Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!ria!uwovax!baer
From: baer@uwovax.uwo.ca
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: VGA Cards
Message-ID: <7816.27467a74@uwovax.uwo.ca>
Date: 18 Nov 90 17:11:31 GMT
References: <45534@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> <1990Nov12.232157.969@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> <1926@mts.ucs.UAlberta.CA>
Lines: 45

In article <1926@mts.ucs.UAlberta.CA>, userNQNF@mts.ucs.UAlberta.CA (unknown) writes:
>>> I chose the ATI-- because I had heard of it and thought it was more of a
>>> standard than the diamond scan.
>>> Did I make a mistake?  Should I have gone with the faster/higher memory
>>
>>  In my opinion, standardization of these
>>super-VGA modes is not really an issue, since the only programs that use such
>>modes are Windows programs, and the VGA manufacturer usually provides a driver
>>for Windows.
>>
>>-Sanjay Aiyagari (hd7x@vax5.cit.cornell.edu)
>  
> ATI has a whole pile of drivers for their cards. If you need
> any help in getting a driver for anything, give ATI a call and they
> can probably arrange or find it. They apparently have a new VGA
> Wondercard that is a lot faster than usual, and I heard that they
> offer an upgrade option for older cards (for around 150 Canadian).
> Perhaps give ATI a call or letter to confirm this. Although you may
> already have the faster version.
> Dale Ulan-  Comp Eng student- U of Alberta


I agree with Dale Ulan, to the point of suggesting that the availability of
drivers can be a critical issue for many users.  I bought a very cheap 
800 x 600 VGA 16-bit VGA card last year on the dealer's promise that
appropriate drivers (I was looking for some CAD drivers and also for
OS/2 drivers) would be "forthcoming".  Never happened.  The dealer agreed
to take the old card in as a trade-in for a more expensive card with
better drivers and a BBS line from which I could download new drivers
developed in the future.  If you only want drivers for Windows 3.0 and 
never expect to upgrade (even to Windows 3.1 or 4.0, whenever these come
out), fine  -- but even at that check the diskette that comes with the
card to make sure the drivers are there.   But if you're worried about
being "widowed", it might be an idea to go with a "name brand" Super
VGA card (criterion: how long has the company been in business? what
sort of upgrade support does it provide?) -- though admittedly in this
business nothing is perfect and even big companies can go out of business.
Finally, if you're prepared to stick to standard VGA resolution (640 x 480),
then special drivers are almost never necessary and there's no issue (pick
any old cheap VGA card you want).

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglas Baer, 
University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 5C2
Internet: BAER@UWO.CA    Bitnet: BAER@UWOVAX