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Mod G4 iMac with Intel Mac mini innards?

Im in the process of building a mac Mini logic into an iMac g4 case.
I followed the pinout but am stuck on the display not powering up nor showing video. Is the backlight only going on when the LCD receives a video signal? or the other way around, is the video only going to show when the backlight is on.

Im familiar with all the Apple laptops but iMac is a bit new.

The inverter receives 12 volts and 5 volts, how much ampere does the 5 volts need to be? On the moment im supplying 12 volt using an iMac intel 180watt psu. The 5 volt is supplied by an power adapter rated 5v 2amp. I suspect the problem could be lying in that, i don't have access to an ATX psu on the moment, but will aquire one if this could solve the problem. Next time when i got time i'll open the display assembly and read the voltages going there.
 
Wow. Some actual progress and success on this topic. I just received my first automatic email update of this thread in maybe a year (thanks MacRumors daemon ± overactive Gmail spam filter, I presume) and you guys have really made strides since then. Colour me impressed.

iguana9999 said:
Is the backlight only going on when the LCD receives a video signal? or the other way around, is the video only going to show when the backlight is on.
Click to expand...

Try looking at the display in a bright environment. The LCD's image should be faintly visible on close inspection if it is indeed on. I hear that monochrome LCDs like on early 1990's PowerBooks could even be used with the backlight off in direct sunlight, like a Kindle, but on a 2000s display it can be quite hard to make out; let alone use. Still, should answer your question.

The backlight, meanwhile, should always be obvious. Even a full black LCD lights up quite a bit as soon as the backlight heats up.
 
Hi,
I've been following this thread with interest since my eight year old 17" G4 died the other day. According to my wife, who was using it at the time, it started to smell of smoke out of the top holes on the dome, so she switched it off. Now it won't switch on at all. I've checked fuses, power cord etc, and concluded the problem lies inside the dome... thus came across this thread to help with options.

In order of preference I'd like to:-

1) repair it. Blown power supply? Leaking capacitors on MoBo? I'm reluctant to spend too much on repairs, as it's 8 years old and probably other bits would die sooner or later if I solved the current smoking component.

2) failing that, recover data off the HDD. As it's 8 years old, the old G4 is 'retired' to web browsing / email, so no vital files on it. Poss use the HDD as an external HDD for my newer Mac.

3) using the G4 to house a MacMini, as you guys have done in this thread, is probably beyond my technical competence and time. But a more simple mod could allow me to use the shell. How about using the screen as a desk light / side light (ie just the backlight, no signal)? Or fit in one (or four) of those digital photo-frames and run pictures off SD cards.

4) turn the G4 into a work of art, or ornament. Perhaps a lectern? Or picture framed behind the glass? Or mod it into a toaster, with muffins going into the front slot? Or put a wormery / ant nest into the display? Easel for the kids' painting?

5) sell it for scrap / others to cannibalize or mod

6) dump it - least favoured option for such a design classic.

But with the vain hope of repair, any suggestions? Most advice on the web I've found relate to G5 capacitor problems. Many thanks.
 
As of now still no progress on the mod. When I got some free time i plan on connecting the LCD backlight to the logic of the G4 and see if it powers up.
Than the plan is to somehow get the amperage from the G4 logic and see if i can get an PSU to power it.

@fuyusuki: thank for the info but tried that already, that was the first thing I could think of because all macBooks work like that. The LCD panel is just not turning on. But im fairly certain that im going get it to work after i tried the above. I'll keep you all posted.

@morris65: smoke and burned smell? Mostly that would mean the PSU has burned out. Not that special due to the iMac being 8yrs.
If you can find a working PSU i would suggest let it get replaced. That would be the easiest and best option.
 
moris65 said:
Hi,
I've been following this thread with interest since my eight year old 17" G4 died the other day. According to my wife, who was using it at the time, it started to smell of smoke out of the top holes on the dome, so she switched it off. Now it won't switch on at all. I've checked fuses, power cord etc, and concluded the problem lies inside the dome... thus came across this thread to help with options.

In order of preference I'd like to:-

1) repair it. Blown power supply? Leaking capacitors on MoBo? I'm reluctant to spend too much on repairs, as it's 8 years old and probably other bits would die sooner or later if I solved the current smoking component.

