NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors Release 3.3

Display Driver Overview

Driver: S3 Generic
Driver Overview:  NeXTanswer #1737 
Last Update: January 25, 1996

Availability Information

Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers: Yes, Version 3.31, as  NeXTanswer #1736 
Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers: Yes, Version 3.32, as  NeXTanswer #2070 

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: S3GenericDisplayDriver
Driver Type: Display
Driver Scope: Generic-Chipset
Supported Components: S3 732 (Trio32), S3 764 (Trio64), S3 764 (Trio64V+), S3 801, S3 805, S3 864 (Vision), S3 868 (Vision), S3 911
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver*: Integrated, PCI, VL-Bus

General Overview notes: This driver will support a variety of video display devices based on S3 chipsets. It is primarily intended to support implementations based on the S3 Vision864 & Vision868 chips, though it should also support many adapters based on other S3 products such as the Vision964, Vision968, Trio32, & Trio64.

This driver is a generic chipset driver and as such, is only intended to be used as a last resort. If a driver is available that specifically supports your display adapter, that driver should be used rather than this generic driver. 

NeXT does not guarantee that this driver will work with any specific adapters or implementations, but expects that it will support many.

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:

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

Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:
This device driver provides information in the Configure application's help panel. Choose Info>Help from the Configure menu and scroll down to find this device driver's help topic.

Display Driver Details

Supported Connectors: 15-pin High Density (VGA)
Access Mode: Linear Framebuffer
Adapter Memory: .5MB DRAM, 1MB DRAM, 1MB VRAM, 2MB DRAM, 2MB VRAM, 4MB DRAM, 4MB VRAM, 8MB 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+), 1280x1024 (4MB+), 640x480 (1MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

8 Bit Color / Greyscale Modes*: 
1024x768 (1MB+), 1280x1024 (2MB+), 640X480 (1MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

Known Problems

This driver does not support all modes or models of the #9 FX Motion 771 display adapter.

Driver Version Notes
Future Planning

Future / Update Planning: Under Development
Reason for New Driver / Update: New Hardware Support
New Driver / Update Timeframe: Q1 96

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.