diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'README.ati.sgml')
| -rw-r--r-- | README.ati.sgml | 634 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 634 deletions
diff --git a/README.ati.sgml b/README.ati.sgml deleted file mode 100644 index ed18393..0000000 --- a/README.ati.sgml +++ /dev/null @@ -1,634 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE linuxdoc PUBLIC "-//Xorg//DTD linuxdoc//EN"[ -<!ENTITY % defs SYSTEM "defs.ent"> %defs; -]> - -<article> - -<!-- Title information --> - -<title>ATI Adapters README file -<author>Marc Aurele La France -<date>2002 February 12 - - - - - -<ident> -$Id$ -Based on XFree86: xc/programs/Xserver/hw/xfree86/doc/sgml/ati.sgml,v 3.42 2003/01/20 03:43:07 dawes Exp -</ident> - -<abstract> -This is the README for the XAA ATI driver included in this release. -</abstract> - -<!-- Table of contents --> -<toc> - -<!-- Begin the document --> - -<sect>Statement of intent<p> -Generally speaking, the driver is intended for all ATI video adapters, -providing maximum video function within hardware limitations. -The driver is also intended to optionally provide the same level of support for -generic VGA or 8514/A adapters. -This driver is still being actively developed, meaning that it currently does -not yet fully meet these goals.<p> -The driver will provide -<itemize> -<item>accelerated support if an ATI accelerator is detected <it>and</it> the -user has not requested that this support be disabled; otherwise -<item>accelerated support if a non-ATI 8514/A-capable adapter is detected -<it>and</it> the user has requested such support; otherwise -<item>unaccelerated SuperVGA support if an ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected; -otherwise -<item>generic VGA support if a non-ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected -<it>and</it> the user has requested such support. -</itemize> -Thus, the level of support provided not only depends on what the driver detects -in the system, but also, on what the user specifies in the xorg.conf file. -See the <bf>``xorg.conf specifications''</bf> section below for details.<p> -If none of the above conditions are met, the ATI driver will essentially -disable itself to allow other drivers to examine the system.<p> -Note that I am currently considering removing the driver's support for generic -VGA. -If you have any concerns about this, please contact me at -<email>tsi@xfree86.org</email>. -<sect>A note on acceleration<p> -The meaning of ``acceleration'', as used in this document, needs to be -clarified. -Two of the many components in an accelerator are the CRT controller (CRTC) and -the Draw Engine. -This is in addition to another CRTC that, generally, is also present in the -system (often in the same chip) and typically provides EGA, VGA or SuperVGA -functionality.<p> -A CRTC is the component of a graphics controller that is responsible for -reading video memory for output to the screen. -A Draw Engine is an accelerator component that can be programmed to manipulate -video memory contents, thus freeing the CPU for other tasks.<p> -When the VGA CRTC is used, all drawing operations into video memory are the -responsibility of the system's CPU, i.e. no Draw Engine can be used. -On the other hand, if the accelerator's CRTC is chosen to drive the screen, -the Draw Engine can also be used for drawing operations, although the CPU can -still be used for this purpose if it can access the accelerator's video -memory.<p> -Video acceleration refers to the programming of an accelerator's Draw Engine to -offload drawing operations from the CPU, and thus also implies the use of the -accelerator's CRTC.<p> -<sect>Current implementation for ATI adapters<p> -The driver currently supports the SuperVGA capabilities of all ATI adapters -except some early Mach8 and Mach32 adapters that do not provide the required -functionality. -This support works for monochrome, 16-colour and 256-colour video modes, if one -of the following ATI graphics controller chips is present: -<verb> -VGAWonder series: 18800, 18800-1, 28800-2, 28800-4, 28800-5, 28800-6 - Mach32 series: 68800-3, 68800-6, 68800AX, 68800LX - Mach64 series: 88800GX-C, 88800GX-D, 88800GX-E, 88800GX-F, 88800CX, - 264CT, 264ET, 264VT, 264GT (3D Rage), 264VT-B, 264VT3, - 264VT4, 264GT-B (3D Rage II), 3D Rage IIc, 3D Rage Pro, - 3D Rage LT, 3D Rage LT Pro, 3D Rage XL, 3D Rage XC, - 3D Rage Mobility (including the -M and -P variants)</verb> -The driver also supports 32K, 64K and 16M-colour modes on the 264xT and 3D Rage -series of adapters using the accelerator CRTC (but not the VGA CRTC).