2) failing that, recover data off the HDD. As it's 8 years old, the old G4 is 'retired' to web browsing / email, so no vital files on it. Poss use the HDD as an external HDD for my newer Mac.

3) using the G4 to house a MacMini, as you guys have done in this thread, is probably beyond my technical competence and time. But a more simple mod could allow me to use the shell. How about using the screen as a desk light / side light (ie just the backlight, no signal)? Or fit in one (or four) of those digital photo-frames and run pictures off SD cards.

4) turn the G4 into a work of art, or ornament. Perhaps a lectern? Or picture framed behind the glass? Or mod it into a toaster, with muffins going into the front slot? Or put a wormery / ant nest into the display? Easel for the kids' painting?

5) sell it for scrap / others to cannibalize or mod

6) dump it - least favoured option for such a design classic.

But with the vain hope of repair, any suggestions? Most advice on the web I've found relate to G5 capacitor problems. Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Well, here's my couple of pennies.

  1. Realistically, you're right. An eight year old G4 isn't the brightest prospect to sink resources and especially time on. I run a 1999 vintage Blue & White G3 as a multi-hard-drive server now and then, but a nice cheap modern drive in a caddy blows it away in every way besides nostalgia, to be honest.
  2. Ditto. The drive can be salvaged, but they're mighty quiet and cheap these days, not to mention much, much larger.
  3. This is obviously the most appealing option, but also the most work. I've not done it, and the little 15" iMac which brought me here is no longer in my hands. It's still an appealing project though.
  4. You can push your iMac's screen around with a single finger. At least that's how Jobs and Ive designed it. Doesn't seem like a good idea for a lectern or an easel. I've seen people put fish their old Macs and the like, and frankly it's not something I'd advise doing. An unfunctional lump, especially left a little silly looking through the mod, is always going to wind up tossed out eventually. I believe there's something in wives / girlfriends programming to mandate it.
  5. Second best option to doing the Intel mod yourself: let someone else have at it. These old Luxo Junior Macs don't grow on trees.
  6. Take it to an Apple Store if you really want closure. They'll recycle it responsibly. But don't. Think of future modding generations!
 
moris65 said:
Hi,
I've been following this thread with interest since my eight year old 17" G4 died the other day. According to my wife, who was using it at the time, it started to smell of smoke out of the top holes on the dome, so she switched it off. Now it won't switch on at all. I've checked fuses, power cord etc, and concluded the problem lies inside the dome... thus came across this thread to help with options.

In order of preference I'd like to:-

1) repair it. Blown power supply? Leaking capacitors on MoBo? I'm reluctant to spend too much on repairs, as it's 8 years old and probably other bits would die sooner or later if I solved the current smoking component.

2) failing that, recover data off the HDD. As it's 8 years old, the old G4 is 'retired' to web browsing / email, so no vital files on it. Poss use the HDD as an external HDD for my newer Mac.

3) using the G4 to house a MacMini, as you guys have done in this thread, is probably beyond my technical competence and time. But a more simple mod could allow me to use the shell. How about using the screen as a desk light / side light (ie just the backlight, no signal)? Or fit in one (or four) of those digital photo-frames and run pictures off SD cards.

4) turn the G4 into a work of art, or ornament. Perhaps a lectern? Or picture framed behind the glass? Or mod it into a toaster, with muffins going into the front slot? Or put a wormery / ant nest into the display? Easel for the kids' painting?

5) sell it for scrap / others to cannibalize or mod

6) dump it - least favoured option for such a design classic.

But with the vain hope of repair, any suggestions? Most advice on the web I've found relate to G5 capacitor problems. Many thanks.
Click to expand...

I was also interested in doing this mod. However, now that I'm much more familiar with the G4's innards, there's only a few ways of doing this.

1) You need a new Mac Mini, one of the aluminum ones. Makes power supply wiring much easier, because you can split the incoming power lead and run wires to the inverter for the LCD. This can't be done with the older Mac Minis, as you end up with two power cords.

2) The drive cages are within a centimeter or two of the logic board when the dome is bolted together. thus clearance for the Mini's logic board inside is very, very tight. Again, the new Mini would be better for this as the fan is flush mounted with the logic board. However, you might still have to remove the drive cage, which means no internal optical drive.

