Digital Equipment 9FX Vision 330 User manual

9FXVision330(PCI)Graphics Option
Owner’sGuide
Part Number: EK-V330G-OG. B01
April 1996
This guide describes the installation of the 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics
Option on Digital AlphaServer and workstation products.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

April 1996
FCC ID:JF9-GXETRIOPCI
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this
publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication
imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
FCC NOTICE: This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy. It has been type tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart G of Part 15
of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such radio and television interference in
a residential installation.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio and television reception, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1996 All rights reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: AlphaServer, DECwindows, Digital, Digital
UNIX, OpenVMS, and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
9FX Vision is a registered trademark of Number Nine Visual Technology Corporation. Windows NT is a trademark
of Microsoft Corporation. Motif is a registered trademark of Open Software Foundation, Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
S3221

iii
Contents
1 Overview
Introduction..........................................................................................................................1–1
Module Description..............................................................................................................1–1
2 Installation
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2–1
Unpacking............................................................................................................................2–1
Windows NT Installation .....................................................................................................2–1
Changing Windows NT Display Characteristics ............................................................2–3
Custom Windows NT Installation..................................................................................2–3
Digital UNIX Installation.....................................................................................................2–5
New Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 Installation ........................................................................2–6
Digital UNIX Upgraded to V3.2d-1 with Another Graphics Option Installed.................2–6
Changing Digital UNIX Display Characteristics............................................................2–7
OpenVMS Alpha Installation ...............................................................................................2–8
Changing OpenVMS Alpha Display Characteristics......................................................2–9
Hardware Installation.........................................................................................................2–10

v
Preface
Purpose of This Guide
This guide describes how to install the 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics
Option in your computer system.
Who Should Use This Guide
This guide is intended for anyone who has purchased the 9FX Vision 330
(PCI) Graphics Option, either already installed or as an add-on.
Structure of This Guide
This guide is organized as follows:
••Chapter 1, Overview-Provides an overview of the 9FX Vision 330
(PCI) Graphics Option.
••Chapter 2, Installation-Describes how to install the 9FX Vision 330
(PCI) Graphics Option in your Digital AlphaServer or workstation
running Windows NT, Digital UNIX, or OpenVMS Alpha.
Conventions Used in This Guide
In this guide, every use of Windows NT means the Windows NT operating
system, every use of Digital UNIX means the Digital UNIX operating
system, and every use of OpenVMS Alpha means the OpenVMS Alpha
operating system.

vi
This guide also uses the following conventions:
Convention Meaning
Note A note calls the reader’s attention to any item of
information that may be of special importance.
Caution A caution contains information essential to avoid
damage to the equipment.
italic type Italic type indicates complete titles of manuals.
bold type Bold type indicates text that is highlighted for emphasis.
monospaced In text, this typeface indicates the exact name of a
command, routine, partition, pathname, directory, or
file.
Reader’s Comments
Digital welcomes your comments on this or any other manual. You can
send your comments to Digital in the following ways:
•Internet electronic mail to: [email protected]
•Mail:
Digital Equipment Corporation
Shared Engineering Services
PKO3-2/29K
129 Parker Street
Maynard, MA 01754-2199

9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 1–1
1
Overview
Introduction
This chapter provides a brief overview of the 9FX Vision 330 (PCI)
Graphics Option.
Module Description
The 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option accelerator module is a single
expansion-slot, 64-bit PCI bus graphics option, for use in Digital’s
AlphaServer 2000/2100 and 400/1000 systems, and 200 4/100, 200 4/166,
and 255 4/233 workstations.
The option contains 1 MB of DRAM video memory for use with Digital’s
AlphaServer systems and 2 MB of DRAM video memory for use with
Digital’s workstations.

9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–1
2
Installation
Introduction
This chapter describes the installation of the 9FX Vision 330 (PCI)
Graphics Option in your Digital AlphaServer or workstation system. Topics
included in this chapter are:
•Unpacking
•Windows NT installation
•Digital UNIX installation
•OpenVMS Alpha installation
•Hardware installation
Unpacking
The graphics option hardware is packaged in a single carton that contains
the graphics option and an owner’s guide.
Windows NT Installation
Windows NT Version 3.51 (minimum version) already includes the
graphics driver required by the Vision 330 graphics option.
If you have purchased a Digital AlphaServer system or a workstation that
already has the Vision 330 graphics option installed, you do not need to
take further action.

