NeXTSTEP 3.3 Driver: Number Nine GXE64 Pro

This document discusses a device driver for the NeXTSTEP operating system, version 3.3. This driver will not work with any version of OPENSTEP.
Availability Information

An updated release version of this driver, version 3.32, is avaiable on Apple's FTP servers at:
ftp://ftp.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/MultiCountry/Enterprise/nextstep/drivers/released/Num9GXE64Pro.pkg.compressed

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: Number9GXE64ProDisplayDriver
Driver Type: Display
Driver Scope: Product Family
Supported Components: S3 964 (Vision), TI TVP3025 RAMDAC
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver**: PCI, VL-Bus

General Overview notes: This graphics driver is designed to support the PCI and VL-Bus versions of the GXE64Pro Graphics adapters from Number Nine Corp. These cards are based on the S3-964 Graphics controller chipset and support 2MB or 4 MB of VRAM. This driver supports both configurations including a variety of high-resolution and high-color (32bit) modes. The high performance RAMDAC on these adapters allows support of very high resolutions including 1600x1200 with 16-bit color.

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro (PCI, 4MB VRAM)
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro (PCI, 2MB VRAM)
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro-1600 (PCI, 4MB VRAM, 200Mhz RAMDAC) - not tested, but should work
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro (VL-Bus, 4MB VRAM)
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro (VL-Bus, 2MB VRAM)
Number 9 GXE 64 Pro-1600 (VL-Bus, 4MB VRAM, 200Mhz RAMDAC) - not tested, but should work

Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):


Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:
This device driver provides information in the Configure application's help panel. Choose Info>Help from the Configure menu and scroll down to find this device driver's help topic.

Display Driver Details

Supported Connectors: 15-pin High Density (VGA)
Access Mode: Linear Framebuffer
Adapter Memory: 2MB VRAM, 4MB VRAM

Display Modes (Number in () after resolution indicates frame buffer size required)

32 Bit Color Modes**:
1024x768 (4MB+), 1152x864 (4MB+), 640x480 (2MB+), 800x600 (2MB+)

16 Bit Color Modes**:
1024x768 (2MB+), 1152x864 (2MB+), 1280x1024 (4MB+), 1600x1200 (4MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

8 Bit Color / Greyscale Modes**:
1024x768 (1MB+), 1280x1024 (2MB+), 1600x1200 (2MB+), 800x600 (1MB+)

Known Problems

Our driver currently does not work with BIOS rev 1.03.08 and higher.

The DRAM (non-Pro) versions of this card are not supported by this driver. See the S3 Generic Driver, NeXTanswer #1737_S3_Generic_Driver_Overview.rtf

Driver Version Notes


** - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.

Product Vendor
Number Nine Visual Technology
18 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA 02173-3103

Voice: (617) 674-0009
FAX: (617) 674-2919
BBS: (617) 862-7502 (8/1/N, up to 28kbps)
URL: http://www.nine.com
Published Date: Feb 20, 2012