Very Computer

by **Mads Stenhuus Hanse** » Sat, 20 Jul 1996 04:00:00

Hi everybody!

I am using the REDHAT-3.0.3 linux distribution and my graphics
hardware is as follows:

AT&T monitor:
Bandwidth : -135 MHz
Horizontal sync frequency : 35 - 82 KHz
Vertical sync frequency : 50 -160 Hz

Diamond Stealth 64 Video VRAM video card:
Video memory: 4 megabytes
RAMDAC : IBM RGB-524 (max.220 MHz)

Currently I am running X-windows (XFree-3.1.2) at 1280x1024 and
16 bpp (65536 colors), and the vertical sync frequency is 76 Hz.

That's VERY nice!!!

BUT - here comes my problem:
A few programs don't work at 16 bpp - they require 8 bpp or 24 bpp!!!
Well - 8 bpp is out of the question due to the problems of having too
few colors, so therefore I tried to configure XFree to use 24 bpp
and the same resolution as described above - BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!

But when I (occasionally) run Microsoft Windows it is possible to use
24 bpp at 1280x1024 pixels, so the limition is not my video card.

Well - 4 megabytes VRAM ought to be enough to get 24 bpp at 1280x1024.
(1280 x 1024 x 3 bytes < 4 megabytes)

Maybe the problem could be that XFree uses 32 bits per pixel instead
of only 24 bits!!!

Is it possible to configure XFree in a way to use my video card at
1280x1024 pixels AND 24 bpp???

If you have the answer, please e-mail me.

Thanks and regards

Mads

-----------------------
Mads Stenhuus Hansen

by **Peter F. Curr** » Mon, 22 Jul 1996 04:00:00

Quote:>Hi everybody!

{snipped)

>BUT - here comes my problem:
>A few programs don't work at 16 bpp - they require 8 bpp or 24 bpp!!!
>Well - 8 bpp is out of the question due to the problems of having too
>few colors, so therefore I tried to configure XFree to use 24 bpp
>and the same resolution as described above - BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!

>But when I (occasionally) run Microsoft Windows it is possible to use
>24 bpp at 1280x1024 pixels, so the limition is not my video card.

>Well - 4 megabytes VRAM ought to be enough to get 24 bpp at 1280x1024.
>(1280 x 1024 x 3 bytes < 4 megabytes)

>Maybe the problem could be that XFree uses 32 bits per pixel instead
>of only 24 bits!!!

Unfortunately there are many apps that will ONLY run at 8bpp. You may
have to use ther <ctrl><alt><+/-> to drop into 8bpp anyway! Hopefully,
as more people acquire >8bpp systems the authors will upgrade their
software to support them. By the way, if xfree used 24bpp as
opposed to 32bpp, performance would be significantly worsened. Cant
you just use a lower res 24bit color mode for apps that need it? You
may be able to reach 1152x864 at 24bit color even with 32bit alignment.

-Me

Very Computer

Minor problem with Diamond Stealth 64 Video VRAM

Minor problem with Diamond Stealth 64 Video VRAM

Minor problem with Diamond Stealth 64 Video VRAM