Help needed: Using MacBook Air as an external display for a PowerBook G4

[Abbbby333]

Hey Everyone! I have a PowerBook G4 with a busted display.

I would like to plug it in to an external display to see if it still runs well and would be worth salvaging. With the cord and adaptors I had lying around here is what I was able to rig up to connect it to my MacBook Air. Forgive me as I don't really know proper names for anything.

We start at the G4 which I plugged this into.

Which then plugs into this.

Which then plugs into this.

Which then plugs into my MacBook Air.

When I plug it into the Air, the Air's screen flashes black for a moment and then returns to its normal screen.

I cannot figure out how to get the G4 screen to show up on my Air. Any help would would be appreciated! TIA

 

[eyoungren]

Hey Everyone! I have a PowerBook G4 with a busted display.

View attachment 933802

I would like to plug it in to an external display to see if it still runs well and would be worth salvaging. With the cord and adaptors I had lying around here is what I was able to rig up to connect it to my MacBook Air. Forgive me as I don't really know proper names for anything.

We start at the G4 which I plugged this into.View attachment 933803

Which then plugs into this.

View attachment 933804

Which then plugs into this.

View attachment 933805

Which then plugs into my MacBook Air.

View attachment 933806

When I plug it into the Air, the Air's screen flashes black for a moment and then returns to its normal screen.

I cannot figure out how to get the G4 screen to show up on my Air. Any help would would be appreciated! TIA

That isn't going to work. Both of the ports on both Macs are video out. You're sending video out in two directions.

You have a VGA adapter though for the PowerBook, so that's a good start. If you have a VGA display at home, hook it up to the PowerBook. Or use a DVI display if you have one of those.

If you do not, go down to your local Goodwill (or charity shop if you're in the UK) and pick up a cheap LCD. Goodwill usually sells them for about $5 to $20, depending on size.

I can tell you though that it's just that the screen is cracked. Replacing the display is the solution. Just based on your pics, that's probably the only problem.

 

[Amethyst1]

As @eyoungren says, the MacBook Air only has a video output. And even if it had an input, it would only accept native Thunderbolt signals which the PowerBook can't even dream of generating.

 

[timidpimpin]

I would either replace the display, or just use it in clamshell mode with an external display and periferals.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I’d agree with @eyoungren thst your best solution is to find a cheap secondhand LCD. I do like that crack though - very avant-garde

 

[Amethyst1]

I do like that crack though - very avant-garde

Its shape vaguely reminds me of a ghost.

 

[alesales]

Well your PowerBook was IMHO one of the best PPC machine and one of the last. My suggestion, with all my heart is, once you tried that nothing else is broken with a cheap external display as @eyoungren suggested, to replace the display using parts and the guide from iFixit.

Here the guide, containing also the package to buy with all the spare parts and tools needed for your PB: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/PowerBook+G4+Aluminum+15-Inch+1.5-1.67+GHz+Display+Replacement/352

 

[eyoungren]

I’d agree with @eyoungren thst your best solution is to find a cheap secondhand LCD. I do like that crack though - very avant-garde

It looks a lot nicer than the one that came with my wife's 12" PowerBook. However, my wife's PB saw some action in getting it's crack - it took a header down a flight of stairs.

 

[Amethyst1]

It looks a lot nicer than the one that came with my wife's 12" PowerBook. However, my wife's PB saw some action in getting it's crack - it took a header down a flight of stairs.

Just because something is lightweight it's not necessarily a frisbee

 

[eyoungren]

Just because something is lightweight it's not necessarily a frisbee

Well, I got it on eBay for $25 and the seller seemed very unhappy to realize that all I had to do was replace the screen. Maybe he wanted to use it as a Frisbee again after it was repaired, IDK.

 

[Raging Dufus]

Its shape vaguely reminds me of a ghost.

It's clearly a rabbit in a space suit. Anyone can see that.