Tri-Head PCI card with Altera gpu(?)

[Altera_Forum]

Greetings, 

 I have a Video card (such as stated in the Title) that I bought from a local Computer repair person. If has an Altera chip EPF10K100EBC356-2 and I am in need of a Driver, as I am not near that person anymore. I can give a description and supply a few photos, if anyone can get a Card name (as I cannot find any identifying markers) and/or site to download such driver.  Desc: Has a SDRAM slot 3rd Head is Detachable, and so is it's Board Sound and/or Line In/Out ports (2) (Not marked for identification) Sticker on Main Board back has: 7220001013 Sticker on 3rd Head attachment has: 8220001364C 3rd Head attachment board has Audio connection port (like from CD drive to Motherboard, it's the motherboard-end style)  I cannot post photos til I have 5 posts on here... so that will come soon.    Thanks in advance for any information I get, Philip Spillane

[Altera_Forum]

I'm guessing you purchased an FPGA development kit. It is not a GPU but a programmable chip where you load a hardware image into it and it takes the form of whatever you designed. So it's not a fixed piece of hardware that has a driver but instead you create a hardware design that gets programmed in (much like firmware) and you build a system around it. 

 From the description of the board it doesn't ring a bell. The FPGA in the description is very old, from around the late 90s if I remember correctly so it might be difficult to find the documentation and design files that came with the board.

[Altera_Forum]

Ok, 

 I do not know the Acronyms associated with Altera's devices, since it is not something I've ever owned before. So, in that respect, can you act as though I'm a simpleton, since with this stuff, I am ^_^  I know what Firmware, and what a programable device is, but the acronyms here I don't know.  Basically speaking, How do I know what software/firmware is compatible with the device, and how do I get my computer to recognize the device and utilize it?

[Altera_Forum]

You would need design software called Quartus II or the older MaxPlus II to create a design for the FPGA. The design software compiles a hardware design by synthesizing the logic and performing place and route to map it to the various resources in the device. If this board was a development kit then it probably came with design files already ready to be compiled but if not then you'll have to design the hardware yourself using Verilog/VHDL/AHDL/schematic entry. 

 To compare this to a GPU it would be like you having to write your own OpenCL/CUDA/brooke software to program the shader codes of the GPU. The difference between this and an FPGA is that the FPGA doesn't even have the specialized hardware to start with so you have to design that part or get it elsewhere. So to find out if there are already design files ready for that board you'll need to determine what board it is so that you know which website to visit in order to find the files (assuming they are still posted). I would imagine the board manufacture name is on the silkscreen somewhere.  For more details about FPGA technology and programming here is wikipedia to the rescue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/field-programmable_gate_array

[Altera_Forum]

Silkscreen? 

 Be advised I bought this from a friend, no packaging or instructions, only the device itself. The device has no identifying icons or names to tell me the manufacturer. How easy is it to build a set of design files, once i can identify the device type?

[Altera_Forum]

Silkscreen is the labeling printed on the circuit board. Assuming you can get the design files then you would just download them using the programmer built into Quartus II or MaxPlus II which would also require a special programming cable like a USB-Blaster or byte-blaster. 

 If this board only has an FPGA, PCI interfaces, SDRAM, and audio connectors then I don't think you purchased what you thought you were getting. It sounds like a development kit to me which is used by engineers to prototype their own work. This prototyping requires hardware design knowledge and can take weeks/months/years to design hardware for these devices (talking about the FPGA not the board). So if your friend sold you this board without telling you that then I would have a little word with him if you know what I mean :D.

[Altera_Forum]

I'm wondering if he even knew, He says he has the driver, but I am too far away and he forgets which board I have. I have bought quite a few things from him, and other things he has given me. I paid $10 for it, so it's not like I'd be losing much. I'm willing to learn, since I love working with computers and electronics. This just gives me an Excuse to become a little bit wiser, and less bored. Once I get the minimum of posts in, I'll submit the photos so that it may help. 

 What are these cables you talked about? Sorry I keep asking questions... Think of me as Johnny 5, needing Input, more Input! ^_^   Added: I just looked up the USB Blaster, I see 2 such 10-pin mounts on this card, does that help atall?

[Altera_Forum]

I have downloaded and installed MaxPlus II 10.2 student, and the Baseline. However, when trying to get the license, it asks for the Hard Disk Volume Serial number. I looked it up (so I wouldn't have to ask what it is) but I have no clue how to retrieve it. The only stuff I found on how to do it, is with some string of parameters that I don't know. I am still below Novice at all this, and just trying to get going. Can anyone direct me on how to retrieve this Serial number? 

 Thanks (Edited for spelling errors)  (Added: Pictures of Board) http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww302/thehawk018/DSC00549.jpg  - http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww302/thehawk018/DSC00547.jpg  http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww302/thehawk018/DSC00545.jpg  -