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I have decided to hack eMac's CRT (To work with any standard motherboard)

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I captured the commands sent over the i2c connection from the logic board to the ivad board, reproduced them with code and played them back using an arduino.

I just put the code up on github for those interested in doing this.

https://github.com/qbancoffee/emac_ivad_board_init

I bet the same could be done by hacking the i2c bus on a standard VGA connection without having to use an external micro controller like I did.
 
Wow! Actually, I'm very interested in your results. I still have my eMac G4 but now as a dead weight in my room, since is too old for anything...
I have knowledge about Pics programing so if you give details about the series of commands, they may be writen into a 16f84a pic (Old but cheep, and i have dozens of it).
Those commands mixed with the proper wiring shoud do the trick for plugin in a standard motherboard to the eMac CRT!
I'm writing for news about you!
 
Don't fret because you will be able to use your G4 again. I looked into the 1684a but that specific pic doesn't have spi pins. I did however find that some people were simulating i2c with those pics. I guess with some code and a couple of resistors you could implement the i2c protocol. Once that's done you could just send the commands.

Before including the raspberry pi, I got this working using an x86 desktop running ubuntu 14.04. After I got it working I was using as a second monitor for my ubuntu laptop. The arduino clone that I used cost $8.00 so it was pretty cheap.
I think the brand is elegoo.

Here is a video of it in my house. I'll put instruction in the weeks to come.
 
Rockyill said:
Don't fret because you will be able to use your G4 again. I looked into the 1684a but that specific pic doesn't have spi pins. I did however find that some people were simulating i2c with those pics. I guess with some code and a couple of resistors you could implement the i2c protocol. Once that's done you could just send the commands.

Before including the raspberry pi, I got this working using an x86 desktop running ubuntu 14.04. After I got it working I was using as a second monitor for my ubuntu laptop. The arduino clone that I used cost $8.00 so it was pretty cheap.
I think the brand is elegoo.

Here is a video of it in my house. I'll put instruction in the weeks to come.
Click to expand...

Something to notice: On those days (Wen i was actually "Full time" diggind into this project) the eMac was on a room with NO HEAT and the season of the ear was winter in argentina, and usually i ended up with my hands rock solid because of the cold on that room...
I guess that the i2c protocol was captured using a software called "Logic"? (From the web page you mentioned yesterday?). I downloaded but not sucesfully loading the capture (Bot mac and pc); Some program version issue. Do you mind to tell my the version you use (I downloaded the latest, 1.2.11 and the one before but not succes).
 
I didn't realize how cold it can get in Argentina until I experienced it. I've been to Mar del Plata a couple of times in your winter and I froze my butt off!

Anyhow, I just downloaded Logic version 1.2.11 and installed it on an ubuntu 16.04 machine that has never had this
installed before and it was able to open the capture files. I'll try the widows version later on and I'll let you know.
 
Here is the latest video of the pieMac or I guess retropieMac
 
Rockyill said:
Here is the latest video of the pieMac or I guess retropieMac
Click to expand...

I also have the acrilyc base: A piece of art for shure. Something to notice: I booted ubuntu 14,04 yesterday on a pc and downloaded "Logic" for android. Tried to open the capture and the result was the same (Claming that the wrong Logic version was used).
some kind of guide will be much apreciated. Witing for it.
 
I just made a desktop recording of how I'm opening a capture file on an ubuntu 14.04 laptop.
 
Rockyill said:
I just made a desktop recording of how I'm opening a capture file on an ubuntu 14.04 laptop.
Click to expand...

I will going to try to emulate exactly wath you did to see those captures.
 
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