3) Or you could gut the G4, run the wires for the LCD out of it and into a connector for DVI as documented above, and leave the Mini outside the case. This is the easiest although obviously not as cool option.
 
drewdle said:
3) Or you could gut the G4, run the wires for the LCD out of it and into a connector for DVI as documented above, and leave the Mini outside the case. This is the easiest although obviously not as cool option.
Click to expand...

I guess that wouldn't be too hard. You could put as usb dvd drive actually inside the g4 and run an extension out of the back and connect it to the mini so it would look more realistic.
 
I'd so love to do this. Unfortunately I do not have the expertise to comfortably make it happen. It's fun to see the work on it though.
 
17" cable ?

Hi there guys,

Came into the thread a little late, I have a 17" iMac G4 that I would like to try this on, but when I have a look at the TMDS cable the pin-outs seem slightly different from the 15" version. From previous comments some other people have got this working with a 17", the logic board on my donor unit is dead so I can't really trace out the wires..

Is the pinout similar to the 15" with a couple of extra lines, or is the pinout completely different ? can anyone shed any light ?

Much obliged.
 
johndoeisme said:
Hi there guys,

Came into the thread a little late, I have a 17" iMac G4 that I would like to try this on, but when I have a look at the TMDS cable the pin-outs seem slightly different from the 15" version. From previous comments some other people have got this working with a 17", the logic board on my donor unit is dead so I can't really trace out the wires..

Is the pinout similar to the 15" with a couple of extra lines, or is the pinout completely different ? can anyone shed any light ?

Much obliged.
Click to expand...

Hello,

Did you ever find the pinout for the 17"?
 
Hello all, just wanted to led my 2 cents to the project, because I'm one of the loyal followers / iMac G4 lovers that would LOVE to see this happen and end in 100% success.

There's a fellow MacRumors loyalist that's selling a bunch of various iMac G4 parts on the Marketplace. I'm in no way related, I'm not a friend, I don't even know him... I'm just excited to see this project continue, and I'm happy to direct parts to those that are trying this! :)
 
I just got an iMac G4 17" (the USB2.0) version. I've read the entire thread from beginning to end and was wondering if there would be a different approach to upgrading the iMac.

How about:
- Replacing the display panel with a 17" LED panel from a macbook pro. They go for around $100 on ebay
- Instead of retrofitting a mac mini into the iMac, how about using the logic board from a macbook?

The idea is that you "just" have to run the appropriate cables through the arm and connect to the macbook logic board on the other side. Power, data etc. should be very simple this way without the need for any other hardware.

Question:
- Can you hook up a 17" panel to a logic board from a macbook that usually drives a 13" screen? I assume that the macbook pro board is too big for the iMac dome.

Thanks!
 
chrisbell said:
I just got an iMac G4 17" (the USB2.0) version. I've read the entire thread from beginning to end and was wondering if there would be a different approach to upgrading the iMac.

How about:
- Replacing the display panel with a 17" LED panel from a macbook pro. They go for around $100 on ebay
- Instead of retrofitting a mac mini into the iMac, how about using the logic board from a macbook?

The idea is that you "just" have to run the appropriate cables through the arm and connect to the macbook logic board on the other side. Power, data etc. should be very simple this way without the need for any other hardware.

Question:
- Can you hook up a 17" panel to a logic board from a macbook that usually drives a 13" screen? I assume that the macbook pro board is too big for the iMac dome.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

1) Replacing the LCD would be more than a pain, it would be ridiculous not to hash up the casing, also should be pointed out the wires wouldnt be long enough, so youd have to lengthen them to reach thru the metal arm.
2) A MacBook Board is likely not to be compatible with the larger LCD, and also wouldnt run at full speed as it would realise no Battery, so it would either freak or slow the CPUs down.
 
Man, this thread is about modding, not about fitting stock parts... (i.e. crossing some boundaries, you know ;))

As you can read in this thread, "almost impossible" things became possible, thanks to contributors hard work (and research) and willing to share it with others...

So... hide your doubts to your pocket, and let others, who can be more creative (as jberg for instance) answer asked questions.

Not intended to be rude, but I think you're missing the goal of this thread...
 
666sheep said:
Man, this thread is about modding, not about fitting stock parts... (i.e. crossing some boundaries, you know ;))

As you can read in this thread, "almost impossible" things became possible, thanks to contributors hard work (and research) and willing to share it with others...

So... hide your doubts to your pocket, and let others, who can be more creative (as jberg for instance) answer asked questions.

Not intended to be rude, but I think you're missing the goal of this thread...
Click to expand...

And I think if you're referring to me you're missing the goal of my post. It wasnt to discourage, just to warn that it could well be a lot more painful than the mini, as you have to find a way of lengthening the display wires to go down the arm, because I guarantee they wont be long enough, and that its not likely to be in any way some easy doddle now someones managed to get a Mini in a iMac G4. If I want to offer my opinion on something Im going to do it, and im not going to leave it just because there might be someone whose more creative who can answer it better - if they can their welcome to correct me, but none have yet, so well wait and see.
 
Hello all,
First timer here, been reading through the thread and I just wanted a little clarification.
I just recently got a 17" g4 Imac 1ghz at a auction, It was listed as dead from water damage, however I thought I could make a cool little rig out of it and possible save it from a landfill.
Got $20 in it so no great loss, but I would like to do something with it.
After I got it home and inspected the damage, I confirmed that the logic board is trash, toasted capacitors - ordinarily I would attemp to replace em but these lil buggers are surface mount and in a location that it would just be impossible.
IMG_20110123_123217.jpg


So, I have found a replacement that I could get for about $60 - but I hate to be this far inside the guy and only bring it back to stock.

So from what I gather from this thread, there are a few different options:
1. replace the LCD, rewire the neck with the vga cable inside
2. use the existing LCD by splicing a dvi-d plug into the cable, then simply plug it into a itx mobo that has dvi out - issues with this are no brightness control and temporary garbage on the screen during loss of signal

Is that correct?

I would lean toward finding a miniATX that would fit, maybe one that could run hackintosh, but my primary OS is Ubuntu and I'd be fine with that.
Of the people trying this, is there a preferred mobo?
How is port duplication handled, I imagine you could stuff a usb hub inside and connect that to the usb on the mobo, ethernet could be extended also but what about firewire?
Im thinking that it may be best just to make a new "bottom" out of plexiglass that way I could use the ports on the mobo....
 
New Mod using Apple Cinema Display

Hello everyone, I tried over and over to get the native 20" iMac G4 inverter to work, I know it needs a 24V line and that the dimmer seems to work "backwards" but I could never get the backlight to all shine evenly. So I tried this modification. It uses a 20" apple cinema display heavily modified, with some internal structural components from the iMac G4. The neck is a hybrid between the two cables, with some cables completely replaced and others using the native wires. A touch screen was attached to the native iMac G4 bezel and the bezel secured to the front of the apple cinema display. I really wanted to make this in all in one but could not bring myself to tear open my mac mini, so it is seated next to the iMac chassis.

I greatly respect the opinions of the individuals on this board and I find the various solutions that people have come up to be inspiring. I would appreciate any opinions and advice for improvements. Thanks

You can view pictures of the mod on my blog at:
http://dremmeljunkie.blogspot.com/2011/02/completed-mod-20-imac-g4-apple-cinema.html

and videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maEK4jep9Fg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGjzfMJ2aJw
 
Last edited:
Glad to see so many others appreciate this machine

My 20" G4 finally has begun to show it's age (I maxxed out all options when I bought it), and I'd like to thank the contributors to this thread for giving me hope that it can remain relevant in some way.

In this era when so many manufacturers market new products as "collector's items" (think Beanie Babies and sports memorabilia), I sometimes think that it will be beautifully designed products such as the swivel G4 that will be really become sought-after collector's items. Sure, we value what our computers can do much more than we value how they look, but I suspect this machine might be the exception to that.

Even though I'm likely going to replace mine with a 21.5" iMac later this year, I'm going to keep the G4 running un modified as long as possible as a secondary machine for browsing the web, music and word processing in my workshop.
 
hey there, i want to get a mini-itx 1156 mainboard in my imac g4 but how many inches may it have? will 7x7 inch fit into the imac? i would really love to see an i5 running in my imac :eek:
everything else i would do like pgee
 
17" TMDS-DVI/Inverter Pinouts

Interestingly, it appears that there are two VERY DIFFERENT iMac 17' necks. The order and color of the wires is very different. The inverters are essentially the same except the dimming wire (which is left floating anyways) is orange in one and white in the other.

