Apple Macintosh II Video Card
| Macintosh II Video Card | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Macintosh II Video Card with the Toshiba-made TFB controller (Akbkuku, CC BY 4.0) | |
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer |
| Type | NuBus video card |
| Release date | 1987 |
| Interface | NuBus; DA-15 video connector |
| Compatible | Macintosh II, Macintosh IIx, Macintosh IIcx, Macintosh IIci, Macintosh IIfx |
| Part number | 661-0376 (4-bit), 661-0492 (8-bit) |
| Resolution | 640 × 480 |
The Macintosh II Video Card is the NuBus video card Apple introduced with the Macintosh II in 1987. It drives the Apple High-Resolution Monochrome Monitor or the AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor at 640 × 480, showing 16 colours or greys at once as supplied and 256 with the eight-chip Video Card Expansion Kit fitted.[1][2] Apple's other Macintosh II video cards before the Macintosh Display Cards were the High-Resolution Display and Extended High-Resolution Display video cards, the Monochrome Video Card, and the cards for the Two-Page Monochrome Monitor and the Portrait Display.
Video card models
[edit | edit source]| Card | Monitors | Resolution | Colours or greys | Video RAM | Service part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macintosh II Video Card | High-Resolution Monochrome, AppleColor High-Resolution RGB | 640 × 480 | 4 bits per pixel; 8 with the expansion kit | Eight expansion chips in sockets on the 4-bit card; soldered on the 8-bit card | 661-0376 (4-bit), 661-0492 (8-bit)[1][3] |
| High-Resolution Display Video Card | High-Resolution Monochrome, AppleColor High-Resolution RGB | 640 × 480 | 4 bits per pixel; 8 with the expansion kit | 256K socketed; 512K with the kit | 661-0493[1][3] |
| Extended High-Resolution Display Video Card | High-Resolution Monochrome, AppleColor High-Resolution RGB | 640 × 480 | 8 bits per pixel | 512K soldered | 661-0533[1][3] |
| Monochrome Video Card | High-Resolution Monochrome | 640 × 480 | 1 bit per pixel | – | 661-0518[1][3] |
| Two-Page Monochrome Video Card | Two-Page Monochrome Monitor | 1152 × 870 | 2 bits per pixel; 4 with the expansion kit | 256K; kit fitted at D1-D8 | 661-0456[1][3] |
| Portrait Video Card | Portrait Display | 640 × 870 | 2 bits per pixel; 4 with the expansion kit | 256K; kit fitted at D1-D8 | 661-0604, 661-0586, 661-0587[1][3] |
Low End Mac adds that the High-Resolution card also runs Apple's 12-inch displays at 512 × 384; Apple's 1990 description gives only 640 × 480.[4][1]
The Macintosh II Video Card
[edit | edit source]Design
[edit | edit source]Apple's engineering document for the card, the NuBus Graphics Card Theory of Operations of August 1986, describes the design-verification version. The card is built around TFB, a frame buffer controller designed in Apple's Advanced Development Group, and supports 1, 2, 4 or 8 bits per pixel through a Brooktree Bt453 colour lookup table with 8-bit DACs for each of red, green and blue, giving a palette of 16 million colours. Two oscillators supply the pixel clock: 30.24 MHz for the Macintosh II monitors and 12.2727 MHz for RS-170 interlaced video. A 100 ns tapped delay line doubles the 10 MHz NuBus clock to the 20 MHz the TFB expects. The 512K version uses sixteen NEC µPD41264 video RAMs.[5] The product description on the Higher Intellect wiki gives RS-343 video, composite sync and a power consumption of 10 W.[6]
Two production cards photographed for Wikimedia Commons are marked FCC ID BCG9GRM0201 and 630-0153. One has a Toshiba-made TFB (344-0001, TC19G060AX) in a socket at U4B; the other a TFB marked L1A3009, 344-0001-1, with the Motorola logo. Both carry the Bt453KP, the 30.2400 MHz and 12.2727 MHz Saronix oscillators, NEC D41264C video RAMs in -15 and -12 speed grades, and a 2732 EPROM. Among the axial aluminium electrolytic capacitors, C13 is marked 220 µF 16 V and C22 and C23 10 µF 16 V.[7]
Video RAM upgrade
[edit | edit source]The 4-bit card takes eight more video RAM chips to reach 8 bits per pixel. Apple's procedure:[1][8]
- Remove the video card, working on a grounded workbench with a wrist strap. The chips are CMOS and easily damaged by static.
- Fit the eight video RAM chips at B1, C1, D1, E1, G1, H1, G2 and H2, with the notch on each chip facing the DB-15 connector at the rear of the card.
