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)