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Level 1

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MacBook Pro Late 2008 External Display Issues

Hi there,

I registered here to hopefully get some information and help with my problem. It's my first Mac, but in general I've a good knowledge of computers, sice I've used Debian for about three years (and ongoing). I bought the MacBook Pro (Late 2008) with 9400/9600M (512MB) to visit conferences and therefore, showing my presentations or demos.

So it's a big issue that I've horrible problems with an external display attached. During startup and the first use everything works fine. If I put the macbook to sleep and wake it up later the display sometimes stay black or doen't get a signal. In some cases there is a kind of gray noise on the screen. I tried to open up the Macbook (it's usually in clamshell mode) to use the internal screen - without success. It doesn't have a signal. Reconnecting cables doesn't change anything. This happens with both graphic cards. In some cases the external screen wake up correctly. Following a variaty of pictures taken trying to solve the problem restarting the MacBook Pro sometimes...

http://www.benjaminpoppinga.de/mbp/pic1.jpg
http://www.benjaminpoppinga.de/mbp/pic2.jpg
http://www.benjaminpoppinga.de/mbp/pic3.jpg
http://www.benjaminpoppinga.de/mbp/screenshot.png

I use a Dell 2709WFP (1920x1600@60Hz) connected via Mini-Displayport to DVI Adaptor. I already read about some display issues, which hopefully get adressed by Apple soon. Do you think it's another difficult problem or could it be fixed with a software update. I just bought my MBP and don't want to exchange it, since I really need it the next few weeks.

Thank you for any help!

Best Regards,
Benjamin

Message was edited by: BePo

Message was edited by: BePo

MBP Late 2008 with 2,53GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 9400M/9600M 512MB, 4GB RAM

Posted on Nov 17, 2008 9:45 AM

122 replies

Dec 13, 2008 12:22 PM in response to BePo

Hi all,

got the same problem here. External 20" viewsonic vp201b blackened out all the time. Connected over Apple Mini Displayport DVI Adapter. Theres alot of grey, red and white noise on the screen that youll see exspecially on black backgrounds.

When will Apple react to this problem. How is it possible to pay 2000€ for a laptop and dont get any real help or responding from the company about this errors.

They should just call it Macbook without the PRO

Dec 13, 2008 3:41 PM in response to BePo

I'm having the same problem connected to an Apple 23" Cinema Display.

The recovery method which works for me is to press the power button, then the "S" key to put the computer into full sleep. Pressing any key after the power light starts blinking seems to consistently bring the screen back to normal.

I haven't yet installed the early December 10, firmware updates, and I'm running the reduced "Better battery life" graphics option.

Rapunsel

Level 1

0 points

Dec 16, 2008 9:58 AM in response to Rapunsel

I just got to tell you that the firmware update solved my prolems, the day after I wrote on this Forum. After that I had to catch up with work. I haven´t had any problems since the firmwareupdate and hopfully I will not have any eithet. I hope all of you thet the external display issue now is bygones!

Good Luck
Ylva

BocaBoy

Level 1

88 points

Dec 16, 2008 10:09 AM in response to BePo

All, I upgraded last night to 10.5.6. That means I'm now running the latest OS along with the EFI and SMC firmware updates, and I must say that my problems seem to have gone away with sleep mode.

Have those of you having problems with external monitors upgraded yet? What did you find?

Thanks!

Dec 16, 2008 10:27 AM in response to BocaBoy

The updates didn't work with me at all, are you running an apple display or third party?
T

Dec 17, 2008 5:12 PM in response to BocaBoy

My external display issues also have not gone away with the recent firmware and os updates (late 2008 MBP 15"). They are better (i.e. less frequent), but have not gone away completely. Still get the static on my external 23" Cinema. The problem seems fixable by unplugging/replugging display. This usedd to hang my system, but now seems to fix the problem temporarily.

My patience is running out on this one. May seek replacement soon. What about everyone else? Problem fixed or still there?

Dec 17, 2008 5:58 PM in response to Douglas Mcdonald

Just spoke with Apple Support. Seems that they are aware of the external monitor 'static' problems (she pulled up an internal tech article) and are investigating the issue. Currently they are not accepting replacements for this issue, but that I (we) should keep an eye out for further updates. And, if there are no software updates within the next couple days/week, I should call back to see if there are any status updates.

In the meantime, setting computer sleep to "Never" minimizes the problem, and unplug/plug-in the external display or sleep/wake the machine is a temporary fix.

Dec 18, 2008 1:31 PM in response to BePo

I'm now having the issue as well. I've had the machine for about a week now, and it's happened a few times that waking the computer from sleep would cause the external monitor to show only static for a few long seconds, and then it would pop back into go-mode.
Just now, I returned after a phone conversation to wake the computer, and the ext. display was flickering and choppy. I logged out and back in hoping to fix the issue, but this did not do it. I then unplugged the Mini Display Port adapter and replugged it--issue is gone for now. I'm currently using the 9400 card, and not the 9600.
I spent too much money on this computer to have an unusable external screen...I hope they address this soon.

samboo

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Pipecat

I have the same problem. Brand new Dell 2408WFP monitor. Intermittant lost connection to the external monitor - only at the highest resolution (1920x1200). Similar to other posters, I tried the various work arounds, none of which addressed the problem. Only thing that fixes is to lower resolution to 1600x1000 which is a non-starter for me.

Talked with Apple support - they know about the problem, and told me to monitor the forums and call them back in a week or so to see if there's been a fix. I told them I have 15 days on my 30-day return for my MB and 25 days to return the Dell monitor, and they were very understanding.

I have to say that after dealing with Dell for 5 years, this is a pleasure, even if the problem hasn't been solved.

mlk

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2008 7:36 PM in response to BePo

I'm confused, are the issues present with the 24" display?

WGrose

Level 1

6 points

Dec 18, 2008 7:38 PM in response to mlk

I got my 24" Apple LED display today and the problem hasn't manifested itself at all since then...

Dec 18, 2008 9:36 PM in response to WGrose

I would suspect that problem exists with all external displays, but do not know of course (just based on discussions). Since the OS update the problem has been pretty sparse though (i.e. day1-3x; day2-none), so it wouldn't surprise me if you didn't experience problems on day 1. I'm glad your not seeing issues, though. Hopefully it will stay that way. Please let us know how it goes after a few days.

Dec 19, 2008 5:51 AM in response to mlk

I'm having the issue with my Dell 2007WFP, a 24" flat panel, so it doesn't seem constricted to just the Apple displays. Also, my issue started after the application of the 10.5.6 patch and the latest firmware patch. I hate to repeat myself, but let's hope Apple is looking at this bug.

grasmat

Level 1

0 points

Dec 20, 2008 1:53 AM in response to BePo

apple please do something!! the snow on my external screen is really a pain in the ...

Dec 23, 2008 2:26 PM in response to BePo

I was in the Apple Store today to have this problem and the light leak problem resolved. The Genius plugged my MBP into an Apple Cinema Display and it worked fine. I was afraid of this happening... How can I prove to them that the Mini Display Port -> DVI problem exists without actually bringing my huge ViewSonic display into the store?

MacBook Pro Late 2008 External Display Issues