If it has 4mb RAM, it should work up to 80Hz refresh rate. Try lowering refresh rate - to 60Hz for start.

elfuego wrote:

If it has 4mb RAM, it should work up to 80Hz refresh rate. Try lowering refresh rate - to 60Hz for start.

It does have 4MB, and I have only tried it at 60 Hz.

Tried with different graphic drivers? Both the Monitor specific and Generic PnP Monitor drivers?

Try 75 Hz 😀

filipetolhuizen wrote:

Tried with different graphic drivers? Both the Monitor specific and Generic PnP Monitor drivers?

I don't have a specific driver for my monitor. It's a Sun Microsystems X7200A.

elfuego wrote:

Try 75 Hz 😀

I've tried every combination I can think of, even 256 colors, but I keep getting that out of range problem.

Which software are you using to switch to the 1600x1200 modes?

a usual way to fix this is:
Install Powerstrip 2.78 f.e.
read out EDID info of monitor or enter a manual monitor setting.
Save as monitor driver inf and replace the monitor driver with your custom one.

You can edit this inf to allow only 75 Hz f.e.

alternatively just grab one of the SVGA inf settings from the predefined windows monitors and edit a copy of it.

And it could as well be that the S3 driver brings an refresh rate tool tab or utility.
(wasn't there something called S3_Refresh.exe ?)

elianda wrote:

a usual way to fix this is: Install Powerstrip 2.78 f.e. read out EDID info of monitor or enter a manual monitor setting. Save a […]
Show full quote

a usual way to fix this is:
Install Powerstrip 2.78 f.e.
read out EDID info of monitor or enter a manual monitor setting.
Save as monitor driver inf and replace the monitor driver with your custom one.

You can edit this inf to allow only 75 Hz f.e.

alternatively just grab one of the SVGA inf settings from the predefined windows monitors and edit a copy of it.

And it could as well be that the S3 driver brings an refresh rate tool tab or utility.
(wasn't there something called S3_Refresh.exe ?)

Well, I seem to have found the problem: Screenshot

Note that I took that shot while the display was out of range. I've been trying to set it so that it only uses 60 Hz using PowerStrip 2.78, but haven't had any luck. It can't detect any EDID info, and I can't find the option to save a monitor driver inf.

In your screenshot the pixel clock shows ~135 MHz, but Virge/VX should manage up to 220 MHz.
Are you sure your cards are really Virge/VX (86C988) and not the original Virge (86C325)?

dont forget on old monitors sometimes the highest resolution was only available interlaced
could that be the problem
(edit: didnt realize the monitor is a modern lcd)

also seems at 1600 the refresh should be set to 47hz

edit 2: seems to be 1600x1200@60 Hz according to the specs

5u3 wrote:

In your screenshot the pixel clock shows ~135 MHz, but Virge/VX should manage up to 220 MHz.
Are you sure your cards are really Virge/VX (86C988) and not the original Virge (86C325)?

It sure looks like a Virge/VX: Picture

OK, I've made some tests with my Virge cards to see if I could get a 1600x1200 display from them (never tried this before, got curious).
To keep things simple, I've run the PC Player Benchmark under DOS.

Hardware involved:
- 486 PC
- Three S3 Virge cards (325, 375, 385). Couldn't find a VX unfortunately.
- VGA splitter
- Two 1600x1200 TFT monitors (IBM L200p, HP2065)
- One CRT monitor (Sony 15sf II)

Results:
None of the TFTs could display 1600x1200x8bit, while at the same time it works on the CRT.
Similar problems with other modes (1152x864, 1280x960, at least at some bitdepths.)

There seems to be something special about the Virge series that makes TFT monitors barf at high resolutions.

Just tested with my GX2. 1600x1200 works in both 16bit and 8 bit colors on my Samsung SyncMaster 204B 1600x1200 monitor. I'll test with my DX as well.

My DX fails at 1600x1200, just as 5u3 and someperson42 reports.

Can add that the GX2 didn't exactly have the best 1600x1200 image quality.

I will check with the grabber card what timing it reports at 1600x1200. Maybe tomorrow...

So is there anything I can do?

So the S3 Virge shows in WinXP max. 1600x1200 at 48Hz interlaced (measured 49.1 Hz).
S3 Virge DX shows 1600x1200x8 at 60 Hz (measured 60.5 Hz) and 48 Hz interlaced.

In DOS it probably chooses the 48 Hz interlaced mode unless forced to 60 Hz otherwise. I haven't tested this in DOS though.
But since the TFT fails...

someperson42 wrote:

So is there anything I can do?

Either replace the card or just run in 1280x1024. After what I saw from the GX2 in 1600x1200 I would personally not run at that resolution and I don't think the VX is any better if you get it working.

vetz wrote:

Either replace the card or just run in 1280x1024. After what I saw from the GX2 in 1600x1200 I would personally not run at that resolution and I don't think the VX is any better if you get it working.

1280x1024 is 5:4 though. What card would make a good replacement? I don't have AGP here and want good DOS compatibility.