-------------- Original message ---------------------- From: James Richard Tyrer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > In the first place, my fixed-frequency monitor didn't come from a > > dumpster. It came with my Unix workstation, and it cost a fortune. > > It runs fine after 15 years, and produces a razor-sharp image, so I > > have no intention of giving it up. In the second place, it does run > > with a board from si87.com, and under Linux, not MS. > > Actually, this isn't about Linux or MS. Linux would probably run you > monitor without a special video board. The problem is that your PC > MotherBoard's BIOS can't. > > > (Actually, one monitor is connected to the Unix machine, and the > > backup monitor is on the Linux system.) In the third place, embedded > > systems are part of the TRV10's target market. Some of them use > > VGA-compatible desktop monitors, but not all of them by a long shot. > > Maybe the stock OGC1 desktop graphics board doesn't need the ability > > to power up in an arbitrary mode, but the TRV10 ASIC certainly needs > > the hooks to do it, possibly with the help of external hardware. > > Then the question is with how much hassle and how much lab equipment > > to get it checked out and configured. But that's a discussion for > > later. > > This is mostly a software issue. The only hardware that is needed is a > NVRAM to store the X11 modeline on the board so that the boot part of > the Video BIOS can use it. > > It would be helpful to know how your special video board works at boot > and the resolution of your monitor.
The way si87 did it was to provide a DIP switch for boot mode selection. 4 bits on the DIP switch select stored modes for various common fixed frequency monitors, with mode 0 being VGA and I think mode 4 being the A1097C. These modes are loaded in flash at the factory, and custom modes can be loaded on special order. Other switch bits set sync options, such as sync-on-green, composite sync, etc. The DIP switch is accessible on the back panel, without opening the case. Having experienced some of the frustrations of not being able to correct minor errors in the modes without getting a display from the board itself, I'm painfully sensitive to the chicken-and-egg problem. _______________________________________________ Open-graphics mailing list [email protected] http://lists.duskglow.com/mailman/listinfo/open-graphics List service provided by Duskglow Consulting, LLC (www.duskglow.com)
