RefreshTool Environment
           

For this tool you need the new Big Agnus with 1MB Chip Ram.
To get the highest resolutions you must also own an A3000-
compatible FlickerFixer Card like the DeInterlace Card from
MacroSystems. These Cards can reach resolutions up to
736 x 598 and refresh frequencies from 48.6 Hz up to 156 Hz !
If you own cards like Microways FF or other cards it is possible
that you can't get all the resolutions and frequencies the 
Big Agnus is able to display. If you don't own a Flicker Fixer
you can use this software package in connection with the new
Big Agnus as a flicker-diminisher in the normal Interlace-mode
(for example if 70 Hz are displayed you see only 35 Hz without
a Flicker Fixer).

Refreshtool:

NOTE: THE HIGHER YOU TUNE THE REFRESH FREQUENCY THE LOWER IS THE 
      RESOLUTION !

Per RefreshTool the user is able to change the last scan line
continuously for setting the appropriated refresh frequency.

With the Y-Position-Knob you correct the location of your screen
to use the maximal vertical overscan (up to 598 lines !).

WB-Height is used to change the amount of lines of the workbench.

Load - installs the configuration saved in "s:RefreshTool.config"

Save - saves the configuration in "s:RefreshTool.config"


Caution :

There is a big bug in this software package !
The MacroSystems Refresh Tool changes the scan lines, y-position
and the WB-Height but it also installs wrong informations in the
system (640x512 resolution, standard printer settings etc.). It
don't changes the system-configuration as it seems to be.
This is the reason for the two directories "s:refresh" and 
"s:resolutions".

"s:refresh" : 
In this directory you find many standard- / test-configurations
for different resolutions and refresh frequencies.

"s:resolutions":
These files are the patched "system-configurations".

"s:Set400 Set480 Set512 Set598":
This files a sample batchfiles to easily install the
different resolutions at any time for any purpose.

With the option "Refreshtool s" you can install the
actual refreshtool.config in your system. Remember, to
be compatible with the system you need the right 
system-configuration ! If you only use the Refresh-tool
to change your configuration your machine may crash or
sometimes the whole screen only displays chaotic stripes.
Use "PPrefs" or "Newzap" to set the correct count of lines etc.
Because I don't know any utility that sets lines lower
than 512 lines I use "NewZap" for patching the system-
configuration. In offset $d8 of the "devs:system-
configuration" you set the amount of lines in your system.
For Interlace/FlickerFixer you must half the number of
lines, for example 
- 400 lines/70.3 Hz :

     400 lines /2 (interlace)= 200 lines = $c8


Example for the batchfile:

---------------------------

copy s:refresh/736x400-70.3Hz s:refreshtool.config  ;1.               
copy s:resolution/400.configuration devs:system-configuration ;2.
run >NIL: <NIL: refreshtool s               ;3.
wait 1                                      ;4.
c:setprefs                                  ;5.

---------------------------

1. Copy the needed refresh configuration from 
   "s:refresh/736x???..." to s:refreshtool.config
2. Copy your personal patched system-configuration from
   "s:resolution/???.configuration" to "devs:system-configuration"
3. Then install the refreshtool.configuration.
4. Wait if needed (different for harddisk/disk-users etc.
5. Set the actual system-configuration for you system to
   be compatible.

For every system-start you only need to include the
following lines in your startup-sequence:

run >NIL: <NIL: refreshtool s		;1.
.
.                                       ;2.
.
setprefs				;3.

1.: sets the last refreshtool.configuration
2.: perhaps some steps or a wait-command if it's needed
3.: sets the actual system-configuration

NOTE THAT THE WHOLE CONFIG WILL BE ONLY SET IF ALL NON-
WB-WINDOWS ARE CLOSED !

I know it is not the most comfortable way for installing
the software but there will be made some bugfixes in the
future and some enhancements. Perhaps then it's easier
to install this tool system-friendly.


Another word for all Kick2.0 - User:

I've tested it on an A3000/25MHz/4MB/Commodore 1930 VGA-
Monitor/Kick2.0 and you can install it (fantastic 156 Hz
but only a resolution of 156 lines) but it is very incompatible.
MacroSystem works on an enhancement to use this resolutions
and refresh frequencies under Kick2.0/WB2.0.

For all who don't own a FlickerFixer:

I've tested the DeInterlace-Card with the MacroSystems
Refreshtool on my system (A2000/DeInterlaceCard/NEC 3D/
Kick1.3).
The maximum refresh frequency I can install is 120 Hz
in a resolution of 736 x 216. Then the NEC 3D or the
DeInterlaceCard splits the screen.

I now work with a resolution of 736x400 and a refresh-
frequency of 70.3 Hz (like Atari's monochrome mode).
With this patch this mode is compatible with the most
software like DPaint, PPage, PDraw, CygnusED .....
Also it's an absolute new feeling in games in interlace-
mode like BattleForce/MechForce (in 70 Hz !).
Some programs like MacroPaint (4096 colors in Hires)
have some difficulties (random screen damage after a short
time ???) if the refreshtool is used.

                    Enjoy it ...
 
                              --> UNICORN <--