Monitor not receiving video signal from G4?

Question

Monitor not receiving video signal from G4?

Hi!

I just got a new LCD - Formac Gallery 2010 (20") - for my G4, and for some reason it's not displaying any signal. The monitor seems fine - I tried connecting it to a PC and it works perfectly. I was previously using a 19" CRT through the original DVI-VGA adapter cable (I've reconnected now and this still works).

I made sure to change the display resolution to the recommended 1600x1200 @60hz.

System is a mirrored-doors 1Ghz G4 (latest firmware), GeForce4 MX 64mb (DVI+ADC outputs), 768mb RAM, 2x 60Gb HDDs, OSX Tiger 10.4.2, no other extra hardware installed.

Any help/suggestions would be much appreciated!!

Thanks,
Matt

Posted on Oct 21, 2005 6:39 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 21, 2005 10:19 PM in response to Matthew Knott

Hello! Try resetting the following. (some settings such as mouse speed etc. may have to be reset after doing the reset. If that doesn't do it post back.Tom

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2005 6:38 AM in response to Thomas Bryant

Thanks for your reply!

I tried resetting the PRAM but no joy (actually looking at the Formac support FAQ they suggest resetting it twice but that didn't work either).

I also reseated the graphics card, but that made no difference.

Matt

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Answer 3

FangSuede

Level 4

2,195 points

Oct 22, 2005 10:08 PM in response to Matthew Knott

Hi there,
Are you connecting the Formac to the Mac with ADC>DVI adapter?
It makes a difference.

In addition, from the Formac Support site:
All Formac gallery 2010 come with a standard DVI connector and a ADC-to-DVI converter cable. The Gallery's power and USB signal must be provided separately, by using the patent-pending Formac Display Connector (FDC). This is a small box near the end of the video cable, which the power supply and the USB cable from your computer plug into. This means there is only one cable running up to your display, keeping things neat and tidy. And you can use the display's two integrated, powered USB ports on the back of your display (even if you are using the DVI connectivity).

And this:

Formac gallery 2010 is a high-end digital display. The graphic board has to support the following resolution/timing: 1600 by 1200 (at 60Hz)
The following cards have been tested by Formac to work flawlessly with Formac gallery 2010:
ATI
1) Radeon 7000, 32 MB (Mac Edition)
2) Radeon 7500, 64 MB (Mac & PC edition)
3) Radeon 8500, 64 MB (Mac Edition)
4) Radeon 9000, 64 MB (Mac Edition)
Nvidia
1) GeForce 4 TI, 128 MB (Mac edition)

I don't see your Video card on this list, troublesome thought......

Dave

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Answer 4

Oct 23, 2005 5:28 AM in response to FangSuede

Hi Dave,

Hmm there was no ADC>DVI adapter with mine, and no mention of it in the User's Guide. I guess they've stopped supplying that? (its the newer model 2010 Gallery Raven Xtreme btw).

The card not being on the list is interesting. It's starting to look like a new graphics card might be the only solution...

Thanks,
Matt

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Answer 5

FangSuede

Level 4

2,195 points

Oct 23, 2005 6:20 AM in response to Matthew Knott

Matt,
That is odd, because when I Google for your exact product and click 'Spec's', 'What's in the box' I get this:
Gallery 2010 display (DVI), power supply, USB cable, User's Guide, Formac ADC to DVI adapter.

I think I'd contact Support and ask the question before buying another Video Card.

Luck,
Dave

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Answer 6

Oct 23, 2005 7:01 AM in response to FangSuede

Hi Dave,

The back of the box has a Tech Specs listing and under Connectors and Cables only lists "Formac DVI Display Connector" and "Two-port self-powered USB hub". It was manufactured in Germany and if you look at the specs from the German website ( http://www.formac.de/Service/Downloads/displays/spec20rb.pdf) it has no mention of the ADC>DVI adapter. In fact is has no mention of ADC anywhere! I wonder if they've dropped the adapter recently?

What is interesting is that it lists GeForce4 MX as one of the compatible graphics cards under System Requirements.

Very strange!

Cheers,
Matt

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Answer 7

FangSuede

Level 4

2,195 points

Oct 23, 2005 7:45 AM in response to Matthew Knott

I have been looking at the USA Website, I wonder why the difference?
It's a crazy world, ain't it?

Dave

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Answer 8

Oct 26, 2005 6:34 PM in response to FangSuede

Postscript:
I just picked up a new graphics card off of ebay (Radeon 9700 Pro) and the monitor worked perfectly straight off the bat. Guess there is/was some strange little fault with my GeForce.

Thanks for the replies, just glad it's sorted now.

Regards,
Matt

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Answer 9

FangSuede

Level 4

2,195 points

Oct 26, 2005 6:50 PM in response to Matthew Knott

Congrats!

Thanks for letting us know, these strange things do have answers - sometimes.
😉
Dave

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Answer 10

Jan 24, 2006 8:23 AM in response to Thomas Bryant

That worked for me too. Thanks. One additional concern however: do I need to reset permissions or trash something in order that the monitor does not have this same issue in the future? ?

PowerMac G-4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

PowerMac G-4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

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Answer 11

Apr 18, 2006 12:01 AM in response to Matthew Knott

Hello all:
I have searched hi and low but no similar remarks on my problem, so I post.
I have a PowerMac G4 that "bings" when I turn on the computer, but there will be no display on the monitor. I have changed several AGP cards on it, but the problem remains. The computer does, as stated earlier, sound the Apple trade mark, "bing" when you turn it on, but that's about it, no display on the monitor. Anyone, any ideas, any things....
Greatly appreciated. I don't know where to start on this one, and I've done a lot on Macs. Last feat was upgrading memory on an Imac and changing screen on a Lombard.
Here are the machine ID:
Family: M5185/Powermac G4/400Mhz/IM Cache
Many thanks

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