




                                     Software

                                     Release

                                     Announcement












                      CTOS  Video Access Method


                                (VAM)

                               R4.2.11

                          Style ID: B25VAM







         To order additional copies of this document

          United States customers, call Unisys Direct at
          18004481424.
          All other customers, contact your Unisys Sales
          Office.
          Unisys personnel, use the Electronic Literature
          Ordering (ELO) system.







































      Distribution lists:            System:   CTOS
      SA, SN, SU, SW, PR5            Release:  R4.2.11
                                               May 1994
                                     Part Number:4360083
                                     2004




      ii                                     43600832004










         The names, places, andor events used in thispublicationarenotintendedtocorrespondtoany
         individual, group, or association existing, living,
         or otherwise.  Any similarity or likeness of thenames,places,andoreventswiththenamesofany
         individual, living or otherwise, or that of any
         group or association is purely coincidental andunintentional.


         NO WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE ARE EXTENDED BY THISDOCUMENT.Anyproductorrelatedinformation
         described herein is only furnished pursuant and
         subject to the terms and conditions of dulyexecutedagreementtopurchaseorleaseequipment
         or to lease software.  The only warranties made by
         Unisys, if any, with respect to the productsdescribedinthisdocumentaresetforthinsuch
         agreement.  Unisys cannot accept any financial or
         other responsibility that may be the result of youruseoftheinformationinthisdocumentorsoftware
         material, including direct, special or
         consequential damages.

         You should be very careful to ensure that the use
         of this information andor software materialcomplieswiththelaws,rules,andregulationsof
         the jurisdictions with respect to which it is used.


         The information contained herein is subject tochangewithoutnotice.Revisionsmaybeissuedto
         advise of such changes andor additions.

         RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND.  Use, reproduction, or
         disclosure is subject to the restrictions set forth
         in DFARS 252.2277013  and FAR 52.22714 forcommercialcomputersoftware.


         Copyright   1994 Unisys CorporationAllRightsReserved
         Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys
         Corporation

         Convergent, Convergent Technologies, CTOS, NGEN,
         and SuperGen are registered trademarks of
         Convergent Technologies, Inc.

         43600832004                                      3







      Art Designer, AutoBoot, Chart Designer,
      ClusterCard, ClusterShare, Context Manager, ContextManagerVM,CTAM,CTDBMS,CTMAIL,CTNet,
      CTOSVM, CTOSVpc, Document Designer, Generic Print
      System, Image Designer, Network PC, PC Emulator,PhoneMemoManager,PrintManager,Series186,
      Series 286, Series 386, Series 286i, Series 386i,sharedresourceprocessor,SolutionDesigner,SRP,
      TeleCluster, The Operator, VoiceData Services,VoiceProcessor,XBus,andXBus+aretrademarks
      of Convergent Technologies, Inc.

      MAPPER and OFIS are registered trademarks of Unisys
      Corporation.

      BTOS is a trademark of Unisys Corporation.


      Apple, LaserWriter, and Macintosh are registeredtrademarksofAppleComputer,Inc.AT,IBM,IBM
      PC, and OS2 are registered trademarks of
      International Business Machines Corporation.CommonUserAccess,IBMPCAT,IBMPCXT,andIBM
      PS2 are trademarks of International BusinessMachinesCorporation.Intelisaregistered
      trademark of Intel Corporation.  Lotus 123 is a
      registered trademark of Lotus DevelopmentCorporation.GWBASIC,MSDOS,andMicrosoftare
      registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.PresentationManagerandWindowsaretrademarksof
      Microsoft Corporation.  UNIX is a registeredtrademarkofATT.XVTisatrademarkofXVT,Inc.










         Contents



            Section 1
            General Description                           1

            Section 2
            Release Functionality                         3

               2.1 New CommandsCalls.................    3
               2.2 New Configuration Options..........    3


            Section 3
            Product Interdependencies                     5

               3.1 Software...........................    5
                   3.1.1  Requirement.................    5
                   3.1.2  Recommended Additional Software 5
               3.2 Hardware...........................    5
                   3.2.1  Requirement.................    5

                   3.2.2  Recommended Additional Hardware 7

            Section 4
            Migration Requirements                        9

               4.1 Compatibility with Previous Versions   9


            Section 5
            Corrections                                  11





           43600832004                                    v







          Section 6
          Restrictions and Known Limitations          13

            6.1 Standard VGA Video Restrictions....   13
            6.2 Restrictions with CTOS VideoCard...   16
            6.3 Other Known Limitations............   16


