🚀 go-pugleaf

Date Entered: 11-12-92 05:42
MC>I need any information on how to redefine the IBM ASCII character set
  >*WITHOUT* going into graphics mode. I know it involves interupts
  >and can be done without having to redefine the ENTIRE character set.
  >i.e. I would like to keep the alphabet and numbers but want to make
  >      all the other characters into happy faces, trees, etc.
MC>Can it be done?

Sure, EGA and VGA can both use user-defined character sets.

It's Function 11h of Interupt 10h.  "A detail list of this function (
and it's MANY subfunctions) is beyond this message."  Look for Ralf's
INTERrupt list, you'll only need INTER3xA for an Int 10h description.

  >I tried to do it on my IBM which uses MCGA graphics and I have a sneaking
  >suspicion that if it can be done it can only be done on VGA cards or higher.
  >I *HAD* an example of how to do this but it didn't work and now I've lost it.
  >If someone could post or email me the exact C code on how to do it (I'm  usin
  >Borland's Turbo C) I would be most appreciative.

VGA cards may have 2 character sets, using a bit in the attribute byte
specifying which set.

  >i.e. I could have three hundred happy faces flying around without much slowdo
  >      or problems determining wether they were hit.

Only 256 characters possible, and you said you only wanted to redefine
the high ASCII and possibly control characters so that's only 128+27.  Unless
you make it VGA only and use the second set (another 256) aswell.

PCTools for DOS looks pretty cool with it's redefined characters emulating
Windows.  I was planning on redefining a character to a C-in-a-circle for
some shareware I was once long ago doing but I lost interest...
n----------------------------------------------------.
| Colin Buckley                                      |
| Toronto, Ontario, Canada                           |
| InterNet: colin.buckley@rose.com                   |
|                                                    |
| So Eager to Play, So Relunctant to Admit it...     |
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