xsnophlyous

Q: connect a VGA monitor to a Macintosh LC III?

Does anyone know how to connect a VGA monitor to a Macintosh LC III?

 

Thanks!

Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier, Macintosh LC III

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 5:51 PM

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Q: connect a VGA monitor to a Macintosh LC III?

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  • by Jeff,Helpful

    Jeff Jeff Jun 21, 2012 11:45 PM in response to xsnophlyous
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 11:45 PM in response to xsnophlyous

    If this were simply a case of using an adapter to convert the Mac's DB-15 display port to a VGA type - as can be done with newer Power Macs - you'd only need to buy the adapter.  The bigger problem that you have is related to the LC III's video output at a fixed frequency.  A compatible fixed frequency display must match the LC III's output, in order to work.  Those older Macs were compatible with a small number of 12", 13", and 16" displays - both color and B&W.  I used the Apple 13" RGB color display, having a heavy trinitron CRT.  I'm assuming that you have an older VGA-ported, multi-sync CRT display in mind.  It isn't compatible, nor is anything newer, such as an LCD type.  If you need to get files off the hard drive, you could remove it from the computer and install it in a slightly newer, SCSI-based Mac or one having a SCSI PCI controller card.

  • by Jeff,Helpful

    Jeff Jeff Jun 22, 2012 12:15 AM in response to Jeff
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Jun 22, 2012 12:15 AM in response to Jeff

    You could try a Mac-to-VGA adapter having a set of 10 DIP switches or one of Belkin's older/similar adapters that also included a rotary knob, but only for use with a CRT display having a 4:3 aspect ratio.  Belkin included a sheet with various settings for a number of display types/sizes.  Otherwise, it would be trial and error - changing the settings, powering ON the computer, and if no video were present, powering OFF the computer and trying a new setting.  The changes can't be made on the fly, with the computer turned ON.  An additional problem concerns the very limited amount of VRAM in an LC III.  The stock amount is 512K, but a 256K SIMM bumps it to its max at 768K.  This is only 75% of what a Performa 6200 shipped with, and that was for support of a 15" multi-sync display.  A 17" display required a slower refresh rate and a reduction in color depth, because of the 1 MB of DRAM for video support.  If you only need to retrieve files (to what media?), you could get by with very low color depth.

  • by Jan Hedlund,Solvedanswer

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jun 25, 2012 5:08 AM in response to xsnophlyous
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Jun 25, 2012 5:08 AM in response to xsnophlyous