F. A. Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Product TerraTec XLerate PCI
Stand 01/06/2000
Version 1.12
Questions and Answers 29

Please ensure that you are using the latest driver version. You can obtain the latest drivers from our webpage.

Internet TerraTec Electronic GmbH
http://www.terratec.com Herrenpfad 38
ftp://ftp.terratec.de D-41334 Nettetal

An Overview of the Questions

Question 1:
After installing the ActiveRadio software the message 'Error initializing Hardware' is displayed on a blue background.

Question 2:
An audio CD is playing in the CD-ROM drive but I cannot hear anything.

Question 3:
A keyboard connected to the sound card does not react when I hit a key.

Question 4:
Even though a game is setup for 'General MIDI' the wavetable sound does not get played back.

Question 5:
There is no sound output in an MS-DOS game.

Question 6:
When restarting Windows 95/98 after installing the drivers, the error message 'Beim Initialisieren des Geräts IOS Windows-Schutzfehler' (Windows General Protection Fault when initializing the IOS device) is displayed.

Question 7:
There is a lot of chorus and reverb on the sound of an external wavetable module that I connected to the XLerate card.

Question 8:
Is the XLerate compatible with A3D Version 1.0 or 2.0?

Question 9:
Which games support A3D?

Question 10:
How can I enable the A3D function in games?

Question 11:
With which sound card standards is the TerraTec XLerate compatible under MS-DOS?

Question 12:
What is A3D?

Question 13:
The A3D effect is not really audible over the loadspeakers.

Question 14:
How to install the XLerate in real MS-DOS (DOS 6.xx)?

Question 15:
An external wavetable module I connected to the XLerate does not adhere to the reverb and chorus settings.

Question 16:
After installing under Windows 95/98 the computer crashes with 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 06' (Exception Error 06). This error occurs every time I boot the system.

Question 17:
After installing the XLerate under Windows NT 4.0 the MMSYSTEM.CPL file crashes and the buttons 'Schließen'(Close) and 'Details'(Details) are displayed.

Question 18:
I cannot switch the computer into stand-by mode, it immediately continues to operate without reporting an error.

Question 19:
When playing MIDI files over an internal XLerate wavetable the instruments buzz. The buzzing increases after a few seconds and then the system crashes.

Question 20:
In comparison to audio and MIDI playback the ActiveRadio module I connected is too quiet. Even at a 100% volume setting for the ActiveRadio there is still a distinct difference.

Question 21:
There is a resource conflict (e.g. IRQ conflict) and I cannot change the resources and basic configuration in the Device Manager.

Question 22:
The F1 Racing game from UBI-Soft generates an error after it starts, it works without the XLerate.

Question 23:
The Incoming game by Rage generates sounds containing noise interference.

Question 24:
If I attach two joysticks to the XLerate using a splitter cable, one or both joysticks don't function correctly. Each joystick works fine on its own.

Question 25:
If I disable the DirectSound hardware acceleration under A3D settings in the XLerate Control Panel I get an 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 0E' (Exception Error 0E) after starting one of the A3D demos and the demo is aborted.

Question 26:
Shortly after the opening window when starting a game with A3D support (e.g. Forsaken), the A3D logo is displayed and the game is invisible.

Question 27:
After installing the drivers, Windows boots with only 16 colors and reports that the graphics card is incorrectly installed.

Question 28:
after the SoundBlaster emulation is automatically detected, an 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 0E/0D' (Exception Error 0E/0D) is displayed and the system hangs.

Question 29:
While uninstalling the Windows NT drivers the software message 'XLerate-Treiber kann nicht installiert werden' (unable to install the XLerate drivers) is displayed.

Question 1:

After installing the ActiveRadio software the message 'Error initializing Hardware' is displayed on a blue background.

Answer 1:

This means that you are using an older version of the ActiveRadio software. Request the latest version from our technical support line or download it from Internet or BBS.
In the current version this error no longer occurs.


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Question 2:

An audio CD is playing in the CD-ROM drive but I cannot hear anything.

