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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................. 2
Installing SonicVortex2 ...............................................................4
T echnical details .......................................................................8
T roubleshooting ........................................................................ 9
T echnical support .................................................................... 10
Index................................................................................... 11
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Introduction
Thank you for choosing SonicVortex2™.
SonicVortex2 brings you the very latest in hardware-accelerated PCI audio for superb 3D
positional effects, faster gameplay, and hi-fi quality sound.
If you’re a power gamer, you’ll love SonicV ortex2’ s 3D positional sound. Using Aureal’ s
A3D™ v2.0 technology, developed by NASA and used in state-of-the-art flight simulators and
amusement rides, you can now hear A3D-enabled sound from above, below, in front of, behind
and all around you - with only two loudspeakers or a set of headphones. You can even enhance
this by adding another set of loudspeakers.
And because SonicVortex2 is doing this, it means your CPU isn’t. This frees up processing
power that is used to push up frame rates and deal with the demands of the latest games.
So not only will your games sound better, they will play better too.
SonicVortex2 also has great MIDI, so now you can play MIDI songs on your PC. Attach a
keyboard, and you can really start sequencing your own tracks. Use the S/P-DIF out to record
digitally to DAT or MiniDisc, mix this with recordings from the analog inputs, and you’ve started
your own home studio. And you can even enhance the MIDI too, using the acclaimed Yamaha
XG software synthesizer.
The package is made complete with the software on the CD-ROM, which includes games,
demos and movies to show off SonicVortex2’s 3D sound; Jet-Audio, a multimedia suite for
saving and playing audio and video files; the Yamaha XG software synthesizer; videoconferencing
software; and shareware for copying and compressing LP and CD tracks.
This guide takes you through installing SonicVortex2, gives technical details about the card, and
offers troubleshooting advice and technical support. Read the rest of this introduction, then go
through the installation instructions to install the card.
After that, all you have to do is enjoy it.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
CD-ROM documentation
There is documentation on the CD-ROM that combines elements of this installation guide with
further technical details and any late-breaking information, plus a complete step-by-step technical
support guide. You read it using your web browser, and it is located on the CD-ROM as follows:
Windows 95 or 98 - \Readme\Win9x\Read_Me.htm
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Windows NT 4.0 - \Readme\WinNT\Read_Me.htm
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Driver locations
In case you need quick access to the drivers when installing the card, the Windows 95 and 98
drivers are in the root directory (\) of the CD-ROM, and the Windows NT drivers are in the folder
\SonVortX\WinNT\English.
Minimum system requirements
To use SonicVortex2 you need an IBM or fully compatible Pentium 90 PC or equivalent with
16 MB RAM, running Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0, which complies with the PCI local bus
specification and has a spare PCI bus slot. You also need headphones or powered loudspeakers.
Handling the card
Follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of electrostatic charges damaging the card:
Keep the card in its protective packaging until you are ready to install it.
•
Just before handling the card, touch the metal frame of your PC with the back of your hand
•
to discharge any static electricity which may have built up on you or your clothes.
Hold the card by the adapter bracket or by its edges; do not touch the circuit board.
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Do not place the card on top of your computer or on any other metal surface.
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Make sure that the card is not accidentally touched by anyone else.
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Handle the card with care to avoid damage to the components on the circuit board.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Installing SonicVortex2
Before you continue
If you have on-board audio, you must disable it before installing SonicVortex2. This is usually
done through the BIOS control, which you can access while your computer is booting up
(starting). To do this, refer to your computer’s documentation.
If you have another sound card in your computer, you should also remove its drivers before
installing SonicVortex2. T o do this, refer to the card’s documentation.
Windows 95 or 98
The VideoLogic Installer installs the drivers, and starts the SonicVortex2 Home Page on the CD-
ROM. We recommend that you use it as described below for an easy, automated installation.
If you install the hardware first, you can still use the Installer. To do this, click Cancel when Plug and
Play starts, and re-insert the CD-ROM so that it auto-plays, or double-click it in Windows Explorer.
We recommend that you use the Installer to install the software first, as described below:
1. Before you install the hardware, insert the SonicVortex2 CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. If
it doesn’t auto-play, double-click the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer .
If you aren’t running DirectX 6 or later, you are given the option to install it. If you install
DirectX 6, restart your computer when prompted, leaving the CD-ROM in the drive.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions, and when asked if you want to shut down your computer,
select Yes and click Finish. Leave the CD-ROM in the drive.