- Refit the card and connect the monitor.
- Start up, open the Control Panel's monitor settings and select 256.
- Run the video card test in MacTest. A pass ends with "All selected tests have passed".
Apple's parts list gives the chip as 334-0024, Video RAM IC, 150 ns; by 1996 Apple no longer sold the chips as a kit and they had to be ordered separately.[1][8] Low End Mac describes the upgrade chips as 120 ns parts, and the photographed card carries both 150 ns (-15) and 120 ns (-12) chips.[2][7]
Video connector
[edit | edit source]Apple's Peripheral Interface Guide gives this pinout for the Macintosh II High-Resolution and 1-bit Monochrome video cards. It warns that the signals differ from the DA-15 on the Apple IIc, IIGS, III, III Plus and the EtherTalk Interface Card, and that those devices and cables must not be connected to these cards.[9]
| Pin | Signal | Pin | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red signal ground | 9 | Analog blue video |
| 2 | Analog red video | 10 | No connection |
| 3 | Composite sync | 11 | No connection |
| 4 | Sync signal ground | 12 | No connection |
| 5 | Analog green video | 13 | Blue signal ground |
| 6 | Green signal ground | 14 | No connection |
| 7 | No connection | 15 | No connection |
| 8 | No connection | Shell | Shield ground |
Compatibility
[edit | edit source]Apple's 1996 service guide lists the 4-bit card for the Macintosh II, IIx, IIfx, IIcx and IIci with the Apple High-Resolution Monochrome and AppleColor High-Resolution 13-inch RGB monitors.[8] Low End Mac reports that it does not work in the Centris and Quadra 660AV, works only in part in the Quadra 840AV, and has been tested in a Power Macintosh 7100.[2]
Two-Page Monochrome Video Card
[edit | edit source]The Two-Page card drives the 21-inch Two-Page Monochrome Monitor at 1152 × 870 with 2 bits per pixel, or 4 bits with eight more video RAM chips at D1 to D8, notches towards the NuBus connector. Apple's 1996 guide lists it for the Macintosh II, IIx, IIfx, IIcx, IIci and IIsi.[1][8] Its module photograph shows a 100 MHz oscillator.[3]
Bitsavers holds a 4 KB declaration ROM image, 341-0245A, filed as "Workstation Video Card". Read with every bit inverted, as the dump is stored, the ROM names the board "Mac II WorkStation Video Card", revision "WVC1.0", part 342-0245, credits "Software by David Fung/Hardware by Toby Farrand", and holds video modes for 1152 × 870 at 1, 2 and 4 bits per pixel and 640 × 480 at 4 bits. Those modes match Apple's description of the Two-Page card.[10][1]
Portrait Video Card
[edit | edit source]The Portrait card drives the 15-inch Portrait Display at 640 × 870 with 2 bits per pixel, or 4 with the eight-chip expansion at D1 to D8. Apple's module catalogue shows a 57.4 MHz oscillator and lists a version with a DB-25 connector (661-0604) and DB-15 versions with and without the video cable (661-0587, 661-0586).[1][3][8]
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]Apple's checklist for a dark screen, or a bright screen with no picture, in the order given:[1][8]
- Reseat the card.
- Reseat any socketed video RAM.
- Check the video cable connections.
- Run the video diagnostics. MacTest and AppleCAT cover the Macintosh II Video Card, the Two-Page, Portrait and High-Resolution cards; AppleCAT also checks the video RAM and the video DAC.
- Replace socketed video RAM with known-good chips.
- Replace the card.
Apple asks for the eight expansion RAM chips to be removed from a 4-bit Macintosh II Video Card, a High-Resolution Display card, a Two-Page card or a Portrait card before it is returned for exchange; the 8-bit versions have the chips soldered and go back with them.[3][8] The 1986 design document notes that its engineers had yet to find a bad RAM chip, and that memory errors on a new board usually meant a stuck address or data line.[5]
Later Apple display cards
[edit | edit source]Apple's later Macintosh Display Cards support all the Macintosh II monitors:[1]
- Macintosh Display Card 4•8: 8-bit, 512K of socketed video RAM, upgradeable to 24-bit with a VRAM kit.
- Macintosh Display Card 8•24: 24-bit, 1 MB of soldered video RAM.
- Macintosh Display Card 8•24 GC: 24-bit, 2 MB of video RAM and a 30 MHz AMD 29000 running 32-bit QuickDraw.
