Video Cards (Motion Computing)

Voyager 4 is based on a Microsoft technology called DirectX that dramatically accelerates video (screen) operations by pushing most of the processing from the main CPU to the video card.  This same technology is used for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Google Earth and many games.

Between DirectX and the video card itself is a piece of software called a driver.  Manufacturers typically update the driver frequently to improve performance, fix bugs and add features.

In general, it's a good idea to check for updates to your video card from time to time.  The generic Microsoft Windows Update mechanism checks for some updates but misses many so you should check with your card maker's Web site for the most current drivers.  In many cases, a new driver can make a dramatic performance difference.

For example, the Motion LS 800 and Motion LE 1600 computers use a very common Intel 915 video chipset (if you're not using a Motion LS 800 or LE 1600, click here for information about other computers and video cards).  Other computers, such an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T43 also used this chip as it was very common with tablets and laptops designed in 2004 and 2005.  In the case of the ThinkPad, IBM supplied updated video drivers to Microsoft so the generic Microsoft Update mechanism automatically downloaded updated drivers.  However, Motion never supplied these drivers to Microsoft so a user would have had to manually visit the Intel Web site and download/install the driver himself, something few people did.  Thus, virtually all Motion LS 800 and LE 1600 computers are still using a very old video driver that does not support DirectX correctly.  As Voyager 4.0 depends heavily on the performance of the video card and driver, Voyager 4.0 on these machines is almost unusable until the driver is updated. 

To update the driver:

1.  Click below to find the file on the Intel Web site:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=1862&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!

2.  Click the first Download text link on that Web page (the second driver is apparently designed for computer programmers only). 

3.  After you click Download, you'll go to another Web page where you have to click Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows* XP (exe) to actually download the file.   You also may see a yellow bar at the top of your Web browser warning you about downloading files.  If so, click to allow the download. 

4.  Save the file to your Desktop or anywhere else you find convenient then double-click the downloaded file to install the new driver.

If you're not sure what video card you have, you can check as follows:

If you're running Windows XP:

1. Right click on your Windows Desktop and select Properties.
2. Click the Settings tab.
3. Click the Advanced button.
4. Click the Adapter tab.

If you're running Windows Vista:

1. Right click on your Windows Desktop and select Personalize.
2. Click Display Settings.
3. Click Advanced Settings.
4. Click the Adapter tab if not already selected.