Linux

XFree86

XFree86 is a freely available implementation of the X-Windows system used on most Unix workstations. A list of chipsets that the latest version supports can be read in the XFree86 FAQ

• Notice for Viper V330/V550/V770 owners: These cards use the Riva TNT chipset which is made by Nvidia. Try their driver page or check the XFree86 supported chipsets list.

• An addition to your list of supported Viper cards under X: The version of XFree86 shipped with S.u.S.E. Linux 5.3 (at time of writing this is listed as XFree86 3.3.2) does support the Diamond Viper 330 cards under the svga driver set. Diamond Viper cards using the Weitek chips are supported under the Weitek video driver set.

• I have been informed (August 1998) by Joerg Knura that: the first version of a unaccelerated (accelerated is coming soon) P9100 server available that - for public/internal revision differences - had to be converted from our actual internal 3.9 version to public 3.3.2 version of XFree86. The restriction is, that it actually only supports P9100 with IBM 52x DAC (this is the most common). This server could be downloaded via anonymous FTP from ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse_update/XSuSE/xp9x00/.

• The Oak OTI-087 chipset has a non-accelerated server available. As the Viper cards only have 256K DRAM in VGA modes, you are limited to a maximum of 800x600x16.

• The Weitek WT5186 chipset used for VGA compatibility on some Vipers has a non-accelerated (?) server available.

• There is an accelerated P9000 server available. It supports all the extended modes which include any 8, 16, or 32 bit per pixel modes.

Commercial X-Servers

Some companies sell their own X-servers, which are often more stable and better optimized than the ones that come with X-Free. Some even allow you to register and download a demo version of the server to try before you buy.

• Metro-X
  The card list says they support the Diamond Viper PRO VLB/PCI, Diamond Viper SE VLB/PCI, and Diamond Viper VLB/PCI. Supports X11 Release 6.
  Ian R. Justman says: This is to report that Metro X (which is bundled with InfoMagic's developer's resource CD set) does support the P9100 card. I've been using it and it seems to work just fine.

• X-Inside
  The card list says they support the Viper 1MB, Viper 2MB, Viper Pro 2MB, Viper Pro Video 2MB, Viper Pro Video 4MB, Viper SE 2MB, and Viper SE 4MB. Supports X11R6.

SVGALIB Console

The Oak OTI-087 portion of the card is supported. As this can only use the 256K DRAM onboard, this limits you to 320x200x256 or 800x600x16. The VRAM and SVGA accelerator features of the P9000 and P9100 are out of reach. I am unsure of WT5186 support.