Driver: S3 Generic Driver Overview: NeXTanswer #1737
Last Update: April 23, 1997
Availability Information
Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers*: Yes, Version 3.31, as NeXTanswer #1736 Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers*: Yes, Version 3.33, as NeXTanswer #2070
General Overview notes: This driver will support a variety of video display devices based on S3 chipsets. It is primarily intended to support implementations based on the S3 Vision864, Vision868, ViRGE, though it should also support many adapters based on other S3 products such as the Vision964, Vision968, Trio32, Trio64, & ViRGE/VX chips.
This driver is a generic chipset driver and as such, is only intended to be used as a last resort. If a driver is available that specifically supports your display adapter, that driver should be used rather than this generic driver.
NeXT does not guarantee that this driver will work with any specific adapters or implementations, but expects that it will support many.
Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):
Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes: This device driver provides information in the Configure application's help panel. Choose Info>Help from the Configure menu and scroll down to find this device driver's help topic.
Display Driver Details
Supported Connectors: 15-pin High Density (VGA)
Access Mode: Linear Framebuffer Adapter Memory: .5MB DRAM, 1MB DRAM, 1MB VRAM, 2MB DRAM, 2MB VRAM, 4MB DRAM, 4MB VRAM, 8MB VRAM
Display Modes (Number in () after resolution indicates frame buffer size required)
32 Bit Color Modes**: 1024x768 (4MB+), 640x480 (2MB+), 800x600 (2MB+)
16 Bit Color Modes**:
1024x768 (2MB+), 1280x1024 (4MB+), 640x480 (1MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)
8 Bit Color / Greyscale Modes**: 1024x768 (1MB+), 1280x1024 (2MB+), 640X480 (1MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)
Known Problems
Due to ongoing development and testing of OPENSTEP 4.0, the beta version (v3.33) of this driver will neither be tested on NEXTSTEP 3.3 nor upgraded to "Released" status.
Driver Version Notes
3.32 Added support for the Trio64V+ chipset
3.33 Added support for the ViRGE chipsets
Future Planning
Future / Update Planning: Under Development Reason for New Driver / Update: New Hardware Support New Driver / Update Timeframe: Q4 96
New Driver / Update Description:
Note: Information contained in the "Future Planning" section of this document does not constitute a commitment on the part of NeXT to complete the planned development work.
* - Any NeXTanswer number that is blank indicates that a driver will not be released for this version of NEXTSTEP.
** - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.
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