Q: Need VGA adaptor for my old iMac G4/1.0 17.inch from 2003?

The "Mini VGA-to-VGA Adapter" takes on several guises. Be sure

if you happen across one in an online sales page, the seller knows

the differences between the "MiniDisplayPort to VGA" and others.

The part you need would likely be described as: Mini VGA-to-VGA.

While I have an as-new old stock, bought a few years ago from a

thrift-store for $2. that works with my iBook G4 12-inch 1.33GHz

there is no visible part numbers on it that I can tell. At the time, I

also bought three others, same price, that were sealed in bags.

(Those alike, had part numbers; I gave them away, at the time.)

Be also wary of MiniDVI-to-VGA Adapters, as these also may or

may not fit into the similar shaped video-out port; DVI was not a

standard in older PPC Macs, some later PowerBook + G5 iMac

had better later standards than older PPC G4 iMac or G3 iBook.

The same item that fits G4 iBook mid-2005 or before should also

fit the USB2.0 iMac G4 15/17/20-inch. The adapter I have fits my

iMac G4 1.25GHz 17-inch (USB2.0) computer Mini VGA ports.

A look through eBay shows a mix of different parts, and reviews

do show that some sellers have sold more than one type via their

site; some users could not use the one they bought, others could.

The present Apple site does not appear to show any valid older

information regarding these vintage/obsolete adapters any more.

So avoid MiniDisplayPort, MiniDVI, and some versions of Mini VGA

adapters; some versions are of the correct era, but are for PowerBook

G4 models and are a few digits different in part numbers. The plug

may be the correct shape to fit the socket, but lack proper connectors.

Sorry to not be of much help; I did look to see if I could find one of the

old Mini VGA-to-VGA Adapters, here; & only found one w/o part number.

A search brings up almost anything but the correct vintage parts.

The welovemacs.com site had some items but was not clear on what fit

specific models exactly; and their price seemed a bit steep. Other Mac

centric sites may be able to locate vintage adapters. Used ones may be

available, while may also be worn or unreliable.

This page may have some info on various 'new, to old, to obsolete' adapters:

About Apple video adapters and cables - Apple Support

{None of these are the correct ones; so you could use this as an anti-reference}

The one here does not specify iMac G4:

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Mini-VGA-to-VGA-Adapter/IF153-030-1

Perhaps if the hour weren't near 2 AM here, I may have better luck searching...

PS: another reference here suggests this numbered part,

(may be same as 'different number' application) may work

IF you can find a nearby source to match...

https://www.amazon.ca/Apple-VGA-display-adapter-M8639G/dp/B000068BSC

Hopefully you can find the correct part to fit external display; hard to

troubleshoot the graphic circuitry without these rarer parts nowadays.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing!