Someone is giving me an Apple ii+ system with everything except the monitor. Are there any modern VGA monitors or adaptors that can display color composite output decently? Will it plug into a conventional HDTV with composite in?
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Need Monitor for Apple ii+
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If your TV has composite video in (RCA jack usually yellow in color) it's highly likely it will work.
Don't expect a sharp crisp display. Color fringing will still be evident and you probably won't get 80 column to be readable (if fitted to the Apple II).
There is a chance it won't work, but you've got nothing to lose in giving it a go.
Don't expect a sharp crisp display. Color fringing will still be evident and you probably won't get 80 column to be readable (if fitted to the Apple II).
There is a chance it won't work, but you've got nothing to lose in giving it a go.
I tried a video to VGA converter and it would not do anything on my LCD monitor. I also tried going to RCA video in on my Plasma flat screen TV and it won't sync. Just a bunch of moving static when the computer is on. I'm sorry I didn't keep any of my old CRT monitors now.
I tested this Apple II on an Apple composite monitor and it turns out the video coming from the computer is bad. Squiggly diagonal lines from all outputs, including the output of the RF modulator and 80 column card. Anyone know what chip(s) might be bad?
Did you get a pic or video?
Also, a pic of the full motherboard might show an obvious problem such as missing ICs.
Check video cable is working with another video source or multimeter/continuity tester
Check voltages from power supply. +5v, +12v, -5v, -12v
Try removing ANY/ALL expansion cards (make certain power is off and removed)
Try pressing down on all socketted ICs. You may hear crunching sounds - this is normal as the ICs re-seat.
Check all ICs for corroded/broken pins - not easy but may be necessary.
Finally, from Level II diags check the following ICs specifically. The locations noted (eg C11) are board locations, ie - Row 'C' Column '11'.
Videos wavers - C11 - 74LS04
Video distorted - D2 - 74LS20
Horizontal lines/junk chars. - B5 - 74LS174
Also, a pic of the full motherboard might show an obvious problem such as missing ICs.
Check video cable is working with another video source or multimeter/continuity tester
Check voltages from power supply. +5v, +12v, -5v, -12v
Try removing ANY/ALL expansion cards (make certain power is off and removed)
Try pressing down on all socketted ICs. You may hear crunching sounds - this is normal as the ICs re-seat.
Check all ICs for corroded/broken pins - not easy but may be necessary.
Finally, from Level II diags check the following ICs specifically. The locations noted (eg C11) are board locations, ie - Row 'C' Column '11'.
Videos wavers - C11 - 74LS04
Video distorted - D2 - 74LS20
Horizontal lines/junk chars. - B5 - 74LS174
Thanks, I'll let you know how I make out. It's surprising how accessible this board is for hobbyists.
Got it working! It turned out to be either B14, C14, D11, D12, D13 or D14. I changed them all at once so I'm not sure which did it. I have video out going to an HDTV video input and it's color fringing pretty bad, but this may be normal. Thanks again
Great news. Glad it's now booting up. The color fringing is pretty normal, so don't be too alarmed by it.