On IBM PS/2 MCGA, SCREEN 1 and 2 Are Monochrome

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SUMMARY

The Multi-Color Graphics Array (MCGA) adapter is the video subsystem integrated into the IBM PS/2 Models 25 and 30. MCGA combines modes of both the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) and the Video Graphics Array (VGA) graphic display cards.

The modes of the MCGA have colors and attributes, but its CGA-emulation modes have no way to assign colors to attributes within Basic programs. In other words, there are effectively no colors for SCREEN 1 and 2 on the MCGA (or CGA) in Basic -- the output is white on black.

Note that the color capabilities for SCREEN 11 and SCREEN 13 are identical for MCGA and VGA.

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBasic Versions 4.00 4.00b and 4.50, to Microsoft Basic Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b, for MS-DOS and MS OS/2, and to Microsoft Basic PDS Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

MORE INFORMATION

The following book from Microsoft Press describes video details more completely:

"Programmer's Guide to PC & PS/2 Video Systems: Maximum Video Performance from the EGA, VGA, HGC, and MCGA" by Richard Wilton (1987)

KB35240

Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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