two phical displays on one computer under QNX 4.2x

[Ken_Recchia]

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Mario_Charest1]

“Ken Recchia” <rectech@nctimes.net> wrote in message
news:397FE2AA.1D5C5542@nctimes.net…

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

You cannot have more then one VGA display, it’s impossible. VGA have
a fix address. You must have accelerated device of some sort that are not
VGA.
But to use them you need a graphic driver.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

Like I said that’s impossible, two VGA adapter will always conflicts

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

Because they must be accelerated card (Voodoo, ATI, etc) you either talk

through them via driver or you get their spec and access them directly…

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

Without Photon, it’s VERY VERY difficult, I would ask that person to
revise this decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Note that most of what I said is irrelevant to QNX4.

Solution:

Watcom 9 has some graphics functions, I think they were removed in
release 10.6 , not sure about this. So you can use this to write non
Photon graphic application. Then network two computers together
and you’ll have two displays

Thanks,
KenR

[ian_zagorskih2]

graph’s library functions are aviable in watcom 10.6 too.

–

Thanks for your attention,
Ian M. Zagorskih, Software Developer, Novosoft Ltd.
E-Mail: ianzag@pochta.net ICQ 28632525
Web: http://www.novosoft.ru

// wbr
“Mario Charest” <mcharest@zinformatic.com> wrote in message
news:8lp7a9$5si$1@inn.qnx.com…

“Ken Recchia” <> rectech@nctimes.net> > wrote in message
news:> 397FE2AA.1D5C5542@nctimes.net> …
I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.


You cannot have more then one VGA display, it’s impossible. VGA have
a fix address. You must have accelerated device of some sort that are not
VGA.
But to use them you need a graphic driver.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

Like I said that’s impossible, two VGA adapter will always conflicts


2) How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
2nd display?

Because they must be accelerated card (Voodoo, ATI, etc) you either talk
through them via driver or you get their spec and access them directly…

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.
   
   
   Without Photon, it’s VERY VERY difficult, I would ask that person to
   revise this decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Note that most of what I said is irrelevant to QNX4.

Solution:

Watcom 9 has some graphics functions, I think they were removed in
release 10.6 , not sure about this. So you can use this to write non
Photon graphic application. Then network two computers together
and you’ll have two displays >


Thanks,
KenR

[Ian_Basham]

Mario Charest <mcharest@zinformatic.com> wrote in message
news:8lp7a9$5si$1@inn.qnx.com…

Solution:

Watcom 9 has some graphics functions, I think they were removed in
release 10.6 , not sure about this. So you can use this to write non
Photon graphic application. Then network two computers together
and you’ll have two displays >

I think that for backwards compatibility, the term_* functions are still in
10.6. I see <sys/qnxterm.h> and serveral termlib libraries in /usr/lib.
Maybe someone out there uses these functions and can confirm?

Ian Basham
Proconex Consultants, Inc.

[Ken_Recchia]

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.
   
   
   Without Photon, it’s VERY VERY difficult, I would ask that person to
   revise this decision.

I’m trying.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Note that most of what I said is irrelevant to QNX4.

Because…why?

Solution:

Watcom 9 has some graphics functions, I think they were removed in
release 10.6 , not sure about this. So you can use this to write non
Photon graphic application. Then network two computers together
and you’ll have two displays >

I’m limited in space and have very strict requirements. I’m to replace a
serially attached smart display from Tektronics with a new one.

So I can add a graphics adapter to drive a 2nd display. If the graphic’s
adapter is flexible in resolution I’ll be happy. Maybe I then run Photon on
the 2nd adapter and create a single window that fills the entire display?
I’ll need to read about Photon and developing with it. What’s the learning
curve like? I’ll look at the photon news group also.

[Jason_Lee]

Hi,
it is possible to have two graphics adapters working together. All
you need to do to make sure that they are PCI 2.1 and VESA2.0 compliant.

In your bios, enable palette snooping and use the Hydra mode
switcher. However, this can only be done in Photon. You can check the online
knowledge database for details.

Jason



“Ken Recchia” <rectech@nctimes.net> wrote in message
news:397FE2AA.1D5C5542@nctimes.net…

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Ken_Recchia]

Thanks everyone. Time to read and experiment.

Ken Recchia wrote:

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Ken_Recchia]

I don’t see any graphic’s commands in the Watcom 10.6 manuals. Is there
another source?

Ken Recchia wrote:

Thanks everyone. Time to read and experiment.

Ken Recchia wrote:

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Mitchell_Schoenbrun]

Ken Recchia <rectech@nctimes.net> wrote:

I don’t see any graphic’s commands in the Watcom 10.6 manuals. Is there
another source?

