Resolution Limited to 1024x768 when using LaCie Electron 22in monitor

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Resolution Limited to 1024x768 when using LaCie Electron 22in monitor

Hi!

First of all, this is the first time I've posted anything on these forums, but I've consulted them regularly over the past few years and have found much useful information here! Let's hope someone here can help me with my problem!

I recently bought a Core Duo Mini from the Apple Refurb store. Whilst setting it up, I had it connected to my LaCie Electron Blue IV 22in CRT monitor, which I normally have connected to my G5 tower.

Now, when connected to the G5, this monitor supports very high screen resolutions - up to 2048x1536 - but when I had it connected to the Mini, I was surprised to notice that I could not set the resolution above 1024x768 (though it did offer a full range of refresh rates up to 120Hz).

I have tried changing the colour depth on the Mini, changing colour profile settings for the display, even using an alternative DVI to VGA adaptor, but no matter what, I do not seem be able to set the resolution above 1024x768. I have noticed, however, that whilst the title bar in my display preferences on my G5 identifies the monitor as 'electr22b4', the title bar on the Mini's display preferences simply says 'Display'... I wonder if there is a driver missing somewhere? I didn't think VGA monitors needed drivers!

Unfortunately, the only other monitor I have access to at the moment is a really old no-name 14in CRT, which can barely support 800x600, so I have been unable to see if this problem is unique to my LaCie monitor.

So, my question is, has anyone experienced a similar problem, and if so have they found a work around?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Matt

G5 1.8GHz & Core Duo Mini 1.66 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 8, 2006 4:19 PM

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Answer 1

BSteely

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Oct 9, 2006 9:10 PM in response to MattD_UK

That is a big clue about the G5 seeing the monitor as electr22b4 whereas the mini does not. That means there has been a failure to read the driver data inside the monitor (EDID) on the part of the mini. I would suspect the video adapter, although you said you tried two. Was the second adapter also an Apple adapter?

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Answer 2

MattD_UK Author

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Oct 10, 2006 12:41 AM in response to BSteely

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

Yes, both were Apple adaptors. In fact, the second one I used was the one I normally have the monitor hooked up to the G5 tower with.

I didn't realise that the computer was able to identify the monitor type (or at least support resolutions etc.) via the VGA connection - I always thought VGA was pretty 'dumb' in that the computer fed data down the cable and there was no reverse communication. This will give me another avenue to research the problem on...

Cheers

Matt

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Answer 3

BSteely

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7,643 points

Oct 10, 2006 8:23 AM in response to MattD_UK

If you want to actually see your monitor's EDID data you can use SwitchRes X Control Panel. I recommend downloading it rather than the full version of SwitchRes X. Within SRX you will find a button labeled "Print DDC" that will dump the monitor's EDID to a text file. You could install SRX on the G5 to get the dump and then try doing the same from the mini. Presumeably when you try doing it from the mini, it won't work, though I can't imagine why that is given you have tried two adapters. Do both adapters work with the G5? If not, then you still might have a bad adapter.

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Answer 4

MattD_UK Author

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Oct 17, 2006 8:03 AM in response to BSteely

Hi

Apologies for the delayed update... busy, busy week!

OK, my problem has now been solved - and I must say that like many problems with computers it turned out to be something so simple that I'm now really kicking myself...

So, after a lot of Googling, and lots of abortive attempts at fixing things, the monitor I'd ordered specifically for the Mini was delivered (a Dell 2407 WFP LCD with both DVI and VGA inputs). As with the LaCie screen, the Dell monitor worked perfectly on my G5, but only showed up as a generic 'display' in System Preferences on the Mini and would not support resolutions over 1024x768. What's more, when connected to the Mini with the DVI cable the Dell monitor got no signal from the Mini at all! I was beginning to suspect faulty hardware in the Mini (and I couldn't really afford much down time on the Mini as it's now hosting a website, amongst other things!).

So I called Apple. And they put me on hold for a very long time. But I won't complain because they did sort out the problem: I had to reset the power management on the Mini - this 'clears out' a bunch of settings stored internally on the computer.

It's kind of annoying because, I really should have thought about doing this myself... I guess because I can't remember the last time I did this it just didn't occur to me... Oh well! Anyway, for those who aren't aware, here's how to do it:

1. Shut the computer down
2. Unplug everything from the computer - even the power cable and leave disconnected for at least 15 seconds.
3. Switch the computer back on and hold down Alt + Command + R + P on the keyboard.
4. Once you've heard the startup chime three times, let go of the keys and the machine continues to boot as normal.

Once I'd done this, the Dell display was identified correctly by System Preferences and I have access to the full set of resolutions (I haven't tested it with the LaCie yet, but I'm sure it will work). I currently have the Dell monitor connected via DVI running at 1920x1200... very nice!

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