- Macintosh Display Card 24AC.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Macintosh II
- Apple High Resolution Monochrome Monitor
- Apple Two-Page Monochrome Monitor
- Apple Portrait Display
- Apple Macintosh Displays and Video Cards Service Guide (1996)
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Apple Computer, Apple Service Technical Procedures, Macintosh Family, Volume Four, PN 072-0228, March 1991, "Macintosh Family Cards" section 2, Macintosh II Video Cards: product descriptions, pp. 2.1-2.4 (rev. Jun-Aug 90); video card upgrades, pp. 2.4-2.9; troubleshooting video/display cards, p. 2.11; Illustrated Parts List, p. IPL.3 (661-0376 Macintosh II Video Card, 4-Bit; 661-0492 Macintosh II Video Card, 8-Bit Kit, "4-Bit Card and RAM Kit included"; 334-0024 Video RAM IC, 150 ns). Internet Archive, Apple_Service_Technical_Procedures_Macintosh_Family_Volume_Four_1991-03_Apple_PN_072-0228 (retrieved 2026-10-04).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Low End Mac, "Macintosh II Video Card" (retrieved 2026-10-04). Secondary source: introduced with the Mac II; codename Toby; RAM upgrade of eight "120ns DIP chips"; not compatible with the Centris/Quadra 660AV and only partly with the Quadra 840AV; reported working in a Power Mac 7100.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Apple Computer, Module Identification, PN 072-8124, June 1994, Interface Cards, pp. 4.1.3-4.1.7 (PDF pp. 227-231), 4.1.13 (PDF p. 237) and 4.1.14-4.1.15 (PDF pp. 238-239): Macintosh II Video Card 4-bit 661-0376 and 8-bit soldered version 661-0492; High-Resolution Display Video Card 4-bit 661-0493; Extended High-Resolution Display Video Card 8-bit soldered 661-0533; Monochrome Video Card 1-bit 661-0518; Two-Page Monochrome Video Card 661-0456 (100 MHz oscillator); Portrait Display Video Card 661-0604 (DB-25 "13-pin mixed connector" card), 661-0586 without cable and 661-0587 with cable (57.4 MHz oscillator); each 4-bit, Two-Page and Portrait card page asks for the eight expansion RAM chips to be removed before return, and the 8-bit soldered pages say not to remove them. Hosted as File:Apple Module Identification (PN 072-8124, June 1994).pdf; see Apple Module Identification Manual (1994).
- ↑ Low End Mac, "Macintosh II High Resolution Video Card" (retrieved 2026-10-04). Secondary source: 640 × 480 and 512 × 384; 4-bit model 16 colours at 640 × 480 and 256 at 512 × 384; 8-bit model 256 colours at 640 × 480; not compatible with the Centris/Quadra 660AV.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Toby Farrand, NuBus Graphics Card Theory of Operations, Apple Computer, 12 August 1986: overview and features, p. 3; parts and cost list, pp. 3-4; NuBus interface, p. 8; video output, p. 9; debugging, pp. 9-10; final board features and layout, pp. 10-11; schematics, PAL equations, timing diagrams and the Bt453 data sheet follow. Hosted as File:Apple NuBus Graphics Card Theory of Operations (1986).pdf; see Apple NuBus Graphics Card Theory of Operations (1986).
- ↑ Higher Intellect Vintage Wiki, "Macintosh II Video Card and Expansion Kit" (retrieved 2026-10-04). Secondary source: 640 × 480; RGB and monochrome; RS-343 video and RS-170 interlaced timing; composite sync, negative-going TTL; 10 W.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Akbkuku, "Apple-macintosh-ii-video-card-v80019946.jpg" and "Apple-macintosh-ii-video-card.jpg", Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (retrieved 2026-10-04). Part markings read from the full-resolution photographs.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Apple Computer, Macintosh Displays and Video Cards service guide (September 1996), "Macintosh Video Cards": parts list and compatibility notes, p. 326 (PDF p. 344); symptom/cure chart, p. 327 (PDF p. 345); video upgrades, pp. 328-330 (PDF pp. 346-348). Hosted as File:Apple Macintosh Displays and Video Cards Service Guide (September 1996).pdf; see Apple Macintosh Displays and Video Cards Service Guide (1996).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Apple Computer, Peripheral Interface Guide (Apple Service Technical Procedures, rev. January 1991), Interface Cards, "Macintosh II High-Resolution and 1-bit Monochrome Video Cards", p. 17 (PDF p. 21). Hosted as File:Apple_Service_Technical_Procedures_Peripheral_Interface_Guide_Jan_1991.pdf.
- ↑ bitsavers.org, pdf/apple/nubus/apple/WorkstationVideo/341-0245A_Workstation_Video_Card.BIN (retrieved 2026-10-04). Strings and video parameter blocks read from the image after inverting each byte.
