bc Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Ok, now I've gone and done it. I've actually won the first Vectorworks promo: a 24" Dell Widescreen Monitor (2408WFP Ultrasharp)....which I have in my possession. I've always wanted more screen and/or dual monitors but now I believe I'm over my head technically. I suspect my graphics card is under powered and my dual monitor connections are incompatible. I am somewhat out in the sticks where I live so expect to be attempting this installation/renovation on-line. I currently use a Sony 19 flat screen monitor (don't know why it says CRT below)and would like to use both in tandem as dual monitors. My current port that is available for additional monitors is the Apple port so I suspect I will need an adapter to connect (see attchment). I've been to Dell's site (not real easy) and nvidia's site but I'm having trouble sorting out the terminology. So is there anyone out there who could assist me with suggestions for graphic cards, adapters and/or methods to set this up? Or is this one of those "can't get there from here" scenarios? I know that now my hardware is the minimum recommended for VW2008 so will this new big screen bog down my already slow machine. ? Thanks, Bradley MY MACHINE: Power Mac G4 Mirrored Doors ABOUT THIS MAC: CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1) Number Of CPUs: 2 CPU Speed: 867 MHz L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB Memory: 1.75 GB Bus Speed: 133 MHz Boot ROM Version: 4.4.8f2 GRAPHICS CARD: nVidia Geforce4 MX Type: display Bus: AGP Slot: SLOT-1 VRAM (Total): 32 MB Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de) Device ID: 0x0172 Revision ID: 0x00a5 ROM Revision: 1121 Display: Type: display Display Type: CRT VRAM (In Use): 32 MB Resolution: 1280 x 1024 Depth: 32-bit Color Main Display: Yes Mirror: Off Online: Yes NVDA,Display-A: Status: No display connected SYSTEM MEMORY DIMM0/J21: Size: 256 MB Type: DDR SDRAM Speed: PC2100U-25330 DIMM1/J22: Size: 512 MB Type: DDR SDRAM Speed: PC2100U-25330 DIMM2/J23: Size: 512 MB Type: DDR SDRAM Speed: PC2100U-25330 DIMM3/J20: Size: 512 MB Type: DDR SDRAM Speed: PC2600U-30330 Quote Link to comment
Tobias Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I believe you just need a dvi to dvi cable. Might have even come with the display? I had 2 monitors on an even older G4 with an ATI card and it worked fine for a 20" and 22" dell monitors. The monitors have both DVI and AGP connections, and the pict looks like a DVI, so DVI to DVI will do it. Quote Link to comment
Ray Libby Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 bc, I think you just wanted to brag! Quote Link to comment
sig_eigei Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 You've got the possibility to have dual monitors with that machine in mirrored or extended mode. You will probably need an ADC-DVI adapter to make use of the second connection on the graphics card. After the second screen is hooked up you will find all in you need in Displays pane of your system preferences. Quote Link to comment
bc Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 Thanks all....I think I'm going to chose door number 3 (sig_eigei=adc-dvi adaptor) and hope for the best. Quote Link to comment
sig_eigei Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 you could also add a second graphics card with DVI but the adc-dvi adapter will probably cost about the same (it's not cheap). Also, try to upgrade to 10.4.x if you can. You'll see benefits across the board, including in VW. Quote Link to comment
bc Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) Indeed, thanks again sig_eigei Adapters are in the $30 range now. I am going with a new card to better service the dual (24"Dell-19"Sony) mode...an ATI Radeon 9200. I hope no one's gasping out there. Seems I could then have 3-4 monitors? Not that I want it. Eat your heart out Ray...... :grin: Hope I'm still smiling after installation, though, given this dark cloud on the horizon input lag: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&thread.id=90311 At first hearing of what I won I was excited but then after a while I thought (given it's a Dell) I should wait for the final installation and see. No gift horses yet..... Edited May 12, 2008 by bc Quote Link to comment
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