<p> -The newer Rage 128 and Radeon chips are not yet supported by this driver. -Rage 128's and Radeon's are, however, supported by separate drivers, and -owners of such adapters should consult the documentation provided with these -drivers. -This driver will also invoke the appropriate driver if it finds Rage 128 and/or -Radeon adapter(s) in the system.<p> -Adapters based on the above chips have been marketed under a rather large -number of names over the years. -Among them are: -<verb> -VGAWonder series: VGAWonder V3, VGAWonder V4, VGAWonder V5, VGAWonder+, - VGAWonder XL, VGAWonder XL24, VGAWonder VLB, VGA Basic, - VGA Basic 16, VGA Edge, VGA Edge 16, VGA Integra, - VGA Charger, VGAStereo F/X, VGA 640, VGA 800, VGA 1024, - VGA 1024D, VGA 1024 XL, VGA 1024 DXL, VGA 1024 VLB - Mach8 series: Graphics Ultra, Graphics Vantage, VGAWonder GT - (None of the 8514/Ultra and 8514 Vantage series is - supported at this time) - Mach32 series: Graphics Ultra+, Graphics Ultra Pro, Graphics Wonder, - Graphics Ultra XLR, Graphics Ultra AXO, VLB mach32-D, - PCI mach32-D, ISA mach32 - Mach64 series: Graphics Xpression, Graphics Pro Turbo, WinBoost, - WinTurbo, Graphics Pro Turbo 1600, Video Xpression, - 3D Xpression, Video Xpression+, 3D Xpression+, - 3D Charger, Video Charger, WinCharger, All-In-Wonder, - All-In-Wonder PRO, 3D Pro Turbo, XPERT@Play, - XPERT@Play 98, XPERT@Work, XPERT 98, XPERT LCD, - XPERT XL</verb> -Also, a number of mainboards, laptops and notebooks harbour a Mach32 or Mach64 -controller.<p> -VGAWonder, Mach8 and Mach32 ISA adapters are available with or without a -mouse.<p> -These adapters are available with a variety of clock generators and RAMDACs. -The 264xT and 3D Rage series of chips are integrated controllers, meaning that -they include a programmable clock generator and a RAMDAC.<p> -For all but Mach64 adapters, this driver still does not provide support for -accelerated drawing to the screen. -This means that all drawing is done by the CPU, rather than by any accelerator -present in the system. -This can make opaque moves, for example, quite ``jerky''. -Also, given that IBM 8514/A and ATI Mach8 do not allow CPU access to their -frame buffer, the driver will currently ignore these accelerators. -Most Mach32 adapters provide both accelerated function and SuperVGA -functionality, but the driver currently only uses the VGA.<p> -The driver <it>does</it> however support the accelerator CRTC present in all -ATI Mach64 adapters. -For 256-colour, and higher depth modes, this support will be used by default, -although an xorg.conf option can be specified to use the SuperVGA CRTC -instead. -A linear video memory aperture is also available in 256-colour and higher depth -modes and enabled by default if a 264xT or 3D Rage controller is detected or, -on 88800 controllers, if the accelerator CRTC is used. -xorg.conf options are available to disable this aperture, or (for non-PCI -adapters) enable it or move it to some other address.<p> -By default, the driver provides some acceleration for Mach64 if the accelerator -CRTC is used, and modes whose colour depth greater than or equal to 8 are to be -used. -This support is as yet incomplete and can be disabled entirely with an -xorg.conf option.<p> -On non-Intel platforms, the driver can, currently, only support PCI Mach64 -adapters.<p> -<sect>Current implementation of generic VGA support for non-ATI adapters<p> -Support for generic VGA with non-ATI adapters is also implemented, but has -undergone only limited testing. -The driver will intentionally disallow the use of this support with ATI -adapters. -This support must be explicitly requested through an xorg.conf ChipSet -specification. -This prevents the current VGA generic driver from being disabled.<p> -This driver's generic VGA support is intended as an extension of that provided -by the current generic driver. -Specifically, within the architectural bounds defined by IBM's VGA standard, -this driver will allow the use of any 256-colour mode, and any dot clock -frequencies both of which allow for many more mode possibilities.