Installation
2–2 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option
_____________________Note ______________________
If a graphics option other than the Vision 330 was previously
operating in the system, keep that option installed while
changing over to the Vision 330 option driver. If the previously
installed graphics option is not available or it is not operational,
reinstall Windows NT by using the procedure described in the
“Custom Windows NT Installation” section of this guide.
________________________________________________
If you have purchased the Vision 330 graphics option as an add-on, or you
have chosen not to use the factory-installed software, install the Vision 330
graphics driver by performing the following steps:
1. From the Main menu, select the Control Panel option.
2. In Control Panel, click on the Display option.
3. In the Display Settings dialog box, click on the Change Display Type
button. The Display Type dialog box lists information about the current
driver.
4. In the Adapter Type dialog box, click on the Change button. The
Select Device dialog box shows a list of current devices.
5. Insert the Windows NT installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive
unit.
6. In the Select Device dialog box, click on the S3 Graphics Option
button.
7. In the Install From Disk dialog box, enter the CD-ROM drive device
name and then click on the OK button.
8. From the list of software contained on the CD-ROM, select the S3
compatible video driver.
9. In the Select Device dialog box, click on the Install button.
10. In the Installing Driver dialog box, click on the Yes button.
11. Click on the Restart now button to start the system shutdown and
reboot process.
12. When the display goes to the ARC Multiboot blue screen, you can
remove power from your computer system and install the Vision 330
graphics option as described in the “Hardware Installation” section.

Installation
9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–3
13. When the system reboots, the graphics driver is loaded and the Vision
330 graphics option comes up in the 640 x 480 default mode.
Changing Windows NT Display Characteristics
The resolutions supported by Windows NT are as follows:
Resolution Colors Display Frequency
(Hz)
640 x 480 16, 256, 65,536 60, 72
800 x 600 16, 256, 65,536 60, 72
1024 x 768 16, 256, 65,536 60, 70, 72
1280 x 1024*16, 256, 65,536 60, 70
To change the display resolution and refresh rate from the Windows NT
Control Panel, perform the following steps:
1. Double click on the Display icon in the Control Panel dialog box and
go through the following process:
List modes
Select a mode
TEST
The testing operation confirms that the monitor properly synchronizes
in the selected mode. If the monitor synchronizes, but the display
appears geometrically distorted, you must adjust the monitor geometry
controls after rebooting.
2. If the test bitmap was properly displayed, continue to respond
affirmatively to the dialog boxes, and when prompted, click on the
Restart now button to reboot.
3. When rebooted, the new display characteristics are loaded and the
Vision 330 graphics option comes up in the new display mode.
Custom Windows NT Installation
If the previously installed graphics option is not available or it is not
operational, you must reinstall Windows NT.
*Available only for the 2 MB version of the graphics option.

Installation
2–4 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option
Install the Vision 330 graphics option as described in the “Hardware
Installation” section and then perform the following steps:
1. From the ARC Multiboot blue screen menu, select Supplementary
Menu.
2. Select Install Windows NT from CD-ROM.
3. Within the Windows NT Workstation Setup process, the system queries
for either Express Setup or Custom Setup installation. Select Cfor
custom installation. If you encounter difficulty, refer to the Windows
NT installation guide for help.
4. Early in the Custom Setup process, the program queries for either a
New Version or an Upgrade. Select Nfor new version.
5. A list of hardware and software components is displayed. From the
menu, select the desired display.
6. Insert the Windows NT installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive
unit.
7. When queried, select the S3 compatible video driver option and press
Return.
8. Press Return again to continue, and follow the Windows NT
installation process instructions.
_____________________Note ______________________
Near the end of the first half of the Windows NT Setup process,
an automatic reboot is invoked. Setup then continues in graphics
mode. If you experience any difficulty, refer to the Windows NT
installation guide for help.
________________________________________________
9. Near the end of the last half of the Windows NT Setup process (after
the point where the system clock is set), a dialog box appears
acknowledging the presence of the Vision 330 graphics option. Click
on the OK button to proceed and then select the List all modes ...
option.
10. Set up a new default display mode as instructed in the “Changing
Windows NT Display Characteristics” section.
11. When Windows NT reboots, the new display characteristics are loaded
and the Vision 330 graphics option comes up in the selected display
mode.

