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           Important Suggestions to the Marc A Driver Version 1.05
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Contents:

1. The first installation of the Marc A and related drivers
2. Update from older drivers to this driver version
3. What's new ?
4. Attention: Windows System Sounds
5. Attention: Multicard Users

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1. The first installation of the Marc A an related drivers

* If you want to install a Marc A at the first time, then
  go ahead as follows:

  - Switch of your computer and open the cover.
  - Put one or more (max. 4) Marc A's into free PCI slots.
  - Close the cover and switch on you computer.
  - Start Windows95/98/ME and follow the instructions on the screen.
  - First, the Windows operation system may not find a driver, because it doesn't exists
    at the root directory of you installation disk.
  - Search for the language directory of you choice und click "Ok."
  - Under Windows95b/c it may happens, that you have to choose the correct installation
    directory once again.
  - After you have installed the drivers, the Marc A Sound System is ready for action.

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2. Update from older drivers to this driver version

* If you have installed one ore more Marc A(s) and related drivers so go ahead as follows:
  
  - Start Windows and remove all Marc A entries at device managers device list.
    (recommend for users with one card only)
    
    O R

  - Start Windows in SAFE MODE
    (recommend for users with more than one card)

  - If you want to remove an older Marc A driver, then start the 
    Marc A Uninstaller (MARCAUI.EXE), 
    which is located in root directory of your installation disc and 
    (after a successful installation) in windows system directory.

  - Restart your Windows and follow the instructions on screen.
    (see also "1. The first installation of the Marc A an related drivers")

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3. What's new ?

Version 1.05:

* Record CPU load, caused by the Marc A PCI bus transfer, decreased by 30%
* ASIO: performance improved when used with more than one card
* ASIO: You are now able to choose "Internal" clock as clock source even in
  the case that ADAT record devices are enabled. In this mode you must 
  ensure that the external connected device is working in clock-slave-mode!
  If your external connected device works as clock master, then you are 
  obligated to choose "ADAT input" as clock source or playback/recording
  produce drop outs and/or general failures.
* ASIO/GSIF: When using an ASIO/GSIF application, the driver overrides user's clock and start/stop
  synchronization settings with appropriate values.
  (these user settings are applicable for MME/DirectSound applications only).
  Now, the driver restores the user settings again, when the last ASIO/GSIF application has finished.
* Marc A Manager Software now uses the registry branch "HKCU" (User related) 
  to store it's settings.
* Start/Stop Synchronization of record and playback assured
* MME: synchronous buffer return improved

Version 1.01:

* Because of legal reasons the name "Prodif" cannot be used anymore.
  The existing hardware and related drivers are now part of the
  product "Marc A".

Version 1.00:

*  All ;-)
   (But 99% of all is tested through all other sound systems developed by MARIAN)

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4. Attention: Windows System Sounds

* After the first installation of an audio device driver,
  Windows NT switchs on the Windows System Sounds per default.
  The system will playback these sound if a message box appears or
  a windows will be minimized or maximized.
  The use of this system sounds may cause some problems in conjunction
  with running audio applications.

* Per default the driver takes care of a synchronous start and stop of all
  devices of the Marc A. This is a really important feature for
  each multichannel harddiskrecording program but it may cause conflicts
  with the windows system sounds.
  If a running playback- or recording session will be interrupted by
  a system sound (because of a message box or window actions) the
  playback- or recording session will STOP too and the related audio
  application will hang (under specific circumstances) in a undefined state.
  You can solve this behaviour by switching off the system sounds
  (Control Panel->Sounds) or by deactivating the Start/Stop
  Synchronization Option of the Marc A driver.
  (see Marc A Manager - Settings - Synchronization)

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5. Attention: Multicard Users

* If you get an error message at windows start which shows an hardware
  initialization error, please remove ALL card from you computer and test
  each card alone. This is the only safe way to find out the defect card!
  Please request your hardware dealer to Exchange of the defect card
  against a new one.

* NEVER disable or remove a Marc A entry from windows device manager's
  list! This may cause problems in interaction with the Marc A Manager
  and Driver. System crashs may be the consequence.
  This problem will be solved in the next driver update.

* Please install a driver update ONLY like described under 2.

Leipzig 03-18-2003