OS2 World.Com Forum

Subject  :  eCS 1.2 - Why only 256 colors?
Author  :  Francesco fsdr@svimservice.it
Date  :  19 Nov, 2004 on 19:14
I have just installed my new eCS 1.2.
The installer selected the SNAP video driver for my IBM ThinkCentre PC with Intel Extrem display adapter.
Using SNAP drivers, if I select 800*600 resolution I can select only 256 colors depth.
Unfortunately the SVISTA Virual Machine requires 65k colors. (I received today my SVISTA VM from mensys).

What can I do?


Subject  :  Re:eCS 1.2 - Why only 256 colors?
Author  :  cyberspittle cyberspittle@yahoo.com
Date  :  19 Nov, 2004 on 19:31
I would recommend going with the VBE (VESA BIOS Extension) driver instead of the one Scitech SNAP identified for your system. My VIA EPIA-M had a similiar resolution problem. What is happening, is that SciTech SNAP gets the manufacturer info from the chipset, however the driver may not be appropriate, hence the lack of fine tuning your display with a different resolution.

What you want to do, is have SciTech SNAP use the VBE mode (VESA BIOS Extension). This is unaccelerated, but you'll be surprised how snappy (no pun intended) it is. For tech help on SciTech, go to their website and post in their newsgroups. They are responsive and quick too!


Subject  :  Re:eCS 1.2 - Why only 256 colors?
Author  :  Francesco fsdr@svimservice.it
Date  :  19 Nov, 2004 on 19:52
thanks a lot cyber but.... I don't use OS/2 very frequently.

How can I set the Scitech driver to use VESA BIOS?


Subject  :  Re:eCS 1.2 - Why only 256 colors?
Author  :  cyberspittle cyberspittle@yahoo.com
Date  :  20 Nov, 2004 on 22:32
To get VBE support when installing, need to select "GEN", and not "SDD".

Have you been to the Scitech website? www.scitechsoft.com ... look for support, then look for OS/2 newsgroups! You then can scroll through the posts for VBE, or post your questions.


Subject  :  Re:eCS 1.2 - Why only 256 colors?
Author  :  Radek hajek@vuv.cz
Date  :  22 Nov, 2004 on 15:50
VESA is a drastical downgrade of your video card. Check first, which mode SNAP uses (it is displayed on the front page of the "Screen notebook").

If it says "VESA VBE 3.0" or something like that then SNAP cannot operate your video card and uses a standard tool (VESA) for it. In this case, the 256 colors can be imposed by the VESA abilities of your video card.
If it identifies your video card correctly then you should consult Scitechsoft because something is wrong with their driver. The driver should offer more colors and more colors should be also displayed.

In case of VESA, download the "real SNAP" and check whether it will work. Keep in mind that the SNAP, which you have got free of charge with your eCS, is a restricted version, which does not support all cards supported by the real SNAP and which does not support all abilities of the video cards. Moreover, the "free SNAP" on your CDs can be old.
The real SNAP "demo" (which you will download) is a fully functional full version, which will run for 21 days. During this period, you will need to decide, whether you want to buy it or whether you uninstall it.
If the real SNAP won't work either, then you are out of luck currently. But don't lose hope. Some further version of SNAP can be familiar with your video card. This happened to me with my GeForce 4 Ti 4200 8x as well


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