Question : Problem: Apple PowerBook G4 with Dell E173FP LCD Monitor

Hey Guys,

I have an Apple G4 15" (Widescreen).  I also have a Dell E173FP LCD Monitor that I bought thru my work when Dell was selling them for like $170 with desktops.  Anyways,  I have to use the DVI -> VGA Adapter that was included with my PowerBook G4.  When I first plug it up it seems to be fine.  After it being on for about 30 to 40 minutes the text starts, for a lack of better words, "jumpy".  It literally seems to jump left to right about 3 pixels.  Its not just the text, if you look closely its eveything.  

When plugged into my PC I have no problems using the monitor.

I dont have DVI on the LCD Monitor so connecting straight to DVI is not an option.  I am running the monitor at Dell's recommended resolution of 1280 x 1024.  I have tried different resolutions and refresh rates trying to find a good way to avoid it but cannot.  I also dont see a way to upgrade the software for my video adapter thru Apple.

Thanks,

Trav

Answer : Problem: Apple PowerBook G4 with Dell E173FP LCD Monitor

It could be - I haven't tried this with a powerbook, but I've had similar problems with PC notebooks when using a DVI-VGA adapter in combination with LCDs and some video cards in external docks.  I wouldn't necessarily get jumpy effects, but I've gotten very poor quality from an adapter vs. a native connection.  

As it is giving you a separate control panel, is it giving you an option to select all available resolutions and refresh rates, or are you only using the "recommended" resolutions and refresh rates?  On occasion, I've found the MacOS think's it's smarter than it really is, and sticking to the "recommended" choices can sometimes be too restrictive.