Monitor Resolution disables monitor

Question

Monitor Resolution disables monitor

TexasMom (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

5 Feb 01 12:55

I have a feeling that this one is my fault, but I haven't been able to fix.
I'm on a StarMax (yes I have a clone) 3000, 603e. I'm running OS9. The monitor is a Sony. I was in control panel and upping the resolution, comparing resolutions with colors available. At the higher resolution (sorry, can't remember exact set) the monitor accepted the resolution and then went dark. I've tried starting with extensions off. I've tried zapping the PRAM - which allowed me to see start up, but then all went dark. I've rebuilt the desktop. I've tried launching from Norton CD and from OS9 CD, and from the original - came with machine 7.5 CD. Still dark. One of the major hurdles I face with this machine is the fact that it cannot read CDs using Apple's CD drivers. Must use CD toolkit, so normally, when I install anything, I use an extension set that kills all but very basics and the CDToolkit extensions and control panel. I'm thinking of trying to see the desktop from my G3 Powerbook on my ethernet network, but I'm not sure if the clone will allow sharing at this point. If so, I'm assuming I can get into its control panel and change the monitor setting from the G3.

Any thoughts, suggestions, clever little known power key combos? There is nothing covering this kind of mess in any of the tech and help books on my shelf (and I've a lot of them).

Thanks.

Ecaboodle (MIS) · Answer 1 · 2001-02-06 07:59:36

Have you tried unplugging the monitor. On a true Apple Mac Zapping the PRAM would have fixed this problem.

Could you maybe try a different monitor even. The OS normally would check for monitor changes on boot up.

GOOD LUCK.

Zelandakh (MIS) · Answer 2 · 2001-02-06 09:29:11

Sounds like you have set the resolution higher than the monitor will cope with.

A better monitor may allow you to boot and then set it lower.

Try zapping the PRAM 3 times in a row (don't life your fingers until the 3rd bong. Sometimes you think it has been zapped but it has not really.

Do you have a standard 15 pin monitor or a Mac 25 pin? Do you have a convertor like the Viewsonic one with the dip switches between the video card and the monitor cable? It could be your problem.

kethry (IS/IT--Management) · Answer 3 · 2001-02-07 18:16:00

I just ran into the same problem. We have one mac which is an old PowerMac and an old, small monitor. Someone changed the resolution of the monitor and now we can't tell what is on the screen. I've tried zapping the PRAM already and it is fine until it starts loading extentions and then the monitor flips again. If I turn the extensions off and boot up the computer then I can't change the monitor resolution because the extension manager is off!

Any suggestions of things to try? We don't have any other monitors that will use the old apple monitor outlet so we can't change it out.

gunthnp (MIS) · Answer 4 · 2001-02-08 10:33:32

boot with extentions off go to the control panels and it will open up in it s own window. Now go to the monitor extentions and change it close it and restart.

kethry (IS/IT--Management) · Answer 5 · 2001-02-09 12:21:52

I've tried that but it won't let me open the Monitor extentions. I'm on OS 8.5 and maybe that makes the difference?

TexasMom (TechnicalUser) · Answer 6 · 2001-02-09 13:38:55

Thanks to all.  First: I zapped the PRAM 4 times (first two I got tone, but the corners of the screen did not dissappear).  I've also tried booting with extensions off.  Can see part of start up, but screen is dark before I can get to any system functions.

Kethry, I don't think it is an OS8.5 problem.  I'm on OS9 and I tried booting from the OS7.5 CD that came with my clone.  No luck.

Has anyone ever tried booting from a CD and then switching to extensions off before killing the extension that allows the CD to run?

MatthewA: The only other monitors I have are true Mac 13"ers and they will not connect to this clone.

Zelandakh:  As far as I can tell, there is no convertor.  If the card has a converter, would the dip switches be inside the box (horrors - I've been in this box and its not a pretty site)? Or would the convertor be between the plate of the card and the monitor cord?

gunthnp (MIS) · Answer 7 · 2001-02-09 14:22:18

try this 1. boot up with ext off
2.go in to the ext folder put the monitor ext in the trash
3. zapp the pram
4. reboot with ext on you should see every thing now
5 pull out the monitor ext change the setting in it to what every you like
6. put the monitor ext back in ext folder

kethry (IS/IT--Management) · Answer 8 · 2001-02-09 14:36:37

I've already done that with no luck... This thing is about to drive me batty! I've tried reinstalling 8.5 OS after deleting the monitor extension in hopes that it would write in a new one that was doable - no dice.

Other than doing a complete wipe and reinstall I am at my wit's end.

gunthnp (MIS) · Answer 9 · 2001-02-09 14:41:07

did you zapp the pram after you throgh out the monitor ext because it keeped in the pram and the ext you need to kill both at the same time.

GeorgeMack (TechnicalUser) · Answer 10 · 2001-02-12 09:35:42

I've been having some resolution problems (G4, OS 9.1, Optiquest monitor) where the resolution didn't stick when selected from Control Strip or Monitor control panel. I solved it by writing an AppleScript using Jon's Commands OSAX.

In one line, I pasted the following into Script Editor then hit run:

set screens to {screen size:{1024, 768}, refresh rate:100, name:"1024 x 768, 100Hz"}

Jon's Commands can be found at MacScripter.net, or search the internet with Sherlock. If you don't have a multisync monitor or can't support the 1024 resolution, this won't work right out of the box and you will have to select from a "screen list" the resolution details that are right for you. The AppleScript Users List has a lot of help for basic Mac enhancements like this. (Search for AppleScript at Apple.com) One of the great secret treasures of the Mac OS.

**Guest** (visitor) · Answer 11 · 2001-04-14 01:52:56

Had same problem (booted Mac with other monitor, then brought it home and my old Sony monitor couldn't handle the higher resolution.)

This is how I fixed it:

1. Threw out Display Prefs and Finder Prefs.
2. Rebooted.
3. Shocked PRAM 3 times (in addition to initial "bong")

It reset after that.

Hope this helps.

--danny d.

TexasMom (TechnicalUser) · Answer 12 · 2001-04-24 15:53:13

Thanks Danny D and GeorgeMack. Will try the Pref trick first before trying to script for the very first time.

Am able to get to the system - for those of you who have this trouble and this option: Used my SCSI 250 MB zip on my G3 powerbook, installed system 9.0 on it from CD. Then used it and command+option+shift+delete to force the StarMax to boot from an external source (after rehooking my Zip drive back to its SCSI chain). Any source big enough to hold the basic system on a media that the system with the dark screen will read will work.

Peet1 (TechnicalUser) · Answer 13 · 2001-05-24 22:53:45

Perfect Solution.

start and do the key strokes to goto finder, then your hd, then system folder, then control panels, then monitors, then hit down, if that doesnt work, hit tab, then down, i just had the same problem

peet

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Monitor Resolution disables monitor