#STEALTH 64 VRAM
41 messages in this thread
I just bought a new stealth 64 with 2megs of VRAM. I didn't know at the time
of purchase that VIBRANT does not have a driver for the new s3968 chip.Needless
to say, im not very happy! The reason i bought the card was because the stealth
has always been one of the most compatable cards for 3ds.HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN!
If anyone knows any information about when vibrant will fix this please let me
know. I am considering returning the card and getting an ATI MACH 64 VRAM
instead.
thank you
MIKE B.
PMJI Michael, but you can hardly get mad at Vibrant for not having a new 3DS
driver the instant a new card is released — heck, often the CARD-maker doesn't
have working video drivers for the new cards they release! <g>
However, for a popular card like the Stealth, I'm sure one will be available
soon. It's just kind of the risk you take when a) you get the latest and
greatest new hardware, and b) when you just _assume_ that there exists support
for something you're planning on purchasing, rather than making a few inquiries
beforehand.
Dave
RELAX,
I have a s64 with 968 and sell them too.
all s3 chip cards are backward compatible , so use the 964 drivers, they work
great.
this goes for any app. S3 968 will even work with 928 drivers.
this is quality.
ATI SUCKS compared with the s64.
s64 works flawlessly in OS2\ DOS\WIN95 \ NT\Warp etc
ati does not !!
try it you wil see
Cameron
CYberImage
The stealth 64 video VRAM does fly with all other applications,but DOES NOT
WORK with 3dstudio yet [in higher than 256 color mode]. I called vibrant and
they said 2 months they will have the driver out. You are right about ATI
sucking and i have decided to wait it out
Thanks MIKE.
NOT TRUE AT ALL
I am Running 2 machines with s64 video vram in 65000
and 16 mil in 3ds, and have done it for many customers too.
s3 964 drivers work in 3ds for 968 chipset.
you must be having a conflict with your board or another card.
believe me, I am in the computer hardware bus,
and own a 3d graphics firm.
it works, as do all s3 chips with previous chipset drivers.
I can even run the s3968 chip on vid vram in win 95 \ or NT
with s3 928 video drivers, I HAVE DONE IT.
try it again and you will see.
I talked to vibrant too, and they too say you can do this
until the drivers come out.
968\964 drivers are very similiar, only slight acceleration\
feature differences..
Cameron
CYberImage
Cameron,
I can't RELAX, please explain how you got the vibrant drivers to work with the
NEW stealth 64 vram cards in true color.
I've tried vib1.05 and vib1.06 with no luck.
Thanks for your help
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0007MGHHGA43689
all you do is pick the s64 driver and use it with your 968.
it works perfectly!!
vibrant says it works too –
Cameron
CyberImage
Cameron
When I do that all I get is either a full green or purple screen during the
test. This ain't rocket science, as they say<g>????
Thanks
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0007MGHHG7945DB
Cameron and Ted,
Perhaps you should exchange chipset revision and BIOS numbers, to make sure you
are actually working with the same video card…..
-Brian
Good point, Brian, thanks.
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0006MGHHG_DC2D
Cameron,
My S64 is running BIOS version 2.02 dated 04/14/95.
Would you check your systems so we can clarify if there is differences with
the BIOS. There is quite a bit of confusion on the subject and a few people are
waiting for new drivers.
Thanks
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0007MGHHGD089F8
Michael- Another thread on the S64 VRAM was here a few days ago. I think the
last word I understood was that these problems were being forwarded to Vibrant
from Nik @ ADESK. Hopefully a solution is in the works, but until then, we'll
all just have to wait. If you can take your card back, you might think about
it. I don't have any recommendations for a replacement, but someone here
might. I've got my S64 VRAM working with 1024x768x256 and 1024x768x65K. I'll
just have to live with that until Vibrant gets it fixed, or 3DS for NT comes
out (which ever happens first). -Mark
Well i think i will stick out the wait and see what happens since there is
nothing to replace it with.If anyone finds the vibrant 107 drivers please let
me know.
thanks for the info MIKE
First, are you using the latest version of the Vibrant Drivers? They have been
updated recently. Download VIB3DS.ZIP if you haven't in the past month or so.
Also, have you tried the various S3 selections? I know there is more than one
choice for S3, maybe one works, and one doesn't.
Last, if this particular version of the S3 chip is not supported, I will submit
a wishlist item for the next rev. of the drivers to support that flavor of S3.
-Brian
Yes Brian ,i have tried all of that .I even called vibrant and they said that
they had just got the card and they were working on the driver for it .They
hope to have it done in a couple of months .Vibrant said that the archetecture
of the card is completely new.Oh well i guess ill just have to wait!
thak you for your
attention to this matter
MIKE
Hi Brian,
Please add my name to the list of people having trouble with Diamond's new
Stealth 64 Video VRAM card and the 3DS Vibrant drivers. Has anyone heard an
updated on when we might see new drivers?
