Article View: comp.os.msdos.programmer
Article #5552Re: Dual Monitor Switching
From: kevin.laux
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1991 14:21
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1991 14:21
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2501 bytes
In article <1991Mar12.175839.1687@engin.umich.edu>, pong@caen.engin.umich.edu (Bryan John Jalowitz) writes:
> In article <1991Mar12.133739.28811@cbnewsh.att.com> rkl@cbnewsh.att.com (kevin.laux) writes:
> >
> > You're missing Int 10h Function 12h Subfunction 35h, the Display
> >Switch Interface.
> >
> > AH: 12h
> > BL: 35h
> > AL: 0 Initial external adapter off
> > 1 Initial VGA on
> > 2 Active adapter off
> > 3 Inactive adapter on
> > ES: Segment of Switch State area
> > DX: Offset of Switch State area
> >
> > The first time you switch displays you must use AL=0,1. After that,
> >you use a double call to AL=2,3. The Switch state area is a 128 byte buffer
> >and each display needs it own.
> >
> My documentation ("Programmer's guide to PC & PS/2 video systems", Microsoft
> Press) says that this function is for PS/2 video systems. I tried it
> anyway, in case the book's information was old, however I do not get a
> successful return value. I am using an AT clone with both cards on an
> ISA bus. Should this still apply?
>
> Any other ideas?
The book says that subfunction 35h was provided for PS/2 systems with
a VGA along with the built-in MCGA. It does *not* say that it works *only*
on PS/2 systems. In Chapter 13 (pg 269) under the ROM BIOS Services Summary,
the Notes for this subservice say only MCGA, VGA. It is clearly a VGA
function (since one would add a VGA to the already existing MCGA in the PS/2
case). Not all VGA cards/BIOS's support all functions. Looks like yours
doesn't since AL!=12h after the call.
I suppose one could play with the bits in 40:87h through 40:89h, in
particular, 40:87h bit 3 (0 = VGA system active, 1 = not active), and 40:89h
bit 6 (0 = display switching disabled, 1 = enabled).
--
________________________________________________________________________________
R. Kevin Laux Email: rkl1@hound.att.com
AT&T Bell Labs Voice: (908) 949-1160
Holmdel, NJ 07733 Fax: (908) 949-0959
Technical Details
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<1991Mar13.142156.2473@cbnewsh.att.com>Path:
arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!censor!geac!lethe!telly!attcan!uunet!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsh!rklReferences:
<1991Mar11.172914.4450@engin.umich.edu> <1991Mar12.175839.1687@engin.umich.edu>Show Full Headers
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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!censor!geac!lethe!telly!attcan!uunet!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsh!rkl From: rkl@cbnewsh.att.com (kevin.laux) Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.programmer Subject: Re: Dual Monitor Switching Message-ID: <1991Mar13.142156.2473@cbnewsh.att.com> Date: 13 Mar 91 14:21:56 GMT References: <1991Mar11.172914.4450@engin.umich.edu> <1991Mar12.175839.1687@engin.umich.edu> Distribution: na Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 44