Answer 2:

The cause of this problem can really only lie in the audio cable.
In most cases this is due to incorrect polarization of the cable. A flat, wide connector that has the correct polarization is available on nearly all cables and CD-ROM drives. It is also important to know that you can try out the different interfaces without concern (but do please switch off the PC beforehand). Then reboot the computer and start playing the CD. If you hear the sound of the CD you have found the correct interface.

Here is an overview of the interfaces used for CD-ROM audio connections:

Interface standard Used by         
Mitsumi Signal Ground Signal Ground
Panasonic Ground Signal Ground Signal
SONY Signal Ground Ground Signal



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Question 3:

A keyboard connected to the sound card does not react when I hit a key.

Answer 3:

  1. First you should check if there is an entry called 'TerraTec XLerate MPU-401 Interface' in the Device Manager (Systemsteuerung > System) (Control Panel > System) under 'Audio-, Video- und Game- Controller' (Sound, video and game controllers) and that it does not have an exclamation mark '!' beside it. If the entry does not exist or has an '!' beside it, you should check the resources for possible conflicts. Otherwise, you should reinstall the Windows drivers.
  2. If the driver is installed, it must be selected as the MIDI input device in the sequencer software.
    Please see your sequencer handbook for details on this. A setup routine that allows this setting to be configured is included with most sequencer programs.

If both these conditions are satisfied and the problem persists, in other words the software does not react when you hit a key or no sound is audible, the MIDI connecting cable is almost certainly the cause of the trouble.

Experience has shown that there's an enormous number of different MIDI connector cables which unfortunately are all identical externally. These cables should contain a so-called optocoupler suitable for the sound card's levels. As it's not possible to check this from the outside, always use the sound card manufacturer's MIDI cable. Our product range includes such a cable which you can obtain from your equipment retailer.


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Question 4:

Even though a game is setup for 'General MIDI' the wavetable sound does not get played back.

Answer 4:

In this case, call the XLerate Control Panel from the taskbar by clicking the right mouse button and then selecting 'Audioeigenschaften einstellen' (Configure audio properties) option. Select the 'MIDI' tab. Make sure that the 'Ziel für MIDI-Ausgabe in DOS-Box' (MIDI output in DOS box) option is set to 'XLerate Wavetable empfängt MIDI-Ausgabe in DOS-Box' (XLerate wavetable assigned to MIDI output in DOS box). The other choice allows you to select a wavetable module connected to the XLerate card. This means that you can use this option to define whether the software wavetable on the XLerate card or an attached wavetable module is to be used for generating sounds for MS-DOS games run in a Windows 95/98 DOS box.


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Question 5:

There is no sound output in an MS-DOS game.

Answer 5:

Ensure that the loudspeakers are correctly connected. Run the game's setup program and select Soundblaster or Soundblaster Pro as the sound card for effects and for music playback.

NOTE:
Please note that the software wavetable on the XLerate is only available in a Windows 95/98 DOS box but not under real mode DOS. There is, however, the possibility of using an optional wavetable module connected to the XLerate under real DOS using the General MIDI setting.


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Question 6:

When restarting Windows 95/98 after installing the drivers, the error message 'Beim Initialisieren des Geräts IOS Windows-Schutzfehler' (Windows General Protection Fault when initializing the IOS device) is displayed.

Answer 6:

You can get rid of this error message by booting your system in safe mode and then renaming the 'rmm.pdr' file in the \Windows\System\IOsubsys directory to 'rmm.bak'. The error message should no longer be displayed when you reboot your computer.


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Question 7:

There is a lot of chorus and reverb on the sound of an external wavetable module that I connected to the XLerate card.

Answer 7:

In this case, open the XLerate Control Panel on the taskbar by clicking on it with the right mouse button and then select the 'Audioeigenschaften einstellen' (Configure audio properties) option. Select the MIDI tab and disable the 'Effekte ein' (Effects on) option or set the chorus and reverb effect levels using the faders.


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Question 8:

Is the XLerate compatible with A3D version 1.0 or 2.0?