3. Continue from the instructions on Installing the hardware on page 5.
Windows Plug and Play is more suitable for the experienced user. To do this, follow the
instructions on Installing the hardware on page 5, and when Plug and Play starts, browse to the
drivers in the root directory (\) of the CD-ROM, or your system may automatically locate them.
Windows NT 4.0
Follow the steps for Installing the hardware on page 5, then Completing the installation on page 7.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Installing the hardware
Warning: Always switch off your computer before removing the cover and observe the warnings
specified in the manufacturer’s documentation.
1. Switch off your computer, monitor, and any hardware devices connected to your computer .
2. Switch off the plug at the socket, but leave the power cable connected to ensure grounding.
3. Remove the computer’s cover .
4. Locate a spare PCI slot and remove the back plate cover. Keep the screw, you will need it.
5. Touch the computer’ s bare metal chassis with the back of your hand to discharge any static.
6. If you have a sound card in your computer, remove it now.
7. If you want to connect the card’s internal sockets, do so now:
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CD in and aux in accept sound
from your CD or video player,
or auxiliary line source.
TAD in/out turns your PC into a
telephone, for hands-free calling,
and long-distance calls at local
rates when used with Internet
telephone software. To do this,
connect TAD in/out to your
internal modem, a microphone
to mic in, and headphones or
loudspeakers to line out 1.
Digital expansion port connects
to a VideoLogic S/P-DIF
input upgrade.
Wavetable header connects to a
MIDI wavetable upgrade, such as
the Roland Sound Canvas.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
8. Align SonicVortex2 with the slot you have chosen, and firmly press it into the slot. You will
need to use some pressure to push the card into position, but do not use excessive force.
9. Secure the card using the screw that you removed previously.
10. Replace the computer’ s cover. If you want to connect the external sockets, do so now:
S/P-DIF optical out sends a PCM digital signal for recording digital audio to a device
•
such as DAT, a MiniDisc recorder or CD-R, by connecting to its optical in socket.
line in accepts sound from your CD player, video player, or auxiliary line source.
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mic in can be used to record from a dynamic or electret microphone, or combined with
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TAD in/out and a line out to create an amplified telephone, as described on page 5.
line out 1 connects to an amplifier, powered or unpowered loudspeakers, or headphones.
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line out 2 connects to a second set of loudspeakers, for a quad set-up to enhance A3D
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sound. You should use line out 2 for your rear loudspeakers.
• the joystick/MIDI port connects to your joystick or your external MIDI device.
11. Switch on your computer and monitor, and complete installation for Windows 95 or 98
below, or Windows NT 4.0 on page 7.
Completing Windows 95 or 98 installation
If you didn’t run the VideoLogic Installer to install the drivers, Windows Plug and Play starts.
You can either continue with Plug and Play now, or, to use the Installer, click Cancel, and reinsert the CD-ROM so that it auto-plays, or double-click the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer.
1. When you have restarted your computer and Windows is running, a message is displayed
saying that an Unknown Device has been found. This is replaced by a message identifying a
SonicVortex2 device from the list below:
SonicVortex2 Gameport Interface
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SonicVortex2 MPU-401 Interface
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SonicVortex2 PCI Audio
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SonicVortex2 Sound Blaster Pro Emulation
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This is repeated for each of the devices in the list. The order in which they are installed may
vary, depending on your system.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
When the Gameport Interface is being installed, if a message is displayed asking for the
Windows 95 CD-ROM or disk 13, or the Windows 98 CD-ROM, click OK and continue from
step 2, otherwise go to step 3.
2. Click OK.
If you have the Windows 95 or 98 CD-ROM, insert it now, and browse to the folder
•
containing the Windows .cab files (this is usually win95 or win98 on the CD-ROM).
If you have the Windows 95 disk 13 (if you installed or upgraded with floppy disks),
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insert it now, and browse to the root directory (this is usually A:\).
If your computer came with Windows already installed, and you do not have the
•
CD-ROM to hand, browse to the folder on your hard disk containing the Windows
.cab files (this is usually windows\options\cabs on your hard disk).
When you have browsed, click OK, click OK again, and re-insert the SonicVortex2 CD-ROM.
3. When you have completed the on-screen instructions, SonicVortex2 is ready to use.
You can now use the SonicVortex2 Home Page on the CD-ROM, from which you can
access other software, demos and documentation. You can also double-click the
SonicVortex2 icon ( ) on your Windows Taskbar to access the SonicVortex2 features.
If you used the VideoLogic Installer to install the drivers, the SonicVortex2 Home Page
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starts automatically.
