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Q58276: 8514-VGA: Switch to MS-DOS Prompt Gives White Screen

Article: Q58276
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 05-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
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SUMMARY
=======

If you are using an 8514 video adapter with a secondary VGA adapter on a 386
system (also referred to as a passthrough VGA), you may encounter problems when
switching between MS-DOS virtual machines (VMs) in full screen mode.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The problem can be easily identified with the following default configuration
(using Program Manager as your shell):

1. Start Windows in 386 enhanced mode.

2. In Program Manager, start an MS-DOS virtual machine (VM) by selecting MS-DOS
  Prompt in the Main Group and pressing the ENTER key.

3. The MS-DOS VM starts full screen and presents you with the standard prompt.

4. Press ALT+ESC. The MS-DOS VM is reduced to an icon, and Program Manager is
  now the active application.

5. Press ALT+TAB (releasing the ALT key first). The icon for the MS-DOS Prompt
  is highlighted. When you releasing the ALT key, the MS-DOS VM appears in full
  screen mode.

If the screen for the MS-DOS VM is all white, then the VGA card may have a
problem with the DAC (digital-to-analog converter). You may want to either
remove the VGA card from your system or contact the board manufacturer to see if
there is a way for you to update your VGA adapter.

NOTE: The display is correct if you run the MS-DOS VM in a Window (ALT+ENTER). To
restore the display, type the following MS-DOS command at the MS-DOS command
prompt, and then press ENTER:

  MODE CO80

Additional query words: 3.00 win30 3.00a 3.10 3.11

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

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