1. Statement of intent

Generally speaking, this driver is intended for all ATI video adapters, providing maximum video function within hardware limitations. The driver is also intended to optionally provide the same level of support for generic VGA or 8514/A adapters. As this driver is still being actively developed, it currently does not yet fully meet all of these goals.

The driver will provide

• accelerated support if an ATI accelerator is detected and the user has not requested that this support be disabled; otherwise
• accelerated support if a non-ATI 8514/A-capable adapter is detected and the user has requested such support; otherwise
• unaccelerated SuperVGA support if an ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected; otherwise
• generic VGA support if a non-ATI VGA-capable adapter is detected and the user has requested such support.

See the ``XF86Config specifications'' section below for details.

If none of the aforementioned conditions are met, the ATI driver will essentially disable itself to allow other drivers to examine the system.

Note: I am currently considering removing the driver's support for generic VGA. If you have concerns about this decision, please contact me at tsi@xfree86.org and I will address them.