Queer mini-DVI Connector on Late 2006 iMac

I have a late 2006 (all white) 24" iMac and a new Mac Mini. The Mac Mini runs under Snow Leopard, and has a keyboard and mouse but no monitor. A couple of days ago, I downloaded Lion from the App Store,Thinking it would come as a downloadable file I could put on the Mac Mini. However, App store's distribution process forced me to install Lion on my iMac over Leopard then and there. After installation, I realized most of my regularly relied upon applications, scanner and other items were now obsolete, I knew I was in a predicament. Several days later, I'm forced to reinstall (ugh) SL on my iMac.
I believe it is possible to transfer my SL configuration on the Mac Mini to my iMac by firewire, if I have a monitor connected to the Mac Mini. Since the only monitor I have is the iMac...
My question: 1. Can I use the iMac monitor if I connect it to the Mac Mini? The connectors are HDMI (Mac Mini end) to mini DVI (iMac end).
2. I wouldn't be writing all this if it weren't for the fact that the miniDVI connector on the cable, while it fits the miniDVI connector on the Mac Mini, is totally different from the miniDVI connector that came built-in to the iMac. There's no way these to can fit together. What gives?

Thanks ebinellis for the link. It sent me searching and I discovered that connector is a video out port:
Apple Support Article: TA23859 iMac (Early 2006): External ports and connectors describes this port's function in exclusively output terms: "Using the Mini-DVI video out port, you can use a compatible DVI display, VGA display or projector in extended desktop or video mirroring mode with the appropriate Apple Mini-DVI adapter." Because it is silent about any video input source, it appears my assumption was mistaken.Seems I'm slated to do another basic install of Snow Leopard and its upgrades.

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Mini-DVI To VGA Problems W/ iMac Late 2006

I have just purchased a Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter - and my iMac is refusing to play ball - I Have the Late 2006 iMac - and it is running Mountain Lion (I have a workaround for the compatibility issues). I have booted into Safe Mode, no success. Tried Detecting Displays, nope. Please Help ASAP...

In System Report>Hardware>Displays, any clues there?

I would like to extend the screen from my circa 2013 27in iMAC with thunderbolt onto my circa late 2006 imac using the DVI port on that iMAC. Is this possible? If not is there another approach I can use?

I would like to extend the screen from my circa 2013 27in iMAC with thunderbolt onto my circa late 2006 imac using the DVI port on that iMAC. Is this possible? If not is there another approach I can use? My 2006 iMAC is showing it's age but I figure I can use it as just a monitor just fine. Assuming I can connect the two together.

That older iMac isn't designed to receive video input through the mini-DVI connection. Only certain newer iMacs are able to be used as displays.
Your only options are to use something like ScreenRecycler mentioned above.
~Lyssa

Late 2006 iMac won't recognize external monitor

My late 2006 iMac doesn't recognize an external VGA monitor connected via the mini-dvi port with adapter and cabling.
Doesn't show up in Displays System Preferences - at times the mouse does show up but not the full display.
Any suggestions - Am I missing something?
Thanks
Bob

Download the software or driver from the manufacturer's site.

Is that actually a mini-DVI port on my G5 iMac?

So I can't seem to figure this out...
Is the Mini-DVI connector on the back of the G5 iMac (2 GHz, pre-camera or remote) a jack (male) or a port (female)? I bought one of the Apple mini-dvi -> S-Video & RCA adapter cables, but the mini-DVI end seems to be identical to the machine's connector, and thus they won't mate. Did I just buy the wrong adapter? I doubt this because Apple would have no reason to even make such an adapter, as all its models of computer should have the same sex of plug built-in, and thus no need for a choice between mini-DVI (M) -> whatever versus mini-DVI (F) -> whatever.
Any help or advice?
The mini-DVI connector on the cable has a rectangular metal rim with rounded corners on the bottom. Inside that is a C-shaped (like 3 sides of a long, low rectangle) plastic element with 8 axially parallel contacts on each of: the outside of the top of the C; the inside of the top "..."; the inside of the bottom "..."; and the outside of the bottom "..."; this totals 32 contacts.
This doesn't appear to work with the port on the iMac. The whole in the machine's external frame doesn't immediately contact the outer metal rim of the jack; it appears there's enough space for the sleeve of the connecting plug to slide in betweeen them. Also, the rim seems slightly more rounded/angled than that of the adapter above. Thirdly, the plastic center element is a wide, low rectangle with barely rounded/angled bottom corners (4-sided versus the adapter's 3-sided/C-shpaed central plastic element). Lastly, there are 14 (not 32) contacts in a staggered (not axially parallel) layout which only exist on the inside (not the inside and outside) of the center plastic element.
So what's the story? Do I actually have a mini-VGA port (as in some of the laptops which were advertised as having a mini-DVI port but which were actually mini-VGA)?
Help! I need to get split screens going to start building the audio>visual>audio interface I need for a major installation/performance piece I'm working on.
Thanks,
RealJake

Real, Welcome to the discussion area!
Sorry to douse your enthusiasm but that is NOT a mini-DVI connector. It is a mini-VGA connector.