While the commands are not in the manual, the library is available.
You would need to get ahold of the older documenation for it
to be of any use. This probably will not be of any use.
Graphic driver support for the Watcom graphics ceased long ago.
It is doubtful that you will find support for any modern
card that you can run two of. That leaves you with the option
of writing all the support yourself, a project that would
take more time than it would be worth, and would probably
fail anyway.

I don’t recall if you just need to have the same image
on the screen. If so, there are devices that send
the video signal to more than one monitor, but I don’t
know much about them.



Mitchell Schoenbrun --------- maschoen@pobox.com

[Armin_Steinhoff1]

Here is an older posting from Nick Costescu (Clemson University/QRTS):

To use multiple monitors under Photon, you must be running at least version
1.13 of Photon which includes the Hydra.ms trapper/mode switcher.

For best results, both cards must be VESA 2.0 compliant. Although it is not
strictly neccessary, you will likely have less trouble if both cards are
identical. You must also have a PCI 2.1 motherboard, and the cards must be PCI
cards.

This method works by switching both cards into graphics mode and enabling a
linear frame buffer. Pg.flat or Pg.flatdc can then be used, both of which
only access the memory using the CPU… no accelleration is possible.

To start, go into your computers CMOS options, and check the following settings
if your computer has them:

Palette Snooping == ON or Enabled
Plug and Play aware OS == OFF or disabled

Next, power down and put both cards in the machine. If your machine does not
boot, or it boots but there are problems even in text mode, do not call us.
You will need to get different cards or upgrade your motherboard.

To generate a trap file for use with Hydra.ms, go to the
/qnx4/graphics/drivers directory, and type the following:

‘Hydra.ms -T >file’

This will invoke the Hydra.ms program in (T)rap mode. This mode will generate
a list of ‘mode switcher;driver’ commands for each mode and each card in the
system.

This process may take some time, but you should see the secondary monitor
perform a video BIOS warm boot while the process is taking place. You will see
the signon screen that would be seen if this machine were booted with only the
secondary card installed.

You must ensure that nothing attempts to display text on your console screen
during the trap process, as well as during the mode switch that will occur
later when you go to run Photon.

If your machine hangs while trying to perform this trap, you’re probably out
of luck. Assuming the trap is successful, your file should look something like
the following:

Card 1, Bus 0, Dev/Func 90

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4100 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x400x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB640;#640,400,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4101 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB640;#640,480,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4103 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1024;#800,600,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4105 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1024;#1024,768,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4107 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#1280,1024,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4110 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#640,480,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4111 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#640,480,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4112 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#640,480,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4113 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1920;#800,600,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4114 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1920;#800,600,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4115 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#800,600,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4116 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411C -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1664;#1600,1200,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4118 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB4096;#1024,768,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4119 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#1280,1024,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411A -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#1280,1024,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411D -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#1600,1200,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411E -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#1600,1200,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

Card 2, Bus 0, Dev/Func 88

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4100 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x400x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB640;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4101 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB640;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4103 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB960;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4105 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1024;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4107 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4110 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4111 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4112 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4113 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1920;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4114 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1920;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4115 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4116 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411C -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1600;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4118 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB4096;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4119 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411A -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411D -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411E -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;

Here’s an analysis of one of the secondary trap lines:

Hydra.ms ← name of mode switcher
-S ← flag to tell it to perform a mode switch
-i0x4100 ← which (VESA) mode number to switch to
-s0x0000,0x0088 ← PCI bus,(PCI Device << 3) | PCI Function
-cnone ← which console to ‘hold’ (none for secondary)
-nqnx/crt88; ← name to register (based on PCI info)
Pg.flat ← driver to run
-HC0x00000088 ← Channel number (based on PCI info)
-PX ← set palette using Xternal agent (i.e. Hydra.ms)
-HNqnx/crt88 ← name to use when sending palette requests
-g640x400x8 ← resolution/color depth
-A0xFE800000,0x400000 ← Aperture/size info
-WB640; ← Bytes Per Scanline


You may have trouble trying to use a palette based mode since many (or most)
cards still use the VGA I/O registers to program the palette. It’s probably
easiest to simply use 16 bit modes.

To run Photon, take one of the lines from the primary card…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

…split it at the semicolon…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;
Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt -g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000
-WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA hi-color


… stuff one of the secondary lines in the middle…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt -g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000
-WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA hi-color

… and then sew the mess back together:

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone
-nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16
-A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

Make this the top line of your nodes trap file, and then just type ‘ph’.

You probably want to move the second screen over to the right of the first
screen. Add a ‘-o’ argument to the secondary cards driver command. In this case,
adding ‘-o1024’ moves the second screen so it starts just to the right of the
first screen.

