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intravenusdemilo · Sep 6, 2006, 02:20 AM

Okay, a couple of weeks ago the screen for my mac G5 crapped out (23 inch HD Cinema display) - Bad news.
Good news - I also have a pc screen handy that I am trying to use on my G5.
Dillema: I bought a DVI-VGA cable and am trying to interface the G5 with my Dell screen (Optiplex GX260). Problem is, I get the apple start up Icon (grey screen with the gadget turning) then after that my screen goes black.
When I hit buttons on the screen it says the screen is in power save mode, blah blah blah, hit this key - nothing happens.
I have gotten it to the point where it says auto adjust is in progress, then it goes to the black screen.
Is there anyway I can fix this? I know the cable works, because I get the start up screen - it's just when I get to what would be the desktop, it craps out.
I am guessing that I need to change the resolution or something. I have tried the whole resetting PRAM deal, but got nothing. Please help! Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

OreoCookie · Sep 6, 2006, 02:37 AM

Why do you use a DVI-VGA adapter?

intravenusdemilo · Sep 6, 2006, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Why do you use a DVI-VGA adapter?

The dell monitor won't plug straight in to the back of the G5, so I need an adapter. The monitor plugs into the female end, then the male end plugs into the G5

OreoCookie · 03:20 AM

Displays (including larger Dell lcds) have DVI connectors, so you shouldn't need an adapter.

What type of display do you have, which model is it? (Dell Optiplex is the model of your desktop, not your screen.)
Some displays only have DVI-D inputs (DVI digital) which means they cannot process analog vga signals, even though the plug looks the same.

intravenusdemilo · Sep 6, 2006, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Displays (including larger Dell lcds) have DVI connectors, so you shouldn't need an adapter.

What type of display do you have, which model is it? (Dell Optiplex is the model of your desktop, not your screen.)
Some displays only have DVI-D inputs (DVI digital) which means they cannot process analog vga signals, even though the plug looks the same.

Oh, then I am not sure of the type of display I have then. I thought the optiplex GX260 was the type of monitor. Mine is not a very large LCD, so it won't plug into the back of the mac (hence the need for the adapter).
What makes me think this adapter issue can be resolved is the fact that I get the apple start up Icon and gear looking thing. So I am getting a signal, it just cuts out and goes black when it goes to the desktop. My gut feeling is that the resolution on the G5 is too strong for the screen to handle, so it goes black.
Is there anyway to change the resolution in a start up mode or something (without going to the desktop)? I have hit command S at the start up and got a bunch of options, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

OreoCookie · Sep 6, 2006, 04:39 AM

Sorry, but without knowing what display you have, I'm afraid we'll have a very hard time to help you. You can find the model of the display on the sticker on the back.

The G5 -- like any Mac -- supports resolutions starting from 640x480. There are a few other possibilities, e. g. that your display does not support a specific refresh rate at a certain resolution. Have you tried safe booting your G5 by pressing shift during start-up (just follow the simple instructions in the linked article)?

Mediaman_12 · Sep 6, 2006, 07:06 AM

If it is a bundled LCD screen it may only support a limited range of resolutions.
What may be happening is that you G5 is set to a resolution that the Dell monitor doesn't support, this is highly likely since your previous screen was a 23" HD.
The initial phase of boot uses a default low resolution, when the later part (the bit with the progress bar and 'chrome' apple) it switches to the resolution set in the monitor prefs.
Unless the 'safe boot' described above uses a factory fixed resolution, You will need to connect the Mac to a monitor that supports the currently set resolution, and then change it to one that is supported on the Dell.

Leonard · Sep 6, 2006, 03:50 PM

If it is the resolution, you should be able to reset that by resetting the PRAM, I believe. Do a search on resetting the PRAM and I'm sure you'll find the instructions. I haven't done it for ages.

intravenusdemilo · Sep 7, 2006, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Sorry, but without knowing what display you have, I'm afraid we'll have a very hard time to help you. You can find the model of the display on the sticker on the back.

The G5 -- like any Mac -- supports resolutions starting from 640x480. There are a few other possibilities, e. g. that your display does not support a specific refresh rate at a certain resolution. Have you tried safe booting your G5 by pressing shift during start-up (just follow the simple instructions in the linked article)?

I am sorry. I really have no clue what screen I have. I know it's a dell 17" flat pannel LCD. I have tried booting up in safe mode, and it does the same thing (Grey screen, then when it goes to what would be the desktop, it goes black).
I have tried icing the PRAM and still get the same result. Is there a command I can type in (while in command S mode) that I can do? Because I can see that. Thank you all for your help. Appreciate it!

OreoCookie · Sep 7, 2006, 05:05 AM

Can't you just turn the screen and read the model number off the sticker on the back?

intravenusdemilo · Sep 7, 2006, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Can't you just turn the screen and read the model number off the sticker on the back?

Yeah, I looked on the back, and there is nothing there.

I tried resetting the nvram and resetting all - still got the same results.

iREZ · Sep 7, 2006, 02:03 PM

listen to media man and try safe booting, then changing the resolution.

intravenusdemilo · Sep 8, 2006, 12:58 AM

I can't boot in safe mode. I get to the grey apple, then see a split second of desktop, then it goes black. Is there anyway to change the resolution with firmware? or can one of you guys guide me blindly on changing the options via navigating with the keyboard?
Oh, also, when I hit buttons on my screen itself, it says its in powersave mode? Anyway to change that?

cbrfanatic · Sep 8, 2006, 04:06 AM

while the computer is offhold the shift key, while holding shift turn the computer on and continue to hold this shift key until its boots in safe mode.

intravenusdemilo · Sep 8, 2006, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by cbrfanatic

while the computer is offhold the shift key, while holding shift turn the computer on and continue to hold this shift key until its boots in safe mode.

My guess is I am probably booting in safe mode, but not seeing anything. I have tried every possible permutation of shift key holding and releasing, but I am still getting the same result - I have an Image until the desktop comes up - then blackness.....

master_yoda16 · Sep 14, 2006, 11:47 PM

hey i had the almost same problem. i have a 17" dell lcd screen and it blanked out on me white and does not turn back to its origianal. who ever knows how to fix it please reply

thanks