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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > Extending the IMac desktop

Extending the IMac desktop
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bernadette
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May 19, 2010, 03:23 AM
 
Hi,

Is it possible to connect a old Mac cinema display to an brand new IMac to extend its desktop?
Thank you

Bernadette
     
Simon
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May 19, 2010, 03:28 AM
 
Yes.

If it's a ACD with DVI you need a MDP-DVI adapter. If it's a 30" ACD make sure to get the MDP to Dual Link DVI adapter.

If it's a really old ACD that came with an ADC port you'll need a more expensive converter box to DVI plus the MDP-DVI dongle.
     
bernadette  (op)
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May 20, 2010, 01:00 AM
 
Thanks for the information, but I'm a bit lost. My old ACD connects to a converter box which has a cable with a DVI and a USB ends. So I tried to connect the display with the USB to my IMac because it doesn't have a DVI port. But nothing happened. I looked at the Apple store for a MDP-DVI converter but their DVI has 24 holes and mine has 2X9 holes...

Thanks

Bernadette
     
polendo
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May 20, 2010, 11:52 AM
 
HI, Can you take a pic of that DVI converter box? 2 X9´s don´t seem to be DVIs connectors.

The usb only carries data, so you won´t see any picture on your monitor.
     
polendo
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May 20, 2010, 11:57 AM
 
Check out this guide.. see if one of this connectors correspond to the one you have.

DVI Guide - Connectors and Cables Explained | Tips | Support | LINDY UK
     
bernadette  (op)
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May 21, 2010, 03:18 AM
 
Thank you to both of you. On the website it is called : LINDY Fibre Optic
DVI-D Cable.

Bernadette
     
reader50
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May 21, 2010, 04:33 AM
 
It's a single-link DVI, which suggests the unknown converter box is a DVI - ADC, and the monitor is probably a 20" or 23" with ADC.

Reasoning:
We've been assuming "2 x 9" means a connector with two rows of 9 pins.

|:::::::::|

I think he means two blocks of 9 pins, each a 3x3 array. Which matches the single-link DVI cable.
Code:
| x x x - - x x x| | --- x x x - - x x x| | x x x - - x x x|
Assuming the reasoning here is correct, he just needs a Mini Displayport to DVI adapter. Don't worry about the extra holes on Apple's adapter, they are not needed by your converter box and will be ignored.
     
Simon
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May 21, 2010, 04:55 AM
 
What reader said.

If you have a ADC-DVI converter box all you need to do is buy the MDP-DVI adapter and you should be fine.
     
bernadette  (op)
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May 22, 2010, 04:50 AM
 
Thank you everyone, I'll do that:-).

Bernadette
     
   
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