What do I need to run a dual monitor setup on my G4? (PT)

johnjm22 · 10th February 2006

I have a dual 1.25 G4 and I just bought another monitor so that I can run two monitors at once. But I'm not sure what I need to do this.

Do I have to buy a special card?

My current single monitor is hooked up to a card in the back of my G4, and on that same card there is another port that I don't recognize. It's different from the port that my current monitor is plugged into. Do I just need an adapter cable for this "mystery port?"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS

I did a search but I couldn't find anything.

hollywood · 11th February 2006

I have the same G4 PMac. I hooked up my dell monitor along with my apple 17 in display at the same time before. There's a port for normal monitors right beside the apple monitor port on the video card (assuming you have the same one as me).

XSergeantD · 11th February 2006

Ya just ned to be sure ya have a dual monito card in your MAC and you're good to go. sys pref/monitors and set up if you want mirroring or side to side monitoring

johnjm22 · 14th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollywood

I have the same G4 PMac. I hooked up my dell monitor along with my apple 17 in display at the same time before. There's a port for normal monitors right beside the apple monitor port on the video card (assuming you have the same one as me).

My problem is that I have two normal monitors (meaning they're not Apple). Is there an adapter I can get that will allow me to plug one of my normal monitors into the Apple port?

MT Groove · 14th February 2006

You'll need to get a DVI to VGA adapter. But look carefully at the shape of the adapter. There are 2 adapters that look very similar but only one fits. I got 2 Viewsonic CRTs hooked up to my G4 and it works like a charm.

gsharp · 14th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT Groove

You'll need to get a DVI to VGA adapter. But look carefully at the shape of the adapter. There are 2 adapters that look very similar but only one fits. I got 2 Viewsonic CRTs hooked up to my G4 and it works like a charm.

Might be an ADC (Apple Display Connector) to VGA actually. If it's oval it's ADC if it's more rectangular it's DVI. Around $20-$25 either way, but like MT Groove says, check the shape.

nek · 14th February 2006

Your other port is either ADC or DVI and you display is VGA, so you will need one of the following:

DVI to VGA
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....8.25.7.11.0.3

ADC to VGA
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....8.25.7.11.0.3

If you can't figure out which one you have post a pic and someone here (including me) can tell you.

johnjm22 · 14th February 2006

Thanks for the info guys.

I have the more oval shape port to I'm guessing I need the ADC to VGA adapter.

prismtheory · 15th February 2006

Just go out and spend a couple grand on a 30" Apple cinema and you're rockin!!!!

ToddS · 15th February 2006

I think you might be better off upgrading the video card with an older ATI Video card like a 9500 or a comparable Nvidia. The capabilities of the stock cards that came with the G4s were pretty weak compared to some of the better cards on the market at the time. And at this stage, they should be pretty cheap.

10th February 2006	#1
johnjm22 Gear addict Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Barstow, CA Posts: 372 Thread Starter	What do I need to run a dual monitor setup on my G4? (PT) I have a dual 1.25 G4 and I just bought another monitor so that I can run two monitors at once. But I'm not sure what I need to do this. Do I have to buy a special card? My current single monitor is hooked up to a card in the back of my G4, and on that same card there is another port that I don't recognize. It's different from the port that my current monitor is plugged into. Do I just need an adapter cable for this "mystery port?" Any help would be greatly appreciated. PS I did a search but I couldn't find anything.

11th February 2006	#3
XSergeantD Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,036	Ya just ned to be sure ya have a dual monito card in your MAC and you're good to go. sys pref/monitors and set up if you want mirroring or side to side monitoring __________________ - Brent - www.StudioAtThePalms.com Without music, life would be a mistake - Nietzsche Cake or Death? [/SIGPIC]

14th February 2006	#7
nek Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Music City Posts: 188	Your other port is either ADC or DVI and you display is VGA, so you will need one of the following: DVI to VGA http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....8.25.7.11.0.3 ADC to VGA http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....8.25.7.11.0.3 If you can't figure out which one you have post a pic and someone here (including me) can tell you. __________________ Nicholas

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11th February 2006	#2
hollywood Gear Head Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 58	I have the same G4 PMac. I hooked up my dell monitor along with my apple 17 in display at the same time before. There's a port for normal monitors right beside the apple monitor port on the video card (assuming you have the same one as me).

14th February 2006	#5
MT Groove Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 180	You'll need to get a DVI to VGA adapter. But look carefully at the shape of the adapter. There are 2 adapters that look very similar but only one fits. I got 2 Viewsonic CRTs hooked up to my G4 and it works like a charm.

15th February 2006	#9
prismtheory Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 296	Just go out and spend a couple grand on a 30" Apple cinema and you're rockin!!!!

15th February 2006	#10
ToddS Gear addict Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Everywhere Posts: 380	I think you might be better off upgrading the video card with an older ATI Video card like a 9500 or a comparable Nvidia. The capabilities of the stock cards that came with the G4s were pretty weak compared to some of the better cards on the market at the time. And at this stage, they should be pretty cheap.