External VGA Projector Screen Blue when MacBook Pro Connected

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External VGA Projector Screen Blue when MacBook Pro Connected

I love using my laptop for Powerpoint and Keynote presentations at work. I used to have a Powerbook 1.5GHz 15" and now have a MacBook Pro 2.2GHz 15". With some external VGA projectors, after connecting the MacBook Pro, everything works great. I turn off mirroring and my presentation goes smoothly.

However, with some particular external VGA projectors, I get a connection problem. After using my DVI-to-VGA cable to connect my MBP to the projector, nothing happens. The projector continues to project a blue screen as though nothing is connected to it and as though it has no video source. I've cycled through the projectors input selections hoping the projector would find the signal but still nothing. I've even restarted my MBP with the cables attached to the projector and still the projector shows a blue screen.

My friends can connect their PC Windows XP and Windows Vista computers to this same projector with no problems. I used to have this same problem with my PowerBook G4 which is one of the reasons I upgraded to the new MBP hoping this problem would be resolved. What's wrong and what can I do to get my MBP compatible with the external projector?

MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz 15.4", Mac OS X (10.5.1), 2GB RAM

Posted on Jan 25, 2008 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2008 7:28 AM in response to ERDR365

I have a couple of these at work. Some others are perfect. You might start with the cable: that fixes them all for me.

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Answer 2

ERDR365 Author

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Jan 25, 2008 11:15 AM in response to Graham K. Rogers

I have the cable that came with the MBP - it's the white DVI to VGA cable. Is there another type of cable out there that works better? Are there settings on the MBP I can change to get this to work? I'd hate to have to buy a Windows machine just to get presentations to work... it's also disheartening and embarrassing having a Mac that doesn't work when you're in front of a bunch of Windows users whose PC's do work.

Any help?

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Answer 3

espeenut

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Jan 25, 2008 1:53 PM in response to ERDR365

Did this get resolved, and if so, how?

I'm buying a macbook for the very same purpose, e.g.,
projecting PowerPoint (PP) presentations through Keynote. All
six PP presentations I tested at an Apple store worked just fine,
so the last unknown is the macbook -> projector interface.

Thx

Rod

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Answer 4

Jan 25, 2008 7:42 PM in response to ERDR365

Sorry, I meant the cable that links between the connector and the input to the projector (RGB - IN by the way, not OUT).

We have a number of these VGA cables at my place of work that will work with a PC but not a Mac. Some are fine. My technician holds on to a cable for me that we know works and if I get a bad one, he brings in the replacement and it takes a few seconds to go online. I also note that some of the projectors (particularly ceiling mounted ones) have an additional adapter between the cable and the projector. It may be that some of the pins are not connected.

Of course, if the projector is mounted too high, that would not allow easy replacement.

I would suggest finding a cable that works and carrying that around.

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Answer 5

ERDR365 Author

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Jan 27, 2008 4:52 AM in response to ERDR365

I guess I'll try that. I'm just upset that I have to go through all this trouble to get my presentation working while PC users can just plug in their computer and go. This counters the perception I've had of the Mac - It just works. (Well, not in this case.)

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Answer 6

Jan 27, 2008 5:30 AM in response to ERDR365

In most cases it does just work and is in stark contrast to what I have experienced with my students who try to link with their own PCs. In many cases, settings need to be changed and this also sometimes requires a restart. Once you get the hang of it, it ought to be OK.

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Answer 7

ERDR365 Author

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Jan 27, 2008 5:30 PM in response to Graham K. Rogers

Thanks for the help. I have another presentation tomorrow so I'll try it again. If it doesn't work, maybe I'll just visit the Apple store and ask one of the "genius's" there.

I'll let you know. Thanks

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Answer 8

espeenut

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Feb 5, 2008 9:59 AM in response to ERDR365

I tested my new macbook with the same cable with the vga monitor on
my Ultra5. First thing, blue screen. After the monitor finished what
appeared to be some re-calibration, the default macbook/leopard
background photo of the universe
appeared. No menu bar, dock ,etc. In System Preferences->Displays
click on detect displays. Choose mirror in the window that comes up.
When you are finished presenting, undo the mirror to return the
macbook screen to normal resolution.

Next weekend I have some live presentations with a VGA projector,
and will get back to this topic if I have any issues/additional
insights.

Rod

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Answer 9

Olsenjb

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Feb 14, 2008 10:14 PM in response to ERDR365

As advised at other postings - Dr Bott GHead II adapter has rescued us - our two MBP's - a 2,2 & a 2,4 now communicating with the projector - in our case an Infocus model - and we are in business.

(The adapter was not in stock at US - but was taken in via Europe - and we got here in SE Asia after 10 days.)

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Answer 10

ERDR365 Author

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Feb 15, 2008 7:58 AM in response to Olsenjb

Thanks for the information. I'll look into that cable. As for my presentation, it took a little bit of adjustments but the presentation worked. I'm gonna have to make sure I do the pre-presentation test run before standing in front of a large audience with a blue-screen. At least it's not like Microsoft's BSOD (Blue-Screen of Death) Fatal Exception Error. 🙂 I'll take the Mac's blue screen any day over that. Thanks again for all the help here.

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Answer 11

Mar 3, 2008 7:33 PM in response to ERDR365

I have posted this elsewhere as there's a pattern (or not) going on here. Several postings are out there about this. The problem is random, and it happens with various external monitors. Is there a recent update that is causing this? Last week I experienced the embarrassment of standing in front of 60 people and being able to make this work. This Friday I have another presentation and do not trust this to work.

What is the official Apple response to any of this??

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Answer 12

dph3370

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Apr 13, 2008 3:08 PM in response to islandboy

I've had this same experience as well. It's got to be the MBP. I agree this is a bad way for Apple to go about showing its stuff. I never really had this problem with my Macbook. There must be something wrong with either the out on the MBP or Tiger. Everything else is the same.

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