vga bios update

[ghost_3k]

I have a m571 with the last bios update. And i don't like to use that tsr program that updates the vga bios every time my computer boots so that i can use the last vga drivers for sis. This is a problem with Windows ME because it's not using autoexec.bat so you can't start the tsr program from there. I'm currently using a realdos patch for Windows Me to get the tsr program running but this slowdowns the booting process a lot.
So is there a way to update that vga bios? I don't like using the tsr program.

[brad]

I know of no way to permanently update the VGA BIOS on a M571 and frankly, I don't think there is one. Hence the TSR. Several M571 users here including myself have found that the latest drivers work fine in win98 and win98-se without the TSR. A few people HAVE needed it, however, presumably due to earlier versions of the 5598 chip because most of us use the same basic 04-21-1999 BIOS, but we just don't know for sure.

My understanding is that video handling in win-me is not significantly different than in win-98 and the fact that SIS has no drivers specifically for win-me would seem to back this up.

So, if your system runs fine without the TSR and there are no video related problems then I would think you don't need the TSR at all. We would like to know if you find out otherwise of course.

Brad

[ghost_3k]

Thanks for your reply...

I can't install the video drivers in Win ME if the tsr program is not running, i get a blue screen at startup, but if i install the drivers while using the tsr program and then remove the tsr program at the next boot the system works ok, this is strange. Also without the tsr program i can't use some resolutions like 400*300, 320*240
(320*200 works) in games, but anything else is fine.
I have tested this with the both win95 and win98 drivers. So it's ok to use the TSR program when installing the driver and then remove it but you can't use some resolutions.


Ghost_3k

[alan norman]

From memory the TSR was originally produced to stop the blue screen in Windows 98 (way before ME came out) when the latest VGA drivers were installed. I suspect if you were to install the old VGA drivers, the TSR would not be required.

Alan

[ghost_3k]

But i have to use the latest vga drivers. If i use the old ones then i can't use resolution like 320*240, 540*xxx..., and i can't play movies larger than 100*100 (i get strange lines) and a lot of stuff doesn't work with the old drivers.

Ghost_3k

[alan norman]

The only other thing I can suggest is to get hold of a cheap PCI Graphics Card. I put a Matrox Millennium II 8 Mb PCI Card in my M571. In addition to the graphics working a lot better, the increase in overall PC performance was really noticeable.

Alan

Website Address
www.adnorman.co.uk

[bear]

Hey Ghost_3K:

I've been griping about this same problem since the 4/21/99 BIOS came out - about having to use the TSR. Under 98 it was a pain, but at least it worked!

I ran into the same problem with WinME that you're having. Because PCChips sucks gravy, I actually am putting together my own BIOS Update for the M571 v3.2/3.2a, to incorporate the latest VGA BIOS code (v1.13) into it.

I've already got the updated VGA BIOS merged into the system BIOS code. I also have turned on the ability to set the CAS timings for the memory and a couple of other options that are available but disabled in the 042199S and 051499S BIOS Updates.

I'm almost ready to test this new BIOS code. I'm still trying to round up some information - if you know where I can find any of the following, I will help me expedite creating and testing this new BIOS revision:

I need IDE Register Information or other Technical documentation for the SIS 5571 IDE Controller, 5597/5598 Integrated Chip, UMC8663B and Cyrix 6x86 CPU's. I particularly need the IDE Register information! I'm going to try to enable >32gb support if possible.

Thanks,
Bear