NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors Release 3.3
Display Driver Overview

Driver: Number Nine GXE Family
Driver Overview: NeXTanswer #1796
Last Update: March 25, 1996

Availability Information

A version of this driver is on the CDROM
Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers:  No, Version 0.00, as NeXTanswer #
Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers:  No, Version 0.00, as NeXTanswer #

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: Number9
Driver Type: Display
Driver Scope: Product Family
Supported Components: AT&T ATT20C505 RAMDAC, Brooktree Bt484 RAMDAC, Brooktree Bt485 RAMDAC, Brooktree Bt485A RAMDAC, S3 928, S3 928P, TI TVP3020 RAMDAC
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver*: PCI, VL-Bus

General Overview notes: This driver is obsolete, and has been replaced by the S3GenericDisplay Driver.  See NeXTanswer #1737_S3_Generic_Driver_Overview.rtf

This new Number 9 GXE graphics driver is designed to support a variety of VL-Bus and PCI graphics adapters from Number 9. These cards use the S3-928 graphics controller and support 1MB,2MB or 4MB of video frame buffer. Some versions of these adapters also support an optional additional 1MB of off screen memory, not required by NEXTSTEP. This version of the driver only supports1MB, 2MB or 4MB of VRAM.

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
#9GXE-VL Level 10 (VL-Bus, 1MB VRAM) - not tested, but should work
#9GXE-VL Level 11 (VL-Bus, 2MB VRAM)
#9GXE-VL Level 12 (VL-Bus, 2MB VRAM)  - not tested, but should work
#9GXE-VL Level 14 (VL-Bus, 4MB VRAM) - not tested, but should work
#9GXE-VL Level 16 (VL-Bus, 4MB VRAM) - not tested, but should work
#9GXE-PCI Level 10 (PCI, 1MB VRAM) - not tested, but should work
#9GXE-PCI Level 12 (PCI, 2MB VRAM)

Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):

Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:

Display Driver Details

Supported Connectors: 15-pin High Density (VGA)
Access Mode: Linear Framebuffer
Adapter Memory: 1MB VRAM, 2MB VRAM, 4MB VRAM

Display Modes (Number in () after resolution indicates frame buffer size required)

32 Bit Color Modes*: 
1024x768 (4MB+), 640x480 (2MB+), 800x600 (2MB+)

16 Bit Color Modes*: 
1024x768 (2MB+), 1152X819 (4MB+), 1280x1024 (4MB+), 640x480 (1MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

8 Bit Color / Greyscale Modes*: 
1024x768 (1MB+), 1152X819 (1MB+), 1280x1024 (2MB+), 1600x1200 (4MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

Known Problems

Driver Version Notes

Future Planning

Future / Update Planning:  Obsolete
Reason for New Driver / Update: 
New Driver / Update Timeframe:  

New Driver / Update Description: 

Note: Information contained in the "Future Planning" section of this document does not constitute a commitment on the part of NeXT to complete the planned development work.

* - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.

Product Vendor
Number Nine Visual Technology
18 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA  02173-3103

Voice: (617) 674-0009
FAX: (617) 674-2919
BBS: (617) 862-7502 (8/1/N, up to 28kbps)
URL: http://www.nine.com