



        File Name: README
        Date     : October 30, 1991

        =================================================================

                                    CONTENTS

        Section  0 Getting started
        Section  1 Driver installation
        Section  2 Using RAMBIOS.SYS for faster BIOS operation
        Section  3 Using VANSI.SYS, an extended DOS ANSI.SYS
        Section  4 Using L43.COM to display more lines of text on screen
        Section  5 Using CLR.COM to clear screen
        Section  6 Using PRTSCRN.COM for printing screen
        Section  7 Using VVESA.COM, the VESA interface
        Section  8 Mouse Drivers
        Section  9 Installing Wordstar & Word Perfect for 132-column text
        Section 10 Special note for users of Sidekick Plus
        Section 11 Special note for users of TTL monochrome monitors

        =================================================================


                           SECTION 0 - GETTING STARTED

        The  first program on this diskette you should get familiar  with
        is  VINSTALL.EXE.   It  replaces VSETUP,   VCONFIG,   V-INFO  and
        VGATEST  utilities in previous releases,   incorporating  various
        features,  e.g. setting power-up default configuration,   setting
        display   mode  dynamically,   self-test  diagnostics  and   high
        resolution driver installation.

        The first thing to start with is to have a directory on your hard
        disk  to  accommodate  some useful  VGA  utility  programs.   Run
        VINSTALL and select "Install Adapter Utilities" option.  Read the
        following sections for information on these utility programs.

        Before  running VINSTALL,  make sure these lines appear  in  your
        CONFIG.SYS file on your boot disk:

             BUFFERS=20
             FILES=20

        You  may  require numbers higher than 20 if,   prior  to  running
        VINSTALL,   some applications already exist in memory,  using  up
        some  of the buffer and file handlers.  Remember to reboot  after
        modifying CONFIG.SYS.


                         SECTION 1 - DRIVER INSTALLATION

        After  setting up a directory for VGA utilities as  mentioned  in
        the previous section,  if you like (and your hard disk has enough
        space),  you can copy ALL files from the diskette(s)  distributed
        with the display adapter to the VGA utility directory,  including

               README                             Page 2


        all  directory structure.  The advantage is that you can  install
        high  resolution drivers from the hard disk,  instead  of  floppy
        diskettes.   However,  some applications do require  installation
        from floppy diskettes.

        To  install any high resolution driver,  run VINSTALL and  select
        "Install Video Drivers" option.  VINSTALL will run a  sub-program
        called VDRIVER, a high resolution driver installation program for
        selected software applications.  VDRIVER is not to be invoked  by
        the user.  It is to be used by VINSTALL only.

        You  are advised to run VINSTALL whenever you can,   rather  than
        manually install drivers yourself.  Press <F1> if you need help.

        On   the  "Install  Video  Drivers"  menu,    individual   driver
        installation  procedure  and  related technical  details  can  be
        obtained by moving the highlight bar to the application  software
        of interest and pressing <F1> (help) key.


                             SECTION 2 - RAMBIOS.SYS

        RAMBIOS.SYS  is  a  RAM version of the  video  BIOS.  It  enables
        programs  to  run  faster when they access the  VIDEO  BIOS.  The
        driver takes up about 32K of memory. To install it in DOS, do the
        following:

                 a)   Copy RAMBIOS.SYS to your boot disk

                 b)   Create/Modify your CONFIG.SYS in your boot disk to
                      include the line:

                      DEVICE = RAMBIOS.SYS


        Notes:    The  above command must be executed before  any  device
        drivers  that replace the video interrupt, such as  ANSI.SYS  and
        FANSI  CONSOLE.  The  best place to put the  command  is  at  the
        beginning of the CONFIG.SYS file.


                             Section 3 - VANSI.SYS

        VANSI.SYS  is  a  device driver which is  a  substitute  for  the
        standard ANSI.SYS in DOS. Use VANSI if you would like to use  DOS
        in non-standard text modes other than 80x25 and 40x25 modes.


                               SECTION 4 - L43.COM

        L43  is  a   simple  program that  changes  the  number  of  rows
        displayed  on  the  screen.  This is  done  by  using  a  smaller
        character  font (8x8). The screen displays 50 lines in  VGA  mode
        and 43 lines in EGA mode.

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                               SECTION 5 - CLR.COM

        The  program CLR clears any non-standard screen.  It is  intended
        for  text modes other than standard modes of 80 or 40 columns  by
        25 rows.


                             SECTION 9 PRTSCRN.COM

        PRTSCRN.COM  is a program which enhances the function of the  DOS
        printscreen feature. Normally, when the contents of the screen is
        dumped  to a printer, only the first 80 columns and 25 lines  are
        printed. PRTSCRN allows the user to print any text modes that can
        be displayed on the video card,  including all non-standard  text
        modes.  It  does  not  enhance the dumping  of  graphics  to  the
        printer.

        PRTSCRN is a memory resident program. This means that after it is
        loaded  into  memory, it will remain there until  the  system  is
        reset or turned off. To load the program, simply run PRTSCRN.

