CompuServe Thread

#New 3DS3 drivers

20 messages in this thread
#65161From: Brian Massey [Vibrant]Nov 5, 1993 5:23 PM
<<Do you have a 3DS3 driver for the Western Digital chip 90C24?>> No, we don't support that chip directly. As it turns out, we won't be able to get a board for implementation, so we are looking for a laptop with the 90C24. Mind if we borrow yours for a few weeks?? <g> Select Generic VGA or one of the VESA modes for now. While this solution is not quite as fast as a specific driver mode would be, a copy of Liquid Speed should more than make up the difference in the 3D Editor, Keyframer, etc. Best Regards, Brian P.S. We have Jack chained to a computer in the dark basement of Vibrant Plaza, so I'll usually be interjecting on his behalf.
#65194From: John SchmidtNov 5, 1993 11:29 PM
On another card, the 2 meg Hercules Graphite VLB, we cannot get it to work correctly at 800x600x16.7m. 640x480x16.7m and 800x600x32k or 65k work fine, but 800×600 true color is all messed up. Any ideas here? This is with the built in Vibrant drivers.
#65220From: Angelo Guarino [DTI Inc]Nov 6, 1993 11:30 AM
Be sure to load the VESA.COM with the MYSCREEN.CRT file (as done in the setup). The Hercules Graphite cards need this.
#65250From: John SchmidtNov 6, 1993 4:22 PM
Ang, I'll check with the customer; I'm pretty sure vesa.com is loaded, and I'll see about myscreen.crt, but I'll ask him for the details. Does 800x600x16.7m work for you in 3DS r3? (We only have 1 meg versions in our office, so I haven't been able to check it myself.) John
#65287From: Angelo Guarino [DTI Inc]Nov 7, 1993 11:04 AM
>> 800x600x24bit work I also only have the 1MB versions Ang
#65249From: Dennis FenskeNov 6, 1993 4:06 PM
I too am having trouble getting my Hercules Graphite Pro HG420 to work at 800x600x24 bit. I have been in touch with Hercules for over a week via CIS, and am edgeing my way toward getting it resolved. So far, it displays a kind of strobing image with colored lines about 1/4 inch apart moving quickly down the screen. The colored lines only cover half of the screen, and appear to fold over in the middle and sort of form an hour glass. It works fine at 640x480x24bit, and 800x600x16bit. What kind of monitor do you have? Mine is an "NEC 3Ds" interlaced. You might want to contact Hercules support on CIS via The more input they get, the more effort they may put into fixing the problem.
#65266From: Carl FinchNov 7, 1993 12:35 AM
Dennis, I, too, have an NEC 3D (you said "3Ds"–was that a slip?). I just installed a Diamond Viper card and find that I can no longer use 1024x768x256 for the Main-Display (as I could with my old Video7 VRAM II). Can you "do" 1024x768x256 with the Graphite?
#65290From: ALAN IGLESIASNov 7, 1993 11:15 AM
PMJI, Carl, but you might try bringing the Viper down in terms of scan timing in the 1024×768 mode to back it down to the level of your monitor. I'm not sure what the maximum scan rate of the 3D is, but you can slow (or speed up) the Viper by running VPRMODE.exe (should be in your VIPER directory). This may give you an acceptable high-res display in the 3D Editor. -Alan Iglesias
#65343From: Carl FinchNov 7, 1993 8:15 PM
>>try bringing the Viper down in terms of scan timing<< Thanks, Alan, I did try that, to no avail. A more careful reading of the docs has shown me that the Viper (unnh, snake that it is) does not support my lowly NEC 3D monitor in interlaced mode (1024×768). My slow-but-sure Video7 VRAM II did, and with negligible flicker, too. <sigh>
#65442From: ALAN IGLESIASNov 8, 1993 12:00 PM
Time to upgrade that monitor, Carl!<g> BTW, my new Sony CPD-1730 is absolutely spectacular, a great match for the Viper, and street priced at under 1000$! sounds like a job for Santa… -Alan
#65601From: Carl FinchNov 9, 1993 9:15 AM
>>…upgrade that monitor… a job for Santa << Indeed, indeed. <sigh> But I think I need a visit by the SIMM Fairy, first–12 Megs doesn't go very far with R3.
#65313From: Dennis FenskeNov 7, 1993 3:42 PM
Carl; >> (you said "3Ds"–was that a slip?). No slip. My monitor says "NEC/Multisync 3Ds". I don't know what the "s" stands for. I have never been able to get higher than 800×600 with my old Video 7 VRAM VGA card, and haven't tried with my new Graphite. I would be happy to just get 800x600x24bit. I realized that I forgot to tell you the forum to go to in my last note. It is, Graphics B Vendor Forum, Section 8. Section 8 is only for Hercules support. Or you could just call them. That might be quicker. Dennis
#65411From: Carl FinchNov 8, 1993 10:32 AM
Thanks, Dennis. I have put out a note to the Hercules forum. I don't have any idea what the difference between our 3D and 3Ds monitors is–does your 3Ds have 1024x768x256 capability? My Video7 VRAM II supported that beautifully, with scarcely a trace of the dreaded flickers that interlaced monitors are supposed to exhibit.
#65452From: CSA/CANov 8, 1993 1:11 PM
The NEC 3DS is limited to 800×600 non-interlaced, or can handle 1024×768 interlaced. Horizontal scan rate is about 15-38 kHz. You need about 48 kHz for 1024×768 non-interlaced.
#65544From: Dennis FenskeNov 8, 1993 10:20 PM
Thanks for the input. With my Video7 VRAM VGA card, the highest I would use was 800×600. I think it would reach 1024×768, but it would flicker, so I didn't use it.
#65338From: Gus GrubbaNov 7, 1993 7:47 PM
The NEC 3D will not handle 1024×768 in "non interlaced" mode. Your old Video7 did 1024×768 in "interlaced" mode. That's why you could use it. With the 3D, you will not be able to use anything above 800×600 as the viper only works in non interlaced mode.
#65413From: Carl FinchNov 8, 1993 10:32 AM
Thanks, Gus. I think I finally got it, now! Though I've tried and tried, somehow wishing don't make it so! I'm now wondering if any of the other VLB cards "do" interlaced, for example, the Hercules Graphite or Dynamite (and I've posted this question to the Hercules Forum).
#65490From: Gus GrubbaNov 8, 1993 5:02 PM
You would be better off updating your NEC 3D. Both Viper and Graphite will beg you for a 6FG. Don't buy cheap monitor unless you want to replace it again in a couple of months. I have a NEC 5D for 4 years and still keeps up with anything I throw at it. Good investment.
#65600From: Carl FinchNov 9, 1993 9:15 AM
>> Viper… will beg you for a 6FG << As you advise, I _would_ like to update to a new monitor. But, uh, I showed your note to my CFO (spouse) and then answered her question about just what is it–a "6FG." Gus, please post your home phone number–Patty (SWMBO) would like to speak with you. <cringe>
#65698From: Gus GrubbaNov 9, 1993 4:45 PM
Yeah, yeah, I know how that goes. Let her speak to my wife and then we're both in deep !@#!. <g>