DTA: Tech Notes
Tech Notes
Installation
15-Pin D-Shell Analog Display Connector Pinouts
VESA Feature Connector Pinouts
Utility Files
Complete File Listing
vmode
ascan
Express PCI Diagnostic Test Program
Troubleshooting
Installation
1. Turn off computer, monitor, and peripherals, and then remove them from their power sources.
2. Remove computer cover, and remove any video adapter that is already installed in the computer. If the video is built into the system board, refer to the user's guide for information on disabling the built-in video.
3. Locate an empty 32-bit, 5-V PCI local bus expansion slot and install the adapter; make sure it is fully seated.
NOTE: Only 1 VGA-compatible display adapter can be installed in a system. This adapter can co-reside in a system with an MDA adapter; however, it will not co-reside with a Hercules monochrome adapter.
4. Connect the DB-15 monitor cable to the adapter's DB-15 analog VGA connector.
5. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect the computer and peripherals to their power sources. Turn on
the computer.
15-Pin D-Shell Analog Display Connector Pinouts
Pin Signal Monochrome Color
1 RED NO PIN RED
2 GREEN MONO DOTS GREEN
3 BLUE NO PIN BLUE
4 RESERVED NO PIN NO PIN
5 DIGITAL GND SELF-TEST SELF-TEST
6 RED RETURN KEY PIN RED RETURN
7 GREEN RETURN MONO RETURN GREEN RETURN
8 BLUE RETURN NO PIN BLUE RETURN
9 PLUG NO PIN NO PIN
10 DIGITAL GND DIGITAL GND DIGITAL GND
11 RESERVED NO PIN DIGITAL GND
12 RESERVED DIGITAL GND NO PIN
13 HORIZONTAL SYNC HORIZONTAL SYNC HORIZONTAL SYNC
14 VERTICAL SYNC VERTICAL SYNC VERTICAL SYNC
15 RESERVED NO PIN NO PIN
VESA Feature Connector Pinouts
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 PRIMARY BLUE 14 GROUND
2 PRIMARY GREEN 15 GROUND
3 PRIMARY RED 16 GROUND
4 PRIMARY INTENSITY 17 EXTERNAL VIDEO SELECT
5 SECONDARY BLUE 18 EXTERNAL SYNC SELECT
6 SECONDARY GREEN 19 EXTERNAL DOT CLOCK SELECT
7 SECONDARY RED 20 NO CONNECTION
8 SECONDARY INTENSITY 21 GROUND
9 DOT CLOCK 22 GROUND
10 BLANK 23 GROUND
11 HORIZONTAL SYNC 24 GROUND
12 VERTICAL SYNC 25 NO CONNECTION
13 GROUND 26 NO CONNECTION
Utility Files
 vdiag.exe Tests the video modes of the Express PCI and details the configuration of the system. Also can be used to check or align the monitor screen.
vmode.exeUsed to change the Express PCI display modes. Express PCI mode displayed depends on the parameter used.
ascan.exeAllows you to select the high frequency horizontal scan rate of the monitor.
alansi.sysReplaces the ansi.sys device driver supplied on the DOS system disk. alansi.sys is compatible with the standard ansi.sys.
center.comUsed to adjust the screen horizontally and vertically for the following resolutions: 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, and 1280 x 1024.
Complete File Listing
Following is a complete listing of files on the STB video driver disk:
adi42.zipACAD ADI 4.2 driver
ad14.zipACAD ADI 4.1 driver
driver2.datData file for install.exe
Install.exe Install program for ACAD
driver.datData file for install.exe
pkunzip.exe Uncompression program
win31ul.exeWindows 3.1 driver installation program
algul.infScript file for win31ul.exe
algul.001 AUX file for win31ul.exe
ali.bmp STB systems logo
oemalg.aliOEM setup file
avga800.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 800X600X16C
al314p.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 1024X768X16C
avga1280.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 1280X1024X16C
al16m.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 640X480X16MC
v631f8s.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 1280X1024X256C
v631p.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 1024X768X256C, 800X600X256C, 640X480X256C
al31p.drvWindows 3.1 driver for 800X600X64KC, 640X480X64KC
alvddpci.386Windows 3.1 virtual device driver
vmode
This menu-driven program to help the user select the Express PCI video modes that are available for display.
