>I believe that every Mac before PCI/Open Firmware behaves
>this way. I only own Macs older than that, so I've never
>experienced one that is happy without a monitor. :P
More or less, yeah (there are some exceptions on both sides of the
divide). I believe I could boot my 270c/2300c in my DuoDock II
without a monitor or adaptor, though that's obviously a strange case
(but briefly on-topic ;). Everything between the IIci/si and the
later Quadras needs monitor sense to boot. The even older models
might be able to (IIcx etc). For a II or IIx it would depend on the
video card or cards; I'm not sure if you can boot those machines with
no video card at all (probably not).
>It's obvious though that once they went to the use of PC
>monitors they had to give up the automatic sensing and
>thus remove it from the POST as well.
Actually there is still monitor sense, in the form of VESA DDC. It's
done a little differently and more forgivingly, but some models still
need a real or simulated monitor to boot (or, as Eric noted, to have
all their resolutions available if a monitor is later attached, or
via VNC). You can use Griffin Technologies's freeware Simple DDC
utility to inspect your PC monitor's capabilities through this
channel, for most Mac models with a VESA HD-15 jack (but not through
an adaptor). The OS software does this as well, which is how it can
still offer only the reasonable resolution choices on those models. I
don't have a suitable monitor here to try this on the 2400, but the
error message from the video driver makes it look like it should work.
You want to be careful buying those adaptors for use with a PC
monitor on an older Mac; some are cheap and will visibly degrade the
video signal, and others have too limited settings and won't let you
use the upper resolutions on a new monitor. The Sony ones (unmarked
silver with DIP switches behind a pop-off panel) are well-made but
only work up to 1280x1024, so I'd probably buy something else these
days.
--
Marc Sira | [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"If you can't play with words, what good are they?"
----------
Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net!
A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables.
FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml>
Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400>
To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
----------
Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here!
MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html>
NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list...
Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/
Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com>
After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][
MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879!
Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
