©2002 Super X Studios

Desktop Dreamscapes™ Users Guide

The 3D wallpaper feature will not function on Windows Vista due to removal by Microsoft of a required system component. The 3D screensaver will still function. Please try the free demo before purchasing to ensure compatibility with your system.

If Desktop Dreamscapes does not work or stops working suddenly (usually after installing a Windows Update), try the following:

1) Open up Internet Explorer (even if this is not your default browser). From the "Tools" menu select "Internet Options..."

2) Select the "Programs" tab, then the "Manage Add-ons..." button

3) Select "FarGateAX Control" from the list, and make sure the "Enable" button at the bottom is selected. Click "OK".

4) Turn on Desktop Dreamscapes again (right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then select "3D Desktop".).

Right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then select "3D Desktop".

Full Version Only:
To turn on the screen saver, right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then select "3D Screen Saver". To adjust properties, select "Screen Saver Properties".

Right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then un-check "3D Desktop".

While Desktop Dreamscapes is running, right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes". This menu controls various options including selecting the scene and adjusting the volume.

Desktop Dreamscapes will automatically monitor your computer and attempt to release resources when other applications or games need them. However, if necessary, you can use the Freeze command to force Desktop Dreamscapes to temporarily release all video resources and pause rendering. Right-click on the desktop, select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then select "Freeze". Use this command if you notice problems with other applications.

If the desktop seems choppy or your computer seems sluggish, try the following:

1) Right-click on the desktop and select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then make sure the "High Quality Mode" option is NOT checked. If it is checked, uncheck it by selecting it.

2) Reduce the color depth of your desktop. Right-click on the desktop and select "Properties". Choose the "Settings" tab. Check under "Colors". If you have "True Color (32 bit)" selected, try setting it to "High Color (16 bit)", then click "Apply". NOTE: Desktop Dreamscapes will ONLY run in 32 bit or 16 bit color mode. It will not run in 256-color, 16-color, or 24-bit mode.

3) You can also reduce your desktop resolution by going to the same desktop properties dialog and adjusting the "Screen area" setting.

4) Other background processes, like SETI@Home, may interfere with Desktop Dreamscapes as they will compete for idle-time system resources. We recommend turning off any other background processes while using Desktop Dreamscapes.

5) Windows XP Only: If you are experiencing sluggishness with the cursor or menus, try disabling cursor and menu shadows and fade effects. You can do this by going to the "System" control panel. Select the "Advanced" tab, and hit "Setting" under "Performance". Turn off the following check boxes: "Fade or slide menus into view", "Show shadows under menus", and "Show shadows under mouse pointer".

Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 Pro, XP Home, or XP Pro
DirectX 8.1 or above
500 Mhz CPU
128 MB RAM
16 MB Video Card

- Support Website

The latest support information, FAQ, and updates for Desktop Dreamscapes can be found here.

- Known Compatibility Issues

QuickTime: QuickTime movie playback may stutter if Desktop Dreamscapes is active. To solve this, freeze Desktop Dreamscapes BEFORE launching QuickTime or a QuickTime movie.

Desktop enchancers (Talisman Desktop, WindowBlinds, Stardock Object Desktop, etc.): Desktop Dreamscapes may be incompatible with other Desktop enhancement programs.

Standby mode: Desktop Dreamscapes may prevent Windows from entering standy mode. Windows will only enter standy mode if it detects the processor is idle. Because Desktop Dreamscapes uses available idle time, Windows may not enter standy mode. Screen savers will still function properly, however.

Monitor power-save: Some video card drivers have problems going into monitor power-save mode with 3D running, and may cause Desktop Dreamscapes to crash or your machine to stop responding. If this occurs, you can disable this mode by opening the "Display" control panel, clicking on the "Screen Saver" tab, and selecting "Power" (Windows XP) or "Settings" under energy saving features (Windows 98/ME). Set the option "Turn off monitor" to "Never". You can still run screen savers with this mode disabled.

- Does Desktop Dreamscapes slow my machine down?

Desktop Dreamscapes is designed not to interfere with or slow down your normal use of your computer. It runs as an idle process, using only CPU time that would otherwise be wasted. It also attempts to monitor and release video resources when another application or game needs use of the video card. A demo is available which you can use to verify that Desktop Dreamscapes will not interfere with your computer or its applications.

- Sometimes it's running when another application is doing something, will this slow my computer down?

Often times another application will perform a non-CPU intensive task, like loading data from the hard drive. Since the CPU would normally sit idle during this time, Desktop Dreamscapes keeps running, but this does not affect the performance of the other application.

- What if I want to be sure that Desktop Dreamscapes isn't running temporarily?

Use the "Freeze" command to force Desktop Dreamscapes to release all video resources and pause rendering. Right-click on the desktop, select "Desktop Dreamscapes", then select "Freeze". Use this command if you notice problems with other applications.

- I'm having trouble using Desktop Dreamscapes with Windows 2000 Professional.

You must be an Administrator on your machine to use Desktop Dreamscapes with Windows 2000 Professional.

- Will Desktop Dreamscapes work with multi-monitor?

Multi-monitor is supported with most hardware and operating system configurations.

- The audio from Desktop Dreamscapes stops when another window is maximized.

This is intentional. If the desktop is completely obscured by other windows, the audio will automatically mute itself.

- I'm having trouble getting Desktop Dreamscapes to run. I'm getting Direct3D or other errors.

Make sure you have the latest video card drivers for your machine. Drivers for common cards can be found at:

• NVidia: TNT, GeForce
• ATI: Rage, Radeon
• Matrox: G200, G400
• 3Dfx: Voodoo

- Winamp (or another MP3 player) is breaking up.

Make sure the process priority for your MP3 player is not set to "Idle". In Winamp, this is accessed in the "Preferences" dialog under "Options". It is recommended you set the process priority to "Normal".

- Desktop Dreamscapes sometimes pauses for several seconds.

This is intentional. Desktop Dreamscapes monitors system activity and will pause and/or release video resources when it detects that another application may soon want them.

- Desktop Dreamscapes sometimes quits and restarts (the load screen appears) for no reason.

This is normal behavior - it occurs periodically when Windows refreshes the desktop, which can happen for various reasons.

- I would like to inquire about OEM bundling or volume sales.

Desktop Dreamscapes is a great way to differentiate your in-store display or add value to a bundle. Contact us.

- I would like to be informed about future Super X Studios products.

Sign up for our emailing list (low-traffic).

Desktop Dreamscapes™
Volume 1: Outer Space
©2002 Super X Studios
www.superxstudios.com

Design and Development
James Thrush

Artwork
James Thrush
Dustin Wood
Jeff House

Sound Effects
Christopher Overstreet
Kevin Nortness

Beta-Testers