<p> -The driver will enforce the following limitations derived from IBM's original -VGA implementation: -<itemize> -<item>There can only be a set of four (non-programmable) clocks to choose from. -<item>Video memory is limited to 256kB in monochrome and 16-colour modes. -<item>Video memory is limited to 64kB in 256-colour modes. -<item>Interlaced modes are not available. -<item>Colour depths higher than 8 are not available. -</itemize> -<sect>xorg.conf specifications<p> -The driver recognises a number of xorg.conf options. -In general, all such options should be specified in a ``Device'' section, and -affect only that ``Device'' section.<p> -Those options that affect how the driver associates adapters with ``Device'' -sections are described first. -The driver will ignore (with a message) a ``Device'' section if the section -cannot be associated with exactly one adapter in the system. -Similarly, the driver will ignore, or disable, (with a message) any adapter -that cannot be associated with exactly one ``Device'' section. -Thus, these options will be required in those uncommon cases where such unique -associations cannot automatically be made by the driver.<p> -Other options affect the driver's operation once an adapter has been assigned -to the ``Device'' section which contains them.<p> -<sect1>Driver ``ati''<p> -The use of this specification is highly recommended if the ``Device'' section -is to be recognised by the driver. -In fact, it is almost (but not quite) mandatory, particularly when using the -loader server as it indicates what driver is to be loaded and associated with -the ``Device'' section.<p> -<sect1>ChipSet ``name''<p> -The default ChipSet name for this driver is ``<it>ati</it>''. -In this case, any ATI adapter can be associated with the ``Device'' section. -If an ATI accelerator is detected and the driver supports it, the accelerator's -CRTC will be used to drive the screen. -Otherwise, the driver will programme the adapter's SuperVGA CRTC.<p> -If ``<it>ativga</it>'' is specified instead, the driver will ignore any ATI -accelerator it detects, but otherwise operate as if ``<it>ati</it>'' had been -specified. -This specification ensures the VGA CRTC is used.<p> -A ChipSet name of ``<it>ibmvga</it>'' causes any VGA-capable adapter in the -system to be associated with the ``Device'' section. -It enables the driver's generic VGA support, but only for non-ATI adapters. -If an ATI adapter is associated with the ``Device'' section, the driver will -operate as if ``<it>ativga</it>'' had been specified instead.<p> -A ChipSet name of ``<it>vgawonder</it>'' is equivalent to ``<it>ativga</it>'', -except that only VGAWonder-capable adapters can be assigned to the ``Device'' -section. -This specifically excludes the newer integrated Mach64 controllers.<p> -In some PCI or AGP systems, the driver will not, by default, probe for non-PCI -Mach32's or Mach64's. -This is because, before doing any such probe, the driver attempts to determine -if the probe can cause a lockup. -If the driver has enough information to determine that a lockup would occur, it -will skip the probe. -In some situations, this determination cannot be accurate, and the driver will -err on the side of caution, skipping the probe. -Specifying a ChipSet name of ``<it>mach32</it>'' or ``<it>mach64</it>'', as -appropriate, will force the driver to probe for the non-PCI adapter. -These ChipSet names should, therefore, only be used when there is in fact such -an adapter in the system. -They are otherwise equivalent to ``<it>ati</it>''.<p> -On non-Intel platforms, only ``<it>ati</it>'' and ``<it>mach64</it>'' ChipSet -values are operative.<p> -<sect1>ChipID & ChipRev specifications<p> -These specifications will cause the driver to associate the ``Device'' section -only with an adapter having the same attributes, or an adapter whose PCI device -ID the driver does not recognise. -In the second case, these options cause the driver to treat the adapter as if -it was one with the specified PCI device ID or revision. -ChipID can only be used with Mach32 or Mach64 adapters, and, thus, specifically -excludes any other adapter from matching the ``Device'' section. -ChipRev is meaningful only with Mach64 adapters, and then only if ChipID is -also specified in the same ``Device'' section.<p> -<sect1>IOBase<p> -This option limits the adapters that can be associated with the ``Device'' -section to the one with the specified I/O base. -This option only applies to Mach64 adapters and specifically excludes other -adapters.