I really got snafued on this one. I had the 2mb VRAM card temporarily while my
dealer had the 4mb card on order. In the meantime, Diamond re-engineered the
card to "Video" status, and pulled the old 4mb Stealth's out of the channel.
It figures, everything was working great with the 2mb card. <g> Two steps
forward and one step back, right?
-Heinz.
Heinz,
I was on site at a customer with a brand new Stealth 64 VRAM (??) and it's
totally different from the one I got 4 weeks ago. It works fine with 1.0.5
drivers in S3 928 mode up to 65K colors. Mine only does 256 with any drivers.
It sound like R&D is going full bore at Diamond.
Sorry, no solution, too much confusion.
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0006MGHHHODE22
Hi Ted,
->"R&D is going full bore at Diamond."
Yes, I read your previous postings in this thread before posting mine. Sounds
like you experienced the same AHA! frustration I did once I realized that I was
in deep-diamond-doo-doo.
The only hicolor mode I can get on my video VRAM is 1024×768 @ 65K colors.
It'll get me through while the good folks at Vibrant are crunching out new
drivers (I hope).
I really like this card under Windows, though. Why Diamond would take a
perfectly good card and jack with it is beyond me. The video/AVI acceleration
is a nice new feature, but it wasn't a big problem to begin with on my P100.
🙂
Cheers,
-Heinz.
Heinz
I'm not even too upset that mine only runs in 256 color mode. I do like the
card and have other machines if I have to view something in true color. I'll
stick with mine for now.
Good luck
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0007MGHHG9FE9AC
Diamond did not jack anything,
S3 makes te graphics chips and they decided to
make the 968 , which is a faster chip, does video, and supports EDO vram, and 8
megs a ram to.
there are too many tech diferences to go over with you here, but trust me,
they are extensive, including better VESA support,
and a 220 mhz ramdac, which allows 1600 res at 78 refresh.
a much better card indeed.
and it works perfectly in 3ds with 964 drivers,
and it works in Warp\Win 95\ Windows\ NT as I have tesed all extensively
as always.
best
Cameron
CYberImage
>>and it works perfectly in 3ds with 964 drivers,
We just got some of the new stealth cards in, and the only res that
works with 3DS on our systems is 1024×768, at both 8 and 24 bit (haven't tried
16 bit). All lower resolutions fail in Vibcfg, so in my case (and others I've
heard), they don't always work "perfectly" with 3ds. FWIW.
David,
BLUR
sorry but they do.
the fact that it works on our systems at all res says one thing-
our motherboards and support cards are higher quality, and better researched
that many using 3ds.
we specialize in high end Pentium machines, and MB and cards\
make al the difference, not to mention running with the right software,
like al Microsoft, IBM no Qemm crap which causes all kinds of problems
since we do alot of troubleshotting for fortune 500 computer companies,
and the Diamond card works for US, then using classic troubleshooting
logic, then it is not the card that is at fault with some people's machines,
but a third variable, ie MB, hardware, software loaded etc.
as all of the cards are similiar.
we see hardware conflicts like this alot so it is a good bet this is it.
Cameron
CyberImage
Cameron,
I think you're right on with your comment about good components making all the
difference. With the massive proliferation of hardware available, its the
components and support of them that makes all the difference.
What memory manager do you use with systems with more than 64mb?
I don't care much for QEMM either…
John
HI John,
we either use it with OS2 warp or 3DS, and are about to test with
NT.
when you run a true protected mode memory manager that was designed from the
ground up as a seemless os memory manager,
like OS2 win 95\NT it can make all the difference in stability
over a patched together add on like qemm or memaker
best,
Cameron
CYberImage.
Cameron,
So you haven't found a better solution… yeah well neither have I. <G>
NT is the way to go for sure, I dislike this Win 95/DOS mickey mouse
arrangement and its been around long enough… I still like the command line
but the rest… don't want it, and wish I didn't need it…
Later,
John
Cameron,
>> our motherboards and support cards are higher quality, and better researched
that many using 3ds. <<
ah-hah! A myth perpertuated by "high-end" systems integrators. In my experience
of running 3ds since early r1, there is pretty much no correlation in the price
or brand name to how successful or trouble-free a system would be. I've had
better luck with asian clones motherboards than some USA made supposedly
"higher-quality" ones. I mainly ask around and listen in on this forum before I
buy – that's about as much research as I've needed to do. Armed with this
knowledge I was able to go out and buy ASUS dual-pentium/Diamond Stealth 64
(964 chip) 4mb VRAM systems. I've had pretty good luck with them.
I'm curious about your qemm dislike. What would you suggest instead to access
128mb RAM?
