Power Mac 6100 monitor issue NEC MultiSync LCD1550V

[jonathan]

I am attempting to get my Power Mac 6100/60 to run on an LCD monitor, specifically an NEC MultiSync LCD1550V.

From the Mac I have:

HDI-45 to DB-15 "pigtail" adapter; to

Sony DA15 to VGA DE15 "Macintosh Adapter", which has a switch that alternates between 1) 21" MULTI mode or 2) VGA/G3 mode (for 1600x1200 resolution); to

DE15 VGA (15-pin mini D-SUB) cable to the monitor.

The NEC LCD monitor supports the following resolutions:

720 x 400*1 :VGA text

640 x 480*1 at 60 Hz to 75 Hz

800 x 600*1 at 56 Hz to 75 Hz

832 x 624*1 at 75 Hz

1024 x 768 at 60 Hz to 75 Hz

Now, the 6100's DRAM video supports a maximum resolution of 832x624@8 bits (256 colors), or 640x480@16 bits (Thousands of colors).

SO, shouldn't the LCD monitor take the 6100 at these supported resolutions?

Maybe I have a problem with the Sony Macintosh Adapter (i've tried both "modes" available with the sliding switch with no luck).

I've seen that there are also "Mac PNP" adapters with 8 DIP switches ... maybe these work better to "tell" the monitor what's up?

 

[trag]

The Mac to VGA adapter doesn't tell the monitor anything. It tells the Mac what kind of monitor is attached, and then the Mac adjusts and outputs that resolution. From the resolutions you listed for the LCD and the two modes for the Adapter, I would bet that the adapter is causing your Mac to output resolutions which your LCD cannot display.

In other words, you're on the right track, try a different adapter. I find the ones that look like this:

very usable. I used to sell them for $4.50 shipped, but I ran out a year or two ago.

I think I saved about 150 of them from the landfill though...

Huh. Someone sells them on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-UniMacFly-Unimacfly/dp/B000MKN29O

 

[jonathan]

Hmm, I've tried all of these settings ... still no luck.

MAC/PnP ADAPTER

Quick Reference Chart

TYPE RESOLUTION SWITCH SETTINGS

Plug and Play * all 1,2,6,8 On

12" RGB 512 x 384 5,6,7 On

13"/14" RGB 640 x 480 6,8 On

15" B&W Portrait 640 x 870 5,6,7 On

15" Color Portrait 640 x 870 6,7 On

VGA 640 x 480 5,7 On

SVGA 800 x 600 5,7 On

VESA 1024 x 768 5,7 On

16" Color 832 x 624 5,8 On

19" Color 1024 x 768 7,8 On

21" B&W 1152 x 870 5,6 On

21" Color 1152 x 870 5,6,7,8 On

NTSC NTSC 6,7,8 On

PAL PAL 5,7,8 On. 4,7,8 On

MultiSync 14" 13"-16" 3,4,6,8 On

MultiSync 16" 13"-19" 3,6,8 On

MultiSync 21" 13"-21" 4,6,8 On

* Requires a DDC compliant monitor and Mac OS 7.6.1 or greater. Check you monitor’s

manual for DDC compatibility.

 

[trag]

Doh! The PM6100's most common failure mode is a dead battery which causes it to not output video on startup. If you have not already done so, replace the 1/2AA battery on the logic board. If you have trouble finding one, search the fora here. There have been several discussions about sources. Frys stocks them, or did the last time I checked, so if you have a Frys nearby that's a convenient place to get one.

 

[PowerPup]

Doh, why didn't I think of mentioning that? I have a 6100. While you're waiting for a new battery, you can use the power-cylcle trick.

Turn on the Mac for a few seconds, then power off and back on real quick. This should allow video to appear without a working battery. (Done it many times with my own 6100.)

 

[jonathan]

Right-o trag & PowerPup -- its the 1/2AA battery!

I pulled it out, tested the voltage with a multi-meter, and it showed a weak 1.6V (should be a solid 3.6V).

And the power-cycle trick worked! The 6100 booted right up on the LCD monitor, with DIP settings on the Mac PnP adapter at 5 & 7 set to ON (for VGA 640 x 480 resolution). It also works with DIPs at 5 & 8 (for 16" Color 832 x 624).

 

[PowerPup]

Yay! Another liberated Mac has joined our ever growing army.

What do you plan on doing next? (Besides the new battery.)

 

[jonathan]

Next I am going to get the 6100 online via the ethernet plug in the back.

I have Netscape Navigator v3.0 installed on the machine, but have to configure some things to get it working correctly. It currently says that Netscape is "unable to create a network socket connection."

 

[Solvalou]

You can actually leave it on and it should eventually stop trying to post for the battery and switch on the display but it often takes anything between a few mins to 10+ mins.