DVI graphics cards for Windows 3.1x \ VOGONS

DVI graphics cards for Windows 3.1x

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First post, by rubenerd

Posted on 2016-06-16, 12:32

rubenerd Offline

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Hey guys, before I pour tons of hours into researching this, does anyone remember if there was ever a DVI graphics card with Windows 3.1x drivers? Or did DVI come too late?

Basically the desk in my tiny new apartment can't fit two sets of peripherals 😢 , so looking to build a KVM setup. If I could get a DVI card for this old Pentium 3.1x/95 tower, I could have it on the same unit as all my other machines.

I learned the hard way DVI KVMs universally use DVI-D, so passive DVI to VGA passthrough adaptors won't work. It's a real shame, I have the keyboard and mouse working with a ton of adaptors.

Reply 1 of 12, by nforce4max

Posted on 2016-06-16, 14:00

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I don't think that anyone has brought this up before but I have my doubts as the support for 3.1 stopped sometime around the TNT2 and Voodoo 3 era.

On a far away planet reading your posts in the year 10,191.

Reply 2 of 12, by keenerb

Posted on 2016-06-16, 14:26

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Don't some cards with VGA/KVM mirror both interfaces by default?

If so, maybe a generic VGA/VESA driver might work?

Reply 3 of 12, by vetz

Posted on 2016-06-16, 15:20

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S3 Savage4

61026w31.zip 560k 2000 Jul 24 S3 Windows 3.1 display driver v.6.10.26 6/13/00 for Savage4 (DeviceID 8A22)

51mECqnuZ1L._SX355_.jpg

NB! AGP card! Must it be PCI?

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Reply 4 of 12, by happycube

Posted on 2016-06-16, 15:28

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There are affordable VGA->HDMI converters that should work with any card, but I don't know if they work with LCD monitors and/or can even be made not to do scaling.

Reply 5 of 12, by vetz

Posted on 2016-06-16, 15:33

vetz Offline

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TNT2 is also an option. Came primarily with AGP DVI, but it has the drivers.

PCI option also available, but hard to find:

GB Riva TnT Pro (Gateway Wallace AGP DVI-Out) CT5828

Last edited by vetz on 2016-06-16, 15:42. Edited 4 times in total.

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Reply 6 of 12, by candle_86

Posted on 2016-06-16, 15:35

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actually really easy, get an active VGA to DVI adapter, they exist. The only catch is they need power usually provided by USB, so you will need to hook the USB portion up to a USB port possibly with a USB Extension cable

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE- … r/dp/B00C93JQXS

Here is one I have used. You can put that on the back of the KVM and your good to go. The Active part means it will convert the signal between analog and digital itself.

Reply 7 of 12, by happycube

Posted on 2016-06-17, 01:57

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That adapter converts DVI-D into VGA, which is the wrong direction in this case...

Reply 8 of 12, by candle_86

Posted on 2016-06-17, 02:16

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happycube wrote:
That adapter converts DVI-D into VGA, which is the wrong direction in this case...

Should work both directions

Reply 9 of 12, by NJRoadfan

Posted on 2016-06-17, 11:24

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Most Matrox G400 cards support a DVI output daughter card. They have full Windows 3.1x drivers with on the fly resolution switching. I can confirm the DVI output works with the drivers as well.

Reply 10 of 12, by vetz

Posted on 2016-06-17, 11:56

vetz Offline

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NJRoadfan wrote:
Most Matrox G400 cards support a DVI output daughter card. They have full Windows 3.1x drivers with on the fly resolution switching. I can confirm the DVI output works with the drivers as well.

I haven't got the DVI working in DOS mode with the Matrox cards. Only Windows.

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Reply 11 of 12, by NJRoadfan

Posted on 2016-06-17, 12:33

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Odd, mine always worked fine in DOS with the DVI board. Its a Matrox Marvel G400TV card with the DVI daughter card FWIW. Matrox did release a DOS BIOS update for these that I might have flashed a long time ago. If I recall, it addressed DOS support for the TV output, who knows it might have fixed the DVI output too.

Reply 12 of 12, by swaaye

Posted on 2016-06-17, 16:55

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Old DVI cards tend to be picky about monitor compatibility and it can manifest in various ways.

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