1. Statement of intent

Generally speaking, the driver is intended for all ATI video adapters based on the Mach64 series or older chipsets, providing maximum video function within hardware limitations. The driver is also intended to optionally provide the same level of support for generic VGA or 8514/A adapters. The newer Rage 128 and Radeon chips are not yet supported by this driver. Rage 128's and Radeon's are, however, supported by separate drivers, and owners of such adapters should consult the documentation provided with these drivers. This driver will also invoke the appropriate driver if it finds Rage 128 and/or Radeon adapter(s) in the system. This driver is still being actively developed, meaning that it currently does not yet fully meet these goals.

The driver will provide

• accelerated support if an ATI accelerator is detected and the user has not requested that this support be disabled; otherwise
• accelerated support if a non-ATI 8514/A-capable adapter is detected and the user has requested such support; otherwise
• unaccelerated SuperVGA support if an ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected; otherwise
• generic VGA support if a non-ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected and the user has requested such support.

If none of the above conditions are met, the ATI driver will essentially disable itself to allow other drivers to examine the system.