Answer 8:

The XLerate is compatible with A3D version 1.0. However, you can also play A3D version 2.0 games because A3D version 1.0 is compatible with version 2.0.


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Question 9:

Which games support A3D?

Answer 9:

Many games already support the A3D function, e.g.:

The number is constantly increasing. You will find a complete list of games that support A3D at http://www.a3d.com. If you are not sure if the game you want to buy supports A3D, you should ask the manufacturer of the game. They will be able to provide you with this information.


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Question 10:

How can I enable the A3D function in games?

Answer 10:

In this instance, we will use the Jedi Knight game by Lucas Arts as an example. When you start this game you will find a 'Setup' menu with an option called 'Sounds'. This is where you can enable the A3D option by mouse-click. When you confirm this setting by pressing OK, the game is restarted in order to enable the A3D functions.


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Question 11:

With which sound card standards is the TerraTec XLerate compatible under MS-DOS?

Answer 11:

Under MS-DOS the TerraTec XLerate is

Just configure the corresponding settings for the memory address, IRQ and DMA channel in the setup program of each application and sound support should not be a problem. We recommend that you select SoundBlaster or SoundBlaster Pro as the sound card and the music card. Some applications require a BLASTER environment variable to be set.
For example, insert the following line into the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4

T4 = SoundBlaster Pro model ID
D1 = DMA channel number
I5 = Interrupt number
A220 = I/O address of the sound card

If you have configured the sound card with different settings, you will have to adjust the line correspondingly. T4 stands for SoundBlaster Pro compatibility, this parameter should be left unchanged.


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Question 12:

What is A3D?

Answer 12:

A3D is a process that creates a three-dimensional listening experience with only two loudspeakers or a set of headphones, by manipulating the sounds to be output. For example, the sound of a helicopter can be calculated in such way to sound as if it was circling around you. You will have a completely new experience playing games with A3D support.


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Question 13:

The A3D effect is not really audible over the loudspeakers.

Answer 13:


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Question 14:

How to install the XLerate in real MS-DOS (DOS 6.xx)?

Answer 14:

In this case, you have to install the XLerate first under Windows 95/98. If you are operating without Windows 95/98 note the following points:

Now the XLerate card will initialize without an error message under DOS.

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Question 15:

An external wavetable module I connected to the XLerate does not adhere to the reverb and chorus settings.

Answer 15:

An attached external wavetable module cannot be regulated using the faders because these are only intended for the built-in XLerate wavetable.

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Question 16:

After installing under Windows 95/98 the computer crashes with 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 06' (Exception Error 06). This error occurs every time I boot the system.

Answer 16:

You are probably using a Pentium-200 MHz without MMX or a Pentium Pro 200 MHz. If this is the case, the install program does not detect your CPU properly and assumes that it is an 'MMX CPU'. Because of this incorrect assumption the wrong drivers are installed and the system reports the error above.

Abhilfe:

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Question 17:

After installing the XLerate under Windows NT 4.0, the MMSYSTEM.CPL file crashes and the buttons 'Schließen'(Close) and 'Details'(Details) are displayed.

Answer 17:

Close this window and shut down Windows NT. Restart the computer and stop the booting process by pressing the 'Pause' key when the frame with the hardware values is displayed.

Check the BIOS report called 'PCI Device Listing:'! If the card is correctly installed the following line will be visible:

Vendor ID Device ID Device Class IRQ
12EB 0001 Multimedia Device 11


(the IRQ may be a different one!)

If this line is not listed check if the card is properly seated in the PCI slot. Also try placing the card in a different PCI slot or removing all other PCI cards except the graphics card.


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Question 18:

I cannot switch the computer into standby mode, it immediately continues to operate without reporting an error.

Answer 18:

This problem occurs on a few types of motherboards, the error will be addressed by the next driver version.


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Question 19:

When playing MIDI files over an internal XLerate wavetable the instruments buzz. The buzzing increases after a few seconds and then the system crashes.

Answer 19:

This problem occurs in conjunction with Cyrix/IBM CPUs under Windows 95/98. The problem is fixed in version 1.12 of the drivers (CD 07.98).


