Add-in Display Adapters and Motorola Powerstack Computers

ID: Q153399

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you install an add-in display adapter on a Motorola Powerstack PowerPC computer system, the new display adapter is not recognized by the system, resulting in no video display.

CAUSE

A problem exists in an older firmware revision (version 2.06a) that prevents many ISA/PCI video cards from working. This firmware has limited support for third-party video adapters because it cannot emulate the x86 code found in the card's BIOS.

RESOLUTION

Obtain the latest firmware revision (version 3.03.0x or later) from your Motorola vendor or from Motorola directly. You can access the Motorola web page on the Internet at http://www.mot.com.

MORE INFORMATION

The specific BIOS revision can be identified by the following behavior:

Version 2.06a starts with several system tests on a black screen, which transitions to another black screen with white lettering that displays the text [ASCII 147]Version 2.06a[ASCII 148] and continues with a blue screen and a small set of menu selections in white letters.

Version 3.03.0x boots to a screen with a bitmap background and two small windows. The upper window gives the version information and the lower window shows a small set of menu selections. This firmware does have x86 emulation, which supports cards that have Intel code in the BIOS.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: prodnt motorola ppc


Keywords          : kb3rdparty ntdriver nthw 
Version           : 3.51 4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: February 24, 1999