Configuring video adapters and monitors
is the process of connecting graphics hardware
to your system
and modifying the system software to recognize that hardware.
Two separate activities are required:
Physically install the adapter and monitor,
following the instructions in the
hardware documentation.
Run the
Video Configuration Manager
to configure the SCO video subsystem software.
The video configuration window displays the configured
adapters, monitors, and resolutions,
together with the function (<F>) keys
that are associated with each configured video adapter.
When you install a new system or add new graphics hardware
to an existing one, the X server starts your graphical
environment in a
default mode
for resolutions and colors. You can change this default by
running the Video Configuration Manager and selecting
a mode supported by your hardware. You can also use the
Video Configuration Manager to view existing
configurations and test new ones.
New and modified video adapter drivers are available periodically.
Additional and updated drivers compatible with UnixWare 7
are available through the SCO Compatible Hardware Web Pages, located at
this web site: (http://wdb1.sco.com/chwp/owa/hch_search_form).
For the new graphics features and drivers included
with UnixWare 7, see New features in SCOhelp.
This topic describes how to use the
Video Configuration Manager
to configure video adapters and monitors.
It includes:
You can start the Video Configuration Manager in either of these ways:
From the CDE desktop, start the SCOadmin launcher
by clicking on the menu above the SCO logo, then choosing
SCOadmin. From the launcher,
open the Hardware folder,
then select the Video Configuration Manager.
From the command line, enter scoadmin video.
NOTE:
While any user can view the system's video configuration,
only those with root or system owner
privileges can modify video configuration.
If this task is performed in multiuser mode, users currently
logged in and running the X server
will not see any changes until their next session.
For more information on using SCOadmin managers, see
Administering your system with SCOadmin
in the UnixWare 7 System Handbook.
Understanding video configuration
The Video Configuration Manager
derives the configuration choices
it provides from three sources:
grafinfo(4) files
graphics adapter information
moninfo(4) files
monitor information
device files
function key information
When you run the
Video Configuration Manager,
it stores your configuration settings in the
/usr/lib/grafinfo/grafdev and
/usr/lib/grafinfo/grafmon files.
On startup, the X server uses the information in
these files and the appropriate grafinfo and
moninfo files to
interact correctly with your system's video hardware.
The grafinfo and moninfo files
are ASCII text files
that are located in subdirectories of the
/usr/lib/grafinfo directory.
These files describe the attributes of
the graphics adapters and monitors
that are supported by the Graphical Environment.
The grafinfo files use the name of the
particular adapter they describe and an .xgi
extension (for example, f1280+va.xgi);
the moninfo files use the name of the particular
monitor they describe and a .mon extension (for
example, 8514.mon).
The Video Configuration Manager reads
the function key (or devices) files at system startup
to associate ``virtual terminals'' with
function keys.
These text files are located in the
/usr/X/lib/vidconf/devices directory and
contain the device driver names for all
the programmed function keys on the console (<F1> through <F12>),
as well as the device driver name for the console itself.
The console driver is used when the system is
running in single-user mode.
In multiuser mode, each function key
on the SCO system console corresponds to a different
graphical environment.
To achieve this ``virtual terminal'' capacity, each
function key is associated with a different device driver.
For example, <F1> is associated with /dev/vt01,
<F2> is associated with /dev/vt02,
<F3> is associated with /dev/vt03,
and so on up to <F12>.
Each function key controls a different UNIX login session,
so you can configure each session as if it were a different graphical system.
In single-user mode, because access is restricted to a single user,
all of the function keys are controlled by the
console device driver and
only one login session using console is available.
NOTE:
The console is a special virtual terminal that will
not run the X server. If you invoke the X server on
vt00 by running
startx(X1M),
it will start on the next available virtual terminal.
Essentially, video configuration consists of creating links between
a graphics adapter, a monitor and resolution (for example,
Orchid Fahrenheit 1280 Plus, and MAG MX17F at 1024x768),
and a function key.
In most cases, you will use the same configuration
for every function key. However, there are situations
when you might want to have different graphical
environments attached to different function keys.
For example, you might want to use
fewer colors at a higher resolution,
or more colors at a lower resolution.
Or, you might have more than one graphics adapter and
monitor attached to your system.
For more information about virtual terminals,
see the
keyboard(7),
vtlmgr(1),
and
newvt(1)
manual pages.
The first time the
display manager runs in a new graphical
environment, either a newly installed system or one with new
graphics hardware, the X server attempts to create a default
resolution of 800x600 with 256 colors using a compatible
accelerated graphics driver. If an accelerated driver
is not available, the server will attempt the default resolution
(800x600 with 256 colors) using the SCO VESA (Video
Electronics Standards Association) driver.
