• Cornerstone Image Accel1 XGAREAD.ME

    From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jan 14 13:23:57 2025
    ===================== Cornerstone Imaging =====================

    PS/2's with XGA on a daughter card (not on motherboard) have
    2 known problems with Fixed Frequency displays like the ImageAccel
    Color 21/76, Color 19, and all ImageAccel Grayscale displays.

    Following is a description of the fixes we've developed for these
    problems. These fixes are available now in LIMITED quantites
    for customers who request it. These parts will be included in
    ImageAccel controller boxes in October 1993.

    The problem descriptions;
    -------------------------
    Problem #1.
    On any IBM PS/2 with an XGA or XGA-2 display adapter daughtercard
    (IE: PS/2 Valuepoint Model 77), installing Fixed Frequency displays
    is difficult without a separate XGA-compatible display attached for
    the system configuration.

    NOTE: If you have a multisync ImageAccel display, you can use it
    for the XGA compatible display to setup your ImageAccel card, and
    then switch the video cable from the XGA card to the ImageAccel
    card when the MicroChannel configuration setup is complete.

    Problem #2.
    Once ImageAccel is configured and installed, and Windows 3.1 is
    running, changing to a DOS window or DOS Full-Screen shows
    garbage on the screen (this is documented in the ImageAccel
    READ.ME file for Release 1.01 and 1.02).

    NOTE: This problem does not occur with the OS/2 display driver
    for ImageAccel.

    The FIXES:

    Problem #1 Solution
    -------------------
    Step 1: Install the ImageAccel Display adapter into the IBM
    PS/2 mocrochannel video slot.

    NOTE: If you add or remove any other adapter cards to
    your system, you have to keep the connector installed on
    the XGA card, and boot using the boot disk to re-run the
    configuration program again.

    Step 2: Put the diskette labeled "IBM PS/2-XGA BOOT DISK for
    ImageAccel" into the A: drive. (Contact Cornerstone
    Technical Support for information on obtaining this
    diskette).

    Step 3: Place the Special connecter (we provide) onto the XGA
    display adapter port.

    Step 4: Boot the PC with the ImageAccel boot disk and special
    connector installed. (Note: This is not a DOS format
    diskette - its not readable by DOS).

    Follow all the prompts for Automatic Configuration.
    Remove the ImageAccel Boot diskette and re-boot.

    When prompted for the ImageAccel configuration file, put
    the Windows 3.1 Display Driver disk 1 into drive A:.

    Follow the remaining instructions and the PC will reboot.

    DOS should now be running on the ImageAccel display.

    Problem #2 Solution
    -------------------
    NOTE: The file PS_XGA.BAT is located on all Release 1.03
    diskettes in uncompressed form. You must manually copy this
    file from the Release 1.03 diskettes to your \Windows\System
    directory for this fix to work.

    Step 1: Install the Windows 3.1 XGA driver.

    While in the Windows directory, type SETUP from DOS.

    Insert the diskette labelled "IBM PS/2 XGA Device Drivers-
    DOS, Windows and AutoCAD Support" (V 2.02). This disk is
    supplied with your IBM computer.

    NOTE: Cornerstone tested the V2.02 XGA driver for this fix,
    but previous versions of the XGA driver should work as well.

    Select the Display entry under the System Information
    window, and scroll down to the bottom of the list.

    Select the entry: "Other (requires disk provided by a
    hardware manufacturer)"

    When prompted, enter: " A:\WINV31" and press enter.

    A list of XGA drivers will appear. Select the one shown
    as "IBM XGA v2.02 640 x 480 256 color". (you may use any
    VGA driver listed with 256 Colors and 640 x 480 parameters).

    NOTE: If you are using an XGA driver other than the V2.02
    driver listed, you'll have to edit the batch file and rename
    the line in PS_XGA.BAT: XGAVD202.386 to your XGA driver
    to reflect the driver version you're using.

    Exit to DOS when this step is complete.

    Step 2: Install the ImageAccel Display Driver.

    You have to rename IASETUP.INF file to OEMSETUP.INF on
    distributed ImageAccel Display Driver diskette.
    Follow the usual steps in the Manual for installing
    ImageAccel. Don't run Windows yet.

    Step 3: Copy the file PS_XGA.BAT from disk 1 of the Windows 3.1
    display drivers for ImageAccel into the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
    directory.

    In the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory, run the DOS batch file
    called: "PS_XGA.BAT".

    Run Windows.

    ================ XGAREAD.ME - for ImageAccel =================

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jan 14 14:15:31 2025
    ImageAccel (MCA bus) and XGA Controllers

    Files:


    Revised:08/11/93
    PURPOSE
    To instruct Cornerstone customers on the installation of the ImageAccel
    video controllers with IBM XGA video controllers in PS/2 computers.

    ACTION
    When installing the ImageAccel Micro Channel video controller, you must
    leave the installed XGA controller in the computer. This is necessary
    for the ImageAccel video controller to frame grab XGA signals for DOS use.

    The ImageAccel video controller must be installed in the secondary video
    slot. When the computer is booted, the ImageAccel controller will not be
    seen by the computer due to the XGA BIOS ROM, until the PS/2 Reference
    Disk is used to install the ImageAccel configuration file.

    If you are installing a Cornerstone Color Monitor, you will need to
    attach the monitor to the XGA controller to run the PS/2 Reference Disk.
    After setting the configuration for the ImageAccel controller, you can
    then attach the monitor to the ImageAccel controller. Remember, you must
    leave the XGA controller in the computer.

