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Cipher13 · Feb 25, 2003, 07:17 AM

Okay, I've posted about this before. I have a 7350 Workgroup Server with an Apple proprietary video connector (damn you Apple).

I need to get video on this machine. I don't necessarily need a monitor. I want to remote control this system with Timbuktu. However - I can not because without a monitor attached, video does not get initialised.

Now, I'm 90% sure I can simply short out some of the VGA pins. However, I'm not sure whether to do so with wire, a resistor, a diode, or what; nor which pins though I have a rough idea). I can't find a dongle that goes from DB15 (two rows - AppleRGB) to standard VGA. That's what I need, ideally.

1. Is shorting the connector somehow realistic? Fooling the system into thinking there's a monitor attached?

2. Would a dongle/cable with no monitor attached work, anyway?

3. Am I screwed without a dongle or even an Apple monitor?

TIA...

BlankMac · Feb 25, 2003, 08:24 AM

Will this work?

http://www.neutronexpress.com/prod.c...ABL_CABLE/5213

Cipher13 · Feb 25, 2003, 08:33 AM

That's the kind of thing I'm wondering about - will simply having one of those, or even a dongle, plugged into the machine, will it initialise video - even without a monitor?

Either way, if one end of that can go into the end of a VGA monitor, it's sweet regardless. Problem is finding one, without spending too much - I'm in Australia, and nowhere has these things anymore.

Thanks for the response.

BlankMac · Feb 25, 2003, 08:40 AM

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Samsung makes a Mac-to-VGA adapter (called something like the "MacMaster II")...You might be able to get it through a Samsung repair shop in your homeland...Of course, I have no idea whether or not simply attaching it would initialize the video...

guilliamo · Feb 25, 2003, 04:36 PM

As far as I can determine, the WGS7350 is a configuration of the PowerMac 7300. The built-in, or motherboard video needs either 2 or 4 1MB VRAM Dimms...so check to be sure that you have at least 2MB of VRAM. Some used machines have been stripped of VRAM, especially if a PCI video card was used in its past life.

Take a look at: <http://developer.apple.com/techpubs/..._7500_8500.pdf>. Pages 29 & 30 give a bit of detail on the monitor connector, and monitor sense lines. It LOOKS to me that you just need to ground pin 10 for the '7350 to make the computer think that it has an Apple 14" monitor attached. I HAVE NOT personally tried this, but am sure that you'll do no harm if it doesn't work.

Cipher13 · Feb 26, 2003, 08:22 AM

Yeah, it's practically identical to the 7300. Different size factory HD, IIRC - 4GB SCSI rather than 2GB. Or something.

It has 2 megs of VRAM. I made my own DB15 connector, but it didn't seem to wake things. I wanna try shorting the pins, but... I'm wary. If I can't make a monitor connector, I may just get one of those Mac-VGA dongles.

Thanks for all the replies.

Xaositect · Feb 26, 2003, 12:03 PM

Another solution, which can be cheaper than a monitor, is to hook it to a KVM switch. 2 position KVMs run $30 (US) around here, with half the cables you need. Attach it to one of your other monitors and you will be able to switch over if necessary. Or don't attach a monitor at all. Of course, if you need the adapter to either Mac 15 pin video or to three row VGA style, those can be more expensive than the KVM. If you need the Full Media port to Mac 15 pinn adapter and can't find one local, let me know, I still have a couple in my test equipment box and can get one to you.