The pinout I posted on this site earlier is for iMac 17" necks that come from 1 or 1.25ghz computers. The 800mhz neck pinout is quite different. As far as I can tell these are the only two variants (based on part #), but I can not be 100% certain.

I have reposted the DVI/inverter pinout for the 1 and 1.25ghz necks as well as posted the new pinouts for the 800mhz necks. In addition, I have detailed how to tell them apart (which is quite easy). See this link for details:

The two 17" iMac G4 necks

I apologize to anyone who tried this with the other neck and could not get it working. If its confusing feel free to ask any questions.
 
I decided to bite the bullet, and I was the buyer for the parts I posted here from my last post - I really wanted to get in on the modding community that's grown from this thread.

jberg44; the work you've done in your blog with these iMacs is astounding. Watching your progress is like watching a master at work! Through that blog, I was inspired to paint one of them black, and do the secondary monitor trick you did with the 100 / 75 plate.

I've got a question for everyone here. Has anyone ever weighed the 15" / 17" / 20" screens (without the arm), to see just what the weight tolerance may be for those arms?
 
Last edited:
casesensitive said:
I've been inside her many times, and it strikes me that the Mac Mini motherboard would fit comfortably in the case, and I've been looking lustily at Meromini Macs that a few folks have put together.
The trouble is, despite getting the service manuals etc, I'm at a loss as to how I can get my iMac's gorgeous screen to take a VGA/DVI input. The power issue I could get around.

Any ideas? Anyone know of anyone who's tried anything similar?
Click to expand...

a Mac is not a girl you know? lol jk
 
Monitor Weight

SkippyThorson, thank you so much for the compliment. I really appreciate it. I believe the 20" weighed 11.2 lbs. I could also weigh the 15 and 17" for you if you need. One thing that makes a very significant difference is distribution of weight, especially for the top joint of the neck (used for tilting).

I have included pics of two mods 1) The 20" Apple Cinema Display Mod and 2) The Black iMac/VESA plate mod. As you can see, because of the "shelf" on the back of the black monitor (as there is on most monitors) the monitor is "displaced" about 1 inch forward. This places more force on the neck. So the "thicker" the monitor you choose, the lighter it must be or it will droop down. This has been especially annoying when I have added touchscreens, because all of their weight is at the very front of the monitor, this often causes "monitor drift". One thing that has been great about the cinema display mod, even with the touch screen - there is no drift. I obviously got very lucky with the weight and its distribution.

The reverse is also true, the new generation of light, superthin LED backlit monitors would likely allow for much larger screen to be attached to the neck. Although at some point the ratio of the monitor to the base would look awkward. Let me know if you need any additional help.

Also, just wondering if you ended up using the base for anything in your mod. I have a bluray in mine right now, but never use it and I'm wondering if there may be another use. Thanks! Jon
 

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jberg44 said:
SkippyThorson, thank you so much for the compliment. I really appreciate it. I believe the 20" weighed 11.2 lbs. I could also weigh the 15 and 17" for you if you need. One thing that makes a very significant difference is distribution of weight, especially for the top joint of the neck (used for tilting).
Click to expand...

You are more than welcome. Thank you for that information as well! I've been trying to make sure I get both A) The thinnest monitor I can find, and B) The lightest. At my local Walmart, there happened to be a 15.6" Dell LCD on display, and the kid there looked at me like I was nuts when I asked him the weight of it. :p I think the display was only $60. (I forgot to see if it was VESA compliant, though. I like the one you have.)

jberg44 said:
Also, just wondering if you ended up using the base for anything in your mod. I have a bluray in mine right now, but never use it and I'm wondering if there may be another use. Thanks! Jon
Click to expand...

Actually, I've yet to even really begin my mod. :eek: I have a G4 gutted and waiting for paint, and that's about as far as I've gotten so far. (No working iMacs are harmed in the making of my mod.) I was actually going to take a page out of your book and use a cheap-o DVD player.

My dream that will never happen - an Xbox in the base, because I've always admired all-in-one game console mods. More realistic? The tray-loading PS2, but I'm still pretty sure there's no way either will ever fit. I'm still debating exactly what I want to do.
 
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