6 Checking Compatibility of Video Hardware

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In the following, we assume that you want to install XFree86/OS2 on a disk drive with the letter Y: (which you probably don't have). Change the letter in all commands accordingly.

  1. Obtain the package 312Dbase and install it from the root directory of the Y: drive, by entering the following commands:
    [C:\] Y:
    [Y:\] cd \
    [Y:\] unzip \path_of_package\312Dbase.zip
    
  2. Edit your CONFIG.SYS file to contain the following line somewhere:
    DEVICE=Y:\XFree86\lib\xf86sup.sys
    
    Of course replace ``Y:'' with the correct drive letter.
  3. At this point, you may consider to add the variables required for XFree86/OS2 as well, which will save you from one additional reboot. Refer to section Adding Variables to CONFIG.SYS below.
  4. After adding the device driver entry to the CONFIG.SYS file, you must reboot to install the driver. XFree86/OS2 will not work without this driver.
  5. Start a full screen OS/2 CMD session and enter the following command:
    [C:\] Y:\XFree86\bin\SuperProbe
    
  6. This command will (normally) report important information about your video configuration, i.e. the type of chipset, the available video memory and the RAMDAC circuit available. Please write this down or redirect the output of ``SuperProbe'' into a file by entering:
    [C:\] Y:\XFree86\bin\SuperProbe >filename
    
  7. SuperProbe can identify many more video cards than are supported by XFree86. Therefore lookup the reported type in the compatibility list, and also check the accompanying README.* files for special conditions and requirements. If the card is not mentioned or marked as unsupported, the game is over for you now, unfortunately.
  8. Otherwise chances are good, that you can run XFree86/OS2. Obtain the rest of the software and proceed with the next section.

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