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I'm currently resurrecting an ancient Amstrad 5086, containing an 8MHz Intel 8086 cpu, the classic 640kB of ram, Windows 3.0 and EGA graphics. Unfortunately, I only seem to be able to run Windows with the CGA-Monochrome driver, as far as I can find out the colour drivers need at least a 286. I hope I'm wrong, and someone can help me get it working in colour!

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What is the make and model of the video adapter? – Bobson Mar 11 at 19:48
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Wow, glutton for punishment eh? :)

Are you sure there is an EGA or better video card in there? CGA isn't "monochrome", it's 4-colour.

There was never a 286 requirement for EGA that I'm aware of (it's been a while though :) ). You just need to ensure the right driver is installed and that you have configured Windows to use EGA.

Here's a page that has some active Win3X EGA driver links.

Here's a how-to page with the basics of enabling VGA in Windows 3.1 -- Maybe it will be of help getting your EGA running as well.

Hope that helps...

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Just checked the bios, and it apparently support VGA. The bios provides a choice between monitor types, with the last being EGA/VGA. My source for the information is the fact that it is actually running in monochrome (though apparently using the VGA-Monochrome driver), and this: seasip.info/AmstradXT/v30cpu.html (the 2086 is a sister model to the 5086, both have an 8086 cpu, 640kB of ram and VGA). Windows doesn't specify a 286 requirement next to the VGA driver, but I need to get the floppy drive working again before I can try it it seems. The EGA ones did say (286 only). – Thief Feb 24 '11 at 8:48
Oh, and CGA did provide a monochrome (technically 2-colour paletted) mode. – Thief Feb 24 '11 at 9:14
CGA didn't provide monochrome, it provided a 2-colour "B&W" mode. Monochrome (ala Hercules) is/was multiple shades of one color. Trust me, I had CGA for waaay too long back then. ;) – techie007 Feb 25 '11 at 19:06
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