Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!bruce!monu0.cc.monash.edu.au!vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au!daf From: daf@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: 32768 colors with the TSENG ET 4000 and Sierra DAC ??? Message-ID: <1991Jun7.172322.86856@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au> Date: 7 Jun 91 07:23:22 GMT References: <1991Jun6.191849.5312@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> Distribution: comp Organization: Monash University - Australia. Lines: 42 n65j@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes: > In article , > leo@zelator.uucp (Stefan Hartmann) writes: >> Hi graphics wizards, >> >> Could somebody tell me ,if it is possible to change just the DAC on a >> ET 4000 VGA-Board to the new Sierra Hi-Color (15 bit) DAC to get >> the 32768 colors ? >> Or is there also a BIOS update and another quarz oszillator necessary ?? >> I have already downloaded some demo programs to show TARGA (*.TGA)-pics >> from COMPUSERVE , but I wanted this to know first before I simply buy the >> new Sierra DAC ! >> Any advice is welcome . Thanks a lot ! >> -Stefan Hartmann, c/o OverScan GbR.( Manufacturer of the Auto-Switch-OverScan >> Hardware for Atari ST-Computer) > > This depends on the board and is best asked of the manufacturer. One simple > thing that could rule out an easy swap is if the existing DAC is soldered > to the board instead of socketed. > > The Compuserve software that takes advantage of this chip tends to rely on > the extra BIOS support which Tseng labs defined and which STB implemented even > before they started selling boards which included the chip. Thus you may need > a BIOS upgrade unless you are into programming the Tseng chip and Sierra chip > at the register level. Might be fun, for some. > > -- regards, Steve Pacenka, Cornell U. What I would like to know is, can you still run the board as a standard SVGA once you have replaced the DAC chip with the super version?? Any replies appreciated - especially comments from those who have tried the new system out. Daf. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Davyd Norris : "Strange people physicists... In my opinion Physics Dept. : those that aren't already dead are in some Monash University, : way very, very sick." - Douglas Adams, Vic, Australia. : "The Long Dark Tea-time Of The Soul" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------