© National Instruments Corporation
H-1
VXIpc-486 Model 500 Series
Appendix H
Configuring the Super VGA Option
Introduction
This appendix describes the Super VGA (video graphics adapter) driver option you can use with
your VXIpc-486 Model 500 Series computer and contains instructions for configuring your
computer to use this option.
The Super VGA option is compatible with DOS and with Windows 3.1 and above. The standard
VGA graphics format is 640 by 480 pixels, with 16 available colors. You can use Super VGA to
improve the graphic image in one of two ways–either by increasing your color options to 256
colors or by substantially increasing the resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels. You can benefit from
the clarity of Super VGA when you want to edit or view an especially complex image in
graphics or CAD programs.
If you ordered your VXIpc-486 with the Super VGA option installed, you only need to modify
the system settings according to the following section. If your Super VGA option was not
installed at the factory, refer to the installation instructions later in this appendix.
The Super VGA option is not available for the VXIpc-486 Model 200 Series computers.
Warning:
The Chips & Technology Super VGA video output is specified for monitors
having a horizontal scan rate of at least 50 kHz with a vertical scan rate of 60 Hz.
Be certain your monitor meets this specification. There are a variety of low-cost
monitors on the market that have a horizontal scan rate less than 50 kHz.
Enabling the Super VGA option on a monitor that does not meet this
specification will cause damage to your monitor.
Modifying the System Settings
You must modify the system settings of Windows 3.x to change the application video to Super
VGA. For example, to display all of the available Windows graphics drivers in Windows 3.1,
perform the following steps. The Super VGA option must already be installed.
1. From the Main folder, open the Windows Setup window by double-clicking on the icon.
The window displays your current hardware and software settings.
2. From the Options menu, select the Change System Settings dialog box. The Display field
reads
VGA
by default.
3. Use your mouse or the <Alt-Down Arrow> keys to scroll through the options for the Display
field. Among several other options you will find three Chips & Technology entries available
for the VXIpc-486 after the Super VGA option is installed.