Installation
9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–5
Digital UNIX Installation
Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 (minimum version) already includes the display
driver software required by the Vision 330 graphics option.
If you have purchased a Digital AlphaServer system or a workstation that
already has the Vision 330 graphics option installed, and you choose to use
the factory-installed software, you do not need to take further action.
If you have purchased the Vision 330 graphics option as an add-on, or you
have chosen not to use the factory-installed software and you choose to do a
new Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 installation, you need to install Digital UNIX
V3.2d-1 as described in the “New Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 Installation”
section. Refer to the Digital UNIX Installation Guide for additional
information.
If you have purchased the Vision 330 graphics option as an add-on, and
your system is currently running Digital UNIX V3.2d-1, which was
upgraded to that version while a graphics option other than the Vision 330
was installed, you need to install the Vision 330 driver software. You install
the driver software from the Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 installation CD-ROM as
described in the “
Digital UNIX Upgraded to V3.2d-1 with Another Graphics Option
Installed” section.
Optionally, you can change the resolution of the graphics option as
described in the “
Changing Digital UNIX Display Characteristics” section.
_____________________ Note ______________________
When the Digital UNIX system is powered on, the Vision 330
graphics option runs in VGA text mode as a terminal device. If
a graphics option other than the Vision 330 was previously
running on the system, X/Motif cannot be started until the
operating system kernel has been reconfigured.
________________________________________________

Installation
2–6 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option
New Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 Installation
Install the Vision 330 graphics option as described in the “Hardware
Installation” section and then perform the following steps:
1. Shut down your Digital UNIX system to the SRM console prompt
(>>>).
2. Insert the Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 CD-ROM into the system CD-ROM
drive unit.
3. Boot the CD-ROM that contains Digital UNIX V3.2d-1.
4. Refer to your Digital UNIX Installation Guide and complete the
V3.2d-1 installation.
Digital UNIX Upgraded to V3.2d-1 with Another
Graphics Option Installed
Install the Vision 330 graphics option as described in the “Hardware
Installation” section and then perform the following steps:
1. Insert the Digital UNIX V3.2d-1 or greater CD-ROM into the system
CD-ROM drive unit.
2. From the appropriate drive, boot the system disk file genvmunix to
single-user mode:
>>> set boot_osflags " "
>>> boot -file genvmunix dka0

Installation
9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–7
3. Using the appropriate device name, mount the Digital UNIX
installation CD-ROM, install the driver software, and rebuild the
kernel:
#/sbin/bcheckrc
#mount -r /dev/rz6c /mnt
#setld -l /mnt/ALPHA/BASE/OSFSERPCI360
#doconfig -c
#cp /sys/hostname/vmunix /vmunix
#halt
4. Using the appropriate device, reset the SRM console target boot device
to multiuser mode and boot:
>>> set boot_osflags A
>>> boot dka0
5. Upon rebooting, the operating system automatically detects the
presence of the Vision 330 graphics option and defaults to the
1024 x 768, 70 Hz display resolution mode.
Changing Digital UNIX Display Characteristics
Digital UNIX supports 256 colors and resolutions as follows:
Resolution Frequency (Hz) Pixel Frequency
(MHz)
640 x 480 60, 72 25.18, 31.5
800 x 600 60, 72 40, 50
1024 x 768 60, 70, 72 65, 75, 74.37
1280 x 1024 60, 66, 72 110.16, 119, 131

