From: pugliese@ghost.dsi.unimi.it (Marco Pugliese)
Subject: Re: Help needed with 24-bit SVGA board using Cirrus chip (Boca / STB)
Organization: Computer Science Dep. - Milan University
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 11:13:59 GMT

"ken lu" <ken.lu@canrem.com> writes:


>   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.


AAARGHHH! I'm having exactly the same problems, and I'm strongly considering
to switch back to my fantastic Tseng Lab et4000 !
-- 
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