Why is my Late 2006 iMac arbitrarily excluded from the Macs allowed to run Mavericks?

To install Mavericks, you need one of these Macs:
iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later),
MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8 already installed
2 GB or more of memory
8 GB or more of available space
My Mac:
has a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
Is currently running OS X Lion
has 3 GB memory
has a 250 GB hard drive (most of which is empty)
was built in Late 2006
Why is my Late 2006 iMac arbitrarily excluded from the list of Macs allowed to run Mavericks?
I called 1-800-MY-APPLE to find out what change was made in 2007 that was not present the year before. No one had an answer for me, they just shuffled me around to different departments while I listened to the same lame songs repeat over and over again.
On hold 1:01:55
Don't need to walk around in circles
Walk around in circles, walk around in circles
Walk around in
Doom da doom da doom
What I'm doing, I'm doing
Doom da doom da doom
What I'm doing, I'm doing
(The phone hold system at Apple should really get an iPod.)
I eventually spoke with CPU Senior Advisor, J.T. Thornton, and I asked him to explain which mandatory feature was added to the 2007 iMacs that wasn’t present in the 2006 models. He pulled up the technical specifications of the 2006 iMac next to the 2007 iMac, and even he was unable to identify what changed in 2007 that would cause the incompatibility. He went on to explain that it was probably an algorithm that caused my Mac to be incompatible.
I asked (somewhat facetiously) if the algorithm was if build year<2007 then FAIL, and then to my surprise, he agreed with me.
Why isn't there a smarter algorithm to determine compatibility? I can clearly see that my system exceeds the minimum system requirements, with the exception being, of course, the year it was built.
Planned obsolescence, anyone?

all-in-one-obsolescence wrote:
My machine works every bit as well as it did when it was new, and my computing needs have not changed enough to justify buying a whole new computer.
Then you do not need to upgrade.
But if you do remember that your needs may not have changed, but technology has. 32 bit machines are vintage now, they will not run moderns operating systems. So unless Mavericks has something that you must have don't upgrade. And if you do, a new Mac will be needed.
$1199 divided by 8 years is a cost of about $3 a week, a pretty good rate for a machine that works as well as it did 8 years ago.

TA23843 How much memory upgrade can I get on a late 2006 imac

Looking to purchase GB memory for late 2006 iMac. What do I get and how much will it support? I want to install OS Lion but need 2GB to do that apparently.

Here are the specs and maximum capacity for your Late 2006 iMac:
667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), supports up to 3GB
I would recommend OWC or Crucial as excellent online vendors in the US.
Hope this helps

Can my Late 2006 Imac install windows 8.1?

So, i guess the title says it all, can my late 2006 iMac install windows 8.1 with bootcamp.
I'm a total mac noob, so i'm sorry if i sound like an idiot for asking this, it's just that i've found since i'm limited to Lion 1.7.5, i can't really do much, and since upgrading to Yosemite doesn't seem possible at all, maybe windows 8.1 is worth a try
So, could someone help me out and let me know if it's even possible to do this?
Thank you in advance
- Angus

You can test with Virtualization engines like VMware Fusion. Parallels or VirtualBox. These do not have native access to hardware, so may be slow and laggy.
You can also look for used/refurbished Macs or Windows PCs to see if they can help. If mobility is not a requirement, consider a desktop system as an option.

Is the mini-DVI connector patented by Apple?

Does anyone know if the mini-DVI connector is patented by Apple?

I long been puzzled with Apple's fascination with wierd video connectors. It goes all the way back to Mac IIX machines with 13 pin D connectors when everything else in the civilized world had EGA or VGA D-sub connectors. Then came a slew of 7100s and Powerbooks with odd square connectors, etc.; meanwhile the rest of the world trudged on with VGA d-sub connectors.
I can see Apple was trying to capture market back when Apple-badged Monitors were a bigger piece of Apple's business. Their old moniors had captive cords that could plug directly into their strange connectors. That's not true with the annoying mini-DVI connector - MacBooks need the adapter no matter who makes the monitor. Now it looks like there's yet another new micro-DVI connector on MacBook Air machines.
There doesn't seem to be an engineering reason for the MacBook to have the mini-DVI. There is plenty of room availavle to put in a full size connector.
I think we may be looking at patent issues. Not so much Apple trying to get greedy with their own proprietary connector, but perhaps, Apple not wanting to pay the other other peoples' royalties for the more recognizable connectors.
Itwould impact sales to have no video out connector. Apple can use its own non-royaly connector, and offload the cost of the licensed connector to only people that really need it, in the form of a dongle.
We're paying premium prices for Apple products anyway, so I don't think it would be that much extra burden for us to cough up a few more dollars to have a more compatible connector.
Anybody that's worked for an A/V department has long grumbled about Apple laptops' weird video connectors. A lost video dongle for an Apple costs at least $20, whereas a standard male/male two meter VGA cord is about $4.
I rececently bought some mini-DVI to VGA dongles at a computer retailer. The Apple brand and the house brand were both $25. The house brand cable was a little longer, but not as well made as the Apple branded dongle. I bought the Apple branded dongles, suspecting they'll be a little more durable and make more reliable contact with the mini-DVI socket after repeated uses.
Bill

