NVIDIA and ATI video cards are most compatible with SoftXpand and are recommended by MiniFrame. SoftXpand Native video mode driver achieves maximum performance with all NVIDIA & ATI dual head video cards and with all single head video cards.

SoftXpand works better with advanced NVIDIA video cards (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 series) and with ATI (3400, 3450), but  also enables working with non-NVIDIA or ATI single head and dual head cards using its Safe video mode.

Using ATI video cards, SoftXpand supports the maximum of 4 workstations (2 dual head video cards), due to Windows and ATI compatibility issues found when using 3 or more ATI video cards on the same motherboard.

Using NVIDIA video cards, SoftXpand supports up to 8 workstations.

Refer to the following links for information about major NVIDIA brands:

ASUS

GIGABYTE (PCI-E)

GIGABYTE (AGP)

LEADTEK

MSI (PCI-E)

MSI (AGP)

PNY

XFX

Installing a video card

• Three types of slots, and thus three types of video cards, are available:

1. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect): A slot designed to accommodate a wide range of computer components, including video cards, sound cards, and modems.
   Click here for additional information:
   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect)
2. PCI Express: Built for powerful video cards. There may be more than one PCI Express slot on the motherboard.
   Click here for additional information:
   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express)
3. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port): The AGP slot is dedicated solely to video cards. Click here for additional information:
   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Graphics_Port)

• The following figure shows a motherboard that contains all three types of slots.
  
  
  
  
• Before installing a video card, make sure you have the following items:

1. A Phillips-head screwdriver of appropriate size.
2. The manual and installation CD that came with your new video card.
3. The instruction sheet that came with the computer case.

• The following figure shows the parts of a video card:
  
  
  
  

Screw hole: The small hole where a screw attaches the video card to the computer case.

Monitor port: Where the monitor cable plugs in.

Metal bracket: The metal piece attached to a video card that contains the monitor port and screw hole.

Gold contacts: The part of the video card that actually connects to the motherboard and gets inserted into the slot.

Warning: Do not touch the gold contacts of the video card; you could damage it severely.

Inserting the video card

1. Unplug the computer's power cable, remove the cover, and locate the appropriate slot for the video card.
2. Touch the computer metal chassis to discharge any possible static electricity.
3. Orient the gold contacts of the new video card towards the appropriate slot on the motherboard.
4. The bracket should face towards the back of the computer case. The gap in the gold contacts on the card will line up with the separation in the slot.
5. Gently, but firmly, insert the card into the slot. When the video card is correctly placed, the screw hole in its bracket will be flush against the screw hole in the case, as shown in the figure below:
   
   
   
   Warning: When inserting the card into the slot, be careful not to push too hard at the wrong angle, or you could break it. Treat it gently and do not bend or twist it.
6. Fasten the card to the computer case using the screw.
   
   
   
   
7. If the new video card has any wires attached to it, connect them according to the video card manual instructions.
8. Plug all the cables back in to the computer. Be certain that a monitor cable is plugged into the new video card and properly secured. Plug in the power cable.
9. Turn on the monitor.
10. Turn on the computer. If you see an image on the screen, then your new video card is properly installed.
11. If you don’t see an image on the screen, restart the computer, enter the host PC’s BIOS/CMOS Setup and select the correct video card boot option. Follow the BIOS/CMOS manufacturer instructions.

Note: If you still do not see anything on the monitor, recheck the connections. Make sure that the monitor is on and the cable is securely plugged in. Double-check that your new video card is firmly and properly secured. Refer to your video card’s manual and to your vendor for any further troubleshooting.

Installing the video card

1. Turn on the host computer, log on to Windows with an administrative user account.
   Windows requires an appropriate driver to tell it exactly how to utilize the new video card.
   Even if Windows recognizes the card and installs a driver automatically, it is highly recommended to install the most updated manufacturer driver. Check your video card manual for specific instructions on how to install the driver. Contact the vendor/manufacturer of your video card for information on how to obtain and install the latest version of the video driver. It is likely that you will use the CD that came with the card or download the driver from the manufacturer web site.
   To see whether applicable driver updates are available from Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft update web site: (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/)
2. Install the driver.

Refer to the links below for additional 'SoftXpand - video card ' related information.

How to set multiple monitors display in Windows XP

Problems that may occur when combining different models of NVIDIA video cards

SoftXpand Video modes

This ‘How to’ document is targeted at guiding you on how to perform a specific SoftXpand task/setting.

In order to obtain a broader perspective of the functions and settings of SoftXpand, refer to the appropriate SoftXpand document or guide at http://www.miniframe.com/knowledge-base.html.