The 'vesa' driver is just like any other driver. If you use the 'vesa' driver then it will change video modes using the VESA BIOS. Note that you won't get any acceleration from this driver. One problem with using the BIOS is that your set in the fixed modes provided by the BIOS. Some people like the ability to set obscure modes. It's also been noted that some laptops don't have appropriate modes in the BIOS for some 1400x1050 panels and the Windows driver programs the mode directly anyway, so XFree86's users lose out when using the VESA BIOS exclusively. I'm sure it affects more users too.
You don't have to get the latest version though either, although it's that's best. Alan. On Mon, Nov 24, 2003 at 09:33:04PM +0000, Raymond Jennings wrote: > So if I got the latest version, and decided to change video modes, would it > use VESA? > > > >From: Alan Hourihane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: Raymond Jennings <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Subject: Re: Could the VESA BIOS be of assistance? (ID 20311056 ignore > >this filter) > >Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:26:50 +0000 > > > >On Mon, Nov 24, 2003 at 09:19:01PM +0000, Raymond Jennings wrote: > >> I was wondering if we could make some use of the VESA VGA extension, to > >set > >> video modes at least. That would eliminate all of the video mode > >problems, > >> such as bad offsets, out of sync, and scanline problems. The VESA > >standard > >> covers everything the XVidMode extension does, but does it more safely. > >I > >> have yet to see the video bios mess up the video card. The XVidMode > >> extension could ignore everything but the screen dimensions and be > >backward > >> compatible. Xvidtune would be made obsolete. I've done plenty of VESA > >> hacking, and it seems a promising interface. > >> > >> And don't tell me it's slow, because the video card takes a while when > >> changing video modes anyway, and any latency involved in calling the > >VESA > >> BIOS would be masked by the monitor resyncing. > >> > >> Tell me what you guys think about this. I'm aware of a prejudice > >against > >> the BIOS, but this is a special case. I know for a fact that messing > >> around with sync frequencies is dangerous, and the BIOS can be trusted. > >> > >> You could make use of the vm86 system call, or write a kernel module to > >go > >> to v86 mode on behalf of the X server. I'm certain there's always a way > >to > >> get to the VESA extension. > >> > >> Let me know what you guys think. Is this practical? is it ingenious? > >Is > >> it dangerous? Is it stupid? > > > >The driver for using the VESA BIOS already exists and has done for several > >XFree86 versions. The driver is called 'vesa'. > > > >Some drivers already use BIOS calls to set modes too, some of the Intel > >chipsets exclusively use it. > > > >Alan. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE > online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 _______________________________________________ Devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://XFree86.Org/mailman/listinfo/devel
