CompuServe Thread

#Retina Z3 and OS 3.1

7 messages in this thread
#163221From: Eulogio (DJ) GarciaSep 9, 1994 9:35 PM
Wolf, have you had any experience with the Retina Z3 and OS 3.1? My RetinaEMU complains about the Kickstart version, and I can no longer get the emulator to generate 256 color screens. 🙁 DJ On AP from Queens, the rotten core of the Big Apple
#163249From: matthew straneySep 10, 1994 12:47 AM
DJ, When you say screens, do you mean on the WB or Public or custom? My Z-2 says that KS is unsupported, and then continues to run, but I only ever used 16 colors anyway. Matt Straney, 3 hours late, without your luggage from Grand Ledge — on AutoPilot ——–>
#163393From: Eulogio (DJ) GarciaSep 10, 1994 10:14 PM
Matthew, with 2.1 I could create any screen in 256 colors. Now it will only acknowledge the usual ECS color depths. I read in some messages they do have a new software version out, and they must have changed the tech support number. I called the sales number just now and got a message (it is Saturday), so I'll have to wait til Monday to order it. I hate waiting! But at least my fears they had called it quits is dispelled 🙂 DJ On AP from Queens, the rotten core of the Big Apple
#163745From: Wolf FaustSep 13, 1994 7:11 PM
Retina and OS 3.1? Not with Blitter emulation! Using Blitter emulation results in masses of mungwall and enforcer hits. The Retina requestor can easily be patched or ignored… 256 colors only work under KS 2.04. Well, I think we have to wait and see how that advertised EGS is doing as MS seems unable to produce any software that is workable (strange, they get "no reports"… but i can't get the blitter emulation towork nicely with my monitor at higher resolutions… the problem is known… it just won't get fixed!
#163874From: Paul IdolSep 14, 1994 2:35 PM
Wolf- They tell me that for the next couple weeks they're working on VLab stuff, and then they'll immediately work on the new software which will include 3.1 compatability. Paul
#164160From: Eulogio (DJ) GarciaSep 16, 1994 1:55 AM
Paul, I sure hope you're right. It's much needed. I spoke with Sherwood, their US technical guy, and he said he'd be working on getting decent documentation over the next few months. Badly needed, too. DJ On AP from Queens, the rotten core of the Big Apple
#164159From: Eulogio (DJ) GarciaSep 16, 1994 1:55 AM
Wolf, I've been using the Z3 in "cripple" mode under 3.1, and I've found that I get much better results with the blitter than under 2.1. In fact I've started using the WB in blitter mode for several days and am very happy with it, since I only use an eight color WB – don't really need more and saves chip memory for other screens. I used to get very bad bit image deterioration and ocassional crasshes when heavily multitasking (like doing stuff on the WB screen while Autopilot was downloading in its own), but now it is hardly noticeable if at all. Another common thing I would get is an icon to "print through" a window that was over it if the icon was selected, and I can't make it happen anymore. Obviously the new OS graphics libs are much improved, which gives me great hopes the next Retina software will fully support the blitter mode. I'm using 1120×740. DJ On AP from Queens, the rotten core of the Big Apple