[ptb]

My G4 die a few days ago.

I decide to use the lcd panel for a pc or mac-mini. I have a pc now, or I could get a new mac-mini.

The lcd connector seems to be a mini-VGA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-VGA. However, I do not known the wiring.

Also, the G4 can not start now, so the lcd did not get its power.

Can someone help me:

1. re-wiring the lcd so that it got its power. Or check the power supply to get it work.

2. The wiring for a mini-VGA to VGA or DVI such that I can use the lcd for a PC or a Mini.

3. Tell me if the mini can hide under the G4 base?

[DrBoar]

I doubt it will work. LCDs are natively digital so the output to the VGA connector goes through a Digital to analog converter. To use input through the VGA it would need an analog to digital converter. I have never heard of anyone using their laptop as a screen for an other computer.

So time to ditch your G4...

[ptb]

So, this is the answer from Mac Modifier? Just ditch everything? HA!

[DrBoar]

As people have put a power PC in a Color Classic II case I am sure that the G4 screen can be put to use. ( I asume that it is a G4 powerbook). My point is that getting it powered up and also get the VGA runnning backward is not a trivial problem.

I once bought a 7500 motherboard from ebay and a 200 MHz 604E CPU and upgraded my 7200/90 to a 200 MHz computer and even at a later time installed OS X on it. Now when a B&W G3 cost less than the CPU and MB was then I would not bother with it.

The G4s screen of 15.2" 1152x768 pixels and 5 years old is hardly the thing to spend a lot of money on unless it is fun thing to just to show of that it can be done
Some googling suggest that it is hard work "salvage laptop screen"
http://www.techwarelabs.com/communit...1313&start=240
http://www.applefritter.com/faq

[ptb]

It is a flatpanel iMac G4 not a notebook.

The cable says something TMDS, so I guess it talks some kinds of DVI protocol.

BTW, some of the EPIA main boards have LVDS connector for connect to LCDs, is it possible to connect them?

If it is possible, it would be a fun MOD project.

[Tuoder]

It seems like it would be hard to pull up a wiring diagram for an iMac LCD. Maybe if you could find the brand of LCD, you could find something.

[Waragainstsleep]

Actually some LCDs have the pinouts printed on them. Usually on the bit of PCB where the cable plugs in. Deciphering them is up to you though.

Otherwise the G4 iMac LCD is no different to a laptop in the respect that it will use a pinout proprietary not just to Apple but to the iMac.

[drcarl]

I'd love to use my old G4 iMac as a display for a mac mini. Has anyone done this?

[gooser]

Originally Posted by drcarl 

I'd love to use my old G4 iMac as a display for a mac mini. Has anyone done this?

this project has been beaten to death around here and a few other forums for awhile. as far as i know no one has found a way to do it yet.

[Eriamjh]

Never been done. You'd be the first. Have you tried contacting the LCD supplier.

[pcummins]

You'd need a DVI or VGA to LVDS converter or whatever the panel uses, these can be gotten fairly cheaply depending on what you need (what type of input, output and resolution). If you know the specs on your panel it is easy to find out what input + connector it requires. Then all you need is an inverter to run the backlight.

If you're willing to gut your iMac, you could probably mount everything inside. I suggest you check Lumenlab.com - Fiat Lux! - DIY Home Theater - HDTV - Video Projectors out, the people there have a lot of experience taking panels and making them work. On the flip side, you could probably get a display system that can take Composite or S-Video inputs, making it into a video display + Mac Mini display.

[HowEver]

Don't most mods take less pretty things and make them prettier?

This would be an opposing instance.

Is the iMac G4 really beyond repair?