HT5918: Mac Pro (Late 2013): Using multiple displays

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x.graves

Q: Mac Pro (Late 2013) Dual monitors freeze on startup?

I've got 2 monitors, 1 HDMI and 1 MiniDisplayPort/DVI into Thunderbolt, and the computer can't start, it crashes during the boot process. The main screen freezes just as the login comes up, the MDP screen is scrambled, and the mouse cursor is a spinning pizza.

 

The only solution so far is to remove the MDP cable during startup, but that is a dealbreaker because dual monitors is the sole reason I bought this, and c'mon it's a really expensive computer -- even my old MacBook could handle 2 monitors!

 

Any insights or solutions appreciated.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), Late 2013

Posted on Jul 28, 2014 12:18 PM

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Q: Mac Pro (Late 2013) Dual monitors freeze on startup?

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  • by x.graves,

    x.graves x.graves Sep 10, 2014 12:19 PM in response to NoRoadsProd
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    Sep 10, 2014 12:19 PM in response to NoRoadsProd

    Tinpig - that's a great idea turning off the monitor instead of unplugging the TBolt! Can't believe I didn't think of that. [facepalm]

     

    RonKabele - interesting, so you're only seeing the problem when you boot OSX off the Tbolt SSD? Is it possible to try plugging the Elgato into USB instead of Tbolt and see if the problem still happens? Then we'd know if it was OSX or the Thunderbolt.

     

    VoltMac -  I don't think bootcamp is the problem, I don't have it installed and I'd venture most people here don't either.

     

    I took my Mac Pro to the genius bar and they ran preliminary tests, then suggested it may be 3rd-party software conflict, but after reading posts here I'm pretty sure it's a problem with one or a combination of the following:

    - the graphics card

    - the graphics card driver

    - OSX Mavericks

    - Thunderbolt hardware

     

    So I guess there's a 50% chance we may see a software fix.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 12:19 PM in response to NoRoadsProd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:19 PM in response to NoRoadsProd

    You know, my fear of taking the unit to the Apple store is them saying "send it back to Apple for a replacement". Other people on different threads have said what you mentioned, even their replacement units have the same issue!!

  • by x.graves,

    x.graves x.graves Sep 10, 2014 12:21 PM in response to Tinpig
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:21 PM in response to Tinpig

    Interesting Tinpig, that's even more evidence to back up my theory. When I took my MacPro into the genius bar, they wanted to run extended diagnostics but it would have taken up to a week and I can't give up my machine for that long. I'd sure like to get to the bottom of this so we can petition a fix.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 12:23 PM in response to x.graves
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:23 PM in response to x.graves

    I made a secondary administration account with no extra software and the same thing happens. And again mine did this out of the box so it cant be blamed on anything extra that I installed.

    Turning the monitor off just came to me yesterday! At least it works.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 12:26 PM in response to x.graves
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:26 PM in response to x.graves

    Same here, I can't give up my machine as there is much work to do and that's my income. I'm wagering most of the people that own these machines use them professionally so Apple need to get this fixed.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 12:34 PM in response to x.graves
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:34 PM in response to x.graves

    Could be a TB power issue when using 2 displays and 1 of the displays is attached to a TB port, because the unit boots when the display is off thus not using the TB port/bus until needed!!

    I don't know, that's nothing more than me thinking aloud. I should probably stop now before someone gets hurt!

  • by EdAnuff,

    EdAnuff EdAnuff Sep 10, 2014 12:44 PM in response to Tinpig
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:44 PM in response to Tinpig

    I don't think its a TB power issue.  I've tried lots of different combinations of devices connected to the TB ports and everything is good until two monitors are connected.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 12:51 PM in response to EdAnuff
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 12:51 PM in response to EdAnuff

    that's a good point, I'm running audio cards and HD's on the TB ports and they are functioning without issue. 

  • by vett93,

    vett93 vett93 Sep 10, 2014 12:57 PM in response to Tinpig
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 10, 2014 12:57 PM in response to Tinpig

    Apple Engineering has been working on my issues for over 2 months without any success. What can these self claimed geniuses help you by keeping your computers for a week?

     

     

    The whole thing just doesn't add up.....

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 1:01 PM in response to vett93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 1:01 PM in response to vett93

    Well, they're not having my unit for a week!

    I wonder if this issue happens with 2 Apple Thunderbolt displays?

  • by Volt-Mac,

    Volt-Mac Volt-Mac Sep 10, 2014 1:14 PM in response to vett93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 1:14 PM in response to vett93

    Well my computer can hardly boot one thunderbolt monitor let alone 2.  I'm leaving my Mac Pro with them so this issue can be officially documented, plus I'm done with experimenting with brand new high end computer. 

  • by Volt-Mac,

    Volt-Mac Volt-Mac Sep 10, 2014 1:19 PM in response to vett93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 1:19 PM in response to vett93

    How do we get this issue on Mac Rumors or another Apple News site so we can get the folks at Apple look into this immediately?

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 1:22 PM in response to Volt-Mac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 1:22 PM in response to Volt-Mac

    I don't know, but you can count on my support if anyone pushes this issue to a mainstream audience.

  • by vett93,

    vett93 vett93 Sep 10, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Volt-Mac
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 10, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Volt-Mac

    There are threads on Mac Rumors already.

  • by Tinpig,

    Tinpig Tinpig Sep 10, 2014 1:43 PM in response to vett93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2014 1:43 PM in response to vett93

    Oh well! Maybe I'll be able to run dual monitors without a problem on the iPhone 6!! Ha.

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