EGA/CGA Graphics Adapter (250-3048A)  Software Utility   Faxback Doc. 2156


Six utilities change operation mode as follows:

EGA.COM                 Changes the Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter operating mode to
                        EGA Mode 3.

MDA.COM                 Changes the Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter operating mode to     
                        MDA or HERCULES.

CGA.COM                 Changes the Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter operating mode to
                        CGA mode 3.

                        Note: If you are using a Tandy 1000, you cannot mode
                        switch to CGA.

SWITCH.EXE              Menu driven operation of the above utilities.

                        (Switch requires that EGA, CGA, and MDA be on the
                        same directory.)

VCGC.EXE                Sets the Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter for HERCULES graphics
                        operations after running MDA.

AUTOMODE.COM            Changes the Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter from EGA mode to
                        CGA mode.


Using the Switch Command:

To operate Switch, follow the steps below:

1.  At the system prompt, type any one of the following:

    SWITCH  (lets Switch determine the appropriate display)

    SWITCH V  (view all the Display options)

    SWITCH E  (use the Enhanced Color Display options)

    SWITCH R  (use the RGB Display options)

    SWITCH M  (use the Monochrome Display options)

Note: If you have a Tandy 1000, you cannot boot your system in the MDA mode.  
Instead, boot as a monochrome EGA and mode switch to MDA and Hercules.

2.  The Switch logo will appear on the screen.

Press any key (other than ESC) to continue to the next screen.

3.  If Switch cannot determine your display type(s), the program displays the
    Select Monitor Menu so that you can select the monitor that is active on
    your system.

If Switch can determine your display type(s), the program immediately moves to 
Step 5.

Use the arrow keys to highlight your option and the return key to select your 
option; or, simply press the first letter of your option.  (For example, press 
R for RGB.)

    Caution: Switch may perform with unpredictable results if you request
    an option not available for your system (for example, if your request
    Monochrome Display when no Monochrome Display is available).

Press escape key (ESC) to exit Switch without making any changes to the video 
environment.

4.  Switch displays the Mode Selection Menu.  Use the left and right arrow      
    keys to select the Display Adapter Standard you want to use.  Use the up
    and down arrow keys to locate, and the ENTER key to select, the video mode
    that you want your system to be in upon leaving Switch.

VCGC FUNCTION:

Some application programs, particularly older version, require a utility to 
set up the graphic environment before they will operate properly in HERCULES 
mode.  VCGC provides this function for your Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter and 
functions similarly to the HGC program supplied with HERCULES Graphics 
Adapters.  If your application software does not run properly in HERCULES 
mode, run VCGC immediately before the application.

VCGC.EXE allows three configurations: FULL, HALF, and DIAG.FULL is the normal 
operation configuration for HERCULES Graphics mode and is required by Lotus 
1-2-3 Version 1A.  FULL allows unrestricted access to the 64K of MDA memory.  
Never use FULL if and IBM color card is in your system.

HALF allows an IBM color card to be in the system at the same time you are in 
MDA mode.  HALF limits access to the first 32K of memory.

DIAG limits access to the first 4K of MDA memory; this allows text only, 
without any graphics.

Insert your Tandy EGA/CGA Adapter utility diskette.

Type in one of the following:

VCGC FULL  <ENTER>

VCGC HALF  <ENTER>

VCGC DIAG  <ENTER>

No Parameters:

If VCGC is run without valid command line parameters, it displays a list of 
valid parameters and does not modify the HERCULES environment.

VCGC IN NON-MDA MODE:

Running VCGC while in non-MDA mode will reset any HERCULES graphic adapter or 
compatible.

AUTOMODE COMMAND:

Automode controls auto mode switching from EGA mode to CGA mode.  Many 
CGA-only games can be started in EGA mode by using Automode.

System Requirements

*   Jumper P3 must be set for Automode
*   Can only be run in EGA mode.

Type:

AUTOMODE  <ENTER>

Note: Each time Automode is run it automatically switches between Enabled and     
      Disabled.

To make sure that Automode is always enabled:

Type:

AUTOMODE E  <ENTER>

To make sure that Automode is always disabled:

Type:

AUTOMODE D  <ENTER>

Note: The mode switching program MDA, CGA, and EGA will disable AUTOMODE    
      automatically.

RESOLUTION SWITCHING UTILITIES:

The RUN family of programs facilitates higher resolution operation of many 
applications that can be configured for additional rows and columns.  There 
are two styles of operations:

*   Set environment for the execution of a program

*   Set environment to continue until EXIT

Type:

RUN===  <program name> <program parameters>  <ENTER>

e.g. RUN38 ED readme.doc
e.g. RUN38 DIR
e.g. RUN38 (sets mode--use "EXIT" to return to previous mode)

Notes:  *     Default for EGA, CGA, and MDA is 80 X 25
        *     === is either 38 or 43
        *     To have DOS recognize extra columns, be sure that ANSI.SYS is
              not included in your CONFIG.SYS file.

REBOOT UTILITY:

The BOOTCGA program allows you to boot the system into CGA mode without having 
to change any switch settings.

Note: If you have a Tandy 1000, you cannot boot in the CGA mode.

At the system prompt, type:

BOOTCGA  <ENTER>

The program will display a message and wait for you to prepare the system for 
a reboot.  (For example, to allow you to put a CGA game diskette in Drive A.)
Press ESCAPE to terminate without rebooting or changing the video mode; any 
other key will continue the reboot.

(smm/jej-05/11/94)