MDA or MDPA Monochrome Display Adapter ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MDA is the oldest display standard; it was available on the original IBM-PC shipped circa 1981 (sometimes called MDPA since the original adaptor also provided a parallel printer port). Text: 2 colors+underline; 80-columns by 25-lines 40-columns by 25-lines Graphics: none A common variant is the "Hercules" or "MonoGraphics" display adapter which supports black-and-white graphics.