Jon Smirl wrote:
On 8/28/06, James Richard Tyrer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Jon Smirl wrote:
> I'm still trying to figure why there is a need for this external mode
> setting box. I would have thought that the hardware powers on with
video
> output disabled. When the host executes the VBIOS ROM it reads the DDC,
> sets a mode, and enables video out. All of the cards default to 640x480
> VGA if they can't find a valid EDID.
>
> For a fixed frequency monitor you would just change the default mode
for
> when there is no EDID from 640x480 to whatever you need, reflash the
> VBIOS and boot. No external box needed.
>
> If there is no VBIOS part of the system boot process needs to
program the
> mode but it can still handle a fixed frequency monitor if the hardware
> powers up with video output disabled.
It is the boot strap problem -- also called Catch 22.
You have the card in your computer and a monitor that won't support VGA
640x480. How do you get the system started?
Boot the computer using whatever it came with
To say: "came with" makes no sense.
My computer didn't come with a monitor and it didn't come with a video
card. Perhaps this is one of our larger market segment. It is, after
all the largest selling "brand" of PC: "White Box".
OTOH, I have three extra monitors lying around the house somewhere. :-)
Obviously this problem isn't going to apply to me.
Seriously, if somebody buys a fixed frequency monitor, are they really
likely to go out and buy a computer that comes *with* a monitor?
OTOH, I think that most people would be able to get their hands on a VGA
monitor. Where I live you can get one at one of the land fills or buy
one for less than this programing device is going to cost, at several
thrift shops. Those that can't probably have a TV set (if it is a new
one, it probably has Video In). With an x86, this means that they could
boot FreeDOS and run a setup program in QVGA (quarter VGA) or 40 column
text.
So, we are down to a very small number of people that have architecture
other than x86 and can't find a TV set with video input. Yes this is
confounded by a probability that people with an odd-ball monitor are
more likely to have an non-x86 system.
It is also possible to make programs that will boot to bare iron -- run
on just the BIOS if the system has a BIOS.
While I think that it would be a good idea to store the EDDC on the
Video Board, I don't really see a need to have some gadget to set it.
--
JRT
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