OS/2 Shareware BBS: 33 VDrivers/33-VDrivers.zip/ncros215.zip/README

Text File | 1994-05-02 | 8KB | 200 lines

                          NCR 32 BIT DISPLAY DRIVERS
                                  for OS/2 2.1


Contents:
    The following topics are covered in this readme file:

        - Pre-installtion information
        - Installing (first time)
        - Changing Resolutions (after first install)
        - Advanced Setup Tools for Monitor Timings and Centering.
        - Problem List



Pre-installtion information:
---------------------------

    1. These drivers are intended for OS/2 2.1 and the NCR family
       of SVGA chips including the 77c22e, 77c22e Plus and 77c32BLT.

    2. Before installing on your OS/2 system from floppy, make sure the
       floppy disk volume label is "NCRDISP1".  If not, place the
       floppy in the A drive and type:

                label a:NCRDISP1

    3. If the standard VGA (640x480x16) drivers are installed
       after installing NCR high resolution drivers, an extra line
       may be left in config.sys that will generate a warning message.
       This is the result of an attempt to load two virtual video
       drivers ( DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\(VirtualVideoDriver).SYS  ).
       Simply edit CONFIG.SYS and delete the the extra line.

       Example: After installing NCR's SVGA drivers and reinstalling
                the standard VGA drivers, CONFIG.SYS may have
                these two lines:

                           DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\VSVGANCR.SYS
                           DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\VVGA.SYS

                Simply delete (or remark) the NCR driver to use the
                standard VGA driver as follows:

                           REM DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\VSVGANCR.SYS
                           DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\VVGA.SYS

     4. If you have a previous release of the NCR 32 BIT DISPLAY DRIVERS
        for OS/2 2.1 you may have a line in your config.sys file that is
        similar to:

        DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\SOFT_RES.SYS /V /M:0,2,4,6,9 /O

        This installation will remove that line since Soft_Res.sys
        is no longer required.  You can replace the line after
        installation using a text editor.  However, you should
        obtain the latest version of Soft_Res since changes may
        affect the operation of the WIN-OS2 sessions.  To get the
        latest version, use the NCR BBS at [phone].  Then
        download the SOFT_RES.ZIP file. Be sure to read the
        Soft_Res.DOC file which is included.

     5. If you have a previous release of the NCR 32 BIT DISPLAY DRIVERS
        for OS/2 2.1 you may have a line in your config.sys file that is
        similar to:

        DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\HIGH_RES.SYS /M:1

        This line should be disabled via a text editor before installing
        these drivers.  Remove it or REM it as follows:


        REM DEVICE=D:\OS2\MDOS\HIGH_RES.SYS /M:1


Installing (first time):
------------------------
    1. Insert the NCR 32 Bit OS/2 Video Drivers Disk into drive A:
       and open an OS2 Windowed session.

    2. Run the install program on the disk.  Don't forget to put
       the drive letter of your OS/2 installation.  For example,
       if OS/2 was installed on drive D: the following command
       would be used:

           EX:   A:\INSTALL D

    3. Click on "Primary Display", then click on "OK"
    4. Select "NCR 77C22E/77C22E+/77C32BLT SVGA Chipset."  Press "OK"
    5. Answer the prompt to indicate what type of monitor is attachted.
    6. Select the appropriate driver resolution from the list and press "OK"
    7. The next panel allows you to change the source directory.
       Simply press "INSTALL..." and accept the default of "A:\"
    8. Files will be copied to your hard drive.  CONFIG.SYS, OS2.INI,
       SYSTEM.INI, will be modified to use the new SVGA drivers.
    9. A message window will be displayed stating that the system must
       be shutdown and rebooted for the changes to take effect.
       Press "OK" to continue.
   10. You must SHUTDOWN and reboot for the changes to take effect.

Changing Resolutions (after first install):
------------------------------------------
    This procedure will preserve any modifications you have made
    to your config.sys file or autoexec.bat files.

    1. If you have already installed using the above procedure
       and you wish to try a different resolution, run the CHG_NCR
       command from an OS2 Windowed session.

         EX:    A:\CHG_NCR D

    2. Then follow steps 3 - 10 above.


Advanced Setup Tools for Monitor Timings and Centering:
------------------------------------------------------
 NCR provides two software tools for changing monitor settings.
 The first tool, Soft_Res.SYS, is a device driver which can be used
 if you have an older SVGA system using the 77c22e or 77c22e Plus
 and the NCR/Award VGA BIOS.  The second tool, SOFTMODE.EXE, is
 a terminate and stay resident (TSR) program which works only if you
 have the new 77c32BLT and the new NCR SVGA BIOS for the 77c32BLT chip.
 Both methods allow you to select various monitor timings and center
 the image on your monitor.

 To obtain the tools, you can log on to the NCR BBS at [phone]
 and download one of the following:

        Soft_Res.zip    ..... contains Soft_Res.sys and additional
                              files such as SoftSet.exe which
                              you must run to setup Soft_Res.
                              Download this if you have a 77c22e
                              or 77c22e Plus.

        SoftMode.zip    ..... contains SoftMode.exe.
                              Download this if you have a 77c32BLT
                              and the NCR 32BLT BIOS.


  Download the file of your choice. Then follow the procedure outlined below
  which assumes that OS2 is installed on drive "D".

        1. Copy i.e. unzip the contents of the ZIP file to your D:\OS2\MDOS
           directory.

        2. Read the .DOC file provided; either Soft_Res.Doc or SoftMode.Doc
           for details.

        3. Open a full screen DOS session and run the setup utility.
           Each utility provides a way to select and try monitor settings
           including centering.

           For Soft_Res, type SOFTSET.  After running the "View and Select"
           menu choice and the "Centering" menu choice make sure you
           update your D:\config.sys file.
           After quitting SOFTSET, restart OS2.  Then open a full screen
           DOS session.  You should now see a SOFT_RES display list of
           modes and settings. Now go to step 4 below.

           For SoftMode, type SOFTMODE SETUP.
           Use the Fast Setup feature to test all the modes. Then use the
           Centering menu option.  Finally, allow Softmode to modify
           the path\autoexec.bat file; where path is the default path to
           the autoexec.bat for the full screen DOS session.  After
           quitting SOFTMODE SETUP, type SOFTMODE ON.


        4. Within the full screen DOS session, move to the D:\OS2\MDOS
           directory i.e. type D: <enter>  cd \os2\mdos <enter>.

        5. Generate a new SVGADATA.PMI file by typing:
                SVGANCR ON <ENTER>.

           The SVGADATA.PMI file now contains the new VGA register values
           you selected in step 3.

        6. Restart OS2.  Your display should now show the new settings.



Problem List
------------

        If you boot DOS and run SVGNCR.EXE you may get an error.
        However, you can type: SVGANCR ON DOS <enter>.  This will
        create a file called SVGADATA.DOS which you can then
        copy to SVGADATA.PMI.

        If you run SOFTMODE SETUP in a full screen DOS session
        under OS2, you will get errors when SOFTMODE trys to
        set 32k, 64k and 16M color modes.  The current version
        of the OS2 drivers prevent these modes from being set.
        However, you can ignore these errors for OS2.
        If you have need of these modes in DOS, you will need to
        boot DOS before running SOFTMODE.