Thread

Screwed Up Screen Resolution, Now I Can't See!

68kMLA Troubleshooting 13 posts Dec 4, 2010 to Jan 1, 2011

#1 Sat, 4 Dec 2010 - 04:00 68kMLA

While playing around with OS 7.0.1 on my IIfx I set the resolution to 600 by something or another (640x480?) and now I can't see anything on my monitor. I'm using a Raster Ops 8XL card and an Apple Multiscan 14" monitor. It was working just fine at the higher resolutions, but now I can't see what I'm doing to set it back. Is there a way to reset the resolution or monitor options?

Also, should I be on the lookout for a better video card or will the 8XL work alright for games and such?

Tempest

#2 Sat, 4 Dec 2010 - 04:53 68kMLA

PRAM Reset. Either hold Cmd - Opt - P - R during boot or just remove the battery for a few minutes.

#3 Sat, 4 Dec 2010 - 23:52 68kMLA

That didn't seem to help. I did it twice just to make sure (heard the chimes) but I'm still getting no picture.

Tempest

#4 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 01:48 68kMLA

and now I can't see anything on my monitor.

Better eyeglasses, perhaps? ;D

Try using another monitor if you have access to one. An almost similar situation happened with me when I was trying to configure my Apple MS 17" to my mom's (now deceased) HP Pavilion. When I went over the 1024 x 768 resolution setting on the Windows control panel, the monitor blacked out, and I was unable to reset it. As a result, I used another properly configured monitor to return the control settings back to normal in order for the Apple monitor to work again.

I doubt that your video card went on the blink, but I would open up your IIfx just to check anyway for faulty caps, or any unusual appearances. Dust can also be a major contributing factor. Check the cards' contacts as well. Missing contacts could also result in the monitor blacking out.

#5 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 03:17 68kMLA

I thought booting from a OS disk would help, but that didn't work either. Where are the resolution settings stored? Why doesn't resetting the PRAM help?

Tempest

#6 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 06:41 68kMLA

Where are the resolution settings stored?

The resolution settings are stored in the system's control panel folder. I'm not sure what OS you're running on your IIfx, but if its System 7, there should be a icon that says "displays." But follow my first suggestion, and try using a different monitor to hookup to your IIfx. Resetting the PRAM won't help because the PRAM has nothing to do with display settings to my knowledge.

#7 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 15:16 68kMLA

The only other monitor I have is a VGA monitor that I use with my G3. I do have the adapter that I could use, but I don't know if it would work with the RasterOps 8XL card.

Tempest

#8 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 15:23 68kMLA

I have had similar problems and I don't have a clear solution for that situation. You would think PRAM zapping would take care of it, but there are times that it won't. Zapping the PRAM is supposed to reset you to some default resolution, but maybe that resolution isn't supported either.

It could be that your particular video card stores the resolution onboard instead of in PRAM. In this case, the only solution would be to attempt switching monitors or booting without a monitor, then plugging it in after it's booted a ways. Using your VGA with an adapter might do the trick. See if you can temporarily set it to 640x480 fixed resolution mode. Try to think of ways to confuse the video card into resetting the resolution.

Where are the resolution settings stored?

Click to expand...

The resolution settings are stored in the system's control panel folder. I'm not sure what OS you're running on your IIfx, but if its System 7, there should be a icon that says "displays." But follow my first suggestion, and try using a different monitor to hookup to your IIfx. Resetting the PRAM won't help because the PRAM has nothing to do with display settings to my knowledge.

Zapping the PRAM is known to reset monitor resolution, so the display settings actually are probably stored in PRAM. In OS 8 or 8.5 or so, these settings must have also been stored in a preferences file and restored during boot if the PRAM was reset.

#9 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 15:47 68kMLA

I'm using OS 7.0.1 BTW. I'll try a few things and let everyone know.

Tempest

#10 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 19:42 68kMLA

Got it working. I ended up plugging it into an Apple IIgs monitor. That gave me enough of a picture (sort of) to figure out how to change it back. Wouldn't recommend this method though.

#11 Sun, 5 Dec 2010 - 19:56 68kMLA

Got it working.

Congratulations. :beige:

I ended up plugging it into an Apple IIgs monitor.

Told you another monitor would work.

In OS 8 or 8.5 or so, these settings must have also been stored in a preferences file and restored during boot if the PRAM was reset.

Interesting. I currently do not own any modular Macs in my vintage collection (they are all AIOs), so I have no need to worry about external monitors.

#12 Sat, 1 Jan 2011 - 12:18 68kMLA

I had a similar issue with my Quadra 605. Set the res too high for the 1024 x 768 VGA monitor and lost the screen. The only way I got it back was to hook up a monitor that did 1280 x 1024.

Pain in the rear!

#13 Sat, 1 Jan 2011 - 16:15 68kMLA

Removing the battery for an extended period of time and shorting the terminals of the empty battery holder should help if PRAM zapping is ineffective.