Martin
Also david, everyone must understand
there are 2 versions of the stealth 64 video Vram
and a dram version as well.
the only ones we use are the top of the line Retail packages
which have the Texas Instruments 220 mhz ramdac
for doing 1600 res at 77 refresh.
there is however a cheaper OEM version with a different
175 mhz ramdac that says so right on the ramdac 175.
the retail version comes with 3dfx and Corel 4 CD's and is $350
so all you guys who got a verion for under $300, and no software , you got the
OEM version.
hope the info helps.
Cameron
Cyberimage
Well, it seems to me that if alot of people are having compatibility
problems using standard configs with standard hardware, then it's a copout for
anyone to say "well, it works with our top 'o' the line, custom-built systems,
so the problem must be with your cheap components and software". It's an
unfortunate fact that in the wonderful world of PC's, it's probably impossible
to get every peice of hardware and software to work with every other piece of
hardware and software.
Just because you've been fortunate and haven't had any problems, its
not quite true to say that these cards work perfectly with the vib drivers,
just as saying that the cards don't work at all because some other people can't
get them to run would also be incorrect. The simple truth seems to be that alot
of systems seem to have problems with this latest combo, and that Vibrant needs
to do some figuring to get the problems resolved (as I know they are).
You mentioned that the retail version of the card is $350. Is this for
the 4meg card? sounds awfully cheap if it is… Also, I'm curious to know, how
do you make 96 or 128 megs of ram available to DOS without QEMM? QEMM seems to
be the only way alot of people have to use over 64 megs. Inquiring minds want
to know…
BTW, I love the Stealth cards… really I do…
David,
BLUR
HI david,
luck has nothing to do with getting the cards to work.
the s64 works for us and all our clients simply because we use industry
standard components like Adaptec ASUS\ SUperMicro\ Intel\
conner\quantum \diamond\s3 \pract perriph etc.
these companies do everything to Intel\Microsoft spec
as well as general hardware PCI spec, so there are no conflicts.
when one uses a Phoenix bios\ future domain scsi, or cheap IDE controller,
these companies go putside specs and start doing propriatary
crap which can interfere with a video cards memroy addresses,
hardware calls etc. so even though Diamond is doing the right hardware and
software calls, other hardware outside spec is trying to do their thing,
and can interfere on many levels to puit it simply.
this is why if one is building a system, you have to know what
works together and what components do NOT.
you can put a matrox in a good system, and even though it is a pretty decent
card,
it is so propriatary, it does strange thing with bios\memory and
timing, so it starts screwing up things in NT \95 \warp
where everyting once worked.
a pc is a very good Sybiosys Model, as is only as good as the weakest
link in the chain.
that is why one should not get a cheap component to save maney,
like a US robotics internal modem\ or cheap MB, as
it will definitly affect reliability with other components.
The retail s64 video vram with full package 220mhz ramdac is $349 with 2 megs.
the 175 ramdac is somewhat less around $295
we use OS2 warp\ WIN NT\95 for 3ds
they are true protected memory managers that are semless.
cameron
CyberImage
<<Please add my name to the list of people having trouble with Diamond's new
Stealth 64 Video VRAM >>
Done. I have forwarded the issue along to the proper channels.
-Brian
->I have forwarded the issue…"
Thanks, Brian!
-Heinz.
Brian,
Due to all the recent confusion about the version of Diamond Stealth 64 cards,
I did come checking on the Diamond forum (CIS:GRAPHB). I found this synopsis
of card versions. These people are seriously into variations on a theme. I
don't envy Vibrant's task in keeping up with all this stuff!
Terry Gilbert
Forcade & Associates
——————————————————————————-
——————————————–
Here is a list of the current drivers and BIOS's for the Stealth 64 family of
cards. This list changes periodically, however I suspect it will remain valid
for another 3-5 weeks:
Stealth 64 Video VRAM (using the S3 Vision968):
Windows 3.1X 2.05 96825A.EXE and 96825B.EXE
DOS/Utils/NT 1.10 968110.EXE
OS/2 1.01 968OSA.EXE and 968OSB.EXE
Current BIOS 1.04 for rev. D4, E1, E3
Current BIOS 2.04 for rev. D7
Stealth 64 Video 3200 (using the S3 Vision968):
Windows 3.1X 2.05 96825A.EXE and 96825B.EXE
DOS/Utils/NT 1.10 968110.EXE
OS/2 1.01 968OSA.EXE and 968OSB.EXE
Current BIOS 1.04 for rev. D4, E1, E3
Current BIOS 2.04 for rev. D7
Stealth 64 VRAM (using the S3 Vision964):
Windows 3.1X 1.33 964133.EXE
DOS/Utils 1.03 964D03.EXE
OS/2 1.02 9OS2_A.EXE and 9OS2_B.EXE
Current BIOS 1.07H for HP foundary controllers
Current BIOS 1.07U for UMC foundary controllers
Stealth 64 DRAM (using the S3 Vision864 or Trio764):
Windows 3.1X 1.34 S64D34.EXE
DOS/Utils 1.07 64D107.EXE
OS/2 1.04 64OS21.EXE
Current BIOS 1.02H for HP foundary controllers with SDAC – 864
Current BIOS 1.02U for UMC foundary controllers with SDAC – 864
Current BIOS 1.03 for ICS GENDAC – 864
Current BIOS 2.05 for all 764 cards
Current BIOS 1.14 for HP Ft. Collins foundary 864
Stealth Video (using the S3 Vision868):
Windows 3.1X 2.03 STV23A.EXE and STV23B.EXE
DOS/Utils/NT 1.00 SVDOS1.EXE
OS/2 1.00 SVOS2A.EXE and SVOS2B.EXE
Current BIOS 1.01 for all Stealth Video
If you have any further questions, please reply.
