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G3 Clamshell iBook video issues

Hi,

I recently installed 9.2.2 on my G3 iBook clamshell blueberry 300Mhz, 4MB ATI video.

OpenGl version 1.2.4

Finder 9.2

Active enabler - Mac OS ROM 9.0.1

Quicktime 6.0.3

CarbonLib 1.6

It's running pretty good, but I was thinking about making this an 'oldies' game machine. Here are the problems I am having:

1. The machine won't switch to 640X480 and display correctly. Even if I switch it in the monitor panel, the screen gets all freaky under ALL color settings.

Only 800X600 will display correctly.

2. Does openGL work on this video card? I have installed Shadow Warrior (which runs great), so I installed the 3Dfx version, and if I run it the screen goes black, and a black pointer appears. The only way out of this is to hard shut down. Until I installed MacGlide, I got the error that it couldn't find 3dfxGlideLib2.x

I couldn't find an original 3dfxGlideLib2.x (if there is one), so I figured MacGlide may work. I have tried all versions to no avail. Possibly this is because this is in some sort of wrapper for osX?

3. How do you open these game config files? For Shadow Warrior, for instance, if you try to open the config files, it just boots the game. Is there something like an 'open with' option? I'm REALLY new to apple software, so I'm trying to learn as fast as possible.

I found an older post - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/551454

And I have followed all of the instruction there - so far I have everything listed there as correct.

I can't find a openGL install package for 1.2.4, but these files should be good since they were installed from the 9.2 CD, right?

If anyone can answer ANY of these questions, please let me know!

Thank you!

iBook, Mac OS 9.1.x

Posted on Jun 22, 2012 10:52 AM

37 replies

Jun 25, 2012 1:27 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

Your not have much luck in increasing the screen resolutions. The 466 models don't have a higher screen resolution but that of all the clamshell range. Now I have read about converting the screen to XVGA style screens on clamshells but requires a paticular lead and a edit of the firmware. It's the firmware edit that concern me the most.

Jun 25, 2012 1:54 PM in response to Knucklesmac

Yes, I read about that too. On ebay, there is a company selling iBooks at a really high price, and these are fitted with higher res screens and they say that there is NO firmware hack.

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iBook-Clamshell-Pink-Berry-XGA-466-576MB-80GB-Work ing-DVD-Airport-/110892354432?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item19d1b30b80#ht_9064wt_139 6

What do you think?

Jun 25, 2012 2:14 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

I can't see just putting another type of display converting it to XGA. There must be some updates to the firmware in order to tell the hardware of this change. I might be wrong. There has to be some modifications to the hardware included the graphics driver to allow for this to work. It could be simple as some configuration to the logic board that fools the device into thinking its using an external XGA screen. It think it ridicules to charge such a high price for a low spec laptop just because of a screen modification.

Jun 25, 2012 3:39 PM in response to Knucklesmac

I agree, if this was reasonably priced, I'd consider it! Since it's not, I'll try to figure out how to do the resolution update myself - at some point that is.. I have to learn how apple works first!

Jun 25, 2012 4:31 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

Well, that's not such a huge price considering you get Microsoft Office 2004 with it (and three registration keys).

Jun 27, 2012 10:49 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Ok, let's revisit the video issue. I just installed mac os X 10.4 and the display still gets scrambed when I switch to 640 X 480.

Here's the screen at 800 X 600

Here's the same screen at 640 X 480

As you can see, it's not just too big for the screen, but it's cut up and scrambled.

Any tips? Maybe some better or newer drivers for the video chipset?

The problem here is, if it won't display correctly in the lower resolution, then it's not going to work as a classic gaming machine...

Thanks for looking!

Jun 27, 2012 11:46 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

I wonder if there is a firmware update for this? I've got 10.4 on my clamshell and that works fine. Hold on a moment, how have you installed 10.4 on a mac which doesn't have FireWire?

From what I recall you was still having the same problem in OS 9, which would lead me to believe that there is something wrong with the actual graphic card. To me it looks like the refresh rate is set too high for that screen resolutions. What screen type has been set in preferences?

Jun 28, 2012 2:49 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Hi,

Sorry, the version is 10.3.9...

In the preferences, under displays, on the color tab, I have 3 profiles:

Generic RGB Profile

iBook

sRGB Profile

The iBook profile is selected.

I tried each setting, then calibrated the iBook setting, which is now selected.

Is there a place that has the firmware updates? I remember it updating a while back when I first got the Airport connected to my wireless..

Thanks!

Jun 28, 2012 3:48 AM in response to TheRealAnubis

It looks like my firmware is 4.1.7f4

bund

Level 3

809 points

Jun 28, 2012 4:28 AM in response to TheRealAnubis

This seems to be a hardware issue. Since there is no Apple Hardware Test for non-firewire iBooks you can use utilities like TechTool Deluxe which you will find on Apple Care protection Plan CDs to find out whether it is the Video-RAM or the display panel itself.

Jun 28, 2012 6:47 AM in response to bund

Hi,

I can't locate an apple care cd, but I did manage to find techtool pro, and everything checks out.

I did put the wrong OS in my initial post, it's OS X 10.3.9

Thanks!

Jun 28, 2012 7:00 AM in response to TheRealAnubis

That would be the most recent firmware for the iBook G3 300Mhz. So we can out rule that as being the issue. I believe this to be a problem with the actual display adapter. Without further test hardware like an alternative screen it would be difficult to diagnose if it is the display adapter or screen is at fault.

I have seen something like this before when the wrong version of OS X was installed. A version of the iMac disk was install on a iBook. What version of 10.3 Panther did you install?

Jun 28, 2012 9:54 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Hi,

The readme has this information:

System Requirements

You must have a macintosh computer with

a powerPC g3, g4, or g5 processor

built-in usb

at least 128mb ram

a built-in display or a display connected to an apple supplied video card supported by your computer

at least 2GB disk space, or 3.5GB if you install the developer tools

It comes from a 3CD set. I didn't install anything from the 3rd CD.

In the system software overview:

system version mac os x 10.3.9 (7w98)

Kernel Version Darwin 7.9.0

This looks like the set I'm using:

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6915133a.html

I'm wondering if it really is a display or hardware problem. For instance, I've installed OS 8.6, 9.0.4, 9.2, and 10.3. What's the possibility of all of those having the wrong drivers? These CD's boot and install with no problem. Maybe there's something from that elusive iBook install or restore CD that I can't find anywhere, but that doesn't help since I can't find anyone to loan me those!

Also, I read somewhere on the discussion boards that the external display can sometimes function when the built-in screen doesn't, so that may throw a wrench into things as far as testing the display adapter...

Thanks!

Jul 1, 2012 12:27 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

Hi,

An update, or another clue.. I was playing a CD with iTunes and I popped on the visualizer. It uses OpenGL, and works great, in windowed mode. As soon as I selected fullscreen, it gets all chopped up just like the pictures I posted.

Hmmmmmmm.

Jul 1, 2012 12:57 PM in response to TheRealAnubis

Hmmm to me this would indicate an issue with the display adapter (Graphics Card)

Like a majority of laptops the graphics cards are built-in to the logic boards. Which means they are not replaceable. It's clearly not coping with rending the content, which would lead me to believe the issue could be related to the video memory. The video memory on those iBooks are 4 Meg and can not be upgraded. What memory is installed on your iBook?

G3 Clamshell iBook video issues