🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <CB.92Jul28163753@tamarack13.timbuk> cb@tamarack13.timbuk (Chris Brewster) writes:
> Christopher M. Palmer writes:
> 
>    I was reading one of John Dvorak's columns in a PC magazine where he
>    was discussing the joys and pitfalls of running OS/2.  In an
>    annoyingly offhand remark, he says that OS/2 doesn't like Trident
>    ET4000 SVGA cards.  I am about to purchase a system that has a Trident
>    ET4K card in it.  While I am buying the machine to run Windows, I
>    would like to keep my OS/2 options open.  What is this mysterious
>    incompatibility problem?  Is it just a scarcity of OS/2 drivers, or is
>    there something deeper?                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> It's just a driver issue.  I fault IBM for not having the driver ready
> earlier, but you can run OS/2 in VGA mode with no trouble.  There are
> drivers for ET4000, but in one way or another they're not the
> full-fledged driver that can do seamless Windows and other things that
> they should do.  I expect the full-strength driver will be out with the
> September bugfix release (whatever they're calling it).  If you're
> interested in OS/2, be sure to read the comp.os.os2.misc group.  ET4000
> issues come up repeatedly there.
> 
> Chris Brewster
> cb@cray.com

One story I heard from an IBMer was that before OS/2 V2's release, IBM tried
to get hardware manufacturers interested in writing drivers for OS/2. Some -
like Tirdent - responded and had video drivers ready months before the relase
date. Others - like Tseng couldn't see past Windows and didn't bother. Now
over 1.2 million copies of OS/2 v2 have been sold and the vendors who have any
sense are trying to be in first with the drivers - after all, the company that
writes the first, est driver has the market to himself for a while until the
others catch up. One of the qustions i am asked most often at the computer
shop i work in is: "Does this PC come with  Trident card? I may want to run
OS/2 soon."
 
Steve

-- 
Steve Withers - Wellington, New Zealand | "But the glory kept shining
Steve.Withers@bbs.actrix.gen.nz         |  and bright in my eyes, 
withers_s@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz            |  And the stars going round in 
**** Happy user of OS/2 v2!! ****       |  my head." R. L. S.