>15.6kHz

its somehow switching to CGA timings?

Well - I dont know (15.6 khz suggests something like that. Its already amazing that the EIZO TFT actually recognizes that, the Samtron screen just turns black) . The card has a separate CGA / EGA output (which I cant test as I dont have such an monitor / cable nor converter). The card is relatively old. But if its VGA standart on a VGA connector- wouldnt that mean that the signal is forced to 31 kHz, even if the game says its EGA or CGA ?

Tech at the time couldnt do twinhead, coultn detect monitor or accepted frequencies. One or more of the dip switches on SW1 control which timings are valid.
You will probably have to experiment switching and rebooting. Im not versed in graphic testing programs, I think check-it has a test where it cycles thru all modes? maybe CGA/MDA/HGC test program ?

Yes, but I would not only need to find other modes, but also see if different games work. For example I already found one monocrome modus. So DOS boots, NC works ok in B&W, but once I start a game, it too crashes. Right now it seems that I am already in the correct mode, i.e. VGA (just checked more games - Monkey Island works, Pinball dreams works. Kommander Keen starts, says "VGA card detected" and crashes. Sokoban (CGA) crashes)
It seems the card wants me to use the other output connector for older Games.

>other modes, but also see if different games work

Because games change graphic modes. CheckIt 3.0 has Video section under Tests, I think it will cycle thru all available modes there. Run it and note which modes glitch out.

Typically only 4 switches are used to select the initial boot display mode. The card has 4 more switches, those must control other settings like "type of monitor(s) connected", and your settings might be leading the card to think you have a multi-sync monitor, which is supposed to accept both 15 and 32Khz horizontal sync.

My suggestion is to not waste your time with the first 4 switches as long as you can get a boot screen. Any application will change the mode afterwards so it's not relevant to your issue now.

Play with the second set of 4 switches. Start with all of them off, as usually that setting is chosen to be "safe for the majority of users".. meaning people with a single VGA monitor.

If you can find the manual for the card, that can get rid of the guess work too.

Some switches will cause the display to seize working altogether, don't freak out. Just move on to another switch configuration and turn the machine on again.

At one time Everex had a file with "On-line help system Configure, setup, modes available." http://web.archive.org/web/19961104093443/htt … lib/vid673.html
files not found...
and thanks to DOS days found the original advert.

My suggestion is to not waste your time with the first 4 switches

Yes! Your suggestion removed the number of permutations significantly, so I gave it a go. And found it. All CGA, EGA and VGA titles are working. Thank you so much. To have such an old yet versatile full lenght card working is like firing up an old engine - soo cool.

Great to hear. The second set of 4 switches is most probably responsible for choosing the second monitor display mode. I wouldn't bother with them as long as the card worked, unless you plan to use it with a secondary monitor, that is....

Well actually, I would like to explore the capabilities of this card more fully. Especially the CGA and EGA modes and the second display port. I just recently found out how incredible difficult it is to find (and afford) these old monitor types and cables. Another trouble seems to be the difficulties to convert the original CGA / EGA signals to a 15pin VGA port. I have now ordered an Monotech EternalCRT Box and I hope it will arrive soon. I also really hope this will do the job so I can finally get some "real hardware" EGA and CGA (I also have another full length early EGA card that I really want to see in action) If it does not work I dont see many other options to explore these old graphic modes in hardware. But for this card - if someone comes across the documentation - I would still be highly interested. Otherwise I may have to do more trial and error switching. Thanks again for the good suggestions.

Right, to my knowledge the second monitor can only be connected to a monochrome graphics card and monitor. If you put a secondary card, it has to be set to monochrome, and you need to config the switches on the primary card to expect a secondary monochrome card. I haven't done this setup myself, but maybe one day for DOS graphics programming and debugging.