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Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: rfancella on December 22, 2020, 01:54:30 pm

Title: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 22, 2020, 01:54:30 pm
Hello all!
I am trying to setup a test environment for repairing arcade monitors.  I have an old ArcadeVGA AGP card in a XP box working as it should.  The only issue is that it's still outputting 60Hz.  I installed the old drivers for the card but do not have a utility to force it to 15Hz.  Does anyone know where I can find one??

Thank you,
Ron
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Zebidee on December 22, 2020, 03:45:45 pm
AVGA cards output 15khz from the primary head (usually VGA) by default all the time. Are you connecting to the DVI-I head?

Otherwise it might be an issue with the firmware.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Thenasty on December 22, 2020, 04:59:03 pm
is this the one you have ? If so connect it to the BLUE VGA which is 15khz

Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 22, 2020, 05:25:34 pm
Thanks for the reply!
I do have it on the VGA output and not the DVI.
I connected it to a GBS8200 using GBSControl so I could make sure it's outputting in 15khz.  It is not.
I grabbed the drivers from the Ultimarc Legacy Drivers page.  And found an ISO of the v2.1 CD and installed the ATI control panel from there.

AVGA cards output 15khz from the primary head (usually VGA) by default all the time. Are you connecting to the DVI-I head?

Otherwise it might be an issue with the firmware.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 22, 2020, 05:44:58 pm
Thank you for your reply!
I have a standard computer monitor plugged into the DVI output and a GBS8200 connected to the VGA out.
This looks like the card I have:
(https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/1/0410/16/ultimarc-arcadevga-agp-card-arcade-pc_1_9f2afdce81395e9439edab745fbe913c.jpg)

is this the one you have ? If so connect it to the BLUE VGA which is 15khz
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Zebidee on December 22, 2020, 08:45:38 pm
I suspect firmware issue. If so you could try reflashing the BIOS but you'd need to get the right image file.

Andy Warne at Ultimarc is usually pretty good with helping for these sorts of things. You could email him to get support/advice. He'd be the one to get a BIOS image from if that is the issue and he can also tell you what drivers you need (there were a few different versions over the years).
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 23, 2020, 10:18:18 am
Thank you Zebidee,
I always try to resolve the issue before reaching out to Andy.  ;)
I will shoot him an email.

I suspect firmware issue. If so you could try reflashing the BIOS but you'd need to get the right image file.

Andy Warne at Ultimarc is usually pretty good with helping for these sorts of things. You could email him to get support/advice. He'd be the one to get a BIOS image from if that is the issue and he can also tell you what drivers you need (there were a few different versions over the years).
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Osirus23 on December 24, 2020, 09:10:33 am
.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Zebidee on December 24, 2020, 09:28:03 am
Wait what do you mean "it's still outputting 60Hz"? 60Hz is normal.

Good point - rfancella, have you actually tried connecting the AVGA to a 15khz display like an old TV or arcade monitor?

The 15khz concerns horizontal frequency - not same thing as vertical refresh rate. ArcadeVGA outputting 60hz vertical is quite normal.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 29, 2020, 10:10:17 am
Thank you both for your replies.  I will fire it back up and take a closer look.  I have not connected it to a monitor directly.  I have three arcade monitors that do not work, this is why I need something that will output the correct signal.  ;D

Wait what do you mean "it's still outputting 60Hz"? 60Hz is normal.

Good point - rfancella, have you actually tried connecting the AVGA to a 15khz display like an old TV or arcade monitor?

The 15khz concerns horizontal frequency - not same thing as vertical refresh rate. ArcadeVGA outputting 60hz vertical is quite normal.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: rfancella on December 29, 2020, 01:02:48 pm
Well, the output of GBSControl is not clear.  I may have to get with them and see exactly what this means.  LOL

Activity detected, input: RGB
VSync: present
HSync: present (with CSync)
RGB/HV (CSync)
clock gen reset: 81000000
RGB/HV upscale mode
preferencesv2.txt opened
loading from preset slot 1: no preset file for this slot and source
ADC offset: R:43 G:46 B:48
clock gen reset: 162000000

preset applied: 1280x960 for scaling RGB (CSync)
Note: scaling RGB is still in development

source Hz: 59.88763 new out: 59.88763 clock: 162148544 (+148544)
(H-PLL) rate: 982 state (no change): 1
HTotal Adjust (skipped)

Wait what do you mean "it's still outputting 60Hz"? 60Hz is normal.

Good point - rfancella, have you actually tried connecting the AVGA to a 15khz display like an old TV or arcade monitor?

The 15khz concerns horizontal frequency - not same thing as vertical refresh rate. ArcadeVGA outputting 60hz vertical is quite normal.
Title: Re: Looking for ArcadeVGA utility.
Post by: Zebidee on December 29, 2020, 06:35:49 pm
You can generally assume that an ArcadeVGA card works as advertised once you install it into your PC from POST. No need to install software to see at least something.