          Section 7
          Support                                     17

            7.1 Introduction.......................   17
            7.2 Warranty...........................   17
            7.3 Support Category...................   17
            7.4 Support Discontinuance.............   20
            7.5 Product Assistance.................   20

                7.5.1  Instructions................   20
                7.5.2  Environment.................   21
                7.5.3  Software Components.........   21
                7.5.4  Hardware Components.........   21
                7.5.5  Circumstances...............   23


          Section 8
          Customer Product Information                25

            8.1 Required Product Documentation.....   25

          Section 9
          List of Files on Product Media              27

            9.1 Contents of the Distribution Diskettes 27


          Section 10
          Ordering Procedure                          31




        vi                                    43600832004









         Section 1

         General Description



             This Software Release Announcement describes
             release R4.2.11 of the CTOS Video Access Method
             (VAM).  It covers information about how VAM
             R4.2.11 differs from VAM 4.2.0 .  It provides a
             product description, and list of limitations.

             VAM provides support for all CTOS video
             displays. CTOSspecific video controllers offer
             some character attributes that are not
             available from industrystandard VGA hardware.
             The CTOS VideoCard offers hardware support for
             those character attributes.
             The VGA controllers used on EISA or ISAbus
             workstations also provide a different set of
             color choices than those used with older CTOS
             video controllers.

             VAM R4.2.11 provides support for the CTOS Video
             Card (SG260V) using the new Weitek 5286 Video
             Controller on EISAISA Bus workstations..













           43600832004                                    1
















































        2                                     43600832004









         Section 2

         Release Functionality





             This is release R4.2.11 of the CTOS Video
             Access Method.  VAM R4.2.11 is a complete, new
             release of VAM and includes support for all
             current CTOS video controllers.

         2.1    New CommandsCalls


             There are no new commands or calls in this
             release.


         2.2    New Configuration Options


             There are no new configuration options with VAM
             R4.2.11.

             Listed below are the register differences
             betweeen the Weitek 5186 and Weitek 5286 chip.

             5186
             5286
             Rom Status    Port 300 >      Sequencer Port
             3C45 Index 10
             Monitor ID Port 301 >Sequencer Port 3C45
             Index 10 bits 30
             Misc Reg Port 30A >Sequencer Port 3C45 Index
             11
             Memory BasePort 320 >Sequencer Port 3C45
             Index 12
           43600832004                                    3







          Output Cntr.Port 32A >Sequencer Port 3C45
          Index 13







































        4                                     43600832004







         Section 3

         Product Interdependencies



         3.1    Software

         3.1.1  Requirement

             VAM R4.2.11 requires the following versions of
             system software :

                CTOS II 3.3.8 or higher, CTOS III 1.0.3 or
                higher
                Standard Software 12.2.100 or higher


         3.1.2  Recommended Additional Software

             Also additionally the following software may be
             used with VAM R4.2.11.
                Context Manager II5.0.1 or higher

                Vpc 2.0.10 or higher (this is required with
                the new CTOS Video Card using the Weitek
                5286 chip)

         3.2    Hardware


         3.2.1  Requirement









           43600832004                                    5







             When EISAISA bus workstations are used with
             the CTOS VideoCard, only upto 12MB of the
             system memory can be supported. If your
             EISAISA Bus workstation has more than 12MB
             of RAM installed you have to remove the
             extra memory before booting the system with
             the CTOS VideoCard. This restriction does
             not apply to the EISAISA bus workstations
             without the CTOS VideoCard.

             Unisys monitors PD7 and PD8 are not
             supported.





























        6                                     43600832004







         3.2.2  Recommended Additional Hardware

             On B25VGxGCx04 systems, an additional GCx02
             is recommended for second screen debugging,
             particularly in the case of graphicsoriented
             development.  To install, simply add the GC002
             after the B25VGxGC004 on the XBus, and
             connect a character mapped monitor to the GC
             002. Then, add the following to the
             [SYS]<SYS>CONFIG.SYS file:

                        :VgaCharMapDebugger:Yes
             From this point on, all your debugging will
             occur on the second screen which is connected
             to the GC002.


