This driver is compatible with many contemporary graphics adapters.
If your adapter cannot be configured with the VESA
driver, the X server defaults to standard
IBM VGA mode. After the initial login, you can
continue to use the default, or run the
Video Configuration Manager
to select another resolution supported by your hardware.
Some resolutions only work if you have enough video adapter
memory. Make sure you have at least the minimum
DRAM or VRAM to support
the desired number of colors at the specified resolution:
Memory requirements for color support at specified resolutions
NOTE:
Some drivers may require memory above these minimum levels for
off-screen memory.
Refer to your video adapter documentation for
additional information on memory requirements.
If you select resolutions of 1024x768 or higher,
you may need to determine if your monitor works in interlaced or
non-interlaced mode at these resolutions.
Consult your monitor's documentation regarding supported resolutions.
WARNING:
Although your video adapter supports the resolutions
listed, your monitor may not.
Do not select a resolution that is higher
than the maximum resolution supported by your monitor.
Selecting a resolution that is too high
can cause double or jumbled images to display on the monitor; it
can also severely damage your non-multi-synch monitor.
If this occurs, try selecting a lower resolution
or a lower scan rate frequency.
Searching for adapters
When you use the Video Configuration Manager to modify
or add a configuration, it attempts to autodetect installed
adapters. The search is usually successful, and you are
prompted to confirm the adapter that is found. In some cases,
usually involving older adapters or installations on
ISA machines, autodetection might fail and you must
select your adapter from the list.
NOTE:
If you do not know the name of your graphics adapter, use the
VideoHelp(X1M)
utility, which displays names from the adapters on-board memory.
Understanding multi-monitor configuration
SCO systems provide limited support for
``multi-monitor'' configuration,
also known as ``multi-headed'' configuration.
Multi-monitor support means
you can display one graphical environment on
two (or more) monitors, thus increasing
your graphical work space.
To determine if your adapter will support multi-monitor
configuration:
Ensure that your graphics adapters support
multi-monitor configuration and have no
hardware conflicts.
They must not use the same I/O ports or
base addresses.
Your graphics adapter documentation may indicate if your adapter
supports multi-monitor (or ``multi-headed'') configuration.
Install each adapter individually to
verify that the graphical environment functions properly.
Consult your adapter documentation to ensure that VGA
can be disabled.
NOTE:
UnixWare 7 systems support up to 32 monitors on one system,
but for the purposes of this procedure we will
assume the user is installing only two.
You must complete the configuration process for
each installed adapter, monitor, and resolution.
To set up a multi-monitor configuration:
Once you have verified that both adapters work,
and you have ensured that
there are no hardware conflicts,
install the adapters in the system
and proceed with multi-monitor configuration.
While configuring the second adapter,
select
Multi-monitor configuration -- specify function keys
from the Function Key Setup window.
From the Specify Function Keys window,
select the function key(s) that you want to control the
multi-monitor environment.
Finish the normal configuration procedure for the second adapter.
After you finish configuring the last installed adapter,
you must configure your graphical environment to use the added
screens. See your
graphical environment documentation in SCOhelp for more information.
NOTE:
If you configure a second
video adapter in multi-monitor mode on some function keys and as
the primary adapter on other function keys, configure the primary
function keys first.
If you configure the multi-monitor function keys first and then
configure the remaining function keys for the primary video
adapter, the multi-monitor configuration will be changed to be
the primary adapter.
Display the Modify window by selecting Modify
in the main
Video Configuration Manager
window, or double-click on the item you want to modify.
NOTE:
You can also
test a new adapter configuration
before modifying an existing configuration.
Select either ``Monitor Not Configured''
or the monitor you want to change and
click on Change Monitor.
Select your new monitor from the Monitor Configuration window
and click on OK.
The monitor list includes all the
monitors supported for use on your SCO system.
Use the scroll bar to move up and down in the list;
in character mode, type the first letter of
the monitor's manufacturer.
NOTE:
If you do not find your monitor in the list,
choose the ``Other ...'' selection
that most closely resembles your own.
Click on Change Resolution,
then select the new resolution.
Select the new resolution
in the Resolution Selection window,
then click on OK.
WARNING:
Ensure that the resolution you select is appropriate for your
monitor; see
``Understanding resolutions''
for more information.
Specify the new resolution
in the Resolution Selection window,
then click on OK.
WARNING:
Ensure that the resolution you select is appropriate for your
monitor; see
``Understanding resolutions''
for more information.
After you choose a monitor and resolution,
you must assign one or more console function keys
(<F>) to them. This creates a link between
the particular graphics adapter, monitor, and resolution,
and the assigned function key, as described in
``About function keys and video configuration''
To assign all function keys to
the selected monitor and resolution,
select Assign all function keys
and click on OK.
