Macintosh IIsi Card Options

[joethezombie]

What adapter are you using?

 

[EvieSigma]

Some no-name DB-15 to VGA adapter with 10 little dip switches. I tried like 8 different switch positions but couldn't get any video out, though I can tell the machine is working fine because it chimes and I hear the hard drive spinning.

 

[joethezombie]

Hmm, without the cheat sheet of switch positions, it's a going to be a little work.  Maybe google up some documentation on the different adapters and find some positions that are likely to work.  I would imagine most 10 position units are copies of each other.

Try this one, maybe?

http://myoldmac.net/FAQ/RGB-VGA-DIP-switchconfiguration.htm

 

[EvieSigma]

That's actually the one I got with the adapter. Nothing I tried on there was working, unless there's some combo I didn't try that works.

 

[joethezombie]

OK.  What monitor are you using, and has it worked with any other Macs?

 

[EvieSigma]

It's a NEC AccuSync LCD5V, and it works fine with my Performa 630. It's 50/60Hz, maybe I need a different Hz for the IIsi.

 

[joethezombie]

For my Samsung, I needed 1-4-6-7-9 set "on"...  Best of luck!

 

[EvieSigma]

I didn't try that combination, thank you!

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

What monitor are you using? It needs to be a multisync, as standard 60Hz only VGA displays aren't going to show anything with IIsi Vampire Video's refresh rates.

That's IIRC, but it's probably a good bet that it's on the money.

 

[EvieSigma]

It's 50/60Hz, I don't know if I need some weird refresh rate like 67Hz.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Absolutely weird, that's why you've gotta have a really good MultiSync CRT or LCD in any 68K kit. AFAIK, Apple didn't support 60Hz VGA/SVGA until they developed the Quadra 630 and its TV Tuner/AV setup.

 

[EvieSigma]

Of course, if I get a video card I avoid this issue, right? A video card might be a better buy right now than a monitor...

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Nope, you'd need a NuBus adapter (not inexpensive) and only fairly expensive, later time frame NuBus cards do 60Hz output. There's no way to get 60Hz output out of the RCPII/IIsi.

Your best investment would definitely be a good MultiSync display, IMO. It's an integral tool in any 68K kit and it'll work with any Mac you might pick up in the future. For just a few bucks more you would be all set with an inexpensive Radius Color Pivot II/IIsi acting as a PDS passthru riser while it's driving your MultiSync display.

YMMV

 

[EvieSigma]

Well I have the NuBus adapter already, just no video card. 

How would I even spot a multi-sync monitor anyway?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Check out craigslist, if it's not in the description you can search the model number for specs. Dell UltraSync(?) LCDs are top notch, that's what I have on my desk ATM. I've not used them with the 68Ks though, but others have highly recommended them. Mine are Pivots.

Sometimes I think I'm more Radius collector than Mac collector. I've picked up many of the different KDS/Radius models off eBay. Some actually have both VGA and Mac inputs, some have VGA with unimplemented Mac connectors, while some have VGA only, all I've got are old school Mac resolution/refresh rate friendly.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=kds+radius&_sop=1

 

[EvieSigma]

To tell you the truth, I know absolutely nothing about Radius...