           43600832004                                    7
















































        8                                     43600832004







         Section 4

         Migration Requirements



         4.1    Compatibility with Previous Versions



             With VAM R4.2.0, the VAM installation menu
             options have changed from five subpackages to
             three subpackages. VAM R4.2.11 and VAM R4.2.0
             have one common VGA Video subpackage for all
             VGA systems instead of three different
             subpackages. Therefore if you are updating your
             system i.e. if your system has VAM 4.1.5 or
             earlier installed, you may remove the packages
             Series 3000 VGA Video and CTOS VideoCard VGA
             Video (if present) using the Installation
             Manager.


             CAUTION: You must install the new VAM
             immediately after removal of the old packages.
             Otherwise your system will not boot.



             The removal of the old packages is not
             essential for the proper functioning of the
             system and therefore can be skipped. But you
             must not attempt to remove any VAM subpackage
             at later time. Any accidental removal of any of
             the VAM subpackages should be followed
             immediately by Installation of VAM again.





           43600832004                                    9
















































        10                                    43600832004







         Section 5

         Corrections



         55.1   PLEs Fixed

             The following Ples were fixed since the last
             release.
             Ple 16204234 : Real Mode cannot use
             rgpVidMemLine on SG3400 with
                                       SG260V.

             Ple 16196185 : QueryFrameString does not work
             with standard VGA.

             Ple 16143294  : Work stations intermittently
             crash with an erc 80.

             Ple 16247774  : VGA200MON gray scale monitor
             comes up with black
                                         background.


















           43600832004                                   11
















































        12                                    43600832004







         Section 6

         Restrictions and Known Limitations



         6.1    Standard VGA Video Restrictions

             The following operational video restrictions
             apply to the CTOS III operating system on EISA
             and ISAbus workstations without the CTOS
             VideoCard.
                Applications that use graphics via
                Graphics.lib, the CCGI library, or the
                raster VAM interfaces are not supported on
                EISA or ISAbus workstations without the
                CTOS VideoCard.

                Bold and struckthrough attributes are not
                displayed in the default attribute mapping
                provided by VAM R4.2.11.  A user can,
                however, choose bold instead of underline
                using the VGA Character Attribute Mapper
                utility, packaged with VAM R4.2.11.

                On standard VGA, one of the color registers
                is used to represent the color black.
                Therefore, only seven (7) of the eight (8)
                CTOS colors can be displayed on the screen.
                Users can map this lost color (Palette
                Register 3) to any combination of existing
                colors, using the VGA Character Attribute
                Mapper utility.
                Applications using the Forms library need to
                be relinked with Forms.lib 6.2.2 or later.

                WYSIWYG operation of the OFIS Document
                Designer, OFIS Graphics, OFIS Paint, and
                OFIS Imager are not supported on EISA or
                ISAbus workstations without the CTOS

           43600832004                                   13







             VideoCard.

             Any new font created for this environment
             must be at 640x480 resolution and must be
             created with Raster Font Designer version
             3.1 or later.

             Fonts that depend on the halfbit shift
             feature of CTOS Xbus modular workstations
             may need modification.































        14                                    43600832004







                The character cell size is 8x16 pixels.
                Custom fonts need to be modified, to run on
                EISA and ISAbus workstations without the
                CTOS VideoCard.  VAM R4.2.11 will however
                load an existing 9x12 font as a 8x12 font.

                On EISA bus workstations without the CTOS
                VideoCard, applications can map CTOS
                attributes to the standard VGA attributes
                using the VGA Character Attribute Mapper
                utility.  This mapping is appended as a
                resource to the runfile. When the runfile is
                loaded, this attribute map is read from the
                runfile, and is used for mapping CTOSSTDVGA
                attributes for this application.  Different
                runfiles can have different mappings.  The
                attribute map will however remain unchanged
                if a client program calls  LoadTask from
                within the application. Note that LoadTask
                is not a recommended function call.

                When using the CTOS debugger on EISAISA bus
                workstations without the CTOS VideoCard, use
                of the debugger command <Code>I is not
                supported.
















           43600832004                                   15







      6.2    Restrictions with CTOS VideoCard

             When EISAISA bus workstations are used with
             the CTOS VideoCard, only upto 12MB of the
             system memory can be supported. If your
             EISAISA Bus workstation has more than 12MB
             of RAM installed you have to remove the
             extra memory before booting the system with
             the CTOS VideoCard. This restriction does
             not aply to the EISAISA bus workstations
             without the CTOS VideoCard.

             When crashdump is taken with the CTOS
             VideoCard user may not see the numbers
             displayed on the screen.  However, valid
             crashdump is taken.



