SUMMARY
Because the IBM 8514/a adapter was designed to be hardware
independent, it's possible to emulate the adapter in software. IBM
intended all access to this card to be done through it's applications
interface (HDILOAD.EXE). This allows modification of the card as
needed by providing an updated HDILOAD.EXE to run with it.
This also allows any card that has the same capabilities to emulate an
8514/a adapter with the appropriate application interface. RIX
Softworks has created an 8514/a AI to allow most cards currently
available (that support the 1024 x 768 resolutions) to use the 8514/a
modes in its software. The actual chip set used by the video card
manufacturer typically determines these capabilities. Below is a list
of RIX AI-supported chip sets (as of 6/30/90).
Manufacturer 1024 x 768 x 16 1024 x 768 x 16 640 x 480 x 256
------------ --------------- --------------- ---------------
Ahead Systems * X X
Ahead Systems Super Wizard * X X
ATI (All BIOSs) * NA X
Chips & Technologies 451/452 X NA X
Chips & Technologies 453 X X X
Genoa 6400 or greater X NA X
Headland X NA X
Paradise NA NA X
Trident 8800 X NA X
Trident 8900 X X X
Tseng Labs ET 3000/4000 X NA X
Western Digital X NA X
Zymos X NA X
Abbreviations
-------------
X = Supported
* = Not supported
NA = Not available on the chip X NA X
Note that some software will directly access the hardware. This is
particularly true of operating systems such as OS/2 and applications
such as Windows. Since the 8514/a hardware is not present, RIX AI will
not work in these situations. It will work properly, however, with
most applications that support the 8514/a, including Microsoft Word
and Microsoft Works.
For more information about RIX AI, contact RIX Softworks at (714) 476-
- Microsoft has not tested with RIX AI and cannot guarantee full compatibility.