<p> -<sect1>BusID<p> -This option limits the adapters that can be associated with the ``Device'' -section to the one with the specified PCI Bus ID. -This specification excludes non-PCI adapters.<p> -<sect1>Clocks<p> -For the purpose of specifying a clock line in your xorg.conf, one of four -different situations can occur, as follows.<p> -Those configuring the driver's generic VGA support for a non-ATI adapter, -can skip ahead to the <bf>``Clocks for non-ATI adapters''</bf> section below. -Those <it>not</it> trying to configure the driver for a Mach64 adapter, can -skip ahead to the <bf>``Clocks for fixed clock generators on ATI -adapters''</bf> section below.<p> -The very earliest Mach64 adapters use fixed (i.e. non-programmable) clock -generators. -Very few of these (mostly prototypes) are known to exist, but if you have one -of these, you can also skip ahead to the <bf>``Clocks for fixed clock -generators on ATI adapters''</bf> section below.<p> -The two cases that are left deal with programmable clock generators, which are -used on the great majority of Mach64 adapters.<p> -If you are uncertain which situation applies to your adapter, you can run a -clock probe with the command ``<tt>X -probeonly</tt>''.<p> -<sect2>Clocks for supported programmable clock generators<p> -At bootup, video BIOS initialisation programmes an initial set of frequencies. -Two of these are reserved to allow the setting of modes that do not use a -frequency from this initial set. -One of these reserved slots is used by the BIOS mode set routine, the other by -the particular driver used (e.g. MS-Windows, AutoCAD, X, etc.). -The clock numbers reserved in this way are dependent on the particular clock -generator used by the adapter.<p> -The driver currently supports all programmable clock generators known to exist -on Mach64 adapters. -In this case, the driver will completely ignore any xorg.conf clock -specification, and programme the clock generator as needed by the modes used -during the X session.<p> -<sect2>Clocks for unsupported programmable clock generators<p> -This case is unlikely to occur, but is documented for the sake of -completeness.<p> -In this situation, the driver will probe the adapter for clock frequencies -unless xorg.conf clocks are already specified. -In either case, the driver will then attempt to normalise the clocks to one of -the following specifications: -<verb> -BIOS setting 1: - - Clocks 0.000 110.000 126.000 135.000 50.350 56.640 63.000 72.000 - 0.000 80.000 75.000 65.000 40.000 44.900 49.500 50.000 - 0.000 55.000 63.000 67.500 25.180 28.320 31.500 36.000 - 0.000 40.000 37.500 32.500 20.000 22.450 24.750 25.000</verb> -<verb> -BIOS setting 2: - - Clocks 0.000 110.000 126.000 135.000 25.180 28.320 31.500 36.000 - 0.000 80.000 75.000 65.000 40.000 44.900 49.500 50.000 - 0.000 55.000 63.000 67.500 12.590 14.160 15.750 18.000 - 0.000 40.000 37.500 32.500 20.000 22.450 24.750 25.000</verb> -<verb> -BIOS setting 3: - - Clocks 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 25.180 28.320 0.000 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 12.590 14.160 0.000 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000</verb> -If the driver matches the clocks to the third setting above, functionality will -be <it>extremely</it> limited (assuming the driver works at all).<p> -<sect2>Clocks for fixed clock generators on ATI adapters<p> -This section applies to all VGAWonder and Mach32 adapters, and to early Mach64 -prototypes.<p> -One of the following clocks specifications (or an initial subset thereof) can -be used depending on what the adapter uses to generate dot clocks: -<verb> -Crystals (VGA Wonder V3 and V4 adapters only): - - Clocks 50.000 56.644 0.000 44.900 44.900 50.000 0.000 36.000 - 25.000 28.322 0.000 22.450 22.450 25.000 0.000 18.000 - 16.667 18.881 0.000 14.967 14.967 16.667 0.000 12.000 - 12.500 14.161 0.000 11.225 11.225 12.500 0.000 9.000</verb> -<verb> -ATI 18810 clock generator: - - Clocks 30.240 32.000 37.500 39.000 42.954 48.771 0.000 36.000 - 40.000 0.000 75.000 65.000 50.350 56.640 0.000 44.900 - 15.120 16.000 18.750 19.500 21.477 24.386 0.000 18.000 - 20.000 0.000 37.500 32.500 25.175 28.320 0.000 22.450 - 10.080 10.667 12.500 13.000 14.318 16.257 0.000 12.000 - 13.333 0.000 25.000 21.667 16.783 18.880 0.000 14.967 - 7.560 