DoubleSpace Setup Runs in Mono on Some Older 8514/a Cards (94330)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q94330
This information applies to both Microsoft DoubleSpace and Microsoft DriveSpace. For MS-DOS 6.22, use DRVSPACE in place of DBLSPACE for commands and filenames.

SYMPTOMS

MS-DOS-based programs run in monochrome on older 8514/a video cards.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by a design limitation of the original IBM 8514/a video cards.

MORE INFORMATION

When you have an 8514/a card installed, it uses the VGA card for pass- through video. When you connect your monitor to the 8514/a output jack, the VGA port is left empty. Some applications read this open port as a monochrome monitor and switch to two-color mode when running VGA. Newer VGA cards default to color when the port is open. The same applications run in color on these 8514/a video cards.

If you run a Microsoft Diagnostics (MSD) report on one of these machines, you see the current mode listed as VGA Monochrome (two color). The only way to get the applications to run in color is to plug the monitor into the VGA port while you boot the machine so that it initializes as color and then plug the monitor into the 8514/a port. VGA mode remains in color until the machine is rebooted. This change should be reflected in virtually all the MS-DOS-based applications.

NOTE: This does work on the 8514/a emulator cards because they are the only video card in the system and no port is left open.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/30/1999
Keywords:KB94330
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