardware
6.3.1 Cable assembly
Ensure the cables are correctly inserted in the graphics adapter and Flat Panel Display. The cable assembly should be screwed securely into the D-type connector of the display adapter intended - some PC systems have an onboard display adapter on the motherboard. The Flat panel connector should be securely screwed into the corresponding socket of the monitor - this may be behind a cover.

6.3.2 Cable Length
Run auto set-up/display lock for an analog Flat Panel Monitor if cable length is changed. This will calibrate the cable voltages feeding into the panel and set the correct brightness range.

6.3.3 Power Adapter
Ensure the correct adapter is used for the monitor. The power brick adapters are different for T55 and T85 Flat Panel Monitors.

6.4 Conflict with Existing Hardware
If problems are seen with conflicting hardware, consider the following:
6.4.1 Need to re-install Graphics Drivers every time machine is booted
Some machine BIOS levels and/or graphics card BIOS types are designed to stay active when an additional graphics card is added. This is usually because they expect to support multi-monitor operation. If the user wishes to simply upgrade from onboard graphics to a high-end PCI or AGP graphics accelerator, it may be necessary to disable the onboard device. In Windows 95 (for example) follow the following sequence to disable an on-board graphics driver:

Start / Settings / Control Panel / System / Device Manager / Display Adapters / (onboard adapter type here) / General / Disable in this Hardware Profile / OK.

6.4.2 Conflict with Plug-and-Play devices
The most common problem is conflict between devices using Plug-and-Play and devices using specified Input/Output addressing. Your system should use either all of one type or the other. On no account should users disable Plug-and-Play devices without good understanding of the consequences.

If the hardware added to the system causes conflicts and it is not plug and play compatible, it is possible to select suitable Base address and Interrupt level through jumper setting or through the manufacturers set-up program. In such cases the user should seek advice from the manufacturers documentation and Web site support.

The user may also try removing the conflicting device drivers and re-installing. In Windows 95 and 98 go to:

Start / Settings / Control Panel / System / Device Manager

Look for devices showing '!' or '?' or otherwise incorrectly installed. Click once on failing devices and click on Remove. After removing all conflicting drivers click on Refresh. Windows should now re-install these drivers from its own database, on Windows CD or from user supplied install disks. Note that suitable Windows CD and/or manufacturers install CD/diskette will be required for this process! The re-install process may be sufficient to clear the conflict. If it is not, check for the latest device drivers from the manufacturers web sites.

6.5 Conflicts with Existing Software
6.5.1 Toolbar Conflicts
Applications such as Microsoft Office Toolbar and Lotus Smartsuite Toolbar can cause problems with graphics driver subsystems. In particular when running some screensavers or playing video clips on some movie players, unexpected effects may be seen. Try disabling toolbars or moving them to a different place on-screen to see if this cures the problem. Check the application manufacturer for service release updates.

6.5.2 Movie Player Conflict
If problems are seen playing AVI movies on Active Movie Player 1.0 use updated Active Movie Player 2.0

6.6 Graphics adapter Memory requirement
For T55 use, standard memory setting gives good performance. However, use of Matrox G200 P&D digital cards with T85 Flat Panel Monitors should ideally be used with 16Mb video memory when using 16bit Color or higher.

7.0 Non Microsoft Operating Systems

7.1 IBM OS/2
OS/2 Warp was not originally conceived to support advanced display devices such as Flat Panel Monitors. As such, the installation process is more complex. It is a requirement of the operating system that installation of the Matrox display driver be carried out with a CRT installed on the PC. Failure to follow this procedure may cause installation to fail.



7.2 Installing Matrox OS/2 Display Drivers from scratch

  1. While original graphics card and monitor are connected, Open "OS/2 System", "Drives" then "Drive A"
  2. Double click on "INSTALL.CMD"
  3. Select "Primary Display" to install display driver.
  4. Select "MATROX MGA Millennium/Mystique" and then "OK"
  5. Select "Install"
  6. Select "OK"
  7. Select "Shut Down" then "OK" to shut down the PC.


7.3 Installing Matrox graphics card and IBM Flat Panel Monitor.

  1. Remove Power from PC and Monitor.
  2. Remove cover from PC.
  3. Remove old graphics card from backplane. If the graphics card is built into the PC's motherboard, then no removal is necessary.
  4. Insert Matrox Graphics card into a free slot of the correct type.
  5. Replace any fixings and replace cover.
  6. Connect Flat Panel Monitor to Matrox graphics card.
  7. Apply power to Monitor and PC. Power up Monitor then PC.


Your PC should now drive the Flat Panel Monitor and start up OS/2.

7.4 Setting IBM recommended display mode in OS/2

  1. Driver install will set 1024 x 768 screen size. Select screen size and Color depth as follows.
  2. Double click on "MGA Settings" on the Desktop.
  3. Select "Resolution" tab.
  4. Select 1024 x 768 x 65536 Color, if you have a T55 Flat Panel Monitor. Select 1280 x 1024 x 65536 Color, if you have a T85 Flat Panel Monitor. These are the IBM recommended screen modes.
  5. Close MGA Settings window.
  6. Select "Shut Down" then "OK" to shut down the PC.


7.5 Reverting back to a CRT monitor in OS/2

  1. While the Matrox graphics card and IBM flat panel are connected, select "OS/2 System"
  2. Select "System Set-up" / "Selective Install" / "Primary Display"
  3. Select video driver for CRT graphics card, or "VGA" if unknown.
  4. Select "OK" to install the drivers.
  5. When driver installation is complete, select "Shut down".
  6. Disconnect power from PC and Flat panel monitor. Remove and replace graphics card.
  7. Replace cover. Connect cables and power up CRT and PC.
  8. PC now drives CRT monitor.


7.6 Recovering from an aborted install, or blank screen in OS/2

  1. Replace graphics card with CRT driving version.
  2. Power up CRT and PC - when the prompt "OS/2 load in progress" appears, press ALT-F1
  3. Select option "V" to install standard video drivers.
  4. OS/2 now installs system default drivers and operates a CRT
  5. Re-install required display drivers using relevant procedure above.


7.7 OS/2 Useful Tips
When installing applications, utilities and games, for best system performance select the IBM default screen resolution and Color. IBM recommend the use of 1024 x 760 and 16 bit (65,536) Color for use on T55 Flat Panels and 1280 x 1024 and 16 bit (65,536) Color for use in T85 Flat Panels.

There is no unattended install function for OS/2.

After installation of Matrox drivers, the system start-up files are modified to include pointers to Matrox files. When booting from floppy using the create bootable floppy system option, the Matrox installed drivers will not be available. The flat panel may therefore only display in the most basic graphics modes. While this may be sufficient for debug purposes, IBM do not recommend running applications or games from this mode. The system should be booted from the installed OS/2 system on hard drive, where all drivers are installed.

Ensure your system boots cleanly before installing flat panel drivers. Any situation during boot, where the user has to make a response to the system (e.g. when a device driver has not loaded correctly) may not be obvious - since the flat panel is not initialized until the end of the operating system boot process.

Note:
For the latest drivers refer to the IBM Web site at URL: http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/monitors.html

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Document Category

Hardware Installation/Configuration

Date Created

08-12-98

Last Updated

04-05-99

Revision Date

06-05-2000

Brand

IBM Monitors

Product Family

Flat Panel

Machine Type

9513, 9519

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