actually, i load custom 8x16 charset in localization purposes and switch to the default one if my bootloader passes control to a third-party code (dos boot sector or win32 loader, or linux loader, etc) - when i do not control execution any more and need all stuff be in its default configuration. so, maybe it's a good idea not to mess up with all that not trivial things and just reinit mode 3 before giving control to some other code.

smiddy,

Hardware vendors had to be compatible with [non-existent] specification of VGA unless they don't want to sell their products successfully. Thus we can use handwritten scrolls of knowledge to tweak GC/sequencer/CRTC to our pleasure.

Compatibility is the key. Controller have to strictly adhere to the rules, and you can use well-known techniques to implement things.

What "platforms" are you talking about? VGA ISA card can be fit into Mac (or elsewere besides PC)?

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zhak,

Maybe not outright int10/0083, previous mode should be queried with int10/0F beforehand.