Timothy Miller wrote:
On 8/1/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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.

We can provide jumpers or a DIP switch (jumpers may be cheaper, but I
don't know).  The problem here is identifying a good list of fixed
modes that will satisfy everyone.


This isn't going to work -- we can't satisfy everyone. By definition odd ball monitors are not going to be standard. That is why X11 has modelines.

We could have it possible for it to start in VESA modes that are larger than 640x480, but that isn't going to help with something odd ball.

We could have it possible to select some (or all :-() of the standard modelines built into the current XFree86 and X.org releases, but again, there are going to be real odd ball monitors that this isn't going to help.

I would suggest that a serial NVRAM with the X11 modeline or VESA mode for boot up in it is the best idea. It might also be a good idea for this to store the VESA modes that were supported. Since there is a finite list, we would only need a bit for each one (best to have a few to spare since I presume that they may add new ones). And, it appears the type of sync the monitor needs (H&V, Composite, on Green).

You could load this NVRAM yourself if you borrowed a VGA monitor or could use your TV. Otherwise, we could offer the programing service.

This leaves us with two jumpers (4 choices):

        VGA

        TV 480i

        TV 489p

        NVRAM stored mode

and a jumper to enable writing the NVRAM.

Perhaps we wouldn't need to populate the serial NVRAM on the standard product.

--
JRT

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