README.TXT                    MATROX GRAPHICS INC.              2001.05.23

                           MATROX POWERDESK FOR LINUX
                               Version 1.00-5beta
                         

DESCRIPTION OF THIS RELEASE
===========================

PowerDesk is a utility that allows users to configure Matrox graphics
adapters under XFree86. This utility makes it easier to adjust resolutions,
color depths, refresh rates, and screen positioning, as well as enable
Matrox specific features such as DualHead and TV output.


NOTES
=====

XFree86 4.0.2 or 4.0.3 is required.

PowerDesk can be used with or without the Matrox HAL module, but the module
is required to enable DualHead, TV output, and digital flat panel support
on the G400. It is also required to adjust screen positioning and refresh
rates on products that are supported by the module (G200, G400, G450). The
HAL module is not required for DualHead support on the G450. 

Although PowerDesk is intended for use with the boards mentioned above, it
can also be used to adjust resolutions and color depths on older Matrox
products that are not supported by the HAL module, such as the Millennium
and Mystique series. 

The TV output and digital flat panel features are available on the G400 only. 
Unexpected results may occur if you try to enable features that are not
supported by your graphics adapter. 

Setting up multiple monitor configurations with the G200MMS is not supported.

Matrox PowerDesk for Linux is released under the GNU General Public License
(GPL).

Please take note that this is beta software and is not supported by Matrox. 

INSTALLATION
============

Before installing PowerDesk it is necessary to download and install the
PowerDesk specific XFree86 driver from our website: http://www.matrox.com/mga
This special driver version is based on the XFree86 mga driver, but
includes support for the function calls made by PowerDesk. Please see the
driver readme file for instructions on how to install the driver. 

To install PowerDesk from the rpm package enter the following command:

	rpm -ivh <filename>.rpm

If you choose to install from the source tarball, follow this procedure:

	tar xvzf <filename>.tgz

	cd mgapdesk

	./configure --prefix=/usr/X11R6

	make

	make install


You must be logged in as "root" to use PowerDesk. To launch the program,
enter the following from a terminal:

	mgapdesk

You can also create a shortcut by making a link to /usr/X11R6/bin/mgapdesk
on your desktop.

PowerDesk works by parsing and editing your XF86Config (or XF86Config-4) file.
Each time PowerDesk is started a backup of your config file is created. If
any changes are made to the display settings a new config file is created
based on the previous version. Because there are many different
configuration possibilities, PowerDesk may not always be able to parse the
XF86Config file properly. This may cause unexpected results such as not
being able to restart the X server. For this reason it is recommended that
you make a separate backup of your configuration file before first using
PowerDesk. The backup you make of your original config file should be named
differently than the backup created by PowerDesk. Ex: XF86Config-4_original. 

Note: You should never select values that are higher than your combination
of monitor and graphics card can handle. For example, selecting a refresh
rate that is too high may give you an out of range signal, and could even
cause damage to your monitor.