8.000 9.375 9.750 10.739 12.193 0.000 9.000 - 10.000 0.000 18.750 16.250 12.586 14.160 0.000 11.225</verb> -<verb> -ATI 18811-0 and ATI 18812-0 clock generators: - - Clocks 30.240 32.000 110.000 80.000 42.954 48.771 92.400 36.000 - 39.910 44.900 75.000 65.000 50.350 56.640 0.000 44.900 - 15.120 16.000 55.000 40.000 21.477 24.386 46.200 18.000 - 19.955 22.450 37.500 32.500 25.175 28.320 0.000 22.450 - 10.080 10.667 36.667 26.667 14.318 16.257 30.800 12.000 - 13.303 14.967 25.000 21.667 16.783 18.880 0.000 14.967 - 7.560 8.000 27.500 20.000 10.739 12.193 23.100 9.000 - 9.978 11.225 18.750 16.250 12.588 14.160 0.000 11.225</verb> -<verb> -ATI 18811-1 and ATI 18811-2 clock generators: - - Clocks 135.000 32.000 110.000 80.000 100.000 126.000 92.400 36.000 - 39.910 44.900 75.000 65.000 50.350 56.640 0.000 44.900 - 67.500 16.000 55.000 40.000 50.000 63.000 46.200 18.000 - 19.955 22.450 37.500 32.500 25.175 28.320 0.000 22.450 - 45.000 10.667 36.667 26.667 33.333 42.000 30.800 12.000 - 13.303 14.967 25.000 21.667 16.783 18.880 0.000 14.967 - 33.750 8.000 27.500 20.000 25.000 31.500 23.100 9.000 - 9.978 11.225 18.750 16.250 12.588 14.160 0.000 11.225</verb> -<verb> -ICS 2494-AM clock generators (found on some Dell motherboards): - - Clocks 75.000 77.500 80.000 90.000 25.175 28.322 31.500 36.000 - 100.000 110.000 126.000 135.000 40.000 44.900 50.000 65.000 - 37.500 38.750 40.000 45.000 12.588 14.161 15.750 18.000 - 50.000 55.000 63.000 67.500 20.000 22.450 25.000 32.500 - 25.000 25.833 26.667 30.000 8.392 9.441 10.500 12.000 - 33.333 36.667 42.000 45.000 13.333 14.767 16.667 21.667 - 18.750 19.375 20.000 22.500 6.294 7.081 7.875 9.000 - 25.000 27.500 31.500 33.750 10.000 11.225 12.500 16.250</verb> -VGAWonder VLB, VGA 1024 VLB, Mach32 and Mach64 owners should only specify up to -the first 32 frequencies. -Any more will be ignored.<p> -Other clock generators that have been used on ATI adapters (which can all be -said to be clones of one of the above) might generate non-zero frequencies for -those that are zero above, or vice-versa.<p> -The order of the clocks <it>is</it> very important, although the driver will -reorder the specified clocks if it deems it appropriate to do so. -Mach32 and Mach64 owners should note that this order is different than what -they would use for previous accelerated servers.<p> -<sect2>Clocks for non-ATI adapters<p> -If no clocks are specified in the xorg.conf, the driver will probe for four -clocks, the second of which will be assumed to be 28.322 MHz. -The first clock will typically be 25.175 MHz, but there are exceptions. -You can include up to four clock frequencies in your xorg.conf to specify the -actual values used by the adapter. -Any more will be ignored.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``nopanel_display''</it><p> -This specification is only effective when the driver detects that the adapter's -BIOS has initialised both the digital flat panel and CRT interfaces. -In such a situation, the driver will normally drive both the panel and the CRT. -This specification causes the driver to disable the digital flat panel and -display the screen image on the CRT instead, which could potentially allow for -larger physical resolutions than the panel can handle.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``crt_display''</it><p> -This specification is only effective when the driver detects that the adapter's -BIOS has initialised the digital flat panel interface, but has disabled the -CRT interface. -In such a situation the driver will normally drive only the panel. -This specification causes the driver to instead display the same image on both -the panel and the CRT.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``noaccel''</it><p> -By default, the driver will accelerate draw operations if a Mach64 CRTC is used -to drive the display. -As implemented in this driver, acceleration does not require a linear video -memory aperture. -This option disables this acceleration.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``nolinear''</it><p> -By default, the driver will enable a linear video memory aperture for -256-colour and higher depth modes if it is also using a Mach64 accelerator CRTC -or an integrated Mach64 graphics chip. -This option disables this linear aperture.<p> -On non-Intel platforms, the driver requires a linear aperture and, so, this -option is ignored.