This is a first start for some documentation about frame buffer device
internals.
Geert Uytterhoeven <geert@linux-m68k.org>, 21 July 1998
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*** STRUCTURES USED BY THE FRAME BUFFER DEVICE API ***
The following structures play a role in the game of frame buffer devices. They
are defined in <linux/fb.h>.
1. Outside the kernel (user space)
- struct fb_fix_screeninfo
Device independent unchangeable information about a frame buffer device and
a specific video mode. This can be obtained using the FBIOGET_FSCREENINFO
ioctl.
- struct fb_var_screeninfo
Device independent changeable information about a frame buffer device and a
specific video mode. This can be obtained using the FBIOGET_VSCREENINFO
ioctl, and updated with the FBIOPUT_VSCREENINFO ioctl. If you want to pan
the screen only, you can use the FBIOPAN_DISPLAY ioctl.
- struct fb_cmap
Device independent colormap information. You can get and set the colormap
using the FBIOGETCMAP and FBIOPUTCMAP ioctls.
2. Inside the kernel
- struct fb_info
Generic information, API and low level information about a specific frame
buffer device instance (slot number, board address, ...).
- struct `par'
Device dependent information that uniquely defines the video mode for this
particular piece of hardware.
- struct display
Interface between the frame buffer device and the console driver.
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*** VISUALS USED BY THE FRAME BUFFER DEVICE API ***
Monochrome (FB_VISUAL_MONO01 and FB_VISUAL_MONO10)
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Each pixel is either black or white.
Pseudo color (FB_VISUAL_PSEUDOCOLOR and FB_VISUAL_STATIC_PSEUDOCOLOR)
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The whole pixel value is fed through a programmable lookup table that has one
color (including red, green, and blue intensities) for each possible pixel
value, and that color is displayed.
True color (FB_VISUAL_TRUECOLOR)
--------------------------------
The pixel value is broken up into red, green, and blue fields.
Direct color (FB_VISUAL_DIRECTCOLOR)
------------------------------------
The pixel value is broken up into red, green, and blue fields, each of which
are looked up in separate red, green, and blue lookup tables.
Grayscale displays
------------------
Grayscale and static grayscale are special variants of pseudo color and static
pseudo color, where the red, green and blue components are always equal to
each other.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.