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Question 20:

In comparison to audio and MIDI playback the ActiveRadio module I connected is too quiet. Even at a 100% volume setting for the ActiveRadio there is still a distinct difference.

Answer 20:

The volume level of the ActiveRadio module is limited by the hardware. Raise the volume of the ActiveRadio to 100% and reduce the volume of WAV and MIDI output.


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Question 21:

There is a resource conflict (e.g. IRQ conflict) and I cannot change the resources and basic configuration in the Device Manager.

Answer 21:

You have installed driver version 1.12 (5/98), these drivers don't offer any alternative resources. This problem is fixed in driver version (7/98).


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Question 22:

The F1 Racing game from UBI-Soft generates an error after it starts, it works without the XLerate.

Answer 22:

The UBI-Soft games manufacturer provides a patch that solves this type of problem for games such as F1- Racing. Please refer to the manufacturer or visit their homepage at http://www.ubisoft.com where you can download the patch.


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Question 23:

The Incoming game by Rage generates sounds containing noise interference.

Answer 23:

The Incoming game has playback problems with several sound cards which are caused by performance
problems. Disable the DirectSound hardware acceleration function in the XLerate Control Panel under A3D-Einstellungen(A3D settings).


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Question 24:

If I attach two joysticks to the XLerate using a splitter cable, one or both joysticks don't function correctly. Each joystick works fine on its own.

Answer 24:

The XLerate's game port corresponds to the standard requirements of a maximum of 4 axes and 4 buttons. If you want to operate two joysticks on one port, each joystick must have only 2 axes and 2 buttons.


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Question 25:

If I disable the DirectSound hardware acceleration under A3D settings in the XLerate Control Panel I get an 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 0E' (Exception Error 0E) after starting one of the A3D demos and the demo is aborted.

Answer 25:

This problem occurs with older versions of the drivers. As of driver version v1.12 (CD 07/98) this problem is fixed.


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Question 26:

Shortly after the opening window when starting a game with A3D support (e.g. Forsaken), the A3D logo is displayed and the game is invisible.

Answer 26:

After the A3D logo disappears, click on 'Forsaken' (in this example) in the taskbar and the game will be continued.

In the XLerate Control Panel under A3D settings disable the 'Audio-Wiedergabe' (Audio playback) and 'Bildschirm anzeigen' (Display window) options to avoid this problem. Without the A3D sound and A3D logo, the A3D hardware still remains active and the game can continue to use it.


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Question 27:

After installing the drivers, Windows boots with only 16 colors and reports that the graphics card is incorrectly installed.

Answer 27:

There is probably an IRQ conflict with the graphics card. Check the IRQ assignments in the BIOS, all IRQs should be set to 'PnP/ISA' or 'NO/ICU'. The option 'PnP OS installed' must be set to 'NO'.

We also recommend that you change the order of the PCI cards. If possible, place the XLerate card in a PCI slot above the graphics card. As a rule, all PCI cards that require an IRQ should be installed above the graphics card.


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Question 28:

After the SoundBlaster emulation is automatically detected, an 'schwerer Ausnahmefehler 0E/0D' (Exception Error 0E/0D) is displayed and the system hangs.

Answer 28:

SoundBlaster emulation requires IRQ 5. If this interrupt is already being used by a different card this error will be displayed.

Solution:

We also recommend that you change the order of the PCI cards. If possible, place the XLerate card in a PCI slot above the graphics card. As a rule, all PCI cards that require an IRQ should be installed above the graphics card.


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Question 29:

While uninstallation the Windows NT drivers the software message 'XLerate-Treiber kann nicht installiert werden' (unable to install the XLerate drivers) is displayed.

Answer 29:

Close the ControlPanel in the background. Now the drivers are able to uninstall.


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TerraTec Electronic GmbH
Herrenpfad 38
D-41334 Nettetal
   
Tel: +49-2157-8179-0
Fax: +49-2157-8179-22
Hotline: +49-2157-8179-14
   
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