(c) Copyright International Computers Limited 1992 HRA The ICL HRA Video Setup Utility Version 3.5 1. Abstract The HRA utility is a simple tool to configure the HRA board. There are two major classes of configuration items: * Compatibility, or hardware emulation. * Ergonomics. 2. Hardware Compatibility modes. It is possible to select a VGA-compatible mode or a selection of emulation modes, or extended VGA text modes with 132 columns. The emulation modes are available mainly for compatibility reasons. Old applications that access the hardware directly require that the hardware looks as it should. The emulation modes available are: * EGA, supports EGA-modes 0 - 7, 13 -16. * CGA, supports CGA-modes 0 - 6. * MDA, supports MDA-mode 7. * Hercules is an extended MDA-mode, which supports a graphics resolution of 720 by 348 monochrome. 3 Ergonomics The ICL VGA Extensions give the user an environment that is less straining during prolonged use. These features are available with ICL monitors DU151, DU146 and VE17C in VGA operation. The selectable features are: * Image background color may be set to either paperwhite or black as in standard VGA. This selection is divided into two, one for text modes and one for graphics modes. * Border color. Decreases contrast between image and border. Can be set to the same color as the background, or to any of the 16 predefined colors. The user can also create a customized color of his choice. * A choice of whether the border color should be enabled or not in 256 color graphics modes. When enabled, the selected border color is displayed, unless an application is run which uses all 256 available colors. In this case, it is recommended that you disable the border color. * A selection of locks. These are intended to protect the current setup from access that might alter it. Some of the locks are set automaticaly when entering an emulation mode. !! WARNING !! The locks can affect the compatibility of the Video Adapter. Use only when absolutely necessary. !! BE WARNED !! 4. Usage The HRA utility can be used in two different ways: * Command line operation. -OR- * Menu operation. If HRA is started with input parameters: o no menues are shown, o hardware settings are made directly and only temporary. If HRA is started without input parameters: o a menu with options is displayed, o the menu bar has three choices: - Video, where all the settings are chosen, - Info, shows settings detected by system, - Help, gives general and more specific help. o no hardware except border color is affected until exit. o it is possible to save the setup in two ways: - Temporary, saves the changes until next hard boot. - Permanent, saves all changes. The new settings will survive all subsequent hard boots. 4.1 Menu Operation. When the HRA is started without input parameters, it will enter the menu-operation mode. Example: C:> HRA The menus are selected with the arrow-keys and the ENTER key will open submenus or toggle menu-fields. The ESC-key will exit menus. An alternative way of entering main menus is to hold the -key down while pressing for video page, for information page and for help page. These 'navigation' methods are the same as for the 'Resident Setup'-program used to configure ICL system boards. There are a few shortcut keys to switch between menu pages : ALT V Show Video page ALT I Show Info page ALT H Show Help page ALT Q Quit without update ALT X Exit and update temporarily. To prevent inadvertently changing the configuration, there are no shortcuts to exit and save permanently. For a detailed description of each menu, please refer to the HELP screen in the menu bar. Please note that the following options CANNOT be stored permanently: - the 132 column VGA modes, - the locks. Also note that the display of border colors during the selection is only possible if HRA is started with ICL Features enabled. 4.2 Command Line Operation. When HRA is started with input parameters, for example C:> HRA EGA The hardware will be affected immediately, but only temporarily. In this example the Video adapter will go into EGA emulation in the current color or monochrome mode. If you wish you might type: C:> HRA EGA MONO to force the video adapter into EGA monochrome mode. Note that HRA handles only one command at a time. For details on each command, please type HRA HELP or HRA ? for a display of available commands. The help text is available in the HRA.HLP file, which can be printed and saved as a reference. The syntax description in this help text uses the following symbols: [] Meaning 'abcde' is an optional argument. [] Meaning that one of 'abc' or 'def' is optional argument. Meaning that one of 'abc' or 'def' is a required argument. In those examples 'abc' etc should be replaced with the actual command or option. [color | mono] Meaning the words 'color' or 'mono' should be used.