TITLE
    NeXTSTEP 3.3 Driver: ATI Mach64
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
71735
3/3/99
3/3/99

TOPIC

    This document discusses a device driver for the NeXTSTEP operating system, version 3.3. This driver will not work with any version of OPENSTEP.


DISCUSSION

    Availability Information


    An updated release version of this driver, version 3.37, is avaiable on Apple's FTP servers at:
    ftp://ftp.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/MultiCountry/Enterprise/nextstep/drivers/released/ATI_Mach64.pkg.compressed

    Driver Name / Installer .pkg: ATIMach64DisplayDriver
    Driver Type: Display
    Driver Scope: Generic-Chipset
    Supported Components: ATI 88800 (Mach64)
    PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver**: Integrated, PCI, VL-Bus

    General Overview notes: This new graphics driver is designed to support a variety of graphics adapters using the ATI 88800 graphics controller. Adapters based on the 88800 GX/CX (also known as the Mach64) graphics controller chipset can support 1MB, 2MB or 4 MB of VRAM or DRAM. This driver supports a variety of configurations including high-resolution and high-color (32bit) modes and several RAMDAC, frame buffer and interface bus (PCI and VL-Bus only) configurations.

    Due to the wide range of possible combinations, only a few specific adapters will be tested by NeXT. Although this driver may work with most 88800 GX/CX based adapters, NeXT will only support the specific adapters tested by NeXT.

    Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (PCI, with 2MB VRAM)
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (PCI, with 2MB DRAM)
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (PCI, with 4MB VRAM)
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (PCI, with 4MB DRAM)
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (VL-Bus, with 4MB VRAM)
    ATI Graphics Ultra Pro Turbo (VL-Bus, with 4MB DRAM)

    Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):
    AT&T Globalyst 600


    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: 2MB DRAM, 2MB VRAM, 4MB DRAM, 4MB VRAM

    Display Modes (Number in () after resolution indicates frame buffer size required)

    32 Bit Color Modes**:
    640x480 (4MB+), 800x600 (4MB+)

    16 Bit Color Modes**:
    1024x768 (2MB+), 1152x896 (2MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

    8 Bit Color / Greyscale Modes**:
    1024x768 (1MB+), 1152x896 (1MB+), 1280x1024 (2MB+), 1600x1200 (2MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

    Known Problems

    The Mach64 driver makes use of the board's BIOS to switch modes. This requires the user to set up the display adapter as specified in the documentation supplied by ATI. This will usually require running a setup utility. Until this is done, not all supported display modes will be available.

    Driver Version Notes

    3.33 Added support for additional hardware
    3.34 Added support for ATI 68860 Rev C and ST1703 RAMDACs.
    3.36 Beta - Driver rewritten to call Adapter's BIOS to switch modes.
    3.37 First Released version that uses the Adapter's BIOS - should be robust to RAMDAC changes.

    ** - 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.

    Product Vendor
    ATI Technology
    2880 Zanker Road
    Suite 203
    San Jose, CA 95134

    +1 (416) 882 2600 international phone
    +1 (905) 764 9404 bulletin board system
    +1 (416) 882 2600 faxback system
    WWW: http://www.atitech.ca/

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: NeXTSTEP
Sub Category: Drivers
Keywords:

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