G1nX wrote:

fitzpatr wrote:

The Voodoo and Voodoo2 were 3D accelerators, and only 3d accelerators. Technical possibilities aside, they are only capable of producing 3d images, which means that you need another 2d capable card to compliment the voodoo for windows, dos, and other interfaces.

gdjacobs wrote:

Technically it's possible, but the design of the card doesn't lend itself to that purpose, and writing a Windows driver to do it would be quite involved.

There's a misconception that a Voodoo2 card can't be used to display 2D images or that are no drivers for that which isn't true. With a beta version of win2k drivers it can be used along side a primary video card to extend the desktop onto a second monitor. More details in the driver notes: http://falconfly.de/info/readme-v2-win2k-10000b.txt

My intent by brushing aside the discussion about 2d with "Technical possibilities aside..." was to avoid confusion. I want to prevent misconception and misunderstanding caused by muddling the issue about 2d. For almost all intents and purposes, the voodoo and voodoo2 do not have 2d capability. While an interesting project, it is of little consequence to most people.

I concur that you should try each voodoo individually before installing them as SLI. My first attempt was plagued by a defective card, and just using one at first removes a lot of variables. It would be wise to also inspect each of the three large chips on the cards for issues with the leads. They often will be bent and make contact with an adjacent lead, causing problems.

The Serpent Rider wrote:

G1nX wrote:

Voodoo2 as 2D display card

Once again, it can't render 2D in DOS/Windows, regardless of what your OS shows. This workaround was designed to fool Win 2k/XP OS, but fundamentally changes nothing. Even the link you've posted confirms this.
Can Voodoo 2 render picture standalone? Sure thing, since it have DAC, but only when using 3D capabilities.

You call it a trick I call it a fun fact that it can display a 2D image but I never stated that it's full fledged 2D display card which can work on it's own in system.
The Voodoo2 can be selected as primary monitor and then used without the need to have the display extended onto the monitor connected to the nvidia card. In the display properties at active monitors display image you can have it as the only active display monitor in this situation the nvidia card was used just for booting the system to Windows and it will keep those setting even if you restart the system. Then the V2 can also be used to do simple directdraw 2D tests from dxdiag.
You should re-read the driver notes which imply physically having just the Voodoo2 in the system not that at sw level in Windows it can't be the only one active.

fitzpatr wrote:

My intent by brushing aside the discussion about 2d with "Technical possibilities aside..." was to avoid confusion. I want to prevent misconception and misunderstanding caused by muddling the issue about 2d. For almost all intents and purposes, the voodoo and voodoo2 do not have 2d capability. While an interesting project, it is of little consequence to most people.

I understand you meant and I agree that 2D was not the intended purpose of the Voodoo2 but if someone installs the beta drivers by accident to have a clue why their 3D accelerator isn't working as such. Btw this can happen under Linux from what users in other forums have tested.

I'll just leave it here quoted from that document.

A Multimedia Display Device is so named because it has the ability to display both 2D and 3D graphics. By definition a Multimed […]
Show full quote

A Multimedia Display Device is so named because it has the ability to display
both 2D and 3D graphics. By definition a Multimedia Display Device must:

· Be capable of booting straight to DOS
· Be capable of using the Primary Display Driver
· Display VGA using Microsoft's standard VGA driver
· Be PC98 Compliant
· Be capable of passing Microsoft WHQL's DCT 200 test suite

Since Voodoo2 has no inherent 2D functionality and doesn't meet all the
criteria listed above (NOTE: it was never designed to meet these criteria),
it would aptly be termed a "Secondary Device" or "detached device" as
Microsoft calls it in Windows 2000 Professional.

Once again, read your own links.

Let's change the tone a bit, it's way too harsh. There are always different views and things to learn and hearing different perspectives should be encouraged, clarified and discussed without taking it personal. In the end, just agree to disagree and everyone can make up their own mind.

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

Let's change the tone a bit, it's way too harsh. There are always different views and things to learn and hearing different perspectives should be encouraged, clarified and discussed without taking it personal. In the end, just agree to disagree and everyone can make up their own mind.

Sorry about that Phil. I thought people would find interesting this aspect of the Voodoo2 cards that can be easily tested by anyone. Instead the discussion drifted towards standards and legal terms that 3dfx had to use in their driver notes so they wouldn't have complaints from customers for something unintended with the use of this beta driver. But you're right that everyone can make their own minds to what matters to them.

It's all good, I encourage you to keep sharing your thoughts.

I want to try this extended desktop, as I have this 2D image (BMP file for example) to calibrate my capture card. If I could calibrate it for a V2, that would be awesome.

thanks a lot guys I will try looking into it on the weekend when I have time since work is killing me but this thread gave me quite the insight on how Voodoo2 cards operate. So many helpful people on here, love this forum!! I will try to do a clean install and hook them both up as shown above. I am really sorry if I asked some weird questions since back in its day I could never afford a PC nor a Voodoo2 and I mainly played on the Playstation so I appologize if I may lack the knowledge on how this old tech works but I am very eager to get them up and running so I will report in once its done.

AlucarD86 you have nothing to apologise for. Keep asking questions, there are lots of nice people here that will help you out.

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

AlucarD86 you have nothing to apologise for. Keep asking questions, there are lots of nice people here that will help you out.

^This.

We were all newbs once and we all did stupid things and we all asked (seemingly) stupid questions. If one never asks, one will find it a lot harder to learn and to get their retro rigs in working order 🤣 so just keep asking 😁

Okay guys so after reading into on how the Voodoo 2 eaxctly works and after connecting the passthrough cable as shown above I managed to get both cards running up fine in SLI.

this is how I connected them

after connecting them like that I went on and installed the latest Voodoo2 fast drivers 4.6 from Phils website and booted up Expandable. Runs like a charm, only problem now is to keep all cards cool at this hot summer temperature.

Some guys use a spare blank bracket, twist it into a position, then drill two holes and mount a fan ABOVE the cards blowing down on them. Interesting mod.

Pulled from site: http://www.billsworkshop.com/techtips/v2fan_1.html

E: This post was years behind!
Uh, nice Voodoo 2s. Ignore me.

cable ties running from the fans screw holes to the holes in a cards corners works for me, can either be side or rear mounted.

(not V'2s I know but you get the idea)

If you use string or similar you also eliminate vibration noise

oh nice it seems that its very doable with good fans, I will get some arctic fans on the case then. Also for people who have the Matrox M3D it will get very hot during summer I advice that you tape a passive cooler on it.

If you get a "modern" case that has a 120mm fan mount on the side door blowing down cool air right on your expansion cards, then you don't have to bother with fan mods or anything. I have ONE case in my house that does this and it currently houses my older 2010 Windows 7 (now Windows 10) PC for my family to use while I keep the new 2015 Skylake beast for myself.

OP, the best way to make sure you get the cards working in SLi is to do a clean install of windows - I'm recommending this (even if it's a pita) because installing multiple driver versions on win9x can cause issues. Follow the steps:

Install win98se (clean install)
Install directx 8.1 (don't go any higher, the voodoo cards don't like DX9, and don't go any lower, the 5900 won't function correctly in d3d)
Install chipset drivers (if necessary)
Install the 5900 driver
Install the latest 3dfx version of the voodoo 2 driver 3.03? off Falconfly.de - don't bother with custom drivers or the diamond drivers
.....
PROFIT!

The latest version of V2 W9x drivers is 3.02.02.
V2 d3d7 and d3d8 are broken if you install the latest W9x compatible dx9 (Oct 2006 IIRC). D3d8 works through the main videocard even if you select Voodoo2, d3d7 fails wih error.
But I not tested previous dx9 versions.