I have a late 2006 iMac that has just started giving me a message to reboot after a black screen comes down slowly from the top top of the screen to the bottom. I reloaded software and restored from Time Machine, it now happens frequently. Any insight?

I have a late 2006 iMac that has just started giving me a message to reboot after a black screen comes down slowly from the top top of the screen to the bottom. I reloaded software and restored from Time Machine, but it keeps happening, now several tomes a day. Any insight as to the issue or a proposed solution?

Unplug any peripherals you have except your keyboard, reboot, and check activity monitor for apps. Keep running apps to a minimum to find the App causing the issue.

Unable to Install Leopard in my late 2006 Imac.

Hi, Please help me in installing Leopard on my late 2006 Imac. After starting the installing dvd my system is not displaying Macintosh HD in start up disk and after reading in Mac forum. I have partition my HD in GUID partition format but still its not showing HD in start up disk.
Mac forum says that i can install leopard even if i have 667 Mhz speed with the help of Leopard assist software. but when i am installing its saying YOUR SYSTEM IS INTEL BASED. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE LEOPARD ASSIST.
Please help

Information courtesy of TexasMacMan;
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard installation system requirements
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24950
Leopard is no longer available at the Apple Store but may be available by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).
If you can't obtain a retail install DVD from Apple, look on eBay or Google the installer part numbers to possibly find at an on-line store. Here's what to look for:
MB427Z/A Leopard 10.5.1 install DVD
MB576Z/A Leopard 10.5.4 install DVD
MB021Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (single user)
MB022Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (5-user family pack)
Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1544
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Installation and Setup Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/leopard_install-setup.pdf
After you install the base 10.5, download & install the 10.5.8 combo update at http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update
if your disc is not a black one with a big X on it, and one of the above serial nos. it won't work.
No grey disc or any with "upgrade" or "drop in" on the label will work.

I have a late 2006 iMac upgraded to lion, Quicktime doesn't work anymore. Preview won't show images, any ideas anyone?

I have a late 2006 iMac upgraded to lion, Quicktime doesn't work anymore. Preview won't show images, any ideas anyone?

You are correct....it will not work. Please carefully read Apple's Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A few questions about my late 2006 iMac

Hello,
I own a late 2006 iMac specs here: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP28
Our house basement got flooded by our neighbours 50,000 litre pool splitting open.
My iMac was on a desk along with the cords and did not touch water. It was however in a room that was flooding for maybe 6 hours. It was exposed to the humidity from the water on the floor and also big fans were going during that time (dehumidifier and fans). I grabbed it maybe 5 or 6 hours this happened and brought it upstairs in our living room. The keyboard doesn't sit flat and my comptuer in general seemed slow and apps weren't working right.
Could it be damaged because of all of this? I'd like to open the back panel and pop off the keys on the keyboard. How can I find information about how to pull the back off and pop off the keys?
Our insurance provides full coverage so may just tell them to check out my iMac but then I'll be without it for awhile.

I ended up getting a new Mac.

How can I make my late 2006 iMac faster?

I have a late 2006 iMac and it has been running really slow. I have already cleaned it with CleanMyMac 2 and I clean it everyday. Is there anything I can do to speed it up? Thanks!

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard requires:
A Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or Power PC G4 (867 MHz or faster) processor
512 MB memory or more
A DVD drive for installation
9 GB of available disk space or more
Some features require a compatible Internet service provider, fees may apply.
Some features require Apple's MobileMe service; fees apply.
And .... 10.5.8 is a must for the iPad to be recognized in iTunes. It will not work with Tiger at all.

HT4759 If I have a late 2006 iMac is there any way to sync my contacts and calendar with my iphone

If I have a late 2006 iMac is there any way to sync my contacts and calendar with my iphone

Upgrade to 10.7.5. See:
Upgrading to Lion
If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
     Lion System Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
           or Xeon processor
       2. 2GB of memory
       3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
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       5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Queer mini-DVI Connector on Late 2006 iMac

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