That should be it. Now that you have the graphics drivers running, you should be
able to figure out how to get multiple keyboards or multiple Photon sessions
running.


In article <397FE2AA.1D5C5542@nctimes.net>, Ken says…

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Ken_Recchia]

Well it looks like the conclusion is to use Photon. Thanks for the
assistance. By the way I need a different output to each display and I have
used video splitters - they work great for the same picture.

While I look into Photon in more detail let me ask this first question:
Can I run Photon on just one video adapter and leave the other one alone?

KenR

Mitchell Schoenbrun wrote:

Ken Recchia <> rectech@nctimes.net> > wrote:
I don’t see any graphic’s commands in the Watcom 10.6 manuals. Is there
another source?

While the commands are not in the manual, the library is available.
You would need to get ahold of the older documenation for it
to be of any use. This probably will not be of any use.
Graphic driver support for the Watcom graphics ceased long ago.
It is doubtful that you will find support for any modern
card that you can run two of. That leaves you with the option
of writing all the support yourself, a project that would
take more time than it would be worth, and would probably
fail anyway.

I don’t recall if you just need to have the same image
on the screen. If so, there are devices that send
the video signal to more than one monitor, but I don’t
know much about them.

Mitchell Schoenbrun --------- > maschoen@pobox.com

[Ken_Recchia]

Thanks - I will try this as soon as my hardware comes in. It looks to be right on
the money.

KenR

Armin Steinhoff wrote:

Here is an older posting from Nick Costescu (Clemson University/QRTS):

To use multiple monitors under Photon, you must be running at least version
1.13 of Photon which includes the Hydra.ms trapper/mode switcher.

For best results, both cards must be VESA 2.0 compliant. Although it is not
strictly neccessary, you will likely have less trouble if both cards are
identical. You must also have a PCI 2.1 motherboard, and the cards must be PCI
cards.

This method works by switching both cards into graphics mode and enabling a
linear frame buffer. Pg.flat or Pg.flatdc can then be used, both of which
only access the memory using the CPU… no accelleration is possible.

To start, go into your computers CMOS options, and check the following settings
if your computer has them:

Palette Snooping == ON or Enabled
Plug and Play aware OS == OFF or disabled

Next, power down and put both cards in the machine. If your machine does not
boot, or it boots but there are problems even in text mode, do not call us.
You will need to get different cards or upgrade your motherboard.

To generate a trap file for use with Hydra.ms, go to the
/qnx4/graphics/drivers directory, and type the following:

‘Hydra.ms -T >file’

This will invoke the Hydra.ms program in (T)rap mode. This mode will generate
a list of ‘mode switcher;driver’ commands for each mode and each card in the
system.

This process may take some time, but you should see the secondary monitor
perform a video BIOS warm boot while the process is taking place. You will see
the signon screen that would be seen if this machine were booted with only the
secondary card installed.

You must ensure that nothing attempts to display text on your console screen
during the trap process, as well as during the mode switch that will occur
later when you go to run Photon.

If your machine hangs while trying to perform this trap, you’re probably out
of luck. Assuming the trap is successful, your file should look something like
the following:

Card 1, Bus 0, Dev/Func 90

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4100 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x400x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB640;#640,400,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4101 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB640;#640,480,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4103 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1024;#800,600,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256 color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4105 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1024;#1024,768,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4107 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#1280,1024,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4110 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#640,480,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4111 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1280;#640,480,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4112 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g640x480x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#640,480,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4113 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1920;#800,600,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4114 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1920;#800,600,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4115 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g800x600x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#800,600,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4116 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411C -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flat -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x8 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB1664;#1600,1200,8,100,1,flat - SVGA 256
color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4118 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc32 -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x32 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB4096;#1024,768,32,100,1,flatdc32 - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4119 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#1280,1024,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411A -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1280x1024x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2560;#1280,1024,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411D -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#1600,1200,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411E -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1600x1200x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB3200;#1600,1200,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

Card 2, Bus 0, Dev/Func 88

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4100 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x400x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB640;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4101 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB640;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4103 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB960;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4105 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1024;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4107 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4110 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4111 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1280;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4112 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g640x480x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4113 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1920;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4114 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1920;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4115 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g800x600x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4116 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411C -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flat -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x8 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB1600;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4118 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc32
-HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x32 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB4096;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4119 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411A -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1280x1024x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2560;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411D -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x411E -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1600x1200x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB3200;

Here’s an analysis of one of the secondary trap lines:

Hydra.ms ← name of mode switcher
-S ← flag to tell it to perform a mode switch
-i0x4100 ← which (VESA) mode number to switch to
-s0x0000,0x0088 ← PCI bus,(PCI Device << 3) | PCI Function
-cnone ← which console to ‘hold’ (none for secondary)
-nqnx/crt88; ← name to register (based on PCI info)
Pg.flat ← driver to run
-HC0x00000088 ← Channel number (based on PCI info)
-PX ← set palette using Xternal agent (i.e. Hydra.ms)
-HNqnx/crt88 ← name to use when sending palette requests
-g640x400x8 ← resolution/color depth
-A0xFE800000,0x400000 ← Aperture/size info
-WB640; ← Bytes Per Scanline

You may have trouble trying to use a palette based mode since many (or most)
cards still use the VGA I/O registers to program the palette. It’s probably
easiest to simply use 16 bit modes.

