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                       PowerStrip 2.11 Release Notes
                               March 20, 1998            
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                  (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 Windows NT or 
Windows 95/98, 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 150Hz, Windows will 
typically startup at 120Hz (the highest rate supported directly by 
Rendition and nVidia), and then switch automatically to 150Hz 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.

Intel740 - The PowerStrip needs to use different routines to support the
P852 and P854 steppings, which are autodetected. Newer silicon will likely
require additional code.

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
require 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. 

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 - Because Rendition does not currently support doubling 
the V2x00 pixel clock, the PowerStrip must monitor even standard BIOS 
refresh rate 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. 

Dedicated 3D Acceleraters - PowerStrip support for dynamically switching
between primary and auxiliary D3D devices has been tested with 3Dfx Voodoo
Graphics, and Matrox M3D/Videologic PowerVR chips only.


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
-------------------------------
Low-level hardware support under NT 5.0B1 is fully enabled in this 
release. Please report any problems to support@entechtaiwan.com.