    Installing a Cornerstone monochrome monitor requires the use of a VGA \
    XGA display to run the reference disk. After setting the configuration
    for the ImageAccel controller, you can then remove the VGA \ XGA display
    and use the Cornerstone monochrome monitor as the primary display. You
    must leave the XGA controller in the computer.

    UPDATE 8/11/1993
    Cornerstone now has a VGA Terminator to make the XGA controller act like
    a VGA
    controller in Windows. Cornerstone also has a configuration Boot
    diskette to make the Cornerstone ImageAccel controller the primary video controller. To obtain the VGA Terminator connector and Boot diskette,
    please contact Cornerstone Customer Support.

    If you have any questions regarding the installation of ImageAccel video controllers in PS/2 computers with XGA video controllers, please contact
    the Cornerstone Customer Support at at the phone numbers below

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jan 14 14:25:09 2025
    Oops, hit the sendt button...

    ACTION
    When installing the ImageAccel Micro Channel video controller, you must
    leave the installed XGA controller in the computer. This is necessary
    for the ImageAccel video controller to frame grab XGA signals for DOS
    use.The ImageAccel video controller must be installed in the secondary
    video slot

    Duh. It fits the AVE slot.

    When the computer is booted, the ImageAccel controller will not be seen by the computer due to the XGA BIOS ROM, until the PS/2 Reference Disk is used to install the ImageAccel configuration file.

    I'm not sure this is correct. Until the ImageAccel is configured with
    Set Configuration, it will be quiet as a tomb.

    Terminator, sure. Fine. Methinks the need for this special mojo boot
    disk is a tad overblown. Might end up running the base video to get the ImageAccel running, then enable the on-board base video.




    If you are installing a Cornerstone Color Monitor, you will need to
    attach the monitor to the XGA controller to run the PS/2 Reference Disk. After setting the configuration for the ImageAccel controller, you can
    then attach the monitor to the ImageAccel controller. Remember, you must leave the XGA controller in the computer.

    Installing a Cornerstone monochrome monitor requires the use of a VGA \
    XGA display to run the reference disk. After setting the configuration
    for the ImageAccel controller, you can then remove the VGA \ XGA display
    and use the Cornerstone monochrome monitor as the primary display. You
    must leave the XGA controller in the computer.

    UPDATE 8/11/1993
    Cornerstone now has a VGA Terminator to make the XGA controller act like
    a VGA
    controller in Windows. Cornerstone also has a configuration Boot
    diskette to make the Cornerstone ImageAccel controller the primary video controller. To obtain the VGA Terminator connector and Boot diskette,
    please contact Cornerstone Customer Support.

    If you have any questions regarding the installation of ImageAccel video controllers in PS/2 computers with XGA video controllers, please contact
    the Cornerstone Customer Support at at the phone numbers below

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jan 15 06:50:26 2025
    Today's sermon comes from the illuminated texts.

    Auxiliary Video Extension https://www.ardent-tool.com/video/Video_Extension.html

    XGA Display Adapter/A
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/video/XGA1.html

    @8FDB.ADF IBM XGA Display Adapter/A https://www.ardent-tool.com/adapters/adf/@8fdb.adf
    NOTE: It also has a C8FDB.ADF to configure the ROM and VRAM

    Cornerstone ImageAccel
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/video/ImageAccel.html

    @80A6.ADF ImageAccel Display
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/adapters/adf/@80a6.adf
    NOTE: This non-IBM adapter does not have a Cnnnn.ADF

    Video Terminators https://www.ardent-tool.com/video/Video_Terminator_Pinout.html

    "IBM PS/2-XGA BOOT DISK for ImageAccel"... might be a bedtime story told
    to rambunctious children to scare them into being quiet...

    "(Note: The Boot disk is not a DOS diskette - its not readable by DOS)."

    My SWAG- it could very well be a summoning ritual, that wrongly spoken,
    will cause the Apocalypse... but I'm skeptical.

    "The IBM Boot disk for ImageAccel is used ONCE, to get the Model 77 to recognize and boot ImageAccel. The VGA Terminator is required at BOOT
    TIME, to change the XGA adapter into VGA mode, so ImageAccel can run
    OS/2 properly. "

    Uh, yeah, this makes sense. Monitor ID sense. The terminator presents
    the XGA with the monitor ID bits that it's a VGA screen. That makes the
    XGA pump out VGA, or "Base Video".

    Further, note the absence of ANY reference to a VGA equipped system [eg
    8570 or 8580]. If all you got to pump out over the BVE is VGA, then
    problem solved...

    "you must leave the installed XGA controller in the computer. This is
    necessary for the ImageAccel video controller to frame grab XGA signals
    for DOS use."

    Duh. The Base Video Extension can only pass VGA signals. If the XGA went
    Plaid, er, into Extended Graphics mode, the BVE CANNOT pass the extended signal.

    "The ImageAccel video controller must be installed in the secondary
    video slot. When the computer is booted, the ImageAccel controller will
    not be seen by the computer due to the XGA BIOS ROM, until the PS/2
    Reference Disk is used to install the ImageAccel configuration file."

    Not seen due to XGA BIOS? Meh, don't think so. If the ImageAccel is not configured, it is not enabled.


    "AdapterId 080A6h "ImageAccel Display"
    "Primary or Secondary Video Adapter"
    "Choose primary if ImageAccel is the primary display, otherwise choose
    secondary if VGA is the primary display"

    From looking at this, it suggests Primary enables base [on ImageAccel]
    video? Notice that Cornerstone says "secondary if VGA is the primary
    display"

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)