Display is garbled.

Question

Level 1

15 points

Display is garbled.

When I boot up my faithful old G4 Mac the display is completely garbled. It is greenish with streaks and no recognizable image at all. It looks like how an old analog TV used to look when it was off the station. This mac mini uses an analog video cable. I changed it to a new cable to no effect. I blew on the connectors hoping to dislodge any dust or other stuff but no effect. I really want to keep this mac mini going as it has a 740 GB disc, larger than my new Mac Mini and also runs Comskp which my new Mini doesn''t. Any ideas, anyone?

Mac Mini G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 11, 2014 1:20 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jun 11, 2014 2:20 AM in response to Maser4055

Are you saying you are not even getting the Apple icon during bootup?

Try reseting the NVRAM

About NVRAM and PRAM

Open up the case and remove/reseat the video card.

Does the monitor show its on-screen menu? Maybe the monitor is bad.

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Answer 2

Maser4055 Author

Level 1

15 points

Jun 11, 2014 5:54 PM in response to lllaass

Yes, Illasss, I don't get anything including the Apple icon during boot up.I don;t know how to reset the NVRAM or PRAM when I can't see anything on the screen. I wish I could because I can easily do those actions. Attached is a picture of what I see. I couldn't take a screen grab so I had to photograph it. Its not much clearer in real life. In the mean time I will look up about reseating the video card. Thanks for your suggestions and any further tips most welcome.

I have two Mac Minis attached to this monitor. The other is a mid-2011 Intel quad core Mac Mini and it's connected via a digital cable. It displays absolutely fine.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Jun 11, 2014 6:16 PM in response to Maser4055

Hello,

Have you blown the dust out lately?

PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.

Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), any better display?

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