Sun Blade 1000 Poor Video Resolution
Greetings,
I have the following hardware:
Sun Blade 1000 w 1 900 MHz UltraSPARC III cu, 2GB RAM, Elite3D-m3 Series 2 Accelerator (Part# 501-5574)
A Sony built Sun 21" Monitor with the following Specs (Sorry, I can't find its model number)
CRT Size 21in.
CRT Size, Viewable 20in.
CRT Type Apeture Grill Trinitron
PC Resolution, maximum 1600 x 1200
Refresh rate 80Hz
PC Refresh, maximum 85Hz
Scanning, Horizontal Minimum 30kHZ
Scanning, Horizontal Maximum 121kHZ
Scanning, Vertical Minimum 50Hz
Scanning, Vertical Maximum 160Hz
Width, inches 19.6
Height, inches 19.8
Depth, inches 20
Dot pitch .24 mm
This card has a 13w3 port on the back, and since the monitor has a 15 ping VGA type plug, I'm using an adapter to connect the monitor to the Sun Blade.
The only resolution that works without the monitor flickering is 1024 x 768 @ 70Hz
Here is the output from the afbconfig -prconf command:
Hardware Configuration for /dev/fbs/afb0
Type: double-buffered AFB with Z-buffer
Board: rev 0 (Vertical)
Number of Floats: 6
PROM Information: @(#)afb.fth 1.17 98/03/06
AFB ID: 0x201df06d
DAC: Brooktree 9070, version 1 (Pac2)
3DRAM: Mitsubishi 130b, version 2
Framelock Configuration: Master
EDID Data: Available - EDID version 1 revision 1
Monitor Sense ID: 6 (Sun 39x29cm RGB color monitor)
Monitor possible resolutions: 1024x768x60, 1024x768x70, 1024x768x75,
1024x768x77, 1024x800x84, 1152x900x66, 1152x900x76, 1280x800x76,
1280x1024x60, 1280x1024x67, 1280x1024x76, 1280x1024x85,
960x680x112s, 960x680x108s, 640x480x60, 1280x1024x60c
Current resolution setting: 1024x768x70
This monitor works fine on my windoze PC, where I have it running much higher than 1024x768. The monitor, according to its specs is capable of much better resolution than I am able to get on the Sun Blade.
Can anyone suggest a reason why I can't seem to get better resolution ? This is all used equipment from ebay, and I'm trying to determine if it just isn't compatible, or if I'm having a hardware problem.
Any thoughts, suggestions, comments welcome.
Thanks,
Chris Hanrahan
# 1
What kind of adapter is it? Can you run down to Fry's to buy a replacement?
Given that you know they are good, that monitor and card should definitley give you a better resolution, without flickering (which is strange)--unless either component is bad. Since you have your PC using the monitor (I assume high resolution at 60hz), I would doubt it is the monitor. These frame buffers are not expensive used (probably get one from ebay for $5), but that will probably take more time that find the adapter at a local store.
# 2
Please! this is not a PeeCee! Fry's will not have a frame buffer that will work in this SUN computer.... you may have to go to Ebay to get a better Sun frame buffer... but you should be able to find the manual for the frame buffer that you have... there should be a fbconfig utility for it...
haroldkarl
# 3
I want to chime in with Harold.
This isn't a PeeCee and Fry's won't have compatible parts.
Chris,
Look at the rear of the monitor and get the part number from its label:
It will be in the format of 365-xxxx-YY.
That may help us find some web resources for that screen.
The Elite3D card, using the propt command switch, has already
told you that the monitor can do a number of 1280x1024 resolutions.
What sort of information do you get when you use the prconf command switch ?
You may find that there are three vertical refresh rates that
are done by the card, that are native to the monitor
(60Hz, 67Hz, and 76Hz).
http://www.sunshack.org/data/sh/2.1/infoserver.central/data/syshbk/Devices/Grap hics/GRAPH_AFB.html#5574
Review the man pages for afbconfig.
There is probably a command syntax method to force the setting "now".
# 4
The PC is running at 72 Hz, but at a much higher resolution than 1024x768. I'm going to borrow a PGX-32 card from someone and see if this works any better. This will eliminate both the Elite 3D card that I have as well as the 13w3 to HD-15 adapter. I'll post my results as soon as I can get my hands on this card.
Thanks for your response,
Chris
# 5
Unfortunately, this monitor is a refurb, and the company that sold it to me put their own crappy stickers over the Sun original ones, so I can't see the Sun part/model numbers. I'm only assuming the monitor is functioning correctly because it works on my PeeCee with a much higher resolution than 1024x768.
In my post above, I did supply the results of the afbconfig -prconf command. Is the propt command switch supposed to supply different information ? When I go back into work on Sunday, I'll try this command switch and post the results.
I'll see if I can remove the refurb stickers and determine the monitor model, which will give us some clue as to its capabilities. It is a two-tone black and gray montior and has Sun's name and logo printed on the back. I'll post any other information I find. Thanks for your response.