      6.3    Other Known Limitations
             On the charactermapped video systems with
             EV (extended video), the system font memory
             can not be read using the pointer returned
             by the QueryVideo operation in 132x34 mode.

             Unisys monitors PD7 and PD8 are not
             supported.














        16                                    43600832004









             Section 7

             Support



         7.1    Introduction
             This section describes Unisys warranty, support
             category, and assistance provided by the CTOS
             Video Access Method R4.2.11.


         7.2    Warranty
             VAM R4.2.11 is a warranted Unisys software
             product.

             Unisys warrants that VAM R4.2.11, in its
             unaltered form, will substantially conform to
             Unisys current published functional
             specifications when used in Unisys supported
             configurations.  The customer is responsible
             for reporting suspected deviations using the
             User Communication Form (UCF) process within
             ninety (90) days following delivery.  The
             product is neither field repairable nor field
             modifiable.  Corrections to reported deviations
             are provided to the user via updated code
             files.

             This standard warranty is not a substitute for
             Unisys Service Agreement offerings.

         7.3    Support Category

             VAM R4.2.11 is fully supported by Unisys.




           43600832004                                   17







          Support services for VAM R4.2.11 are offered
          under the SURETY (United States) or A la Carte
          (International) support programs and are
          consistent with the support services offered
          for the entire CTOS Hardware and Software
          family of products.



































        18                                    43600832004







             Unisys SureNet is an electronic bulletin board
             service, providing customers in the United
             States access to technical information seven
             days a week, 24 hours a day.  SureNet Technical
             Information Services are available at no
             additional cost to customers with a current
             Unisys service agreement or software license
             and include access to system alerts, customer
             technical bulletins, and online UCF entry.
             Registration is required.  SureNet Support
             Services are available on an annual
             subscription basis.  For more information,
             contact Unisys Direct at 18004481424, prompt
             5.  You may register for Technical Information
             Services andor Support Services either online
             by dialing 18008288796 (8 data bits, 1 stop
             bit, no parity, asynchronous, VT100 emulation)
             or by calling Unisys Direct.

             If you need further assistance or information
             regarding support services, please contact your
             Unisys representative or your local Unisys
             office.


















           43600832004                                   19







      7.4    Support Discontinuance

          UNISYS supports the current release and one
          level back.  Prior levels are not supported.

      7.5    Product Assistance

          The following sections describe how to get
          assistance if you need help and list
          information you should provide if you
          experience a problem.

      7.5.1  Instructions

          Should you encounter a problem with a Unisys
          product, please contact your local Customer
          Service Center.  Your Customer Service Center
          representative will have a more definitive set
          of problem reproduction requirement guidelines
          specific to the application you are running .
          So that your questions may be answered in a
          timely manner, please collect all information
          which applies to your problem.  A guideline for
          gathering information is listed below or you
          may reference the Product Validation Profile
          (PVP) in the PRIMUS database for more product
          specific UCF submission requirements.














        20                                    43600832004







         7.5.2  Environment

             To assist us in determining the nature of your
             problem, please be prepared to describe the
             environment in which the problem occurs.

         7.5.3  Software Components

             If you suspect the problem is software related,
             be prepared to answer the following questions
             concerning the software being used:

             1.The version number of the software in which
               the problem occurs
             2.The version of the operating system software

             3.Installation parameters used for the failing
               software

             4.Configuration files used
             5.Other software installed at the time of
               failure

             6.Recent changes to the system software
               (updates, other)

             7.Any messages associated with the failure
               that appear in the system log file (accessed
               through the Plog command).
             8.The connectivity of the software (is your
               system part of a network?).


         7.5.4  Hardware Components

             If you suspect the problem is hardware related,
             be prepared to answer the following questions
             concerning your hardware platform:
             1.The type of processor being used (B38, B39,
               SG2000, SG5000, other)

           43600832004                                   21







          2.The workstation components (hard drives,
            communication modules,
            CDROM drive, other)

          3.Any peripherals attached to the workstation
            (printers, scanners,
            modems, plotters, other)

          4.The connectivity of the hardware (is your
            system part of a network?).
          5.Recent changes to the hardware platform.

          6.The amount of memory installed.




























        22                                    43600832004







         7.5.5  Circumstances

             Be prepared to describe the circumstances under
             which the failure occurs. The description
             should include:

             1.Is the problem reproducible?
             2.What are the exact steps required to
               reproduce the problem?

             3.Under what circumstances does the problem
               not occur?





