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``HWCursor''</it> and Option <it>``SWCursor''</it><p> -Option <it>``HWCursor''</it>, which is the default, specifies that hardware -facilities are to be used to paint the mouse pointer on the screen. -Option <it>``SWCursor''</it> specifies that the mouse pointer is to be drawn by -software, which is much slower. -If both options are specified, option <it>``SWCursor''</it> prevails. -Currently, these options are only acted upon for 256-colour or higher depth -modes, if a Mach64 accelerator CRTC, or a Mach64 integrated controller is being -used. -In all other situations, a software cursor will be used, regardless of what -these options specify.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``SilkenMouse''</it><p> -This option is only acted upon when a hardware cursor is being used. -It specifies that the cursor's position on the screen is to be updated as -quickly as possible when the mouse is moved. -This is the default behaviour. -If this option is negated, the cursor may lag the mouse when the X server is -very busy.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``shadowfb''</it><p> -If this option is enabled, the driver will cause the CPU to do each drawing -operation first into a shadow frame buffer in system virtual memory and then -copy the result into video memory. -If this option is not active, the CPU will draw directly into video memory. -Enabling this option is beneficial for those systems where reading from video -memory is, on average, slower than the corresponding read/modify/write -operation in system virtual memory. -This is normally the case for PCI or AGP adapters, and, so, this option is -enabled by default. -For other bus types, the default behaviour is to disable this option.<p> -Note that, due to various limitations, this option is forcibly disabled when a -linear video memory aperture is not enabled, when the frame buffer depth is -less than 8, or when acceleration is used.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``dpms''</it><p> -This option enables the driver's support for VESA's Display Power Management -Specification.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``backingstore''</it><p> -This is not specifically a driver option. -It is used to enable the server's support for backing store, a mechanism by -which pixel data for occluded window regions is remembered by the server -thereby alleviating the need to send expose events to X clients when the data -needs to be redisplayed.<p> -<sect1>MemBase <it>address</it><p> -This specification is only effective for non-PCI Mach64 adapters, and is used -to override the CPU address at which the adapter will map its video memory. -Normally, for non-PCI adapters, this address is set by a DOS install utility -provided with the adapter. -The MemBase option can also be used to enable the linear aperture in those -cases where ATI's utility was not, or can not be, used.<p> -For PCI and AGP adapters, this address is determined at system bootup according -to the PCI Plug'n'Play specification which arbitrates the resource requirements -of most devices in the system. -This means the driver can not easily change the linear aperture address.<p> -<sect1>Option <it>``ReferenceClock''</it> ``frequency''<p> -This option is only applicable to non-Intel platforms, where an adapter BIOS is -not available to the driver. -The option specifies the reference frequency used by the adapter's clock -generator. -The default is 14.318 MHz, and other typical values are 28.636, or 29.5 MHz.<p> -<sect1>ClockChip <it>``name''</it><p> -This option is only applicable to non-Intel platforms, where an adapter BIOS is -not available to the driver, and the driver cannot reliably determine whether -the clock generator the adapter uses is a variant of an ATI 18818 (a.k.a. -ICS 2595) or an unsupported clock generator. -The only values that are acted upon are <it>``ATI 18818-0''</it> or -<it>``ATI 18818-1''</it>. -From this specification, the driver derives a reference divider of 43 or 46 -(respectively) for use in clock programming calculations. -The driver's default behaviour, in this case, is to assume an unsupported clock -generator, which means it will treat it as a fixed-frequency clock generator, -as described under the heading <bf>``Clocks for unsupported programmable clock -generators''</bf> above.