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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

samboo

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Dec 23, 2008 2:36 PM in response to benjamincanfly

Tell them to check the discussion boards. i've been on the phone with Apple support for a bunch of time this week. They are aware of the problem, and engineering is gathering info from users (i installed something for them to capture log files).

They seem to be bucketing these problems loosely into the terms "external display flickering" although my problem isn't flickering - it's black screen.

Not saying there is a fix, but they admit there's something fishy between OS and the Intel/Nvidia combo that affects external monitors.

For me, going to Genius bar would be a waste of time.

tonyks

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Jan 4, 2009 8:27 AM in response to samboo

I am having the same problems with external display not waking from sleep that are posted in this thread. I have just recently noticed that the following seems to wake external display. When you wake computer from sleep, after computer display wakes, move mouse so that curser disappears into sleeping external display, wiggle mouse a couple of times, and then wait 10 seconds or so. Doesn't seem to work if you move mouse around repeatedly - just a couple of times, and then wait. I know it's not a perfect fix, but until apple take this issue - which frankly makes the mac platform non-compatible with real world professional requirements - it's worth checking out.

Jan 5, 2009 6:17 AM in response to tonyks

tonyks wrote:
*non-compatible with real world professional requirements.*

That's a very accurate description of my macbook pro (late 2008).

Still no fix or even a statement from Apple regarding the external display issues. It's been nearly four months since the initial release and still nothing.

It does suggests that Apple are not taking the issues seriously or considering them at all for that matter.

Harvex

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Jan 5, 2009 1:10 PM in response to BePo

I Have been experiencing the same issue, and after some research on nVidia's recent problems and everyone else's posts on this thread, I decided to take my macbook pro into the regent street apple store to see a genius.
Within five minutes of explaining the problem and showing him a video I recorded of the snowy corruption on my external monitor after a reboot, he recommended that I had the whole logic board replaced to sort out the gfx card and output.
I haven't been able to replicate the issue yet as I have just got the computer back, but I will post back if it happens again or if it doesn't within the next week or so.
I'm not sure if he found a log of this type of problem on his computer and the fix was to replace the logic board or if he made up his own mind, but the receipt for the work carried out totaled £716.45 and for such a big job it seems unlikely that he went out on a limb with getting a replacement as a fix.

Harvex

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Jan 5, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Harvex

Ok I have just done some testing and the problem remains. Another thing worth mentioning; While the flickering snow corruption was still showing on the external monitor I switched from the onboard graphics card (GF9400) to the discrete card (GF9600 GT) and the corruption was still there.

The solution for me is to switch my monitor onto standby and back on again on it's front buttons, but this doesn't prevent the issue from reoccurring after the computer has been sleeping.

Here is a link to the original video I recorded for my appointment with the 'Genius'
Sorry about the low lighting conditions.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=d_oUq86lYj4

Heggele

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Jan 6, 2009 3:33 PM in response to benjamincanfly

Finally!
Someone with the same problem as me!
So be glad, all you folk, that your displays at least are being detected somehow 😉

Jan 7, 2009 1:04 AM in response to Heggele

Heggele wrote:
Finally!
Someone with the same problem as me!
So be glad, all you folk, that your displays at least are being detected somehow 😉

Hmmmm, normally I am quite the positive kind of person, however the issue with the external displays is something I am struggling to find anything to be 'glad' about.

For example, I have many assignments with deadlines looming and I don't have a working secondary display, I bought a larger screen for a variety of purposes not to just sit there doing exactly nothing for large percentage of my working week.

Apple aggravate the situation even further by releasing no statement, no fix and no upddate or apology.

Jan 7, 2009 1:24 AM in response to Harvex

Harvex wrote:
Ok I have just done some testing and the problem remains.

Hi Harvex,

So the logic board was replaced with your unit and the problem remains? Am I understanding this correctly?

If so, how long before the issues re-appeared after the replacement logic board?

It seems that everyone has experienced a short time before the issues appear, from buying a new unit or having an entire replacement unit, there is a short space of time where all is well.

Myself, my MBP 15" displayed the issues 24 hours after initially buying from the store, after a re-install of OSX the problems resurfaced after a few hours.

What's causing the issues to have this delay then I wonder?

Message was edited by: Tyke Tyler

Heggele

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Jan 7, 2009 5:09 AM in response to Tyke Tyler

Just being cynical. Thats why i stated the smiley...
At this point, i'm quite glad that i don't necessarily need an external display for music production purposes. But i can definately understand your problem, for i am used to working with a two display setup and i'm as well having a struggle, working with the small 15" display only.

Jan 8, 2009 1:38 AM in response to Tyke Tyler

After the last batch of firmware/software updates + the 10.5.6 update I haven't seen the snow/non recognition after sleep. This is using both 9400 and 9600 GPUs. So, at least for me the problem seems to have cleared itself up. 😀

tonyks

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Jan 8, 2009 2:23 AM in response to Bay2Sacto

I have to make a powerpoint presentation at a conference next month and am going to take my old white plastic macbook rather than my new unibody macbook pro because I know the former won't mess up my presentation while I am pretty sure the latter will. This is an absurd situation, and not a word from Apple. I am beginning to think that the only thing that will make Apple pay attention is if people start demanding their money back on the grounds that the new models simply don't work as advertised. Which they don't.

kareldc2

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Jan 10, 2009 10:20 AM in response to BePo

Hello,

Any idea if this is a commen problem? Anyone knows a macbook pro that doesn't have this issue? Or is it safe to say they all have the same problem?

I was just going to buy a macbook pro when I heard of these problems. I would also connect a secondary display for editing video.

If it's a software problem i would not hessitate to go out and buy one right? Just do the software patch when it comes out?

Any suggestions?

Cheers!

Jan 12, 2009 3:57 AM in response to BePo

I have the same problem mentioned -- at times it appears as large groups of discrete flashing green pixels, other times it appears as panels of snow that flash on and off across the bottom half of the screens. Both screens that I own (24" Soyo & 26" Samsung ) show the same issues. In my case, the problem shows up all the time on the Samsung, but only after sleep on the Soyo. Neither monitor show this problem on my old MacBook Pro (2.2).

I called Apple Support (1/10), and after the traditional PRAM reset, etc., I was told I need to have the logic board replaced due to a graphics card failure. I am not sure what to do in light of the fact that others have sent their machine in and had the same replacement done without improved results. Has anyone actually had success with a logic board replacement?

I am certainly disappointed. I also have the hinge issue which is extremely annoying.

Message was edited by: Michael Monos

Message was edited by: Michael Monos

Jan 12, 2009 7:19 PM in response to BePo

I am getting static after having updated to OS X version 10.5.6, and doing both EFI (MBP51.0074.B01) and SMC updates (1.33f8). I didn't seem to have the problem before I did the updates, but I was having issues getting my external display to wake up after the MBP went to sleep and woke back up. I thought I'd do something good and do all the upgrades, but then the static started up.

Jan 13, 2009 10:22 AM in response to Michael Monos

I received a call from Apple Corporate Relations this morning after send an email to Steve Jobs. I was told that since I purchased the machine from a reseller (MacConnection), they could not replace my defective unit (ugh!). They asked me to please let them attempt a repair (as if I have any other choice). The box will be here today. I will let all of you know if the repair resolves the issue. I have also mentioned the unacceptably loose hinge.

NOTE: The monitors I am having trouble with are a Samsung T260HD (25.5") and a Soyo Topaz (24"). Both units work perfectly with my previous generation MacBook Pro. The Samsung works less of the time than the Soyo -- I have no idea why.

MacBook Pro Late 2008 External Display Issues