        To  dump the contents of a text screen, hold down the  SHIFT  key
        and  strike  the PRINT SCREEN key (this key may be  marked  PRINT
        SCR, PRTSC or something similar).


                             Section 11 - VVESA.COM

        VVESA.COM  is a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program. It  is
        the implementation of the VESA Super VGA BIOS Extension  Standard
        #VS900602.

        VVESA  is not a driver. It is a program which enables your  video
        board  to  be used with VESA compatible  software.  Consult  your
        software manual or your software manufacturer's Technical Support
        to see if a VESA driver is available for your software.

        Install your software for VESA Super VGA.  Then run VVESA  before
        running  your VESA compatible software.  If you prefer,  a  batch
        file  can be written to invoke VVESA and then your software.  The
        resident portion of VVESA only consumes a small amount of memory.
        To run Window 3.1 with VESA 800x600 16-color driver in the  7-bit
        video  mode  6A,  VVESA is not required.  To  remove  VVESA  from
        memory, type: VVESA OFF.

        Here is a list of VVESA advanced command line keywords:

             OFF: Remove the driver from the system memory.

             PAN: Enable Linear Address
                  It  allows  user  to pan or scroll  within  the  entire
                  display  memory. Standard VGA will wrap around  at  the
                  end of 64K in planar mode.  Linear address is  disabled
                  at default.

               README                             Page 4



             55rw Force single page read & write mode
                  The Write Page number is set to Read Page number when a
                  display  mode is initialized.  (Note that only  display
                  controller  28800-5 or higher is default to  dual  page
                  mode,   i.e. the writeable and readable windows can  be
                  programmed independently)

             For  example,  to enable driver to view  display  memory  at
             upper 512KB, type:

                            VVESA PAN      <enter>

             Then run your VVESA application.


        The following VESA modes are supported:

             MODE      RESOLUTION        MEMORY    MEMORY
             NUMBER    /COLORS           REQUIRED  MODEL

             100h      640x400 /256      512KB     packed pixel
             101h      640x480 /256      512KB     packed pixel
             102h      800x600 /16       256KB     4-plane planar
             103h      800x600 /256      512KB     packed pixel
             104h      1024X768 /16      512KB     4-plane planar
             105h      1024X768 /256     1MB       packed pixel

        Note that some display adapters may not be capable of  displaying
        all  the  modes listed above.  Check the user's  manual  of  your
        display adapter for the available modes.

        Programmers  requiring more information about VESA standards  may
        obtain copies of the specifications by writing or calling:

                      VESA
                      1330 South Bascom Ave., Suite D
                      San Jose, CA 95128
                      (408) 971-7525


                            SECTION 8 - MOUSE DRIVERS

        There  are two mouse drivers; MOUSE.SYS and MOUSE.COM.  MOUSE.SYS
        is a device driver which is installed through the CONFIG.SYS file
        on  your  boot drive. This driver will activate the  mouse  every
        time you boot the system. The driver can be installed for you  by
        running  VINSTALL and selecting "Install Adapter  Utilities".  If
        you prefer, the mouse driver can be installed manually by copying
        MOUSE.SYS  into the root directory of your boot drive and  adding
        one of the following lines into your CONFIG.SYS file:

                  DEVICE = MOUSE.SYS [option(s)]

        MOUSE.COM  is  an executable program which is used to  install  a

               README                             Page 5


        resident  mouse driver if MOUSE.SYS is not installed and to  con-
        figure the mouse driver.  To use MOUSE.COM,  type

                  MOUSE [option(s)]

        Available options are listed below:

        * Before installing:

                  MOUSE HELP     - displays help message on the screen.

                  MOUSE STATUS   - as above.

                  MOUSE ?        - as above.

                  MOUSE /?       - as above.

        * To Install:

                  MOUSE 3BUTTONS - Configures the mouse driver to 3
                                   buttons. This is the default unless
                                   2BUTTONS is specified.

                  MOUSE 2BUTTONS - Configures the mouse driver to 2
                                   buttons.

                  MOUSE 400DPI   - Configures the mouse driver for a
                                   high  resolution  (400dpi)   mouse.
                                   (Same as MOUSE /P1)

                  MOUSE 200DPI   - Configures the mouse driver for a
                                   standard resolution (200dpi) mouse.
                                   (Same as MOUSE /P3)

                  MOUSE /Pn      - Selects which profile to use.
                                   These movement profiles are ballistic
                                   curves. If the mouse moves faster for
                                   a given distance, the mouse pointer
                                   will move a longer distance across the
                                   screen. This driver comes with four
                                   movement profiles (1-Slow, 2-Moderate,
                                   3-Fast, 4-Unaccelerated). The default
                                   is profile 2 (Moderate).

                  MOUSE /Sn      - Sets the horizontal and vertical
                                   mouse-to-cursor movement sensitivity.
                                   The range is from 1 to 100.  Larger
                                   value will make cursor move faster.
                                   The default sensitivity is 50.

