Abstract: A multi-monitor computer system (10) includes a configuration address space (40) for software driven initialization and configuration. A monitor synchronization method (50) of this invention includes temporarily remapping multiple graphics chips (14, 18) to a same base address (46) so that attempts to write to a memory mapped register on one of the graphics chips, also writes the same register on the other graphics chips. Once the addresses are remapped, writing chip enabling data to an enabling register on one of the graphics chips causes enabling data to be written to all graphics chips at the same time, thereby synchronizing the vertical and horizontal sync signals generated by the graphics chips. Finally, remapping the graphics chips to their original base memory addresses allows the computer system to resume selective addressing of the graphics chips, which now provide synchronized vertical and horizontal sync signals to their respective monitors.

Abstract: The novel graphics system (10) includes multiple displays (20 and 22) supported by a single frame buffer (18) thereby reducing hardware requirements and costs. The system (10) further includes an operating system driver interface (12), a software driver interface (14) and graphics circuitry (16). In one embodiment, the graphics circuitry (16) includes a graphics chip (34) for providing an analog output (36) and a digital output (38). The digital output (38) is processed by a data reformatter (40) and a digital-to-analog converter (42) to provide an analog signal (44). The invention thus takes advantage of existing mixed output chips to implement a multiple analog CRT monitor system in a cost effective manner.