Display Problems With Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB (114266)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q114266

SYMPTOMS

When using the S3 drivers supplied with Windows NT version 3.1 with an Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB video adapter, you may experience a dust orange background for the display, or the flag of the Windows NT logo bitmap may appear black except for the yellow square.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the Orchid Fahrenheit has an older version of the video BIOS. The same problem occurs under Windows versions 3.x and Windows for Workgroups versions 3.x.

RESOLUTION

The Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB (ISA) comes by default with the I/O address set to 02E8. This causes a conflict with COM4 that has the same setting. The Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB (VESA Local Bus) should not experience this conflict.

The recommendation would be to either add or change the I/O address for COM4 in the Registry database (REGEDT32), so that it will not conflict with the Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB (ISA) that is hard coded.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

  1. Start the Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE).
  2. Find the following key: 
       \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Serial\Parameters
  3. The Parameters key has several subkeys, such as Serial10000, Serial10001, and so on. Each of these subkeys corresponds to a COM port. To determine the COM port to which each applies, select the corresponding DosDevices value for COM4.
  4. Change the value PortAddress

    REG_DWORD

    to an address that doesn't conflict with the Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB (ISA) and is supported by COM4.

MORE INFORMATION

The new video BIOS version 3.0 is designed specifically to address color distortion and colors left behind when dragging an icon or windows on a non-DX type CPU under Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups 3.x.

The products included here are manufactured by Orchid Technologies, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

Orchid Technologies Technical Support: (510) 683-0323
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbHardware KB114266
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.