CallieArt

Q: How do I restore signal from my Mac Pro to my Viewsonic monitor, connected by VGA?

I have a Mac Pro running OSX version 10.7.5. Connected to it is a 24-inch Viewsonic monitor, the only monitor connected. Last week everything was fine. I shut it all down one night, and the next morning when I tried to start up, there was no signal from the Mac to the monitor.

The screen displays a "No Signal" message.

I checked the input on the monitor, and it is correctly set to PC.

The computer starts up normally. I can hear it doing its thing.

The monitor starts up normally. No flashing or blips.

I have tried rebooting, disconnecting the monitor from the computer, shutting everything down and unplugging, then replugging. I tried hooking up the old monitor (using the VGA connection) and booting up again, with the same result.

I tried restating the NVRAM (found instructions on this site)and it made no difference.

 

Would there be any merit to getting an HDMI cable to connect them?

It seems to me that if the computer is not recognizing the monitor, trying a different cable would make no difference, but I am very much an "end-user" at this stage and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), iPhone calendar seems fine.

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 3:50 PM

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Q: How do I restore signal from my Mac Pro to my Viewsonic monitor, connected by VGA?

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  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Aug 3, 2016 1:01 PM in response to CallieArt
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 3, 2016 1:01 PM in response to CallieArt

    Try resetting the SMC

    Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

    Does the VGA input and cable work with another computer/device?

    Does the output port on the Mac work with another monitor?

    What model Mac pro?

    What video card is installed in the Mac?

    What output port are you using?

    Maybe the video card failed. If yo have an old Mac Pro with original card that is likely

  • by CallieArt,

    CallieArt CallieArt Aug 3, 2016 1:15 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 3, 2016 1:15 PM in response to lllaass

    Dear lllaass,

    Thanks for the questions and suggestions.

    I don't own another device with VGA ports, so I can't test the cable, but the monitor and cable are relatively new (less than a year) so I'm hoping that's not the issue.

    I tried two other monitors, both of which I know work, and got the same result: a "No Signal" message on the monitor.

    The computer is a Mac Pro, tower (no side doors that open) stainless steel chassis, Dual-Core Intel Xeon 250 gb with 2 super drives, purchased in 2007.

    I don't know what video card is inside, I didn't have it upgraded when it was built for me.

    There are two ports for the monitor (using the VGA adapter) on the back, and I have tried them both with each monitor.

    It's starting to look like you may be right about the video card. That means a trip to an Apple Store, right?

    I did try resetting the PRAM (or NVRAM, not sure what it's called these days), and nothing improved.

    I tried restarting from the systems disk, and still nothing.

    The only change I made to the computer was to defray the documents (not the apps, and I didn't try to defray the whole drive), because I had backed up and deleted a lot of old stuff from the hard drive to make room for work. I was trying to open up some RAM. I ran TechTool Pro to do this, and afterward I ran its battery of tests to make sure all was well, and it seemed that there were no issues.

    In my folly, I had let my AppleCare protection expire, so I think I'm in a bucket of muddy water in more ways than one.

    It's going on two weeks without work, which is bad for my economy, so I think it's time to take it to the professionals.

    (insert sad emoji here)

    Thanks for your help!

  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Aug 3, 2016 1:35 PM in response to CallieArt
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 3, 2016 1:35 PM in response to CallieArt

    I suspect the video card died. The cards originally supplied in the 2006-2008 are failure prone.

    Apple really will not help, your Mac is too old for them to have replacement parts.

    For a replacement card see:

    User Tip: Mac Pro silver tower (2006-2012) Replacement Graphics cards

    graphics card for 2006-07 Mac Pro system

    http://www.macvidcards.com/index.html

     

    You are somewhat  limited since you can't run higher than 10.7.5

  • by CallieArt,

    CallieArt CallieArt Aug 3, 2016 1:40 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 3, 2016 1:40 PM in response to lllaass

    Thank you once again. I think doing the replacement is probably above my pay grade. I've never opened this tower up myself, because it doesn't have to door on the side like my beloved old G5.

    Looks like it's going in for surgery.

    I just tried it again, since I have all of the external hard drives detached.

    Still the same message.

    But when I tried to reset the PRAM, this happened:

    Started the towe, heard the first chime, held down the Command, Option R and P keys, heard the second chime, let go, then there was a third chime. Is that another bad sign?