To run Photon, take one of the lines from the primary card…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

…split it at the semicolon…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;
Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt -g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000
-WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA hi-color

… stuff one of the secondary lines in the middle…

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;
Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone -nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088
-PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16 -A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;
Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt -g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000
-WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA hi-color

… and then sew the mess back together:

Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0090;Hydra.ms -S -i0x4117 -s0x0000,0x0088 -cnone
-nqnx/crt88;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000088 -PX -HNqnx/crt88 -g1024x768x16
-A0xFE800000,0x400000 -WB2048;Pg.flatdc -HC0x00000090 -PX -HNqnx/crt
-g1024x768x16 -A0xFF000000,0x400000 -WB2048;#1024,768,16,100,1,flatdc - VGA
hi-color

Make this the top line of your nodes trap file, and then just type ‘ph’.

You probably want to move the second screen over to the right of the first
screen. Add a ‘-o’ argument to the secondary cards driver command. In this case,
adding ‘-o1024’ moves the second screen so it starts just to the right of the
first screen.

That should be it. Now that you have the graphics drivers running, you should be
able to figure out how to get multiple keyboards or multiple Photon sessions
running.

In article <> 397FE2AA.1D5C5542@nctimes.net> >, Ken says…

I don’t know where to begin with this request made to me. I have to add
a second (VGA only) display to my application. This second display
needs to have a graphics picture on it. This picture needs to match the
existing ones (so manuals don’t change etc.) so I have an exact picture
to replicate.

Under QNX 4.2x…

1. How do I add a 2nd display. Just add a second VGA adapter and let
   the install program figure it out? (Obvious: Just make sure there are
   no hardware conflicts.)

2. How do I send graphic commands (via a ‘c’ program) to draw on this
   2nd display?

3. What graphic commands are available? To date I have just needed
   ncurses - which work perfectly fine for my needs. Using Photon is out
   of the question - someone else’s decision.

4. The graphic picture has bargraphs and a line graph with variable
   text all over the display and is in color.

Thanks,
KenR

[Mario_Charest1]

“Ken Recchia” <rectech@nctimes.net> wrote in message
news:39888C46.2104592F@nctimes.net…

Well it looks like the conclusion is to use Photon. Thanks for the
assistance. By the way I need a different output to each display and I
have
used video splitters - they work great for the same picture.

While I look into Photon in more detail let me ask this first question:
Can I run Photon on just one video adapter and leave the other one alone?

Yes

KenR

Mitchell Schoenbrun wrote:

Ken Recchia <> rectech@nctimes.net> > wrote:
I don’t see any graphic’s commands in the Watcom 10.6 manuals. Is
there
another source?

While the commands are not in the manual, the library is available.
You would need to get ahold of the older documenation for it
to be of any use. This probably will not be of any use.
Graphic driver support for the Watcom graphics ceased long ago.
It is doubtful that you will find support for any modern
card that you can run two of. That leaves you with the option
of writing all the support yourself, a project that would
take more time than it would be worth, and would probably
fail anyway.

I don’t recall if you just need to have the same image
on the screen. If so, there are devices that send
the video signal to more than one monitor, but I don’t
know much about them.

Mitchell Schoenbrun --------- > maschoen@pobox.com

[Mitchell_Schoenbrun]

Ken Recchia <rectech@nctimes.net> wrote:

While I look into Photon in more detail let me ask this first question:
Can I run Photon on just one video adapter and leave the other one alone?

Yes, but what is the point? You would still need to write your
own custom driver for the second.

Mitchell Schoenbrun --------- maschoen@pobox.com

[Ken_Recchia]

Mitchell Schoenbrun wrote:

Ken Recchia <> rectech@nctimes.net> > wrote:

While I look into Photon in more detail let me ask this first question:
Can I run Photon on just one video adapter and leave the other one alone?

Yes, but what is the point? You would still need to write your
own custom driver for the second.

Mitchell Schoenbrun --------- > maschoen@pobox.com

If I use the on board video port - my application already has a ncurses
front-end. The second display is to alternate between two high resolution
pictures that need to be seen at the same time as the ncurses application.