From: "ken lu" <ken.lu@canrem.com>
Subject: Help needed with 24-bit SVGA board using Cirrus chip (Boca / STB)
Reply-To: "ken lu" <ken.lu@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: comp
Date: 12 Nov 92 11:25:50 EST


   Hi! John.
   I have the Cirrus Logic GD-542x 24-bit card BIOS ver 1.00d 1992,Aug 10.
   It is not the same card you have , but...

JR>I`m having some problems with a 24-bit color board that I installed in my
JR>PC last week. Actually, I've tried two different cards, but both use the same
JR>video DAC. The first board I tried was the STB Evolution VGA card with 1 MB
JR>ram. I took it back because the Windows 3.0 drivers didn't work, the amount
JR>of memory reported by the card often said 256K instead of 1024K, and many

   If you see 1024K when you BOOT the computer. Then the card is usually 1024K.
   The error about the memory amount is usually Software's mistake.

JR>of the programs that I have that support VESA modes didn't work with this
JR>card, even though it's supposed to be VESA-compliant. I then went out and

   The card should be VESA 1.2 BIOS compatible at 640x480x24-bit, 640x480x256,
   800x600x64K or ......etc.
   But your software may not support it yet.

JR>bought a Boca Super X VGA card. After getting home, I discovered it also uses
JR>the Cirrus GD-54XX (not sure of number here) chip. Though this card is more

   Cirrus GD-542X ??

JR>reliable in reporting the amount of memory present, it still doesn't work at
JR>all or works incorrectly in standard VESA modes like 640x480x256. Either that

   VESA not working at 640x480x256 ?? Which VESA compatible program you are
   using with ?  Always Make sure you have the newest version of the programs first.

JR>or VESA compatible programs keep telling me that my card does not support
JR>the mode I'm trying to use. This card replaced a Video 7 1024I card that
JR>worked fine in these modes. I did have to load a TSR driver for VESA
JR>modes to work with the Video 7 board. However, there were no similar drivers
JR>included with either the STB or the Boca board.

   You do not need the TSR VESA driver , It is hardware-Built-in.
   However You should try the Utility Program provide by your utility disk.
   It is CLMODE for my card and use it to setup the correct Monitor TYPE.
   (ie.. what kind of the highest resolution your monitor has or the type of
   your monitor.) Some SVGA card has to change the jumper in order to change
   the correct SVGA mode for the monitor. But the Cirrus Logic use software control.
   And sometime it may solve your problem. ( if you set up your highest monitor
   resolution is 640x480 then the 800x600 mode is not going to work for sure.)

JR>Does anyone else out there have either of these cards? I'd be interested in
JR>hearing if you are having similar problems. It's great having 24-bit color
JR>capabilities, but the quirky operation of the card in general is driving me
JR>up a wall. I'd be grateful for any hekp anyone can offer.

   I use the Driver provided by the Utility disk for Windows 3.1 and I have
   no problem at all. But it should work for any Windows 3.X.
   The card also supports all the major commercial softwares very well.
   If you can not find the VESA mode from some programs then TRY the
   Paradise or Western Digital chipset Driver if the program has it.

   No problem for the windows environment so far ( if you use the correct driver)
   But I find  some problem about the DOS environment.
   I have problem with CSHOW in the first because I have the old version .
   But after I get the newest version of the CSHOW , no problem so far.
   CVIEW ( Color View for DOS ver.1.0 --a 24-bit JPEG viewer) works great too
   by using VESA 1.2 mode.
   But I still can not get VPIC working at 24-bit mode.So far , the VPIC 5.x
   only supports Diamond SpeedStar 24X. and I have to wait for the next
   updated version ( I think ). But 256 color mode is working great at any resolution.
   Use VPIC 4.0 and the .cfg driver provided by your video card.

   Actually the VESA will be the standard support for any future software.
   But since 24-bit video card is a new topic now , You just have to wait.

   Give me the name of the program YOU having problem with, in more
   details. ( ie ARE you using QEMM in your DOS , what exactly is your software
   problem...etc) And I will see What I can do for you.
****************************************************************************

   OR BUY the Diamond Speedstar 24X or ATI VGA WONDER XL24 if you can return
   your video card back. Both card have well support from the softwares.

   Diamond costs around U$ 140 - U$170 in US ,
   And ATI/with mouse about CND170 - CND200 in Canada.

   I bought the card because of the price, I got it for CND139 while
   ATI costs CND220 or Diamond CND239.
   But the ATI/without mouse price is decreasing to CND159 and I am going
   to change from Cirrus Logic to ATI, Today from my dealer.

   I will say Diamond Speedstar 24x if you live in US.
---
  DeLuxe 1.25 #1074  Now using Qmail DeLuxe...and loving it!
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
Newsgroups: comp.graphics