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| Can a PowerMac 8600/200 run in 1280x1024? |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 11:30:14
I just picked up a PowerMac 8600/200 with 256MB. https://lowendmac.com/1997/power-mac-8600/ says that the video supports 1280 x 1024 at 8 bits with 2 MB VRAM but I'm unable to get the Monitors control panel to show anything over 1152x870, even when 256 colors or grays is selected.
I'm using a Dell 1905FP monitor which supports 1280x1024.
I've tried two different DB15-to-VGA converters: One with no dip switches, which results in no video at all. The other with 6 dip switches with listings for 8 different modes on the back (21" multimode, 17" multimode, 13" multimode, VGA/SVGA, 21" 1152x870, 19" 1024x768, 16" 832x624, and 13" 640x480). I currently have the first mode selected.
Perhaps I need a different DB15 to VGA converter? |
Posted by: rieSha. on 2026-01-27 12:50:03
Yes. The 8600/200 can definitely do 1280x1024. This seems to be an adapter issue. |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 14:06:10
Yes. The 8600/200 can definitely do 1280x1024. This seems to be an adapter issue. OK, that's good news. Are you running with a DB15-to-VGA adapter? If so, which one? |
Posted by: Unknown_K on 2026-01-27 14:40:53
Could be refresh related, try a CRT monitor if you have one. |
Posted by: mikes-macs on 2026-01-27 15:00:19
I don’t know why your power mac 8600 doesn’t have a PCI video card. Mine came with one. With one of those you’d be all set. No need for adapters. |
Posted by: joevt on 2026-01-27 15:27:54
Try the 17" mode. If that doesn't work, try the VGA mode. |
Posted by: joevt on 2026-01-27 15:40:28
What version of Mac OS? |
Posted by: joevt on 2026-01-27 15:42:36
What modes do you see besides 1152x870? |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 16:42:09
Could be refresh related, try a CRT monitor if you have one. Unfortunately I don't have one. |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 16:45:32
I don’t know why your power mac 8600 doesn’t have a PCI video card. Mine came with one. With one of those you’d be all set. No need for adapters. There is also a video card with a VGA connector, but it appears to max out at 640x480. |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 16:51:00
What version of Mac OS? I installed 7.5.5 on a SCSI2SD card, but get the same video resolutions as the SCSI disk it came with that runs Mac OS 9.1. |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-27 16:52:50
What modes do you see besides 1152x870? I see 640x480, 832x624, 1024x768, and 1152x870. |
Posted by: rieSha. on 2026-01-28 13:07:23
OK, that's good news. Are you running with a DB15-to-VGA adapter? If so, which one?
A generic one with 10 DIP switches. I set it to 21" Multiscan. |
Posted by: Boctor on 2026-01-28 13:38:35
To be sure, gave this a try on a ten-switch adapter with a PM7200's built in video, and was finally able to see the "missing" 1280x1024 mode as well. The 21" Multiscan (MODE 1 if applicable) works great for getting the desired behavior out of the sense lines. |
Posted by: joevt on 2026-01-28 15:26:59
I see 640x480, 832x624, 1024x768, and 1152x870. Use the Control Strip instead of the Monitors control panel to see the 1280x960 and 1280x1024 options.
The Monitors control panel doesn't show those options because they are not marked as safe? The SwitchRes software may be able to fix that. |
Posted by: richj on 2026-01-28 15:27:17
Mystery solved. The 1280x1024 resolution appears in the Monitors & Sound control panel, but not in the Monitors control panel, so I was looking in the wrong place. With the dip switches set to 21" multimode I can now see all of the following in Monitors & Sound: 640x480, 832x624, 1024x768, 1152x870, 1280x960, and 1280x1024. The two 1280 modes are missing from the Monitors control panel. |
Posted by: f17 on 2026-02-10 20:08:13
With the right PCI Radeon card, it will do 1080p (and I'm pretty sure I got it to do 4K). |
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