Mac IIfx video card display lines

[captjon320]

Hello all,

I have a Mac IIfx that has been recapped with an Apple 630-4222/630-4230 high resolution display video card installed that has also been recapped. The computer runs fine. I am using an apple color plus 14” display (M1787) and getting vertical lines on the screen.

I know the monitor works fine as I also use it on my IIci without problems. I believe the monitor is compatible with the video card according to this page:

Vintage Apple - Gamba - Video: Nubus card-Monitor Matrix

I am wondering if there is something possibly wrong with the video card or if the above reference page is incorrect. The lines were also present before I recapped the card and ran it through the ultrasonic cleaner.

This is my first IIfx, so I am a little lost with video cards.

I have posted some pictures for reference.

 

[Phipli]

Hello all,

I have a Mac IIfx that has been recapped with an Apple 630-4222/630-4230 high resolution display video card installed that has also been recapped. The computer runs fine. I am using an apple color plus 14” display (M1787) and getting vertical lines on the screen.

I know the monitor works fine as I also use it on my IIci without problems. I believe the monitor is compatible with the video card according to this page:

Vintage Apple - Gamba - Video: Nubus card-Monitor Matrix

I am wondering if there is something possibly wrong with the video card or if the above reference page is incorrect. The lines were also present before I recapped the card and ran it through the ultrasonic cleaner.

This is my first IIfx, so I am a little lost with video cards.

I have posted some pictures for reference.

That issue is usually caused by a VRAM issue, either a faulty chip, a bad connection, or a damaged trace. Could you share high resolution, clear, photos of both sides of the board?

To be honest, that is a common card and the easiest solution might be to pick up another, although don't pay too much.

Perhaps someone here would sell you one at an acceptable price?

 

[captjon320]

Thanks for the input, here are some pictures. However, so many chips and so many traces. I’ll have to search for a new card probably.

 

[Phipli]

One trick to find a loose connection is to use a cheap plastic pen with its lid on (so absolutely no metal showing) and tap each chip one at a time while the computer is running, to see if percussive motivation causes any change in the image on the screen. It can help find where the problem is. What area of the board at least.

I use that trick quite often. Fixed a much newer video card a few weeks back after working out which chip was bad with a biro

 

[captjon320]

One trick to find a loose connection is to use a cheap plastic pen with its lid on (so absolutely no metal showing) and tap each chip one at a time while the computer is running, to see if percussive motivation causes any change in the image on the screen. It can help find where the problem is. What area of the board at least.

I use that trick quite often. Fixed a much newer video card a few weeks back after working out which chip was bad with a biro

Nice! I’ll give it a try.

 

[Garrett B]

I have two of these exact cards with the same issue you're having. The spacing of the vertical lines is a little different, but I'm sure caused by the same thing. For some reason, these cards seem to corrode much quicker than the Mac logic boards! If I find a fix for mine, I'll report back on what I find.

 

[David Cook]

I have two of these exact cards with the same issue you're having. The spacing of the vertical lines is a little different, but I'm sure caused by the same thing. For some reason, these cards seem to corrode much quicker than the Mac logic boards! If I find a fix for mine, I'll report back on what I find.

Replacement video DRAM chips (D41264C-12) are fairly inexpensive on eBay. If you have a desoldering tool and some spare time, you could remove the existing memory and replace it with sockets. Then, you can move the memory around to determine which chips need replacement.