Common Questions
Appendix I
VXIpc-486 Model 500 Series
I-4
© National Instruments Corporation
What type of video interface is present onboard the VXIpc-486? What video drivers are
included with the VXIpc-486? Can I use Super VGA with my VXIpc-486? If my
application requires a special type of video display, how do I configure my VXIpc-486?
The VXIpc-486 uses the Chips & Technology 452 video chip set, which is compatible with the
Standard VGA video output MS Windows video driver, as well as the Chips & Technology
CHIPS 452 VGA drivers for 640 by 480 (256 color), 800 by 600 (16 color), and 1024 by 768
(16 color). For information on the Super VGA video driver, refer to Appendix H, Configuring
the Super VGA Option.
If your application requires a special type of video display, you can order the two-slot
VXIpc-486 module without onboard video and install a specialized ISA bus video card in one of
the ISA bus slots. Make sure that the video card can fit in the ISA bus slot, given the height
restrictions. For proper installation, you must remove the AT bracket mounted on the board.
When you configure the video board base I/O address, memory address, interrupt levels, and
DMA channels, make sure that the settings do not conflict with those already used by the
VXIpc-486. For more information about the VXIpc-486 settings, refer to Appendix G,
VXIpc-486 Hardware Configuration.
Are there any limitations on the types of monitors that can be connected to the VXIpc-486?
VXIpc-486 Model 500 Series computers that use Super VGA video output will work only with
monitors having a horizontal scan rate of at least 50 kHz and a vertical scan rate of 60 Hz.
Warning:
Make sure that your monitor meets this specification. Enabling the Super VGA
option on a monitor that does not meet this specification will cause damage to
your monitor.
What type of connector must my keyboard possess to plug directly into the VXIpc-486? Is
there a keyboard adapter cable available if my keyboard does not have this type of
connector?
You can plug keyboards that have a 6-pin Mini DIN PS/2 type connector directly into the
VXIpc-486. You can use the keyboard adapter cable that is included with every VXIpc-486 kit
to adapt the larger AT keyboard connector to the 6-pin Mini DIN connector.
How do I connect a serial device to the COM2/GPIO connector on the VXI-pc486?
The easiest way to connect a serial device to the COM2/GPIO connector is to purchase the
COM2 adapter cable (part number 182188-01), which brings out the serial port signals from the
15-pin COM2/GPIO connector to a standard 9-pin Subminiature DHD-20
connector. You can
try to connect directly to the serial port signals on the COM2/GPIO connector. Refer to
Appendix D, Connectors, for the connector pin descriptions.