If you used Windows Plug and Play, then to start the Home Page, re-insert the CD-ROM
•
so that it auto-plays, or double-click the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer.
Completing Windows NT 4.0 installation
1. When your computer has restarted, insert the CD-ROM so that it auto-plays, or double-click
the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer, or run the file \autorun.exe in the CD-ROM’s root directory.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions. When asked if you want to restart your computer,
select Yes and click Finish.
3. When you have completed the on-screen instructions, and your computer has restarted,
SonicVortex2 is ready to use. You can now double-click the SonicVortex2 icon ( ) on your
Windows Taskbar to access the SonicV ortex2 features.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
T echnical details
This section describes SonicVortex2’s sockets.
The external mic in, line in and line outs are stereo jack sockets. S/P-DIF out is a Toslink socket.
The other socket pin-outs are shown below.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Troubleshooting
This section deals with problems you may have with SonicVortex2. For more information, refer
to the documentation on the CD-ROM as listed below:
Windows 95 or 98 - \Readme\Win9x\Read_Me.htm
•
Windows NT 4.0 - \Readme\WinNT\Read_Me.htm
•
There is no sound output after installing SonicVortex2.
The problem may be with your audio connections. Try the following:
Play a sound file (such as a .WAV or .MID file). If no sound is coming from the loudspeakers or
headphones, connect them to a different sound source, such as a personal CD player. If you get
sound, there may be a problem with the SonicVortex2 installation.
Check that the speakers are connected to the right line out connectors.
Adjust the Windows volume controls by double-clicking the speaker icon on your Windows
taskbar. Make sure the Volume, Wave, MIDI or CD controls are not set too low or muted.
If you are playing CD audio from your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, make sure you have
connected the CD audio cable from the drive to one of SonicVortex2’s CD in connectors.
There might also be a conflict between the SonicVortex2 and another add-in card. Refer to the
documentation on the CD-ROM for instructions on resolving this.
What if I get yellow exclamation marks next to SonicVortex2 devices in Device Manager?
Or: My computer keeps hanging (stopping).
Although SonicVortex2 is a Plug and Play card, other cards can still cause resource conflicts.
Refer to the documentation on the CD-ROM for instructions on resolving this.
The easiest way to avoid such conflicts is to remove any other sound devices and their drivers
before installing SonicVortex2. T o do this, remove SonicVortex2’s drivers (click Start, point to
Programs, then VideoLogic, then SonicVortex2, then click Remove SonicVortex2). Remove the
card, remove the other sound devices, and reinstall SonicVortex2.
If this doesn’t work, try installing SonicVortex2 in a different PCI slot.
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
T echnical support
If you have problems while installing or using SonicVortex2, try running through these steps:
1. Go through the troubleshooting advice on page 9 of this installation guide.
2. Visit the support pages on the Systems section of our web site at
http://www.videologic.com/.
3. Download the latest drivers from the software area on the Systems section of our web site.
4. Contact us online using one of the following services:
e-mail (USA, Canada & Latin America): support_usa@videologic.com
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e-mail (German-speaking countries): support_gmbh@videologic.com
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e-mail (UK & all other countries): support@videologic.com
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bulletin board (German-speaking countries): +49 (0)6103 936 726
•
5. Contact your original supplier for technical help.
6. Call our customer support group.
Try to have details to hand such as your PC’ s make and model, other cards installed,
software you are running, and how to recreate the problem.
USA, Canada & Latin America: +1 888 618 3579
Germany: +49 (0)6103 934714
UK & all other countries: +44 (0)1923 277477
ISDN X.75, V.120, V.110
Analog V34+/X2 Host/V.90, 8-N-1
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SonicVortex2 Installation Guide
Index
audio cards 4
Aureal 3D (A3D) 2
aux in 5, 8
CD in 5, 8
digital audio 5
digital expansion port 5
e-mail addresses 10
handling the card 3
Internet details 10
joystick port 6, 8
late-breaking information 3
line in 6, 8
line out 1 & 2 6, 8
mic in 6, 8
MIDI 2
MIDI port 6, 8
MIDI wavetable 5
minimum system requirements 3
pin-outs 8
readmes 3, 9
S/P-DIF out 8
sockets 8
SonicVortex2 Home Page 2
SonicVortex2 icon 7
support 10
TAD in/out 5, 8
technical support 10
telephone numbers 10
toslink 8
wavetable header 5
web site 10
Windows 95/98
drivers 3, 9
readme 3, 9
Windows NT 4.0
drivers 3, 9
installation 7
readme 3, 9
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