Hi there!

I do have a few Compaq laptops, but don't know the model numbers right away.

Anyway, here's a general tip.:
Some models do have a Western Digital WD90c31 or WD90C24 VGA chip.

If your card has one of them, or a similar WD chip, you can try the mode utility for the Paradise PVGA cards fron the 80s.

Maybe this will allow setting the chip to CGA/EGA Hercules emulation mode.
If you set it to CGA, the VGA behaves much more like a real CGA and graphical glitches go away.

Anyway, this is just an idea.
Other graphic chips may also have CGA emulation modes.

You can run MSD in DOS to find out about the graphics chip's VGA BIOS.
The copyright text will give hint what brand/chip is installed.

Alternatively, run NSSI - it's a free diagnostic program for DOS.
It can detect a lot of hardware, including VGA chips.

If you can tell what VGA chip is built into your Compaq,
we might be able to help you better. 🙂

Best wishes,
Jo22

PS: I'm just a layman and do know little abozt Ultima. Ultima series has a lot of fans, though.
Maybe your problem can be patched, even!
Just don't despair! Vogons has a lot if excellent users, maybe they can give you better advices.

Thanks for the tips! I think this version of Ultima I is a re-release that is VGA, but I'm still going to tryout your suggestions - I'll let you know!!

Ok, here are the results!

So maybe some drivers or utilities for a Cirrus Logic GD-54XX? The only problem is that the XX part covers quite a few chipsets...
Here's what's on the actual chip:

Cirrus Logic
CL-GD 5420-75QC-C
21827-277CG
9341 T
MALAYSIA-A

I also managed to get a picture of the top - it's a tough shot without taking stuff apart!

I just tracked down Cirrus Logic's IDCHIP.EXE - I'll post those results as well. (Notice the BIOS is reporting 5402 and not 5420 - prolly a typo in the BIOS?)

I tried the utility CLMODE from Cirrus - All of that stuff seems to be fine trying out several video modes. - it displays all the screens correctly on the correct settings - I wonder if I have a bad 512K RAM chip?

I'll have a look and see if I can find anything for this chipset and DOS.
I was hoping for some DOS drivers or something but the datasheet located here doesn't list any DOS drivers: https://www.datasheets360.com/pdf/1570747863450969460

I found some information here that pointed to maybe a fix called TSRFONT.COM, but it's for EGA graphics glitches - tried it anyway and that didn't do it.
http://vogonsdrivers.com/getfile.php?fileid=926&menustate=0

Also - if anyone has a 486 with a video card that has a Cirrus Logic GD-5420 chip, or any machine with a video card with that chip - could you try out Ultima I and see if it works for you?

ISA VGA Card CL-GD540X/5420. CL-GD5420-75-QC-C Ver 1.30 Cirrus Logic

Cirrus Logic CL-GD5420-75QC-B 16 Bit ISA VGA Card

etc..

Also, has anyone seen a BIOS update for the Compaq 425 - Series 3200 - Assembly # 160643-001?

I'd try that too!