Installation
2–8 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option
To change to any of the other supported resolution and refresh modes,
perform the following steps:
1. Change directory to /var/X11/xdm:
#cd /var/X11/xdm
2. Change the mode of Xservers:
#chmod +w Xservers
3. Edit the file Xservers:
#vi Xservers
4. At the end of the line that reads:
:0 local /usr/bin/X11/X -nice ..
Append the command line switches that correspond to the resolution
and vsync (vertical synchronization) desired from the table. For
example, 1024 x 768 at 70 Hz would be:
:0 local /usr/bin/X11/X -nice -screen0 1024 -vsync 70
5. When the editing is complete, save the file and perform a shutdown
with automatic reboot to affect the changes:
#shutdown -r now
OpenVMS Alpha Installation
OpenVMS Alpha Version 6.2-1H1 or 6.2-1H2 (minimum version) already
includes the driver software required by the Vision 330 graphics option.
If you have purchased a Digital AlphaServer system or a workstation that
already has the Vision 330 graphics option installed, and you choose to use
the factory-installed software, you do not need to take further action.
However, you can change the display resolution and vertical
synchronization frequency.

Installation
9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–9
Changing OpenVMS Alpha Display Characteristics
OpenVMS Alpha supports 256 colors and resolutions as follows:
Resolution Frequency (Hz) Pixel Frequency
(MHz)
640 x 480 60, 72 25.18, 31.5
800 x 600 60, 72 40, 50
1024 x 768 60, 70, 72 65, 75, 74.37
1280 x 1024 60, 66, 72 110.16, 119, 131
_____________________ Note ______________________
Although the 640 x 480 and 800 x 600 resolutions are available,
Digital does not recommend their use because many X11/Motif
applications make assumptions about minimum screen size.
________________________________________________
To change to any of the other supported resolution and refresh modes,
perform the following steps:
1. Copy the DECwindows server setup template to a command file:
$ COPY SYS$MANAGER: -
_$ DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.TEMPLATE -
_$ SYS$MANAGER:DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.COM
2. Edit the file SYS$MANAGER:DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.COM
to add the following lines in the Cluster Common or Standalone
Workstation Setup area of the file, along with the other setup options:
DECW$XSIZE_IN_PIXELS == 1024
DECW$YSIZE_IN_PIXELS == 768
DEFINE/SYSTEM DECW$SERVER_REFRESH_RATE 70
3. Invoke the shutdown and reboot process:
$ @SYS$SYSTEM:SHUTDOWN
4. Continue to use the defaults until prompted to reboot and then type Yto
reboot.

Installation
2–10 9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option
5. During reboot of OpenVMS Alpha, the new characteristics are loaded
and the Vision 330 graphics option comes up in the selected display
mode.
_____________________Note ______________________
During reboot, the system display may dim momentarily. This
condition corrects itself when the DECwindows server comes
up.
________________________________________________
Hardware Installation
The following section describes how to install the 9FX Vision 330 (PCI)
Graphics Option. To install the graphics option, perform the following
steps:
_____________________Note ______________________
Before installing the graphics option, check your monitor
specification for signal compatibility and supported features
offered by the graphics option.
________________________________________________
___________________ Caution _____________________
Static electricity can damage sensitive electronic components.
When handling your graphics option, use an antistatic wriststrap
that is connected to a grounded surface on your computer
system.
________________________________________________
1. Remove power from your computer system and disconnect the monitor
cable.
2. Remove the cover from your computer (refer to your system
documentation).
3. If your computer has an existing graphics module, remove the hardware
that secures it and then remove the module.
4. If your system had a previously installed graphics option, you can use
that slot if it is a PCI bus, or you can select any empty PCI expansion
slot. Remove the slot cover if you are using a new slot.

Installation
9FX Vision 330 (PCI) Graphics Option 2–11
_____________________ Note ______________________
For the Windows NT operating system, you must install the
graphics option in a slot that is located in front of the PCI-to-PCI
bridge. Refer to your system owner’s guide for information about
graphics option slots.
________________________________________________
5. Grasp the top edge of the graphics option and carefully insert it into the
slot, then firmly seat it.
6. Secure the module retaining bracket.
7. Replace the computer cover.
8. Ensure that the monitor cable is connected to the video output
connector located on the back of the graphics option.