           43600832004                                   23
















































        24                                    43600832004







         Section 8

         Customer Product Information



         8.1    Required Product Documentation

             See the CTOS System Software Installation Guide
             4357 4581300 for installation instructions.
             Setting up VAM and configuring Standard VGA
             character attributes is described in the CTOS
             System Administration Guide, which is
             distributed with each copy of CTOS Standard
             Software.  If you need to order a copy of the
             CTOS System Administration Guide you can get a
             copy of the manual, by ordering 4357 4409300.
             The VGA Character Attribute Mapper Utility
             commands are described in the CTOS Executive
             Reference Manual, 4357 4540300.

             Video programming is described in the CTOS
             Operating System Concepts Manual, the CTOS
             Programming Guide, and the CTOS Procedural
             Interface Reference Manual, all of which are
             shipped with the CTOS Development Utilities.















           43600832004                                   25
















































        26                                    43600832004







         Section 9

         List of Files on Product Media



         9.1    Contents of the Distribution Diskettes

             The Product distribution diskettes are your
             master copy and have been writeprotected.  The
             contents of the diskettes cannot be overwritten
             unless the writeprotect tabs are removed.  Do
             not remove the writeprotect tabs and do not
             use these diskettes as your working copy.
             VAM package consists of three 5 14 inch floppy
             diskettes OR two 3 12 inch floppy diskettes.
             The following is the list of files on each of
             the 5 14 inch diskettes.























           43600832004                                   27







          Distribution Diskette 1 (5 14 inch ) contains:

          <VAM4.2.0>1024x768_146LocSys.Icon
          <VAM4.2.0>1024x768_146LocSys.IconBox
          <VAM4.2.0>1024x768_146Sys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>1024x768_80LocSys.IconBox
          <VAM4.2.0>1024x768_80Sys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>720x348_80LocSys.IconBox
          <VAM4.2.0>720x348_80Sys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>DebugPrint.c
          <VAM4.2.0>InstallVdm.run
          <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_Bm.run
          <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_Dmy.run
          <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_Vga.run
          <VAM4.2.0>132x29_CharSys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>132x34_CharSys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>80x34_CharSys.font
          <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_Ch.run
          <Sys>BadBlk.sys
          <Sys>BitMapVideo>Install.ctrl
          <Sys>BitMapVideo>Install.jcl
          <Sys>BitMapVideo>InstallMsg.Bin
          <Sys>CharacterMapVideo>Install.ctrl
          <Sys>CharacterMapVideo>Install.jcl
          <Sys>CharacterMapVideo>InstallMsg.Bin
          <Sys>CrashDump.sys
          <Sys>Fileheaders.sys
          <Sys>Install.ctrl
          <Sys>Log.sys
          <Sys>Mfd.sys
          <Sys>SysImage.sys
          <Sys>VgaVideo>Install.ctrl
          <Sys>VgaVideo>Install.jcl
          <Sys>VgaVideo>InstallMsg.Bin
          <Sys>VgaVideo>Install.cmds
          <Sys>Video Diskette 1 of 2 (B25VAM1)
          <Sys>Video>Install.ctrl




        28                                    43600832004







           Distribution Diskette 2 (5 14 inch ) contains:
           <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_VgaWei.run
           <VAM4.2.0>640x480_80sys.font
           <VAM4.2.0>Attributes.Run
           <VAM4.2.0>Request.VAM.Sys
           <VAM4.2.0>VDMAttributes.Res
           <VAM4.2.0>Vdm_StdVga.run
           <Sys>BadBlk.sys
           <Sys>CrashDump.sys
           <Sys>Fileheaders.sys
           <Sys>Log.sys
           <Sys>Mfd.sys
           <Sys>SysImage.sys
           <Sys>Video Diskette 2 Of 2 (B25VAM2)

            Distribution Diskette 3 (5 14 inch ) contains:

            <SRA>VAM>SRA.def<SRA>VAM>SRA.doc
            <SRA>VAM>SRA.txt
            <PLG>AttributeMsg.mTxt<PLG>PLG.Doc





















           43600832004                                   29
















































        30                                    43600832004







         Section 10

         Ordering Procedure



             Please complete and return the attached Update
             Service Request form to order this product.
             Media provided by Unisys Corporation may not be
             returned for credit.

             You can order manuals from the followingaddress:

             Unisys Corporation
             Publications Distribution Center
             13250 Haggerty Road North
             Plymouth, Michigan 48170
























           43600832004                                   31
