In a thread a couple of weeks ago, we went into problems and
solutions for configuring a graphics generator to drive a fixed-frequency
monitor. So I'll be brief.
I'd say the solutions mentioned here are viable on at least some
hardware platforms. A self-booting floppy may also work on some platforms
that can't boot from a CD.
However, OGA is aimed at a very wide range of systems and
applications, not just PCs. Not all embedded systems have BIOS, or even
CPUs capable of running a BIOS. Some of them start development without even
assembly code to initialize the CPU registers.
That's why I suggested putting some bare-bones minimal logic in the
TRV10 to allow it to use the SPI port to probe for an external configuration
tool, from which it can read in the raw binary image of the video mode
registers. This would get the display up and running at boot time in text
mode, with zero CPU intervention. That makes the console available to begin
debugging the very first low-level code on the target system. The parts
cost for a minimal initialization tool implemented with DIP switches and
shift registers came to around $25 in moderate quantities, as I recall.
There might not be all that many initialization tools sold, but it could
mean a big difference in chips sold into the embedded market.
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