[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] VGA in a PS/2 model 25

scott@mks.com (Scott Nicol) (01/15/91)

   I have a PS/2 model 25 (don't laugh!) with a colour monitor.  It
currently is set up for MCGA graphics (which seems to be a VGA that only
supports the low res modes).  What I would like to do is put a cheap
8-bit VGA card in the one remaining slot, and connect it up to the built-in
monitor.

   There may be a few problems with this idea:
   1. The monitor may not be able to handle high res modes such as 640x400x256
   2. The VGA adaptor may interfere with the MCGA (or vice versa)

   Also, I would have to fabricate my own cable...

   Has anybody tried this before?  Did it work?  I certainly don't mind
tearing the monitor apart to do some tweaking.

-- 
- Scott Nicol
Email: scott@mks.com  -or- ...!uunet!watmath!mks!scott
SlowMail: 39 Waterloo St., Kitchener, Ont., Canada, N2H 3T8.
Phone: (519) 741-1110

Jim Gerlach <GERLACHJ@QUCDN.QueensU.CA> (01/16/91)

I have not tried upgrading a Model 25 but I have just upgraded a Model 30 (the
original 8086 with MCGA). I used the ATI VGABasic-16 card (Canadian made :-)
which I purchased for $115 through our computer dept. I can highly recommend
this card. Installation was automatic and it has performed flawlessly with a
variety of software. It is VERY small and may fit in the 1/2 slot that I
recall Model 25's have.

Of course that leaves one nontrivial problem - connecting the monitor to the
card. I am sure the monitor will support VGA since MCGA is just a crippled
form of VGA (typical IBM marketing ploy). All that should be required is the
fabrication of a VGA monitor cable and running it outside of the case.

I have no connection with ATI, etc. Good luck.

Jim

Jim Gerlach - Cancer Research Laboratories
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