OS 9.2.2 and Widescreen Monitors

[AL1630]

I have my Mac Server G4 connected to a 1920x1080 monitor, which is one of the recommended resolutions in the monitors control panel, but there is a black strip on one side of the screen, and the clock is cut off on the other side, like the picture is too far to the right. There aren't any calibration options I could find, so is there a way to fix this?

 

[miksat]

I have the same problem even on my 2006 MacBook Pro. I think this might be an issue with the ATI GPU.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Have you tried SwitchRes 2?

I have no idea if it will work but it's the first thing that came to mind.

 

[bunnspecial]

I run OS 9 on 1920x1080 and 1920x1200 all the time. In fact, at this very moment I have two OS 9 computers set up and both are connected to LCDs running those respective resolutions-a PowerMac G4 w/Geforce 4Ti on a 1920x1080 generic monitor, and a PowerMacintosh 9600/200MP with a Radeon 9200 connected to a 1920x1200 ADC acrylic cinema display.

I've gone as far back as System 7.5.5 on 1920x1200.

I've also done 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 in OS 9 from a 2MX, Geforce 3, Geforce 4MX, Radeon 9000, Radeon 8500, Voodoo 5, and probably a few other cards I'm forgetting.

What GPU are you running? Some OS 9 GPUs don't play so nicely at that resolution. Otherwise it should work with no issue and without the need for any external software. Apple marketed a 1920x1200 display that would work perfectly with computers that booted OS 9 natively at that resolution.

 

[AL1630]

It has the stock ATI Rage 128 Pro, which works just fine in OS X. I was able to adjust the picture with buttons on my monitor so the entire OS is visible, but there's still a large black space on the left side.

Have you tried SwitchRes 2?

I tried that, it didn't work, unfortunately. Thanks for the link, though. I'll keep it around for future use.

 

[bunnspecial]

Are you running it through DVI or VGA?

Can you show a photo and/or screen shot?

Although it can do it, a Rage 128 is iffy for that resolution.

 

[AL1630]

I was using VGA before, so I plugged in a DVI cable and went to change the resolution. Problem is, after clicking 1920x1080, the monitor stopped receiving video.

Here's a Picture:

 

[bunnspecial]

Something is definitely "off" as the splash screen is nowhere near as crisp as I'd expect.

I still think you might be pushing the abilities of that card.

 

[AL1630]

Yeah, that's probably it. I used to have a 1440x900 Monitor and that worked fine, but I got this one for my Mac Pro, which is under the same desk. If I were to get a more powerful card, will any Mac-Compatible AGP card work?

 

[bunnspecial]

Any Mac-compatible G4(save for the Radeon 9600 PC&Mac and Radeon 9700) card will work.

For OS 9 use, I suggest the Geforce 4MX as a good match for price/performance/availability. They do have ADC, but will work in any AGP G4-you just lose ADC in a Sawtooth. There's one with DVI for the second output, although in my experience the VGA version is a lot easier to find. The Radeon 9000 is easy to find(it was a standard card for the MDD) and always is ADC and DVI, but you MUST install the ATI extensions before installing it if you this route.

 

[AL1630]

Thanks for the help! I'll see what I can find.