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Monster Sound II, Windows 95/98 Installation  (web)          Readme File
(c) 1998, Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.            All Rights Reserved
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BETA Release v1.01


Overview
--------
This readme file contains information specific to the installation,
configuration, and operation of the Monster Sound II product under 
Windows 95/98. For hardware installation and general information about
Monster Sound II, please reference the readme.txt file in the root of 
the installation CD or WEB-based download image.

The Monster Sound Mx300 drivers included in this download are named 
Monster Sound II to reflect the 2nd generation of the Original Monster 
Sound Product line.  The Monster Sound II drivers are based on the 
Aureal Vortex 2 chipset and drivers. 


Installing the Monster Sound II Drivers
---------------------------------------
The first time Windows 95/98 starts after installing the Monster Sound
II card, you will be prompted to install the appropriate drivers. 

IMPORTANT: When prompted to locate the drivers, enter the full path
to the installation image. For CD installations, this is typically 
D:\Win9x (where D: is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive). For
WEB-based installations, this is typically C:\Temp\Win9x (or replace 
C:\Temp with the actual drive letter and path to the download image).

Presently there are two versions of Windows 95, each with a slightly 
different procedure for locating the drivers. If you are running 
Windows 95 and the "New Hardware" dialog box is displayed, please 
proceed to the section titled: "Retail version of Windows 95".

If you are running Windows 95 and the "Update Device Drivers Install"
wizard is displayed, please proceed to the section titled: "OEM Version
of Windows 95"

If you are running Windows 98, please proceed to the section "Retail
version of Windows 98".

   Retail version of Windows 95
   ----------------------------
   1. Windows 95 displays a dialog box indicating:
      "New Hardware Found - PCI Multimedia Audio Device"

      Choose to install drivers from a disk provided by the hardware
      manufacturer.
   
   2. Type the appropriate path to the Monster Sound II Windows 95 
      drivers. The Monster Sound II Drivers will now be copied to your
      system.


   OEM Version of Windows 95
   -------------------------
   1. Windows 95 displays the Update Device Driver Wizard.
   
   2. Click on the Next button. Wait for the Other Locations button to
      be display before proceeding.
   
   3. Click on the Other Locations button and type the appropriate
      path to the Monster Sound II Windows 95 drivers.

   4. You may be prompted again to locate the Monster Sound II 
      installation disk. Once again, respond with the appropriate path
      to the Monster Sound II Windows 95 drivers. The Monster Sound II 
      Drivers will now be copied to your system.


   Retail version of Windows 98
   ----------------------------
   1. Windows 98 displays the Add New Hardware Wizard stating "This 
      wizard searches for new drivers for: PCI Multimedia Audio
      Device". Click Next.

   2. Windows will now prompt you with two options for finding the
      drivers. Select the first choice: "Search for the best driver for
      your device". Click Next.

   3. You are then offered several search options. Select the "Specify a
      location" check box, and type the appropriate path to the Monster 
      Sound II Windows 98 drivers. Click Next.

   4. Next windows will confirm it has located the drivers for the 
      "Monster Sound II Multifunction Parent". Click Next.
      
      NOTE: If the drivers could not be located, click on Back and check
      that the correct path to the Monster Sound II installation CD has
      been entered.

   5. Windows will inform you once the drivers have been installed. 
      Click Finish.

   6. You may be prompted to reboot your system. If so, go ahead and
      restart your system at this time.


Installing the Monster Sound II Software Utilities
--------------------------------------------------
After the drivers are installed, the Monster Sound II setup program 
will start. Follow the on screen instructions to install the utility 
software. If the setup program does not automatically start, run 
Setup.exe from the root directory on the installation CD or download
image.


Tips and Other Useful Information
----------------------------------
1) For maximum SoftDVD performance:
   -  Minimum system requirements are 266MHz PII with 32M memory and
      a DVD-ROM drive.
   -  Enable DMA transfers for your DVD-ROM drive. Most often this
      feature can be accessed using the Windows Device Manager and
      selecting properties for your specific DVD-ROM drive.
   -  For 4-speaker surround, make sure Monster Sound II is configured 
      for Quad mode using the control panel. You will then need to 
      select 3D Audio from the SoftDVD player's audio options. You
      may also need to select the 5.1 or multichannel soundtrack for
      the title you wish to view.
   -  If you receive a message stating that your video driver is not
      MacroVision compatible, you will need to acquire new drivers
      from you graphics card manufacturer.


Known Limitations
----------------
The following are known limitations in this release.

1) The Aureal Vortex 8830 audio/gameport controller used by Monster 
   Sound II is a 3.3 volt component. Some input devices designed for 
   use with 5.0 volt controllers may not function properly.

2) During driver installation Windows may display a dialog box stating 
   it has found a newer version of VJoyD.vxd on the system. It is
   important that you chose to keep the newer file. Otherwise an older 
   version of the driver will be copied to your system and you may 
   experience problems with the gameport.


Windows 95/98 Revision History
------------------------------
v1.00
   -  Initial retail release
v1.01
   - (Beta) Release
   -  Based on Aureal 4.06.2015.05 drivers
         

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All product names listed herein are trademarks or copyrights of their 
respective owners.
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