Troubleshooting; Monitors And Display Resolutions; Diagnostics - 3Dlabs Wildcat4 User Manual

Troubleshooting

If you have trouble using your 3Dlabs Wildcat4 Graphics Accelerator Card or a 3D application, you may
find the answer to your problem in the following sections. Always start your problem- solving efforts
with the simplest solution and work up to the more complex ones.

Monitors and Display Resolutions

Problem: My monitor is either blank, or the displayed image is distorted, scrambled or smaller
than I expected.
Solution: If the monitor is blank, be sure that your system and monitor are plugged in and turned on.
Is the monitor's power cord attached securely? Check each component's documentation for
the location and use of power connectors and switches.
Solution: Make sure that your video cable is connected securely to the monitor and to the monitor
connector on your Wildcat4 Graphics Accelerator Card. If you're using only one monitor,
make sure that monitor is plugged into the primary connector labeled "1" on the back of the
card. See your monitor documentation and Chapter 1 – "Installation," in this document.
Solution: Your card might not be seated properly in the AGP Pro slot. Remove and reinstall your
card as described in Chapter 1 – "Installation." Remember to use the anti-static wrist strap
when opening your system and handling the card.
Solution: Reboot into VGA/Safe Mode and select a supported resolution and refresh rate. See
"Obtaining a Usable Video Resolution" later in this chapter for instructions.
Solution: Reboot into VGA/Safe Mode to verify the display properties are configured correctly for
the monitor type. If the software setup is correct, use a similar type monitor (if available
and functioning properly) to determine if the workstation is defective. See "Obtaining a
Usable Video Resolution" in this chapter for instructions on determining if you have a
defective unit.
Problem: The performance of and/or the available resolutions for my Wildcat4 Graphics
Accelerator Card are not what I expected.
Solution: The Wildcat4 Graphics Accelerator Card driver may not have installed fully, or a file may
have been corrupted. Try installing the driver again.
Solution: You may have selected a display setting that is incompatible with accelerated 3D graphics
applications. See the Wildcat Monitor tab in your 3Dlabs display control panel for a list of
compatible resolutions.
Solution: You may have not selected the correct monitor for your monitor vendor and type. Go to the
Wildcat Monitor tab and select your monitor vendor and type from the list. If your vendor
and/or monitor is not listed, consult your monitor documentation for alternatives..
Solution: Restart Windows 2000 in Safe Mode and select a supported resolution and refresh rate. See
"Obtaining a Usable Video Resolution" later in this chapter for instructions.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics utilities for checking the video card and instructions for using these utilities may be available
from your computer vendor.
Troubleshooting
3Dlabs Graphics Accelerator Card User's Guide 27