Does this iMac support screen spanning?

jackfranklin · Jul 21, 2009

I'm told some iMacs will and some wont, can anyone say for sure if this one will or wont?

iMac G5. PowerMac 8,2. Power PC G5 (3.1). 2Ghz. 1 CPU. 2Gb Ram. 667 Mhz Bus speed. Boot Rom Version 5.2.5f1.
Video Card is ATI Radeon 9600.

How much of a risk is it using this Screen doctor program?
Thanks.

louishen · Jul 21, 2009

Yes it does support spanning
Apple iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch Specs (iMac G5 - M9249LL/A) @ EveryMac.com

The hack Screen Doctor simply unlocks the capabilities of the graphics card that apple chose to limit

jackfranklin · Jul 21, 2009

So to be clear, would I need to use Screen Doctor on that Mac or will it work out of the box?

bobtomay · Jul 21, 2009

It will and it won't.

2nd Display Support: Mirroring Only* 2nd Max. Resolution: 1024x768*

Details: Apple reports that this system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on an external display or projector", and supports output resolutions of "640 x 480 pixels at 60Hz, 800 x 600 pixels at 75Hz and 1024 x 768 pixels at 75Hz".

e.g. It supports a 2nd screen in mirroring mode only out of the box.

However, the hardware is capable of using an external display in dual or "extended desktop mode", Apple just blocked the capability in firmware to protect sales of more expensive Macs. Unsupported third-party hacks are available.

The hack provides support for extended desktop mode.

jackfranklin · Jul 26, 2009

Ok thank you. Just to clarify, is this the adapter I need?
Apple VGA Display Adapter - Display adapter - HD-15: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

And if something does go wrong with ScreenDoctor, is it an easy fix?

bobtomay · Jul 26, 2009

There should be no reason for an adapter at all. That iMac has a standard VGA port. Shouldn't need any adapter if you're going to VGA on the 2nd monitor.

Don't know a thing about ScreenDoctor.

jackfranklin · Jul 26, 2009

There is defo not a VGA socket, just a mini VGA one ;(