gadget_aussie_man

Q: Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly

I have a new Mac Mini 2011 i7 Quad CPU version.  I have a Thunderbolt 27 inch display.  I have found that the display randomly turns off and won't turn on when I use the keyboard or mouse.  This occurs when I am doing stuff on the machine, it is not a display sleep issue.  The first couple of times I had to use Remote Desktop to reboot the Mac Mini to fix the issue.  The last time it happened I removed the Thunderbolt plug from the Mac Mini and reinstalled it and this fixed the issue.  I have the latest software updates on the Mac Mini and the Thunderbolt Firmware update on the Display.

 

I am running Lion 10.7.1

Posted on Sep 21, 2011 9:35 PM

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Q: Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly

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  • by bikkuri,

    bikkuri bikkuri Oct 20, 2011 6:43 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
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    Oct 20, 2011 6:43 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Curious. I haven't experienced any blackouts for the last two days.

    What's bugging me, is this randomness: one time it's there, the other time it isn't.

  • by SkullOne,

    SkullOne SkullOne Oct 20, 2011 8:18 AM in response to bikkuri
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 8:18 AM in response to bikkuri

    In another similar topic I've posted my theory:

     

    "So my conclusion so far is the problems we see (display disconnects/blacks out or digital garbage on screen - see other forum topics regarding TD problems) are related to using the USB ports on the TD. Likewise there can be problems with USB devices connected to the TD..."

     

    I think it's one and the same issue. I now have nothing connected to the TD's USB ports and I have run two days without problems.

     

    Message was edited by: SkullOne - Reason: typo

  • by ajoy1216,

    ajoy1216 ajoy1216 Oct 20, 2011 8:27 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 8:27 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I recently received a direct phone call from Apple.  Be reassured this is a priority to them!  They have top level technicians working on the issues.

     

    I have made the following changes and I am on day two with no blackouts!!!

     

    1. RETURNED THE ORIGINAL DISPLAY

    2. Got a firewire external drive instead of using the USB port on the back of the TB.  I am using the USB port for a keyboard only.

    3. Downloaded the LION update.  I really think this made the largest change.

    4. Downloaded the TB update.

     

    And my automatic brightness boxes are still checked.

     

    Up and running here... or atleast for now!

  • by bikkuri,

    bikkuri bikkuri Oct 20, 2011 8:34 AM in response to ajoy1216
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 8:34 AM in response to ajoy1216

    Changing your peripherals hoping to avoid the issue? Apple should come up with a solution, not the user.

    And why return the display? We still don't know, whether the problem is software or hardware related. Or does Apple actually think the units are corrupted?

    I haven't seen any statement from Apple admitting there are issues with the TBD.

  • by gadget_aussie_man,

    gadget_aussie_man gadget_aussie_man Oct 20, 2011 4:48 PM in response to bikkuri
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 4:48 PM in response to bikkuri

    Apple have been in contact with me asking for additional information as they investigate this issue so they are definitely working on it. 

     

    Since I removed the firewire disks from the back of the display and also made the display the last in the Thunderbolt chain - I have a Promise R6 and LaCie Little Big Disk also connected - and also unchecked the autobrightness box I have had no blackouts.  I unchecked the box on Saturday so that is 6 days blackout fee. 

  • by gyakushkin,

    gyakushkin gyakushkin Oct 20, 2011 5:36 PM in response to WestVanPete
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 5:36 PM in response to WestVanPete

    Just got off the phone with Apple support: havng the same as everybody issue I was requesting a replacement. I was advised that unchecking ambient light sensor in display preferences should take care of this problem. They promised hardware is OK and once 10.7.4 update is release - it'll take care of it. Will see... Hope it helps someone.

  • by AlohaSpirit2,

    AlohaSpirit2 AlohaSpirit2 Oct 20, 2011 6:35 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2011 6:35 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Going on day three...no blackouts on new screen since last reboot.

