iMac233Mhz/Display/using external NEC

[Brian Thorpe]

If anyone is interested, I finally managed to connect my original iMac  
to an external monitor. Purchased...

Code           Name                                    Quantity      
Price/Ea.         Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
-------------------
30D2-B2        "DB15M/HDD15F, 10 Dip Switch ( MAC to VGA Adapter )"      
   1         $9.41         $9.41

http://www.sfcable.com/Merchant2/ 
merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SC&Product_Code=30D2-B2


This is an adaptor with 10 dip switches that must be set properly to  
work.   I used the setting 3467 ( that means the switches 3,4,6&7 are  
ON. All others are off.  Most any of the settings in the MODE 5 column  
of the third chart that comes with the adaptor, will work with my NEC  
MultiSync FE700+ 17" display.
	
You must remove the bottom plastic panel of the iMac (one screw), and  
unplug the existing video cable (DB15 type). It's the large one of the  
two connectors that have beige cables attached. Set the adaptor as  
described above (or to match your monitor) and plug it in. Then plug  
your VGA cable in the back of the adaptor.

You may find that unlike your mac monitor, you should *not* turn the  
contrast all the way up. I am using the 1024x768 @ 70Hz setting. At  
boot into OSX I get a message that the "refresh rate is lower than  
expected." This disappears when you get to the actual X boot screen.

I don't know if there will be any detrimental effect on the iMac  
because of this modification, but if it makes it thru the week, I think  
it'll be ok in the long run.  This video upgrade (the old display had  
gone downhill a while back) makes the computer worth upgrading even  
more. I may install one of the Sonnett processor upgrades to get up to  
500 or 600Mhz clock speed. This also adds a firewire port (tray loading  
iMacs only- uses the Mezzanine port not found on later models).

If you're interested in a similar project, E me directly.

Bri