************************************************************************
*                                                                      *
*  Copyright (c) Creative Technology Ltd, 1994.  All rights reserved.  *
*                                                                      *
************************************************************************
                                  
          Video Blaster MP400 Common Questions and Answers
          ================================================
                                  
This file contains some common problems faced and the solutions to
those problems. Please read the sections below when you encounter a
problem, and call our Technical Support when you cannot find an answer
in this file.

Sections in this file:
1.  Error in initializing card.
2.  Unable to find font files or Microcode file
3.  No video image
4.  The video image has a magenta border
5.  The video image is flickering
6.  VGA blanks out when running Video Blaster MP400 software
7.  The playback of MPEG streams is jerky
8.  The mouse is not responding in the DOS/Windows application
9.  Unable to playback CDI Digital Video movies
10. The MPEG playback stops after the first screen
11. Network driver hangs with Video Blaster MP400 card installed


------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   1. Error in initializing card.

Causes:
1. The software is not able to locate the card at the port address
specified in the VIDEOBLST_MP400 environment string, the environment
string may be different from the hardware settings.

2. The card may be set a port address that is in conflict with another
card on your system.

Solutions:
1. Check that the AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains the statement SET
VIDEOBLST_MP400=C:\MP400 A:2c0 I:15 D:7 T:4.  If any of the entries are
missing you have to run MP400SET to reconfigure, after which you will
need to reboot the system.  The values for A:, I:, D: may be different
depending on your card settings.

2. Switch off your system and change the card's port address (refer to
User Manual).  After which, start up your system and run MP400SET to
reconfigure the environment string.  MP400SET is able to detect any
conflict in port addresses.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

           2. Unable to find font files or Microcode file

Causes:
1) The DOS software could not locate the font files that it needs from
the current directory.

2) The software could not locate the microcode file that it needs from
the directory specified in the environment string VIDEOBLST_MP400.

Solution:
1) Ensure that you run the DOS application from the directory where the
following font files are stored : Helvb.fon, Courb.fon and Tmsrb.fon.

2) Check that the microcode file DRAM450.200 is located in the directory
specified in the VIDEOBLST_MP400.  If not, either reinstall the software
to copy the microcode file.  Or, run MP400SET to change the directory
set in the environment string.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          3. No video image

Causes:
1. VGA cable is not connected to the Video Blaster MP400 card.

2. Feature connector is not connected from Video Blaster MP400 to the
   VGA card.

3. The loop back cable is not connected properly.

4. Video image is not aligned

5. There is no MPEG source

Solutions:
1-3. Refer to user manual for installation procedures.

4.   Use the DOS/Windows application software and set up the
     alignment. Remember to save the alignment before quitting from
     the respective programs.

5.   Use the DOS/Windows application software to load a MPEG file,
     Karaoke/Video CD or CDI CD (if you have a compliant CD ROM
     Drive). Click the play button.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

               4. The video image has a magenta border
                                  
Cause:
The video image is not aligned with the VGA monitor.

Solution:
Run the application software, MP400WIN (in Windows) or MP400DOS (in
DOS). Click the alignment option, adjust both the crop settings and
alignment settings.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  5. The video image is flickering
                                  

Cause:
Some connections are not secured.

Solution:
Ensure that the feature connector and video interface cables are firmly
secured.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

     6. VGA blanks out when running Video Blaster MP400 software
                                  
Cause:
The screen resolution may be too high

Solution:
Try switching your Windows resolution to a lower one and try again.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

              7. The playback of MPEG streams is jerky
                                  
Causes:
1. The source of MPEG stream (CD ROM drive or hard disk) may be too
   slow.

2. There may be a conflict of DMA or interrupts on your system.

3. The computer system may be too slow.

Solutions:
1. Try running MPEG streams from a fast hard disk and if the problem
disappears, it confirms that the other source may be too slow. If you
are using Creative CD-ROM model CR-563, you need to have at least a
version 4.18 SBCD driver. Please contact our Technical Support or
distributor if you need one. Some MPEG files are known to have problems
playing on a Single Speed CD ROM, this is because they are meant for
Double Speed CD ROMs.

2. Try changing the DMA and interrupt. If it still fails, change the
expansion slot location of the Video Blaster MP400 board on your system.

3. Ensure that the PC system is running in turbo.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

    8. The mouse is not responding in the DOS/Windows application

Cause:
It requires a substantial amount of processing to read MPEG streams and
prepare them for the hardware. Resulting in less processing time for the
rest of the system (mouse included).

Solution:
Pause the video before making video adjustments and other processes that
requires lots of mouse activity. In Windows, remove all other background
processes before playing video.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

           9. Unable to playback CDI Digital Video movies
                                  
Cause:
The CD ROM drive is not able to read CDI format CDs.

Solution:
Your CD ROM may not be able to read CDI disk, please check with your
supplier.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

         10. The MPEG playback stops after the first screen
                                  
Cause:
The interrupt setting is wrong or conflicts with another hardware board
on your system

Solutions:
1) Ensure that the interrupt specified in the I: parameter of the
environment string is the same as your card. If not, run MP400SET to
reconfigure the string before rebooting the system.

2) If it still fails, switch off your system, change the interrupt
setting on your board and run MP400SET to reconfigure the environment
string. After which, you will need to reboot your system.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

    11. Network driver hangs with Video Blaster MP400 card installed

Cause:
The card is not properly initialised upon boot up. This problem will
only occur on certain systems.

Solution:
Do not boot up the system with any network drivers. Install the Video
Blaster MP400 software. You will now have to run MP400INI before
running the network driver concern.
You can run MP400INI from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, before running the
network driver concerned.

      ********** End of Common Questions and Answers **********
                                  