Chris
# 6
A little more information that I forgot to include about the monitor, is that it has two inputs, one for HD-15 (that I'm using) and one for 13w3. Unfortunately the refurb company clipped off the 13w3 cable and put a sticker over the connector. The monitor has a button on the front which enables it to switch between the two inputs. One of the inputs (the 13w3) is unusable because of the clipped cable.
Is it possible that some of the resolutions are supported only via the 13w3 input and some only via the HD-15 input ?
Thanks,
Chris
# 7
Chris,
Good thinking about that PGX32 card.
Though it's a tiny bit less capable than the Elote3D card,
it's close enough that you may just leave it in the system..
You may need to pkgadd the necessary software from your installation CD's.
Trawl the disks for TSIpgx* packages.Then do a reconfig reboot after all is installed.
I hope the monitor was very inexpensive, if they indeed lopped off that cable.
Anyhow ! There's no difference in capability, per each monitor.input.
The same circuitry is used, no matter whichever input is selected by that button.
It's a convenience feature on the monitor, HD15 versus DB13W3.
You may be able to find the monitor model from this web link:
http://www.sunshack.org/data/sh/2.1/infoserver.central/data/syshbk/Devices/Moni tor/MONITOR_TOC.html
It's where I was going to go with your 365-xxxx number.
# 8
OK, here is what I found tonight:
1. I hooked a Compaq 17" LCD flat panel monitor up to the elite 3D m3 card. I was able to reconfigure it to 1024x1280, with no problems, and no flickers. Unfortunately I had to give this monitor back to the manager I stole it from.....
2. I managed to get the monitor model number off of the back of my Sun 21" monitor - it is a GDM-5010PT.
Here is a link to the specs: http://www.sunshack.org/data/sh/2.1/infoserver.central/data/syshbk/Devices/Moni tor/MONITOR_Color_21_Prem_CRT.html
3. I took out the elite 3d m3 card and replaced it with a PGX32 card that I borrowed. This card worked fine, and I have it working at 1024x1280x76. A resolution that the elite 3d m3 card and the Sun monitor refused to use without flickering.
At this point, it looks like my $39 refurb GDM-5010PT and the elite 3d m3 card just don't seem to like each other, for some reason. Since the card seems to work, flicker free at higher resolution with another monitor, and the monitor seems to work at a higher resolution with another card, I'm at a loss to determine which of these two components I should replace.
I could give this monitor to one of my kids (since it works fine in Windoze) and pick up another monitor, I've seen GDM-5410s and new C22BW711s out on ebay for a reasonable price.
On the other hand, I could replace the card. I don't want a PGX32 or PGX64, they are SLOW. I've seen lots of XVR-500's for a reasonable price.
Any advice on what direction I should pursue and why ?
Thanks for reading,
Chris
# 9
Chris,
You're correct that the PGX cards are comparably slow.
They're simple 2D framebuffers, without any sophisticated GPU.
I think you've been seeing a hardware issue here, and it's the DB13W3 -HD15 adapter.
1) The monitor works fine on the PC, and you connected it HD15-HD15.
2) The monitor worked fine on the PGX cards and you connected it HD15-HD15.
3) The LCD monitor worked fine, but LCD panels use circuits to turn the pixels on or off.
They don't have an electronic beam that needs to sweep up/down/left/right as in a CRT.
I am beginning to suspect that the adapter isn't providing a proper Hsync or Vsync signal to that refurb CRT.
... at least a good enough signal for the monitor to function properly.
Thus the jitter.
Is it a Sun adapter? If yes, then its part number is molded onto the plug (530-xxxx).
If it were me, I'd put the Elite3D card back in, find another monitor for the SB1000,
and put that 365-1383 monitor on another system, at home.
Another cable adapter might be too expensive.
(as much as you spent to buy the monitor)
# 10
? I know it is not a PC (by the way, no need to get bigotted about Sun/Sparc equipment; you would be surprised what you can find for this box and where). I was speaking about the adapter you were using to connected your frame buffer/video card to your monitor.
# 11
The 13W3 to HD15 adapter I'm using is a Sun adapter, part number 130-3034-01.I've picked up another Sun monitor via ebay, it is the 22 inch one with dual inputs. Hopefully this will work better.Thanks for your help
# 12
I'm not aware of any issues with the function of that particular adapter.
They've always "just worked".
Conversely, the beige 530-2357 (x470a) was discontinued about 5 yrs ago,
and replaced in Sun's product line with the grey 530-2917 (x471a) for just these symptoms.
The x470a would usually work except for a flicker with an occasional monitor.
No way to predict when it would not work.
The x471a was constructed with better EMI shielding.
Note: Those two adapters are the reverse gender of what you've been using.
I had the beige x470a on your exact model monitor on my desk in Sun, in a past life.
Ultra5 and SB100 systems, but using their onboard circuits.
Best of luck with the new monitor.
# 13
The new monitor has resolved my issue, I'm now running at 1280x1024@76Hz, still using the 13W3 to HD15 adapter without any problems.Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and contribute, your efforts helped me to resolve this problem.Thanks again,Chris Hanrahan
