Display Problems With Orchid Fahrenheit VA/VLB

 Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
Article ID: Q114266

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system, version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1

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.

  • Start the Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE).

  • Find the following key:

    \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Serial\Parameters

  • 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.

  • 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

    • Additional query words: wfw wfwg prodnt garble ntlogo.bmp
    Keywords : kbhw nthw
    Version : 3.1
    Platform : WINDOWS

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    Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
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