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3dfx Section >> 3dfx Drivers >> Updated Voodoo2 drivers
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Message started by procerus on 09.08.02 at 15:07:32

Title: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by procerus on 09.08.02 at 15:07:32
I downloaded yet another set of "DirectX 8 compatible" Voodoo2 drivers yesterday from here-
http://digilander.libero.it/F1Land/3dfxarchive/support/drivers/voodoo2.html  

Needless to say they were just the final 3dfx 3.02.02 reference driver set with a slightly modified inf file.  We're lucky with the Voodoo2 under Windows 95, 98 and ME in that, although you wouldn't want to try to run something like GTA3 for example, most DirectX games do still run pretty well.  And, most importantly, DirectX 8 hasn't broken earlier games on the Voodoo2!

Of course it's different under Windows 2000 and XP.  Although some would argue that you'd only fit a Voodoo2 under these OSes for glide games support I think it would be nice to get DirectX working too.  Although there have been several rumoured projects based on the idea of combining an early 3Dfx beta (for DirectX support) with a later driver set (for glide and OpenGL) I'm not sure it's feasible.  I don't believe that, in the general population, the necessary skills and organisation exist.

Another reason I won't be upgrading to XP until I absolutely have to.  :)

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by fuztec25 on 09.08.02 at 19:01:27
ThX Procerus...
As an old Voodoo2 user i will give them a check now.

The voodoo2 still rocks in my "little mule" pc coupled with a Matrox G200.

...And they still have some kicks to give in! ;)

Thanks again, Fuz!

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by procerus on 12.08.02 at 16:53:23
Whilst there's no harm in trying them out, fuz, since they're basically the 3.02.02s that was kinda my point.  No one has really produced a DirectX 8 compatible Voodoo2 driver.  They just repackage the old ones.  But it's not a big issue anyway since the Voodoo2 works perfectly well in DirectX 8.  It merely lacks some of the features implemented by the very latest games.  For support for those features one should really be looking to an updated primary card these days and not an add-in accelerator.

Even a fanatic like me will concede that the Voodoo2 is best kept as a resource for older games.  That's their advantage really, a Voodoo2 will work just as well in its purview alongside a Radeon 9700 as it ever did alongside a Cirrus Logic 5434 or whatever.

And, to keep this capability in the future, those capable of working on drivers ought to concentrate on getting better NT/2k/XP compatibility out of the things.  :)

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by FalconFly on 12.08.02 at 17:24:57
Hm, there's a strange new Voodoo2 Driver out on VoodooFiles, that claims to have fully operational Direct3D under Win2k/WinXP... ???

As usual, I don't think it's working that way, but might be worth checking out...

Greetings
FalconFly

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by procerus on 12.08.02 at 20:26:38
You mean this one, FalconFly?
http://www.voodoofiles.com/7582

I don't have XP (I was innoculated ;)) but the D3D component of that driver is 3dfxv2.drv version 4.12.01.1151.  That's the identical file to the last Voodoo2 reference driver for Windows 95/98/ME.  So I'm afraid I just don't believe the "Direct3D under XP" claim. :(

I'd love for someone to try them and prove me wrong though!  ;D

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by procerus on 12.08.02 at 21:51:55
Okay.  That driver does have some intriguing components.

Can someone with Windows 2000 or XP please try it to see if Direct3D works?

Please?

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by procerus on 12.08.02 at 22:19:24
Guess what, FalconFly?  That driver is a blend of the final reference driver for Win9x and files from that Windows 2000 beta you found.

I can't see that anyone could have got around the limitations of that driver on Window 2000/XP D3D though-
no SLI
need second monitor
low res, corrupted desktop on that monitor
no passthrough
no glide/opengl support

I'd love to know if this works.  :)

Title: Re: Updated Voodoo2 drivers
Post by FalconFly on 13.08.02 at 00:28:55
Hm... A pity :(

I take it a mix&match and an .inf mod won't do the job with this Driver then...

Too bad 3dfx never found a more viable way around that limitation... Lacking Direct3D under Win2k/WinXP ist quite a Killer :(

Greetings
FalconFly

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