Cloudschatze
Veteran Member
Here are a couple of modifications that I've made to the Tandy 1000 RLX and RSX BIOS ROMs. The primary focus was to update the VGA BIOS, and thereby gain access to additional video modes and compatibility/functionality enhancements that had required the use of a software-loadable video BIOS otherwise.
For the RLX-A and RLX-B, the additional video modes are as follows:
Of note, the 800x600, 16-color mode is compatible with both Windows 3.1's Super VGA driver and the comparable "VESA" selection in GeoWorks and NewDeal Office.
An additional set of images provided for the RLX-B includes a ROM-drive-disabling workaround for use with the XTIDE Universal BIOS, in conjunction with an applicable adapter card, and in lieu of needing an XTA drive installed in parallel. This workaround is not necessary for the RLX-A.
The modified RSX BIOS image includes Cirrus Logic VGA BIOS version 1.20, which permits the use of the 800x600, 256-color mode in Windows 95, using the native, "Cirrus Logic" driver selection.
Tandy 1000 RLX-A
27C400 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
Tandy 1000 RLX-B
27C400 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
Tandy 1000 RSX
27C1024 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
For the RLX-A and RLX-B, the additional video modes are as follows:
Mode 54, 132x43, 16-color (text)
Mode 55, 132x25, 16-color (text)
Mode 56, 132x43, Monochrome (text)
Mode 57, 132x25, Monochrome (text)
Mode 58, 800x600, 16-color (graphics)
Mode 59, 800x600, Monochrome (graphics)
Of note, the 800x600, 16-color mode is compatible with both Windows 3.1's Super VGA driver and the comparable "VESA" selection in GeoWorks and NewDeal Office.
An additional set of images provided for the RLX-B includes a ROM-drive-disabling workaround for use with the XTIDE Universal BIOS, in conjunction with an applicable adapter card, and in lieu of needing an XTA drive installed in parallel. This workaround is not necessary for the RLX-A.
The modified RSX BIOS image includes Cirrus Logic VGA BIOS version 1.20, which permits the use of the 800x600, 256-color mode in Windows 95, using the native, "Cirrus Logic" driver selection.
Tandy 1000 RLX-A
27C400 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
- VGA BIOS update: 8049021_VGA-BIOS-VER-B-1.00-07.BIN
Tandy 1000 RLX-B
27C400 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
- VGA BIOS update: 8079094_VGA-BIOS-VER-B-1.00-07.BIN
- XUB workaround: 8079074_XUB.BIN
- VGA BIOS update + XUB workaround: 8079074_XUB_VGA-BIOS-VER-B-1.00-07.BIN
Tandy 1000 RSX
27C1024 EPROM or compatible, 150ns or better
- VGA BIOS update: 8810298_VGA-BIOS-VER-1.20.BIN