Software to test Plantronics 320x200x16 feature \ VOGONS

Software to test Plantronics 320x200x16 feature

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First post, by zb10948

Posted on 2024-10-13, 14:25

zb10948 Offline

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I have an XT machine with integrated CGA graphics, that by advertised specs includes Plantronics compatible 320x200x16 and 640x200x4 modes, and an AT&T 6300 640x400x2 mode.

The 640x400 mode works correctly with GEM and other software. I can also see different shades of pixel in GEM with 640x200x4.
But the 320x200x16 mode I can't see working in Planet X3 or Compushow (version 9). It's in 4 shades, so second pixel plane isn't rendered. However that Compushow doesn't run the 640x400 mode correctly, clearly being left in standard CGA 640x200.

Due to that I can't see Compushow as source of truth for my PC anymore, I need some other options.

As my card is not a Colorplus, but built around an integrated video controller, there's maybe some inconsistencies so I want to try any piece of software that deals with these modes. The problem is, on Wikipedia there is a list of supported software from release days, and half of those things I can't find - "Graph Power", "Draftsman", "Videogram", look like simple graphics programs that should do the trick but google isn't helpful.

Reply 1 of 6, by Grzyb

Posted on 2024-10-13, 14:42

Grzyb Offline

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MODETEST from Pizazz Plus 2.0

The attachment modetest_000.png is no longer available

Kiełbasa smakuje najlepiej, gdy przysmażysz ją laserem!

Reply 2 of 6, by wbahnassi

Posted on 2024-10-13, 15:42

wbahnassi Offline

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HaloPaint 3 should work too. It has a myriad of graphics modes to choose from.

Turbo XT 12MHz, 8-bit VGA, Dual 360K drives
Intel 386 DX-33, Speedstar 24X, SB 1.5, 1x CD
Intel 486 DX2-66, CL5428 VLB, SBPro 2, 2x CD
Intel Pentium 90, Matrox Millenium 2, SB16, 4x CD
HP Z400, Xeon 3.46GHz, YMF-744, Voodoo3, RTX2080Ti

Reply 3 of 6, by zb10948

Posted on 2024-10-13, 19:37

zb10948 Offline

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Good tips, that tool looks good enough for initial test. I'll get a serial mouse in a day or two and then I can test drawing tools too.

The internet archive is currently down - does anyone have that MODETEST zip to attach here? Thanks in advance

Edit : nevermind found it.

Reply 4 of 6, by zb10948

Posted on 2024-10-13, 20:36

zb10948 Offline

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In last attachment pic there is proof that machine can deal with at least one Plantronics mode, and consequently it is the only working example of these modes on this machine. Nothing else works.

There are clearly shades of green between greenest and black pixel, and it's clearly a 640x200 mode.

After inspecting the GEM driver whose source is available I saw there is nothing special being performed to engage the mode. I've also contacted the driver author and he has also told me there is nothing special about it, all is as documented.

One thing user can check to see if Plant is available is to try switching banks via the register. The bank switch does not work on my machine. If I write to second 16K, I don't get those values in first 16K addr if I page switch. On my machine the latter 16K is active all the time, regardless of the mode. But usually software doesn't bank switch, it just writes to second memory bank. In case of GEM, that works correctly, in case of others, and my own tests in C, it doesn't. GEM is written in A86. I'm really perplexed by this.

Reply 5 of 6, by zb10948

Posted on 2024-10-14, 13:15

zb10948 Offline

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wbahnassi wrote on 2024-10-13, 15:42:

HaloPaint 3 should work too. It has a myriad of graphics modes to choose from.

If that's Dr.Halo 3, it doesn't have Plantronics in the selection menu.
I'll open another thread for programming advice. If someone has another tip for graphics software that works with Plant, feel free to shout.

Reply 6 of 6, by wbahnassi

Posted on 2024-10-14, 13:39

wbahnassi Offline

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I believe the modes are behind the graphics card's option that supports them. Here is my Dr.Halo's graphics card menu if it is any different than yours.

Don't mind the red arrow in the photo, that was meant for the 8-bit guy's video.

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