Alpha systems graphics

Powerstorm 350 stereo

Configuring Tru64 UNIX AlphaStation systems for optimal stereo viewing

Check the system configuration

1. To check that you have a PowerStorm 350 graphics card installed in your workstation use "sizer -gt"
   
   PBXGD-AE indicates that you have a PowerStorm 350.
   PBXGD-AD indicates that you have a PowerStorm 300, which is not stereo capable, but uses the same driver.
   
2. To check which version of Tru64 UNIX you have installed use "uname -a"
   
   

   Output from uname -a	Tru64 UNIX version
   V4.0 878	V4.0D
   V4.0 1091	V4.0E
   V4.0 1229	V4.0F
   V5.0 910	V5.0

Install the appropriate graphics driver

You need V1.4 of the PowerStorm300/350 graphics driver.

Download the driver and install as follows: Contact HP support to obtain driver (if still available).

1. Unpack the driver into a temporary directory, e.g. cd <temporary directory>; tar xvf <driver kit>
2. Install the PowerStorm 300/350 driver (as root) thus: setld -l <temporary directory>

Configure the X server for optimal stereo performance

To optimise stereo rendering performance at maximum resolution:

1. Edit /usr/var/X11/Xserver.conf to read as follows:
   

   args < 
   ! PowerStorm 300/350 Server args start 
         -pn -su -bs -nice -2 -screen 1280x992 -vsync 100
   ! PowerStorm 300/350 Server args end 
   ! -pn 
   >

   Server args are fully documented in the release notes.
   
   
2. Restart the X server (e.g. with /usr/sbin/xsetup).

To confirm that you are using the optimal screen resolution for stereo use "/usr/sbin/sizer -gr" which should return 1280x992

Recommended video modes for stereo rendering

Stereo rendering is available at 1280x1024 (omit -screen 1280x992 in Xserver.conf) but performance will be noticeably impaired.