From: Jean Liddle (jliddle@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu)
Date: 01/06/93


From: jliddle@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Jean Liddle)
Subject: Re: need Xconfig for Diamond Speedstar
Date: 7 Jan 1993 00:26:57 GMT

In article <1ifihpINNmfk@matt.ksu.ksu.edu> probreak@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (James Michael Chacon) writes:
>Alex Kambis <kambis@asdsun.larc.nasa.gov> writes:
>
>Sorry to have to tell you this, but as far as I know the Diamond Speedstar
>is not supported. Nor, will it ever be supported in XFree86 because of
>the way diamond acts about releasing specs.
>

Not supported =/= cannot run. But essentially correct - as long as
DS requires a non-disclosure agreement before release specs, no one writing
free software is likely to support it, unless someone announces how it
is done (but not in violation of the non-disclosure agreement) ...

>I haven't heard any success stories about running one, so I'm not
>real sure if it will. With the variable dot clocks, X can't seem to lock
>down the screen correctly.
>

<sigh>

This really needs to become a FAQ if it isn't one already (haven't
checked the FAQ for about 2 months or so ...)

1. Diamond Speedstars with variable clocks CAN run X.
   -640x480x256 usin standard clocks
   -1024x768x256 or higher using one of the cludges which has been
    mentioned several times before. The one I use is ...

   a) Boot up DOS and run vmode to set card for monitor (I use the fastest
      resultions possible).
   b) Boot up linux (warm boot!) in a text mode which leaves the clock - or
      puts the clock - in the appropriate speed. For me, 80x25 or 80x50
      works, the others do not.
   c) use xclk to generate timings ... I use a clockspeed of 80MHz, which
      works quite nicely for 1148x846x256colors.
   d) put these timings in your Xconfig file as per the docs/FAQs, and
      start X-Windows.
   WARNING: Be sure to respect your Monitors Specs and Limitations, or, like
   a freind of mine who disregarded them in the interest of higher resolution,
   you will fry your monitor. Ah, the price of freedom and flexibility ...

Hope this helps some,

Jean.

-- 
Jean Liddle                                 
Computer Science, Illinois State University  
e-mail:  jliddle@ilstu.edu                  
============================================