> > My strong suggestion is to just use the paperclip. Messing with the
> > console could well break other parts of the kernel. Plus you can't
> > swap kernels around easily.
> > 
> > Shorting the pins makes the Mac think there's a monitor when there's not.
> > 
> 
> But again - every so often I need to use a console on this thing.  I don't
> want to short out the pins unless I know my VGA monitor will still work
> without them.

I seriously doubt that using a paperclip on it will permanently screw up 
the machine in any way.  At worst, you might have to go and adjust the 
resolution settings under MacOS when you attach the adapter.  If this 
weren't the case, you'd have trouble switching between monitors on the 
Mac, and I've been able to pretty much plug'n'play with any monitor I've 
wanted to on my Mac, assuming I can find the right adapter.

I hope this helps.

Later.

-- 
Colin Wood                                      ender@is.rice.edu
Consultant                                        Rice University
Information Technology Services                       Houston, TX