        * After installation:

                  MOUSE OFF      - Disables mouse driver. If MOUSE.COM
                                   was  installed instead  of MOUSE.SYS
                                   and MOUSE.COM was  the  last resident

               README                             Page 6


                                   program installed, the memory occupied
                                   by the mouse driver will be released.

                  MOUSE          - Enables the mouse driver.

                  MOUSE STATUS   - Displays the current status of the
                                   mouse driver along with the help
                                   message.

                  MOUSE HELP     - as above.

                  MOUSE ?        - as above.

                  MOUSE /?       - as above.

                  MOUSE /Pn      - Selects which profile to use.

                  MOUSE /Sn      - Sets the horizontal and vertical
                                   mouse-to-cursor movement sensitivity.


          SECTION 9 - INSTALLING 132-COLUMN IN WORDSTAR AND WORDPERFECT

        Both  WordStar  and WordPerfect can support the  132-column  text
        mode. No driver is needed, as both programs can be configured for
        this mode.

        WORDSTAR 3.31

        This  version  of WordStar must be configured  by  modifying  the
        WS.COM  file directly with the DOS DEBUG utility. This  operation
        should  only  be performed on the working version of  WS.  Follow
        these steps:
                       DEBUG WS.COM  <enter>
                       E CS:249  <enter>
                       84  <enter>
                       W  <enter>
                       Q

        Before  running the patched version of WordStar, put your  screen
        into 132-column mode using VINSTALL.

        WORDSTAR 4.0 AND 5.0

        These  versions  of Wordstar can be configured  for  132  columns
        using  the WINSTALL and WSCHANGE. Select 80x25 text in  WINSTALL.
        If  80x43 is selected in WINSTALL, it over-rides WSCHANGE.  Next,
        run WSCHANGE and select 132 columns and either 25 or 44 rows. Use
        VINSTALL  to put the screen into 132-column mode  before  running
        WordStar.

        NOTE: WordStar 5.0 doesn't restore the screen to 132-column  mode
        after exiting from the page preview feature. Be sure to save  the
        document before using the preview feature.

               README                             Page 7


        WORDPERFECT 4.1 and 4.2

        WordPerfect  versions  4.1  and 4.2 allow you  to  designate  the
        number  of rows and columns displayed on the screen.  Wordperfect
        requires you to invoke any non-default text mode externally.

        To configure WordPerfect, type:

                    WP/S  <enter>

        A  setup  menu then appears. Select number 3 from  the  menu  and
        enter  the  desired  number  of columns and  rows.  There  are  3
        different text modes available with VGA card: 80x43, 132x25,  and
        132x44. Not  all of these modes are available with every monitor.

        After  Wordperfect is configured for the desired text  mode,  you
        must invoke it each time you use Wordperfect. The easiest way  of
        doing this is to make a batch file that invokes the required mode
        and then run WordPerfect.

        Create the file WP.BAT containing the following lines:

                    [command]
                    WP
                    VINSTALL CE80

        Where the line [command] is one of the choices shown below:

                    L43                 Invokes 80x43 or 80x50 mode.
                    VINSTALL M132x25    Invokes monochrome 132x25 mode.
                    VINSTALL C132x25    Invokes color 132x25 mode.
                    VINSTALL M132X44    Invokes monochrome 132x44 mode.
                    VINSTALL C132X44    Invokes color 132x44 mode.


        WORDPERFECT 5.0

        There is no need to do any special configuration with WordPerfect
        5.0  and 5.1.  Simply invoke the desired text mode with  VINSTALL
        and  run WordPerfect. WP automatically adapts to the  text  mode.
        Note  that  WP may not restore the screen to  132  columns  after
        exiting  from  the  page preview feature. Be  sure  to  save  the
        document before using the preview feature.


                           SECTION 10 - SIDEKICK PLUS

        Sidekick Plus version 1.00A has a problem in monochrome  graphics
        mode.  The  problem  occurs because Sidekick  Plus  restores  the
        screen  to graphics mode on exit if graphics is enabled.  If  the
        card  is in text mode instead of graphics mode, the  screen  goes
        blank.  As  a result, this program should not be  run  under  the
        monochrome  graphics mode. To use the program in  the  monochrome
        mode,  set  the  card to Monochrome Text  (MDA)  instead  of  the
        Monochrome Graphics (H720).

               README                             Page 8




                            SECTION 11 - TTL MONITOR

        This  section  is  of  interest only  if  you  are  connecting  a
        monochrome  TTL monitor. The video card  automatically  optimizes
        the palette to obtain the maximum contrast when displaying  color
        software  on a monochrome monitor. This is highly desirable  with
        most  software  but it may cause certain animated  EGA  games  to
        blink. Some examples of these games are Gunship, F19 Stealth  and
        World  Tour  of Golf. If this occurs on a program  that  you  are
        using,  you  can disable or restore the  gray-scale  optimization
        with special VINSTALL commands.

        To disable optimization type this command:

                   VINSTALL MASK BA FF 40

        To re-enable optimization type this command:

                   VINSTALL MASK BA BF 0


        For a printout of this information, type:

                      A>COPY README PRN  <enter>