<p> -<sect>Video modes<p> -Mode timings can be derived from the information in X's doc subdirectory. -However, it is no longer required to specify such timings in an xorg.conf's -``Monitor'' section(s), if only standard mode timings are to be used. -The server automatically inserts VESA standard mode timings in every -``Monitor'' section, and these modes will be checked first for mode constraints -(monitor sync tolerances, video memory size, etc.).<p> -Furthermore, it is also no longer required to specify mode names in ``Display'' -subsections. -Should no mode names be specified (or those specified do not yield a usable -mode), the server will automatically select as a default resolution the largest -usable mode, whether or not the chosen mode is specified in the corresponding -``Monitor'' section.<p> -For a digital flat panel, any sync tolerances should be removed from the -corresponding ``Monitor'' section. -The driver will automatically calculate these from the mode that is active on -server entry. -The driver also inserts timings for a mode called <it>"Native panel mode"</it> -that represents the panel's native resolution.<p> -<sect>Known problems and limitations<p> -There are several known problems or limitations related to the ATI -driver. -They include:<p> -<itemize> -<item>When using a Mach64's accelerator CRTC, the virtual resolution must be -less than 8192 pixels wide. -The VGA CRTC further limits the virtual resolution width to less than 4096 -pixels, or to less than 2048 pixels for adapters based on 18800-x's (with 256kB -of memory) and on Mach64 integrated controllers. -These are hardware limits that cannot be circumvented. -<item>Virtual resolutions requiring more than 1MB of video memory (256kB in the -monochrome case) are not supported by the VGA CRTC on 88800GX and 88800CX -adapters. -This is a hardware limit that cannot be circumvented. -<item>Due to hardware limitations, doublescanned modes are not supported by the -accelerator CRTC in 88800GX, 88800CX, 264CT and 264ET adapters. -<item>The ``VScan'' modeline parameter is only supported when using the VGA -CRTC. -<item>Interlaced modes are not supported on 18800-x and 28800-x adapters when -using a virtual resolution that is 2048 pixels or wider. -When using a 18800-x with 256kB of video memory in 256-colour modes, this limit -is reduced to 1024. -This is yet another hardware limitation that cannot be circumvented. -<item>Video memory banking does not work in monochrome and 16-colour modes on -18800-x adapters. -This appears to be another hardware limit, but this conclusion cannot be -confirmed at this time. -The driver's default behaviour in this case is to limit video memory to 256kB. -<item>Video memory corruption can still occur during mode switches on 18800-x -adapters. -Symptoms of this problem include garbled fonts on return to text mode, and -various effects (snow, dashed lines, etc) on initial entry into a graphics -mode. -In the first case, the workaround is to use some other means of restoring the -text font. -On Linux, this can be accomplished with the kbd or svgalib packages. -In the second case, <htmlurl name="xrefresh(1)" url="xrefresh.1.html"> -will usually clean up the image. -No complete solution to this problem is currently known. -It appears this corruption occurs due to either video memory bandwidth or -RAMDAC limitations, and so the driver will limit mode clocks to 40MHz. -<item>There is some controversy over what the maximum allowed clock frequency -should be on 264xT and 3D Rage adapters. -For now, clocks will, by default, be limited to 80MHz, 135MHz, 170MHz, 200MHz -or 230MHz, depending on the specific controller. -This limit can only be increased (up to a driver-calculated absolute maximum) -through the DACSpeed specification in xorg.conf. -Be aware however that doing so is untested and might damage the adapter. -<item>Except as in the previous items, clocks are limited to 80MHz on most -adapters, although many are capable of higher frequencies. -This will eventually be fixed in a future release. -<item>The use of a laptop's hot-keys to switch displays while this driver is -active can cause lockups and/or other woes, and is therefore not recommended. -It is not currently possible to solve this problem.