S3 Trio64V+ VLB Notes
This document aims to be a reference for everybody using an S3 Trio64(V+) VLB graphics card.
There are many potential pitfalls or other issues here, so this reference aims to help with that.
-
STB Powergraph 64 VL
This is, to my knowledge, the only Trio64V+-based VLB card available in quantity in retail. -
Diamond Stealth 64 Video 2001 VLB
This card exists according to the Diamond drivers, but I'm not sure it actually got a physical release, as I cannot find any info about it. -
TheRetroWeb Prometheus VLB
A card designed by computerguy069. It is a clone of the STB Powergraph 64 VL.
This is an open-source card. -
Madao MK-765VL
A card designed by Madao. It is a clone of the STB Powergraph 64 VL.
This is not an open-source card, but the gerber files are available to produce your own PCBs.
...coming soon...
| File name | Version | Date | Test | Supported HW | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WG95.ZIP |
2.01.02 | 11.10.1995 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI until 64V+ Rev 53 | |
STRI64V.ZIP |
2.01.08 | 11.01.1996 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI until 64V+ Rev 53 | |
w950109b.zip |
2.01.09 | 23.01.1996 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI until 64V+ Rev 53 | |
w9520204.zip |
2.02.04 | 18.04.1996 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI until 64V+ Rev 54 | |
gtw95268.exe |
4.02.268 | 01.05.1996 | ❌ | some VLB and PCI | Diamond GT Windows 95 Drivers. Rundll32 error when opening display properties, DDOM95.DRV crash |
dx2.zip |
4.03.1096 | 02.06.1996 | ❌ | ? | Microsoft DirectX 2.0 drivers. Code 23, will always start in 16 color VGA mode and give Display Adapter Error message |
w9521103.zip |
2.11.03 | 12.06.1996 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI until 64V+ Rev 5F, Trio64V2 DX/GX> | Last official driver with VLB Support indicated in INF |
dx3.zip |
4.03.2030 | 29.09.1996 | ✅ | All ISA, VLB, PCI | Microsoft DirectX 3.0 drivers. Also comes with Windows 95 OSR2. |
ST_765.zip |
4.02.098 | 02.01.1997 | ✅ | Vision968/Trio64V+ | Diamond Stealth 64 Video 3000 / 2001 VLB/PCI. Works on one system, fails on another: 
|
p64v124f.zip |
4.02.0096-1.24F | 31.01.1997 | ❌ | ALL VLB, PCI | STB Powergraph 64 Drivers. BSOD: 
|
dx5.zip |
4.10.1555 | 14.07.1997 | ⚠ | All ISA, VLB, PCI | Microsoft DirectX 5.0 drivers. Mouse Cursor is just a black rectangle |
These were all tested after adding the VLB hardware ID and string back into the INF file!
| File name | Version | Date | Test | Supported HW | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23003.zip |
2.30.03 | 21.10.1996 | ⚠ | All PCI | Loads but garbled GDI graphics. 
|
S3TR64V2.ZIP |
2.30.10 | xx.10.1996 | ⚠ | Trio64V2 | Loads but garbled GDI graphics. |
23021.zip |
2.30.21 | 05.03.1997 | ✅ | All PCI |
Works! 
|
23026.zip |
2.30.26 | 09.05.1997 | ✅ | All PCI |
Works! 
|
23030.zip |
2.30.30 | 03.07.1997 | ✅ | All PCI |
Works! 
|
24107.zip |
2.41.07 | 17.12.1997 | ✅ | All PCI |
Works! 
|
2.30.03, and 2.30.21 has VLB section commented out 2.30.10 is Trio64V2 only 2.30.15+ has no VLB mentions in INF
2.30.15 not tested cause I couldn't find it anymore after I found it the first time %-)
Interestingly, 2.30.03 broke with VLB cards, while later versions fixed them again. Weirdos.
Annoyingly the mouse cursor broke on working setups after installing DirectX 6.1 and I have no idea why.
Downgrading the driver and upgrading it again fixed that issue briefly, before it reappeared after using the system for a while.
It seems this applies to all drivers that don't officially support VLB.
- Install Windows 95 and let it detect the hardware as normal
- The card will get installed as "S3" and only work in 16 color VGA mode
- Then you can - IN THE DISPLAY PROPERTIES ONLY - Change the display adapter type.
- Change it to the integrated S3 Trio 64V+ driver and reboot.
- Then your system is functional and all color modes are available.
- Now you can change your driver (also in the display properties only) to the version you want to test.
ANY OTHER SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS will cause the driver to not load at all. What a piece of sh*t.
Disable Video BIOS shadowing/caching in the BIOS settings:
