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GSX-86: Graphics for the APe
9-6
Invoking GSX-86
To invoke GSX-86, enter the command
GRAPHICS [:d]
where d is the specifier of the drive that holds both ASSIGN.SYS and the device
driver(s).
To disable GSX-86, enter the following command.
GRAPHICS NO
This frees the memory space used by GSX-86 and the device driver.
Warm Starts And Cold Starts
If the system hangs when GRAPHICS is enabled, a warm start does not disturb the
graphics mode initialization. However, a cold start (rebooting the hardware) dis-
ables GSX-86.
For more information on the operation of GRAPHICS and a complete listing of
GSX-86 command and error messages, see The CPIM-86 System User's Guide for
the APC.
OVERVIEW OF GRAPHICS SYSTEM EXTENSION STRUCTURE
This section introduces the GSX-86 architecture, its components, and their func-
tions. Each part of GSX-86 is described in detail later in this chapter. This section
also describes the memory management techniques used by GSX-86.
GSX-86 Architecture
GSX-86 is an integral part of the operating system. Application programs interface
to GSX-86 through a standard calling sequence similar to the BDOS conventions.
Drivers for specific graphics devices translate the standard GSX-86 calls to the
unique characteristics of the device. In this way, GSX-86 provides device-
independence since the peculiarities of the graphics device are not visible to the
application program.
GSX-86 consists of two components:
• Graphics Device Operating System (GDOS)
• Graphics Input/Output System (GIOS).
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