<p> -<item>In situations where the driver is to simultaneously display on both a -panel and a CRT, the same image will be seen on both. -In particular, this means the CRT must be able to synchronise with the timings -of the panel's native resolution. -This is quite evident when the panel has ``odd-ball'' dimensions, such as -1400x1050, a resolution not commonly possible on CRTs or projection -equipment.<p> -Also, the display of independent images on the panel and CRT is not currently -implemented, and might never be, pending resolution of the previous item.<p> -</itemize> -Support for the following will be added in a future release: -<itemize> -<item>Mach32's accelerator CRTC. -This support is the first step towards accelerated support for Mach32's, -Mach8's, 8514/A's and other clones. -<item>Colour depth greater than 8 on non-integrated controllers, where -permitted by the hardware. -<item>Mach32, Mach8 and 8514/A Draw Engines. -<item>Hardware cursors where implemented by hardware. -This has already been done for Mach64 integrated controllers. -<item>TVOut, i.e. the ability to use a television screen as a monitor. -<item>Motion Video, i.e. displaying an asynchronous data stream (TV signal, -DVD, etc.) in a window or full-screen. -<item>3D operations. -</itemize> -<sect>Reporting problems<p> -If you are experiencing problems that are not already recorded in this -document, first ensure that you have the latest current release of this driver -and the Xorg X server.. -Check the server's log (usually found in /var/log/Xorg.0.log) and <htmlurl -name="ftp://ftp.freedesktop.org/pub/Xorg" -url="ftp://ftp.freedesktop.org/pub/Xorg"> if you are uncertain.<p> -Secondly, please check Xorg's doc directory for additional information.<p> -Thirdly, a scan through the comp.windows.x.i386unix and comp.os.linux.x -newsgroups and the xorg mailing list using your favourite archiving -service can also prove useful in resolving problems.<p> -If you are still experiencing problems, you can send me <it>non-HTMLised</it> -e-mail at <email>tsi@xfree86.org</email>. -Please be as specific as possible when describing the problem(s), and include -an <it>unedited</it> copy of the server's log and the xorg.conf file used.<p> -<sect>Driver history<p> -The complete history of the driver is rather cloudy. -The following is more than likely to be incomplete and inaccurate.<p> -Apparently, Per Lindqvist first got a driver working with an early ATI adapter -under X386 1.1a. -This original driver might have actually been based on a non-functional ATI -driver written by Thomas Roell (currently of Xi Graphics).<p> -Then Doug Evans added support for the ATI VGA Wonder XL, trying in the process -to make the driver work with all other ATI adapters available at the time.<p> -Rik Faith obtained the X11R4 driver from Doug Evans in the summer of 1992 and -ported the code to the X386 part of X11R5. -This subsequently became part of XFree86.<p> -I (Marc Aurele La France) took over development and maintenance of the driver -in the fall of 1993 after Rik got rid of his VGA Wonder adapter.<p> -<sect>Driver versions<p> -Due to the introduction of loadable drivers in XFree86 4.0, it has become -necessary to track driver versions separately. -Driver releases use the following version numbering scheme.<p> -Version 1 of this driver is the one I inherited from Rik Faith. -This is the version found in XFree86 2.0 and 2.1.<p> -Version 2 is my first rewrite of this code which only ended up being a -partially unsuccessful attempt at generalising the driver for all VGA Wonder, -Mach32, and early Mach64 adapters. -Various releases of this version of the driver can be found in XFree86 2.1.1, -3.1, 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.<p> -Version 3 represents my second rewrite (although a rather lame one as rewrites -go). -Into version 3, I introduced clock programming for Mach64 adapters and merged -in the old ati_test debugging tool. -This is the version found in XFree86 3.2, 3.3 and 3.3.1.<p> -Version 4 is a rather major restructuring of version 3, which became larger -than I could comfortably handle in one source file. -This is the version found in XFree86 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.3.1, 3.3.3.2, 3.3.4, -3.3.5 and 3.3.6.<p> -Version 5 is an almost complete restructuring of version 4 to fit in the newer -driver API of XFree86 4.0 and later.<p> -The introduction of version 6 is a first swipe at porting the driver to -non-Intel architectures.<p> -</article> |