Joseph Lamoree
Diamond Multimedia Systems' ES Dept.
75300,3673
thx for the driver\ card list you posted on the s64 cards.
as Hardware distributers and Pentium systems manufacturers,
we have tested all of them and have founf the Diamond stealth
64 video vram 968 card to be the most trouble free video card ever released.
we have and currently run and sell several in the following operating systems
flawlessly.
OS2 \ Warp
DOS
Windows- WFW- NT- Win 95
varous unix derivitives
we reccommned the card highly due to its compatibility with high end
SuperMicro, ASUS Tyan Pentium systems we and other sell,
the Dual PEntium 100 systems we build for NT use the s64 video as 1st choice,
even with 3ds.
all S3 chips are backwards compatible with drivers.
the 968 even works with a s3 928 3 year old card driver
in Win 95\NT. try that with a ATI\ matrox .
and of people are having problems, they should look to chep motherboards, and
equipment like Micron\ gateway systems,
and older Intel boards.
the cards and their latest drivers all work fine, or I would say so.
they are much better and reliable and faster than the past
matrox \ ATI cards released.
though you may want to know
Cameron
ceo
Cyberimage
Cameron,
looking over on the Winnt forum with all the power users and tech heads the
Diamond with the S3 968 is definitely the card of choice.
So glad to hear I'm not all wet around the ears on this one… either. <g>
Oh and thanks for bringing up the point about the 220mhz chip, something which
is apparently not well understood. Damn those cards scream don't they… I just
checked one out on a 128mb NT system and they rip… seems like you'd have to
have a least ten apps open to slow them down… don't know there weren't that
many installed. <G> Like pop pop pop through the screens… amazing.
John
"Please add my name to the list of people having trouble with Diamond's new
Stealth 64 Video VRAM card and the 3DS Vibrant drivers. Has anyone heard an
updated on when we might see new drivers?"
I know that Vibrant is considering this very important. They are trying to
make a fix available that will not take until a 1.0.8 version of their drivers
before we can get it.
If you have Vibrant's BBS #, the file might appear their before here. We'll
keep an eye out for it and let the forum know the instant it's available.
Thanks for your patience.
I have a solution, some of the drivers for other cards work for the
DS Vram card, I just got one my self, and now I have it running in
65' 1000+, Which means I can tell what LenZFX and the materials
editor look like agian 🙂 E-mail me for a list I have put together.
"I have a solution,"
Greg, thanks for the news. So far I'm unable to tell you more about the
Vibrant effort to get this fixed outside of the 1.0.8 ("months away") release.
You mentioned "email me for a list" – I missed what you were referring to. A
list of customers who have Diamond Stealth problems? Or a list of alternative
cards to try to get the VRAMs to work?
Thanks, in either case!
Nik,
>>I got good news for all of you Diamond Stealth 64 Video users! Vibrant has
written a fix for using AutoCAD with the "Stealth 64 Video" video card. The
fix also works with 3D Studio (at least for me).
To get the fix, go on the Vibrant BBS 512-918-3411 and download the file
stlbios.exe. The fix needs only to be run once. It worked for me!
This file will not work for anyone having problems with the older S3-964 based
"Stealth 64". It only works with the newer S3-968 based "Stealth 64 Video"
Mark Yankee <<
This seems to take care of any Stealth problems. Worked for me!
Thanks
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0007MGHHHDD9BDA
" To get the fix, go on the Vibrant BBS 512-918-3411 and download the file
stlbios.exe. The fix needs only to be run once. It worked for me!"
Thanks! The guy I'm talking to at Vibrant was going to give me some info, but
it looks like I'm hearing it from you first!
That's ok, Nik, Mark Yankee put me onto it.
Later
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0006MGHHGp09A0