How to set dip switches for DB15-VGA adapter

esdempsey · Jul 13, 2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks to advice I received at this forum, I purchased an inexpensive DB15-VGA adapter to allow me to hook up an old powerbook 540c to a Windows monitor.

The problem is, the adapter arrived in the mail today; it has 10 dip switches; I have no idea how to set those dip switches. I don't even know where to ask or who to ask how to set the dip switches for a
CyberVision C70 17" monitor.

The little "instruction sheet" has choices for IBM monitors or NEC monitors with different sub-tables depending on whether it is PAL or NTSC or VGA or blah blah -- I am very confused.

FullmetalZ26 · Jul 13, 2006, 10:01 PM

It should only require you to pick a screen resolution (832x624, 640x480, etc.) and that should take care of it. The switches for signal type you mentioned should be set to VGA. That *ought* to take care of it. However, keep in mind that some of these adapters are picky about which monitors they work with. I had one made by RasterOps for my Quadra 950, and it would only work with Trinitrons (I'm assuming because of Sync on Green.) Anyways, good luck.

esdempsey · Jul 14, 2006, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the suggestion about screen resolution -- I'll think about that and see if I can figure out plan B.

Plan A has been to methodically and perpetually do every permutation that has a likelihood of working.

So far I have discovered that setting dip switches 2-3-5 to ON will give me the desktop with most of the icons off-screen because they are too high [therefore, all I see is the Trash icon at the upper corner rather than the lower corner].

Perhaps this nugget combined with figuring out how to reset screen resolution will lead to a screen I can work with.

Makosuke · Jul 14, 2006, 04:57 PM

The advice given is good, but also remember that your monitor probably has some "position" adjustments (or something of the sort). If a setting appears to give you a good picture, but it's not centered, remember that the monitor may well be able to pull it back to the center using its own adjustments.

This might have already been obvious for you, but just thought I'd mention it.

I guess Sony just made better adapters (or monitor electronics)--my old Trinitron came with one, and there were no dip switches--it just worked at whatever resolution the computer spit out.

norwaypianoman · Jan 16, 2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esdempsey

...setting dip switches 2-3-5 to ON will give me the desktop with most of the icons off-screen because they are too high

This helped me to finally get a desktop with my
performa 450 music studio
with viewsonic 22" Wide monitor.

Thanks. You saved my weekend, esdempsey.

Jul 13, 2006, 07:30 PM	#1
esdempsey macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2006	How to set dip switches for DB15-VGA adapter Thanks to advice I received at this forum, I purchased an inexpensive DB15-VGA adapter to allow me to hook up an old powerbook 540c to a Windows monitor. The problem is, the adapter arrived in the mail today; it has 10 dip switches; I have no idea how to set those dip switches. I don't even know where to ask or who to ask how to set the dip switches for a CyberVision C70 17" monitor. The little "instruction sheet" has choices for IBM monitors or NEC monitors with different sub-tables depending on whether it is PAL or NTSC or VGA or blah blah -- I am very confused.
	0

Jul 14, 2006, 01:28 PM	#3
esdempsey Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2006	setting dip switches the hard way Thanks for the suggestion about screen resolution -- I'll think about that and see if I can figure out plan B. Plan A has been to methodically and perpetually do every permutation that has a likelihood of working. So far I have discovered that setting dip switches 2-3-5 to ON will give me the desktop with most of the icons off-screen because they are too high [therefore, all I see is the Trash icon at the upper corner rather than the lower corner]. Perhaps this nugget combined with figuring out how to reset screen resolution will lead to a screen I can work with.
	0

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Jul 13, 2006, 10:01 PM	#2
FullmetalZ26 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2006	It should only require you to pick a screen resolution (832x624, 640x480, etc.) and that should take care of it. The switches for signal type you mentioned should be set to VGA. That ought to take care of it. However, keep in mind that some of these adapters are picky about which monitors they work with. I had one made by RasterOps for my Quadra 950, and it would only work with Trinitrons (I'm assuming because of Sync on Green.) Anyways, good luck.
	0

Jul 14, 2006, 04:57 PM	#4
Makosuke macrumors 603 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The Cool Part of CA, USA	The advice given is good, but also remember that your monitor probably has some "position" adjustments (or something of the sort). If a setting appears to give you a good picture, but it's not centered, remember that the monitor may well be able to pull it back to the center using its own adjustments. This might have already been obvious for you, but just thought I'd mention it. I guess Sony just made better adapters (or monitor electronics)--my old Trinitron came with one, and there were no dip switches--it just worked at whatever resolution the computer spit out.
	0