     

    Have not updated TB firmware as directed by Apple.  Just wanted to test out and see how long the out of the box display will last.  This is my 2nd TB.

     

    I did swap the Thunderbolt wires to plug into the Pegasus HD.  This too, against advice of first Apple tech.

     

    Nothing plugged into Thunderbolt display.

     

    I'm leaving well enough alone for now. 

  • by AusPowEng,

    AusPowEng AusPowEng Oct 22, 2011 7:53 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 22, 2011 7:53 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I also had this problem when I connected a new Thunderbolt Display purchased about 1 week ago, to a new I7 Mac mini server running OSX Lion Server. The display has gone blank now on 4 times in the last week and only a power cycle to the display brings it back.

     

    Initially the server ran with OSX 10.7.1 and the display, with factory-default  firmware and had the problem.

     

    Then display firmware was updated but still had the problem.

     

    Later, applied updates to OSX to bring to 10.7.2 but still had the problem.

     

    Having spent $AU 1,200 on what I thought would be the best display on the market...I am very unimpressed. Up until this point, I have been a loyal Samsung customer with over 30 screens bought in the last 6 years, all still in service and no failures. I am thinking I should have bought the Samsung 27" for $600 instead.

     

    The Thunderbold display is a beautifull thing...but only when it is on.

  • by bikkuri,

    bikkuri bikkuri Oct 22, 2011 4:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 22, 2011 4:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Day 5 without any blackouts.

     

    The last few days I intentionally put heavy traffic through the display's USB ports to see whether it goes dark.

    So far, no success.

  • by gadget_aussie_man,

    gadget_aussie_man gadget_aussie_man Oct 22, 2011 5:00 PM in response to AusPowEng
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 22, 2011 5:00 PM in response to AusPowEng

    If you have not done it already go to display preferences and uncleck the autobrightness box.  That seems to be a temporary fix for this issue.  I did it 8 days ago and no blackouts since.

  • by boyuanfromtoronto,

    boyuanfromtoronto boyuanfromtoronto Oct 22, 2011 5:34 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 22, 2011 5:34 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Same problem here.  Apple fix it plz.

  • by Hacir,

    Hacir Hacir Oct 23, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Hacir
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Hacir

    I have been able to reproduce this problem without the Thunderbolt display.  I have a Dell U3011 which is a 30" monitor that supports 2560x1600.  It flashes and shuts down and exhibits the same problems and yet it is a DVI display, not a Thunderbolt-based display.

     

    From what I can tell, the Mac Mini Server is unable to properly support the top resolution.  I run a duel display setup without the Apple Thunderbolt display (two monitors) and am able to reproduce these symptoms, especially when playing video or something with much movement.  In other words, I suspect the flaw is with the Intel HD 3000 because the Dell U3011 is stable when I lower the resolution to 1920x1080.

  • by gyakushkin,

    gyakushkin gyakushkin Oct 24, 2011 3:10 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 3:10 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    It's been five days with ambient light sensor being off as per apple tech adivse (see above) and there was no "blackouts" since. I suggest everyone having that Thunderbold going black issue to give their advise a try. Cheers

  • by SkullOne,

    SkullOne SkullOne Oct 25, 2011 9:23 AM in response to gyakushkin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2011 9:23 AM in response to gyakushkin

    Nope... didn't work for me... I wish it had though

  • by Thorrr,

    Thorrr Thorrr Oct 26, 2011 8:24 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2011 8:24 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Same problem here.

     

    Configuration:

    Latest MB Air and Tunderbolt Display. All soft- and firmware updates installed. An ext. HDD is connected to the display via Firewire. Keyboard via USB.

     

    Problems (while working on the machine):

    1) Dispaly turning off for 0.5-1sec and then turning on again as if nothing happened.

    2) Display turning off and remaining off. Two ways to bring it back to life are (a) un- and replug the thunderbolt cable or (b) pulling the power plug of the display

     

    This is not acceptable for a 2500€ piece of equipment! Hope a firmware update will fix this issue. Soon.

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