NOTE: vmode.com sets the adapter to operate in a particular mode and stores this information in volatile memory. When the computer is turned off or reset, the information is lost. To have a specific vmode command used every time the computer is turned on, add the vmode command to the autoexec.bat file.
Command Description
vmode Brings up the vmode menu.
vmode ? Activates vmode Help screen.
vmode Vn Switches Express PCI adapter to the specified n VGA graphic mode.
vmode En Switches Express PCI adapter to the specified n EGA LOCK1 mode.
vmode Dn Switches Express PCI adapter to the specified n EGA LOCK2 mode.
vmode Cn Switches Express PCI adapter to the specified n CGA mode.
vmode cgagame Designed for CGA game programs running from the diskette drive.
vmode mga Sets the display to MDA and Hercules monochrome modes.
vmode n Sets display in video mode n, where n is one of the supported video
modes from the Display Mode List.
NOTE: n must be in hexadecimal notation.
ascan
ascan is the CRT timing utility program that allows a user to select the high-frequency horizontal scan rate of the monitor. It usually requires a VGA multisync monitor to display high resolutions, such as 1024 x 768 at 70 Hz or higher.
Menu
ascan has a Windows look-alike user interface in which the user can select various refresh rates for different display resolutions. Save the selected configuration as the default settings by using the SAVE SETTING funciton under the FILE menu option. Exit the interface; ascan then sets the video refresh rates on the video card. Type ascan to get the menu.
Command Line
ascan reads the hard-disk drive for user-selected refresh rates and sets them on the video card. If there is no user-selected choice, ascan provides the default refresh rates. Type acan /c to use command-line mode. Type ascan /? for help.
NOTE: ascan /c sets the adapter to operate in a particular mode and stores this information in volatile memory. When the computer is turned off or reset, the information is lost. To have a specific ascan command used every time the computer is turned on, add the ascan /c line to the autoexec.bat file.
Express PCI Diagnostic Test Program
A test program is included on the Express PCI Utility/Driver Diskette called vdiag.exe:
1. Insert the diskette into drive A:, and run the install program to copy the utility files to the hard-disk drive.
2. Enter the directory where the the utility programs are installed .
3. Type vdiag <ENTER>.
4. Use the <ENTER> key to proceed to the next display mode, or press <ESC> to exit the vdiag program.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause and Corrective Action
No display when power is Check the monitor contrast and intensity controls.
turned on.
Verify system switch settings.
If screen is blank when power is turned on, check that the
card-edge connectors are properly seated in the expansion
slots. Verify all cable connections.
Make sure the monitor power cable is correctly plugged in and
that the monitor is connected to the PCI card's 15-pin analog
connector. Check the monitor intensity and contrast controls.
If the system has a built-in display adapter, disable it.
System does not boot or Verify switch settings. Check to make sure system power cable
respond when the power is is properly connected.
turned on.
Try the PCI adapter in another system to determine whether it
is the card or the computer.
System sounds an audible An error message is displayed and an audible alarm is heard if
alarm during boot. hardware failure is detected by system during boot.
Check for bent pins on socketed parts of any installed
adapters.
Visually inspect the PCI for any obvious damage.
Screen is distorted, The display mode may be improperly set. The PCI responds as a
unstable or out of sync. monochrome and/or color graphics controller. DOS commands can
be used to switch between monochrome and color modes.
Use the vmode utility to set the desired mode from the command
line.
Many monitors have vertical placement and size adjustments.
Check the monitor cable and connector for bent or broken pins.
Check the connection to the Express PCI adapter.
Display is shifted Check the horizontal placement or horizontal size adjustments
horizontally on the on the monitor.
monitor.
Display shifts slightly Use the horizontal position controls to correct the shift.
after mode changes.
Monitor does not display Make sure that the monitor is connected to the 15-pin analog
correctly. display connector on the Express PCI accelerator and not
another display connector.
Double-check the setting on the ascan utility. Make sure that
it is set for the type of monitor in use.
Express PCI fails video Different computers come with their own diagnostic routines.
diagnostics or system The Express PCI may fail the video portion of some of these
checkout. tests.
Run vdiag.exe that is on the Express PCI Utility/Driver
diskette to determine if there is a problem with the Express
PCI accelerator.
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