A Voodoo driver from the ground up?

[AntiMatter_16]

What would it take to build a set of voodoo2 drivers from the ground up to be compatible with windows XP Direct3D, OpenGL, and GLide? I don't know much about the D3D and voodoo2 problem. Is it possible to solve it from a software level if it was started from scratch? Or is there some sort of conflict between how Windows XP handles hardware and the hardware of the Vooodoo2?

[ps47]

you can have limited D3D under xp (800*600 max resolution),but this is only recommended for adwanced users,as the special driver was never finished.look for voodoomage2 driver if you want to try it out.

glide and opengl support under xp is very good,koolsmokys driver should be all you need.and maybe the v2 tweaker as well.see here.

[AntiMatter_16]

Yes, I know about voodoomage, etc. But that's not what I'm asking. I'm asing if a project started from scratch, and not built up from old drivers, could overcome the D3D shortcomings.

[ps47]

yes,I see,maybe I should read more carefully next time .as for your question,I have no idea.I dont think its impossible to solve,but it would probably be very hard..maybe adding v2 d3d support to the nt kernel,but that would be extremely hard,not mentioneing legal issues.or you could just do it like voodoomage2,basically switching between two primary adapters via special executable,but that will never allow you to use SLI under D3D..this will be tough.

[bloodworm]

You all need to stop worrying about any "legal issues" on this extinct hardware platform.  no one would come after you, there's NO money in it..........  besides, D3D is "open source" and has been for YEARS.  So is GLIDE. openGL i'm not so sure of, but we purchased the rights to use all THREE video OS's when the hardware was created.  3dfx bought "licences" inperpetuity to use D3D and OpenGL when they made the hardware.  all you have to do is read the fine print.  And yes, i HAVE read the fine print.

[enthomologist]

@Bloodworm: guess PS47 was rather about messing with Win NT core itself when mentioning about modifications possibilities, than recompiling D3D or OGL (not only newer DX versions do not support V2 but the NT kernel itself also). Of course i dont't think that it could stop some people from any attempts towards possible D3D/GL capable V2 driver creation (this reminds me of the Win NT 4.0 DX5.0 hack), but it requires both hard skill and knowledge.

[bloodworm]

Yes, now that i re-read the post, the
kernal issues could pose a problem legally.