68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
Macintosh PowerPC 4400/200 Video Problems
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2024-07-27 15:03:12
Back to your adapters have you tried other resolutions that you would expect/know your LC monitors to support? I would think that they should support Mac 640x480 67Hz but maybe they only do VGA modes?

I use a 15" NEC MultiSync LCD1550V, normally with a Griffin Mac PnP adapter set to MultiSync 16" for Mac's akin to the 4400. However I do have a ViewSonic VMAC-1 adapter as well (is the one you have?). Testing with it set to Multi-res and default sync (1,4,5,7,8,9,10 on) I get video on boot but upon reaching the desktop I get an "Out of range" message from the NEC monitor. I changed the settings to 1024x768 75Hz (1,2,7,8,9,10 on), which is the native resolution of this NEC and it booted and displayed fine.
Posted by: aladds on 2024-07-28 05:49:38
I found the CUDA button - depressing it for 20 sec. with the machine unplugged does nothing. I am convinced the 12" CRT is bad, which leaves me with the Macintosh VGA adapter and a LCD. I can't get a video signal at 640 x 480.
Plug the machine in, press the CUDA button once (don't hold it) and then press the power button within 5 seconds
Posted by: budghiss on 2024-07-28 12:00:42
Back to your adapters have you tried other resolutions that you would expect/know your LC monitors to support? I would think that they should support Mac 640x480 67Hz but maybe they only do VGA modes?

I use a 15" NEC MultiSync LCD1550V, normally with a Griffin Mac PnP adapter set to MultiSync 16" for Mac's akin to the 4400. However I do have a ViewSonic VMAC-1 adapter as well (is the one you have?). Testing with it set to Multi-res and default sync (1,4,5,7,8,9,10 on) I get video on boot but upon reaching the desktop I get an "Out of range" message from the NEC monitor. I changed the settings to 1024x768 75Hz (1,2,7,8,9,10 on), which is the native resolution of this NEC and it booted and displayed fine.
Awesome - I will look into this monitor. I have tried the 640x480 on both of them, as well as the VGA modes - no dice. But I will look for the NEC and Griffin Mac PnP adapter. Also, since I am down to monitors and adapters, and someone commented earlier, but if I purchase a PCI ATI Rage LT for Mac, will it default video out the PCI card? Or does that need to be configured in the OS w/ the on board video in order to work?
Posted by: budghiss on 2024-07-28 12:35:20
Plug the machine in, press the CUDA button once (don't hold it) and then press the power button within 5 seconds
Ok - thank you - I tried this to no avail - I think the video out is bad, if I had to guess...
Posted by: budghiss on 2024-07-28 12:37:09
Ok, so let's assume the video out on this machine is not working. Can I add a PCI card (ATI Rage LT for Mac) and redirect the video? Or does this PCI card need to be configured through the onboard DB15 video in order to work?
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2024-08-02 11:24:54
I was able to test an ATI Rage 128 PCI card in my 4400, with nothing connected to the on-board video, and my NEC MultiSync LCD1550V connected directly to the Rage card, it all worked fine. This is under Mac OS 8.6 but I don't think that matters much, I think the 4400 is able to tell nothing is connected to the onboard video and make the PCI video card with a connected monitor the the primary display.

4400 PCI video card.jpg
Posted by: nathall on 2024-08-03 20:22:33
Going back to at least the IIsi, logic board can tell when nothing is attached to onboard video and will make any expansion card primary if there is a display attached.
Posted by: imactheknife on 2024-08-06 11:52:57
Going back to at least the IIsi, logic board can tell when nothing is attached to onboard video and will make any expansion card primary if there is a display attached.
If the l2 cache dimm is on its own card, pull it. Sometimes dead cache cards can cause this exact behaviour
Posted by: Performa450 on 2025-06-20 01:25:26
I've just upgraded the RAM in my 4400/200 and spent a good half hour pulling my hair out. I got what I thought was a correct 64 MB DIMM, but found it wouldn't work in either dual bank slot without a DIMM in the other dual bank slot.

I had:

16 MB DIMM in slot 1, 64 MB DIMM in slot 2 = black screen
64 MB DIMM in slot 1, 16 MB DIMM in slot 2 = boots with 48 MB recognised (expected)
16 MB DIMM in slot 1, 8 MB in slot 2, 64 MB in slot 3 = black screen
64 MB DIMM in slot 2 = black screen

and finally:

64 MB DIMM in slot 2, 16 MB in slot 3 = 80 MB RAM (and vice versa - hooray!)
16 MB in slot 1, 64 MB in slot 2, 8 MB in slot 3 = 88 MB RAM
Posted by: Garrett B on 2025-06-20 06:04:21
I've just upgraded the RAM in my 4400/200 and spent a good half hour pulling my hair out. I got what I thought was a correct 64 MB DIMM, but found it wouldn't work in either dual bank slot without a DIMM in the other dual bank slot.

I had:

16 MB DIMM in slot 1, 64 MB DIMM in slot 2 = black screen
64 MB DIMM in slot 1, 16 MB DIMM in slot 2 = boots with 48 MB recognised (expected)
16 MB DIMM in slot 1, 8 MB in slot 2, 64 MB in slot 3 = black screen
64 MB DIMM in slot 2 = black screen

and finally:

64 MB DIMM in slot 2, 16 MB in slot 3 = 80 MB RAM (and vice versa - hooray!)
16 MB in slot 1, 64 MB in slot 2, 8 MB in slot 3 = 88 MB RAM
When you get the black screen, is this with onboard video or a PCI video card? I am currently only able to get video out using a PCI card, and am curious what your setup is. I may have similar memory issues!
Posted by: Performa450 on 2025-06-20 07:17:11
When you get the black screen, is this with onboard video or a PCI video card? I am currently only able to get video out using a PCI card, and am curious what your setup is. I may have similar memory issues!
I have the onboard video only.
< 2