haviland@uvm-gen.UUCP (01/27/87)
Is there anyone out there with experience in using a graphics adapter
on an AT&T 6300 other than the one that comes with it (such as an EGA
card)? The slots in the 6300 are supposedly IBM compatable as regards
memory boards and such, but since AT&T developed their own graphics
adapter, I'm not sure if you can get around it. The adapter itself
is not in a normal slot but seems to be off the end of the bus.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Tom Haviland
--
Thomas P. Haviland
USENET: decvax!dartvax!uvm-gen!haviland University of Vermont
CSNET: haviland%uvm@csnet-relay (802) 656-2540ben@catnip.UUCP (01/31/87)
In article <492@uvm-gen.UUCP> haviland@uvm-gen.UUCP writes: > Is there anyone out there with experience in using a graphics adapter > on an AT&T 6300 other than the one that comes with it (such as an EGA > card)? The slots in the 6300 are supposedly IBM compatable as regards > memory boards and such, but since AT&T developed their own graphics > adapter, I'm not sure if you can get around it. The adapter itself > is not in a normal slot but seems to be off the end of the bus. Yes, we have several 6300s working with other video cards. There are about four jumpers that have to be installed on the AT&T video card to disable it. I suggest that you call AT&T support for details, but if there is sufficient interest I could get the information from our hardware technician. We have had no problems running the 6300 was an IBM CGA or with a Hercules color card (though the parallel port on the Herc card doesn't work). We once tried without success to install a Quadram QEGA+, but I am not sure whether the problem was with the card or the 6300. (Cause I then tried it in a vanilla IBM-PC, it didn't work there either) -- Ben Broder {ihnp4,decvax} !hjuxa!catnip!ben {houxm,clyde}/
aptr@ur-tut.UUCP (02/03/87)
In article <492@uvm-gen.UUCP> haviland@uvm-gen.UUCP (Thomas Haviland) writes: > > Is there anyone out there with experience in using a graphics adapter > on an AT&T 6300 other than the one that comes with it (such as an EGA > card)? Experience using one, no (matter of $$$), but I have heard of how it is done. After doing some talking to one of my freinds at a computer store, it came out that the easiest way to disconnect the AT&T CGS card is to remove it and replace it with a ribbon cable running from the mother board to the expansion board. Power must also be connected to the expansion board because the power does not come through the cable. I believe you will find that this will void your warranty if you do it. The other solution is a board sold by Xerox. Xerox is currently selling the Olivetti made AT&T 6300 under the name Xerox 6064. Because one of the configurations of the computer is with a full page monitor and graphics card designed to be used as a deticated text processor, Xerox developed a board which is essentually an AT&T graphics board with the graphics drivers removed. -- The Wumpus UUCP: {seismo,allegra,decvax}!rochester!ur-tut!aptr BITNET: aptrccss@uorvm Disclaimer: "Who? When? Me? It was the Booze!" - M. Binkley
slif@oliveb.UUCP (02/05/87)
In article <492@uvm-gen.UUCP> haviland@uvm-gen.UUCP writes: > Is there anyone out there with experience in using a graphics adapter > on an AT&T 6300 other than the one that comes with it (such as an EGA > card)? The slots in the 6300 are supposedly IBM compatable as regards > memory boards and such, but since AT&T developed their own graphics > adapter, I'm not sure if you can get around it. The adapter itself > is not in a normal slot but seems to be off the end of the bus. Caveat: I am not representing Olivetti in any way through this discussion. For that matter, I am not purporting to be an expert or guaranteeing any results. I am not liable for anyone's usage of this information. There are several things that you need to do: 1. Disable the indigenous video controller. If you have the rev. P8 board, you're in luck !! There is a jumper W1 near C11. Jumper pin 1 and 2. This disables the board. If you have the rev. P4 (most machines do), two things can be done. AT&T may sell a "wraparound" connector which take the place of the board. The machine must be partially disassembled to replace the video controller. A good hand-eye coordination test ! The other procedure requires de-soldering a 74LS00 near the buss connector and installing a DIP socket. Place a header in the socket which has pins 3 and 14 jumpered, and pins 6,7 and 8 jumpered separately. Make sure you know where pin 1 is, and you did a clean job of de-soldering the IC. Forget the warranty if you do this. To re-use the video board, replace the header with a 74LS00. 2. The bus converter in the earlier production reversed the order of bytes output with a 16-bit OUT DX instruction. Thus, some EGAs won't work. There is a solution - I believe you need to get several PALs and a new BIOS ROM set from AT&T, which are installed on the motherboard. No cuts or jumpers are required. The motherboard is accessible by removing the bottom outside cover only. 3. Install the video adapter that you like.