On 22 Oct 02, at 21:42, Tony Parker wrote:
Even though I personally wouldn't select WinXp as a platform for Fractint,
Neither would I. XFractint with Linux, or Fractint under DOS (on a dedicated machine) would be my preferences. Fractint doesn't need the latest greatest video cards for what it does.
I see no reason why the right mix of Vesa compatible video card and Fractint shouldn't work. I'm getting a feeling that Bill's WinXp <> Fractint setup might eventually be "tweaked" into working correctly.
Only potential problem I can think of is one that afflicts W2K and WXP. Like UNIX/Linux, they do not allow applications to directly access the hardware. They present DOS applications with a virtual, imitation video card and registers. Fractint's support for many video cards and VESA modes depends on access to the apppropriate video registers. Fractint's ability to make its video modes work under W2K/WXP is determined solely by what video "registers" Windows makes visible to it, and which real registers those are linked to on the actual hardware (via the Windows video driver). Even a correct, working config file will do no good if Windows doesn't let Fractint see or write to the necessary registers.
His video card and Fractint work in when he boots from a DOS boot floppy. If he can tweak and fiddle the WinXp video configs, he might get it all to work. I might go into the Windows Control Panel > Device Manager and take quick look-see to check if the video drivers have been properly installed and that there are no interrupt and other device and port conflicts.
I just had a blinding flash of a possible cause for his problem. Maybe the video card calls for resered space in high RAM. If that is the issue, that might require going into his CMOS and making the proper adjustments. I'd suggest that he carefully read the video card specs and check any online tech manuals if there are any.
I suspect that if his video card required that BIOS setting in order to function under WXP, it would also require it to function under DOS. I think that setting is determined by the video hardware, not any OS settings (although there might be OS or driver settings required to work with the card in that case).
I'd also suggest removing and re-installing the video drivers with any corrected, newer, or updated video drivers.
Definitely a good idea. Especially if he's using W2K drivers under WXP. Fractint and my 3DFx 3000 card under OS/2 supports high resolutions than my monitor can handle (OS/2 doesn't virtualize the video card for full-screen DOS sessions). Fractint and my Elsa GLoria Synergy card under OS/2 also work fine together and more capably than my monitor can handle. Fracint & the Elsa card under Windows95 crash and burn as Fractint and W95 fight over the card. David gnome@hawaii.rr.com
All the best Bill!
TG
----- Original Message ----- From: <gnome@hawaii.rr.com> To: <fractint@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 6:39 PM Subject: Re: [Fractint] Re: Fractint and Windows XP
It's not the default setting as per Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us; Q286906
It can be manually set by digging into the Advanced settings and choosing from "all modes," but is not officially supported.
He might have messed up video drivers, or old ones. Since they say not supported, this could be a clue. Maybe changing to a supported display resolution might help ...
David gnome@hawaii.rr.com
That is the default setting that Bill claims is on his WinXp system. Does sound strange. Maybe his video drivers are not properly installed.
TG ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Jones" <gnome@hawaii.rr.com> To: <fractint@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 3:28 AM Subject: Re: [Fractint] Re: Fractint and Windows XP
Hmm, XP won't install or run at 640x480, IIRC.
David gnome@hawaii.rr.com
On 20 Oct 02, at 13:02, Tony Parker wrote:
What are your default desktop video settings when in Windows XP? You can determine that by right-clicking your mouse on a blank part of your standard desktop and then clicking your "settings" tab. Is there a possibility in XP that you can't exceed the default video settings of your desktop? i.e. if your default video settings are at 640x480 you can't access 800x600, also check the settings of your Fractint.exe "Dos box".