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RainDog

(28,784 posts)
Sun Feb 12, 2012, 03:45 AM Feb 2012

a question about using an old cinema display screen

I still have one of the original "graphite" G4 towers and the flat panel display screen that came with it.

I'm an electronics idiot, so please bear with me as I ask this question...

can I use that LCD display screen with a mac mini? it has three different plugs attached to the back - one cord, then a ring and three different types of plugs - one is a usb plug, one is a DVI plug, and one is... that round one... that can also go into a round thing that plugs into the wall.

so... if I tried to plug it in by the usb cord - would I harm anything by trying it with a mini/intel, etc?

can I use it for a screen? I also have an old powerbook g-4 - could I run it with that one, instead?

thank you for any info!

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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a question about using an old cinema display screen (Original Post) RainDog Feb 2012 OP
this is what it looks like RainDog Feb 2012 #1
You can't harm anything by hooking it up Pab Sungenis Feb 2012 #2
okay. good to know RainDog Feb 2012 #4
Yes NV Whino Feb 2012 #3
okay RainDog Feb 2012 #5
If your current computer doesn't have the proper ports, you can Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2012 #6
thank you! RainDog Feb 2012 #7
 

Pab Sungenis

(9,612 posts)
2. You can't harm anything by hooking it up
Sun Feb 12, 2012, 09:36 AM
Feb 2012

with connectors it was intended to use. That's the case with USB and DVI especially.

If the new machine can't support it, it will tell you so. I would suggest trying the USB first then the DVI, since the USB will tell the machine what monitor it is and the machine can go download drivers if it needs them.

NV Whino

(20,886 posts)
3. Yes
Sun Feb 12, 2012, 12:02 PM
Feb 2012

I have exactly the same setup. One of the plugs is left dangling, but it doesn't interfere with the operation. I think it's the USB that's left over. Will double check when I get to my computer later today.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)
6. If your current computer doesn't have the proper ports, you can
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 10:18 PM
Feb 2012

buy an adapter at your nearest Apple dealer. I've had to do that twice for my third-party external monitor.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)
7. thank you!
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 10:50 PM
Feb 2012

I'm setting up an office and want to use this for my personal use again after my kids had it for years.

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