SVM is a menu driven program designed to select and test all video modes available to the adapter.
How to use SVM
The SVM program can be executed in one of two ways: by calling up the menu and selecting from the menu choices, or by entering the desired mode directly with a specific command line.
How to use SVM from The Menu
Go to the SPEA directory where the utilities are installed and call the program with the following call:
SVM
The top bar shows the available color depths. This is traversed through by the use of right/left arrow keys.
The program provides all the different resolutions supported by the chip under each color depth. These resolutions are traversed by the up/down keys.
The graphics adapter can be tested for each resolution/mode by first highlighting the section, then pressing the F5 key.
The graphics adapter can be run at a selected mode by first selecting the mode and then pressing ENTER.
How to use SVM from the Command Line
The SVM program may be used to select a mode directly from the command line following two simple steps:
Go to the SPEA directory where the utilities are installed.
1. Enter the following command:
SVM mode number
mode number is the corresponding hex mode visible when you start the program menu driven.
SMONITOR
SMONITOR is a program used to inform your graphics board of the maximum refresh rate and boot mode of your monitor.
The syntax for the command is as follows::
SMONITOR Parameter
The parameters:
Group Identification number for your monitor type (see table below). The default is group 4.
Warning
You can damage your monitor if you select a refresh rate that is too high for it! Read your monitor manual refresh rate information.
Group Resolution / Frequency
640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024
0 60 Hz
1 60 Hz 87i Hz
2 60 Hz 56 Hz 87i Hz
3 72 Hz 56 Hz 87i Hz
4* 72 Hz 72 Hz 60 Hz 87i Hz
5 72 Hz 72 Hz 70 Hz 87i Hz
6 75 Hz
* Default
i = interlaced
Color mode:
C Set Color Monitor
M Set Monochrome Monitor.
By using one of the parameters you can force the board to boot in color or monochrome.
Some monitors (most notably Samsung monitors manufactured before 2/8/91) do not adhere to the standard IBM pinout definitions, which causes the VGA card to boot up in monochrome instead of color. This utility may be used to correct the problem.
Example:
SMONITOR 3
SMONITOR C
Selects a monitor in group 3 and boots in color.
TVGACRTC
The TVGACRTC program allows the adjustment of video display parameters so that images are optimally sized and centered on the screen. Adjustable parameters include:
- Horizontal size and position
- Vertical size and position
- Pixel frequency
1. The program is started from the DOS prompt by typing in TVGACRTC from the SPEA directory.
2. The first section of the program is used to defina a given name for the adjustments to be made.
3. Press ENTER to add a new monitor entry and type in the name of the manufacturer, followed by ENTER keystroke.
The program will allow any name to be typed in.
4. Type in the associated comments for the monitor settings and press ENTER.
5. A mode table will be displayed, presenting all the adjustable modes.
6. This table is traversed through the use of the up/down arrow keys.The mode highlighted is the selected mode for the adjustment.
7. Select the mode to be adjusted and press ENTER.
8. Select the desired pixel rate by scrolling the list using the up/down arrow keys and press ENTER twice.
9. The screen alignment test pattern will then be displayed. The up/down arrow keys are used to adjust the vertical positioning of the screen.
10. The left/right arrow keys are used for horizontal alignment of the screen. The home/end keys are used for horizontal screen sizing and the page up/down keys are used for vertical screen sizing. Once the screen position and size is adjusted, press ENTER, followed by the ESC keystroke.
11. To save the settings, type Y and press ENTER. The program will then modify the CONFIG.SYS file.
12. At this point press ESC and reboot the system to enable the parameter changes.
