💾 Archived View for uscoffings.net › retro-computing › systems › Tandy › oldskool › whichega.txt captured on 2023-07-10 at 15:14:18.
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Fm: Richard W. Doig 73767,32
How about putting together a list of EGA boards and monitors that will
work in the SX and TX and putting the list in one of the data
libraries? Most of the information has shown up on the bulletin board
at one time or another. It seems that you could start a list, and
every time someone mentions a different board, just add it to the list.
All we really want to know is:
1. Will it work in my SX? my TX?
2. Will it fit in my SX? my TX?
3. How do you switch modes? DIP switches? Software?
during bootup? autoswitching?
4. Also list boards that don't work, because the reason they
don't work is just as valuable.
>>Fm: Ray Reyes 76703,3100
I've been watching for reports of people using EGA boards, and so far
the only one I've been able to confirm for sure is the Everex
MicroEnhancer. When people start reporting in, I'll collect them into a
file.
>>Fm: Richard Gauszka 75745,604
I am running an NSI Logic Smart EGA Plus card in my TX. I don't use
Tandy specific software (Deskmate etc) but so far have had no
problems with Turbo Pascal 4.0, Turbo C 1.5, Quick Basic 4.0,
Quick C, MS Works, SideKick Plus, ATO, Boyan, Tapcis, Norton Commander.
I also use the Tandy Enhanced Keyboard (with adapter) and have a
Shamrock 49 meg HardCard. I should have bought a 3000 to start with I
guess.
>>Fm: Ian Wright 71016,601
I'm using a Video 7 Vega Deluxe EGA in my TX. I also had it in my SX
before. It works fine except for the included "total CGA emulation"
software which uses the NMI and is therefore a no-go on the 1000's.
This just means some games and older stuff that makes direct access to
hardware will not run. Reasonably well behaved CGA stuff runs fine
under the EGA "CGA" modes. On the other hand, I've installed the FREE
VGA upgrade ROM and software and it works fine. The Vega "extended
EGA" modes also work well (640 x 480 & 752 x 410). Drivers for these
are available for 1-2-3, Windows, GEM, AutoCAD etc. Ian
>>Fm: David E. Potter 74270,513
Good News!
Radio Shack carries a board that will support EGA on your Tandy TX or
SX!
The new EGA board (25-3048) was originally released only for the
1200,3K,4K but the newest revision of the board allows for the 1KSX,TX
as well. Note that this was a transparent upgrade... there was no
stock number change. The only way you can tell if the board will work
is by checking page 9 of the installation manual that comes with it.
The first sentece should read, "You can install the EGA/CGA card in any
Tandy 1000 TX or SX...."
Furthermore, you can buy the monitor and card for only $699.00 on sale
now.
David Potter, Retail Marketing Manager Radio Shack 11-7398
>>>Fm: PETER J. RADER 72157,3507
>>>To: David E. Potter 74270,513
David, My local RS told me the other day that as far as he knew the TX
will not work with this board. Said you get EGA but Autoswitching will
not work with CGA.
>>>Fm: David E. Potter 74270,513
Peter,
Your local RS was half right. First off, the EGA card *does* work with the
1000. But autosyncing is kind of tricky.
The board comes with a utilities diskette (in both 3.5 and 5.25). This
diskette contains two programs: INTVID.XOM and EGA.EXE. The INTVID program
turns off the Tandy 100 video circuit (which normally conflicts with Hercules
full mode). By using this program, you can run the EGA/CGA card in Hercules
full mode on a Tandy 1000.
The EGA.EXE program (extremely well made) does your CGA/EGA syncing. It
does *not* automatically switch like it does on the 3K/4K series, but EGA.EXE
handles switching.
Dipswitch 5 on the board specifies the default boot-up sync. The EGA
program (which can be run in menu or command line mode) can sync to
EGA,CGA,Plantronics,Monochrome,Hercules half and hercules full.
Perhaps the nicest feature of EGA.EXE is the BOOT command. This allows you
to command the computer to reboot, using a new video mode. This will let you
run auto-booting games with exotic copy protection schemes.
Sincerely,
David E. Potter Retail Marketing Manager RS 11-7398