This is the option most users choose.
To
assign specific function keys
to the current
adapter, monitor, and resolution,
select Specify function keys
and click on OK.
If you are configuring a second adapter and monitor
and want to display applications on both monitors at the same time
(using the same function key),
select
``Multi-monitor configuration - specify function keys''
and click on OK.
``Running programs simultaneously with multiscreen displays''
in the UnixWare 7 System Handbook.
Assigning specific function keys
If you elected to specify function keys
in the Function Key Setup window,
you will see a Specify Function Keys window. When it
appears, select the function key or keys
you want to associate with the
current adapter, monitor, and resolution,
then click on OK.
If you are unsure about the current adapter and
resolution, look in the ``Current selection''
field at the top of the window.
When you add or change resolutions, you have the opportunity
to test the new resolution.
When you select Test... and click on
Continue after the information message, you see a test
pattern. If the pattern displays normally, click on OK
to configure the resolution; if not, select a different resolution.
WARNING:
If you selected settings that are incompatible with your
hardware (for example, you selected the wrong video adapter),
you might not be able to read the display after ending the test
or you may lose the ability to reset the display to a normal state.
If you cannot read your display after ending the test, press the
<Ctrl>, <Alt>, and <Bksp> keys at the same time to exit the
X server. If you still cannot read your display, you must
reboot your computer to reset the display.
Be sure to warn any users logged into your system before
rebooting.
The Video Configuration Manager
automatically detects many adapters and
presents any detected adapters on the graphics adapter
list instead of the complete list
of supported adapters.
To configure a detected adapter, select it from the list and
continue with Step 5.
To configure an adapter not
on the autodetected list,
click on the Configure adapter not listed above
button and continue with the configuration process.
When the graphics adapter list displays,
select the graphics adapter
that you want to configure,
then click on OK.
The displayed list includes all of the
supported adapters and adapter chip sets.
Use the scroll bar to move up and down in the list;
in character mode, type the first letter of
the adapter's manufacturer.
NOTE:
If you do not know the name of your graphics adapter, use the
VideoHelp(X1M)
utility, which displays names from the adapters on-board memory.
Add a monitor to the new adapter configuration by
selecting ``Monitor Not Configured'',
then clicking on Monitor.
When the monitor list displays,
select the new monitor,
then click on OK.
The monitor list includes all the
monitors supported for use on your SCO system.
Use the scroll bar to move up and down in the list;
in character mode, type the first letter of
the monitor's manufacturer.
WARNING:
Ensure that the resolution you select is appropriate for your
monitor; see
``Understanding resolutions''
for more information.
Assign one or more function (<F>) keys
to the adapter/monitor/resolution combination.
This creates a link between
the particular graphics adapter, monitor, and resolution,
and the assigned function key, as described in
``About function keys and video configuration''
To assign all function keys to
the selected monitor and resolution,
select Assign all function keys,
then click on OK.
This is the option most users choose.
To
assign specific function keys
to the current adapter, monitor, and resolution,
select Specify function keys,
then click on OK.
In the main
Video Configuration Manager
window, select the adapter, monitor, or resolution of the
video system to remove and click on
Remove.
When the Remove window appears,
click on OK to confirm the removal
of the entire configured video system.
CAUTION:
Unless you have more than one configured resolution,
removing the associated monitor or the only configured resolution
removes the entire selected graphics configuration.
Configuring unsupported adapters
If your graphics adapter is not on the list of supported adapters
and is not compatible with the
VESA
driver:
Check your adapter's documentation to see if
it is compatible or uses the same chip set as
a supported adapter.
If your adapter is compatible, select the supported adapter.
If the system is able to determine that the adapter in the
system is compatible with the VBE (Video BIOS
Extension) 1.2 or 2.0 standard, you will be able to select
VESA VBE mode. This driver will operate the adapter
in high resolution modes without acceleration.
If your adapter is not compatible with one of the supported
adapters or chip sets, and does not support VBE mode,
try selecting the IBM VGA adapter
using 640x480 with 16 colors.
This will usually get your
graphics system up and running, but it does not provide access to
higher resolutions or any enhanced capabilities of your graphics
adapter.
NOTE:
You may also be able to adjust an existing grafinfo file
to fit your graphics adapter. However,
if you copy a compatible grafinfo file and try to adapt it,
you may have to supply details about your adapter not commonly
found in adapter user documentation (for example, the coordinates of
off-screen memory).
Further information about developing graphics drivers and
grafinfo files can be found in Developing NFB graphics adapter drivers,
which is included with the Hardware Developer Kit.