Need a cable to connect Mac mini 2008 to a monitor and I can't find one

Need the cable to monitor. It is nearly impossible to find out WHAT cable is needed. Cable in the picture doesn't work. Also similar pins to VGA adapter doesn't work


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Mar 20, 2024 10:42 AM

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Posted on Mar 20, 2024 11:17 AM

What monitor do you have? If it is an Apple monitor, then see if you can get the exact model by entering the monitor's serial number on the check coverage page here:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support


Do you get any LED power when the display is powered on? It should be on solid, but it if the display's power LED is flashing, then it means the display has a hardware issue. Many Apple displays have the display cable hardwired so you cannot easily swap cables.


FYI, that is a DVI connector.....both on the display cable and the back of the Mac Mini.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 20, 2024 11:17 AM in response to theafrombussum

What monitor do you have? If it is an Apple monitor, then see if you can get the exact model by entering the monitor's serial number on the check coverage page here:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support


Do you get any LED power when the display is powered on? It should be on solid, but it if the display's power LED is flashing, then it means the display has a hardware issue. Many Apple displays have the display cable hardwired so you cannot easily swap cables.


FYI, that is a DVI connector.....both on the display cable and the back of the Mac Mini.


Mar 21, 2024 6:15 PM in response to theafrombussum

Sounds like the Mac Mini has a hardware issue (or the DVD to VGA Adapter, or video cable) assuming those older displays comply with the specs I listed previously. If you hold the Option key immediately after the startup chime and you see nothing appear on the display, then it eliminates any software possibly causing the problem. Even if there is no bootable volume, you should still see something on the screen.


Mar 20, 2024 8:11 PM in response to hcsitas


Depending on whether the Mini is 2007 or 2009, certainly would

make significant difference; in both graphic card/port styles and

display style ports supported. Because 2007 was last of old type

of that era, & 2009 follows later trend, to 'mini display port' idea.


Examples of my two are of wider range difference older hardware.

Since Late 2005 Mac Mini 1.5GHz PPC G4; & Late 1012 Mac Mini

2.3GHz quad-core intel-based server, a leap even further further.

[Yet only one cable adapter allows both to use similar displays.

MacTracker helped but wasn't determinative, back in the day.]


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Need a cable to connect Mac mini 2008 to a monitor and I can't find one

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