First post, by anetanel
Few years ago I found an EGA (VDL C3 ?) card in an abandond factory. It was in a pretty bad shape, but I decided to try and restore it.
After cleaning it to the best of my abilities, I tried putting it in a computer.
I discovered that when the BIOS chip is present, the computer does not go through POST - no beeps and no floppy sounds.
When the BIOS chip is removed, the computer beeps one long and two short beeps and the floppy seeks and it seem to boot, but obviously no picture. It is the same behavior when there is no display card at all.
So I suspect a bad BIOS. I dumped the chip (D27128A) content with a G540 reader/programmer, and.. well.. it is neither blank, corrupted or containing useful data.
I will upload it here.
It contains mostly "07" and sometimes "FF" in semi regular intervals.
weird, But I'm pretty sure that is is not supposed to be like that.
Question is, can those cards work without a BIOS? if not, where can I get my hands on a compatible one?
I don't currently have an EGA capable monitor, but I do have a 9 pin monochrome one. I tried using it, but obviously nothing showed, and I also learned that it can be dangerous to the monitor if the card is not configured via the DIP switch to output monochrome signal.
So while I'm waiting on a loan of a compatible monitor from a friend, I need to hunt for the missing BIOS, and I guess also finding the correct DIP switch settings.
I was not able to find info on this card, aside of some ebay listings.
Any help would be appreciated.