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Level 1

0 points

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

Jan 14, 2009 8:59 PM in response to Michael Monos

My MacBook Pro 2.53 was received at the Apple Repair facility today and immediately was
listed as Repair in Progress. This evening I checked the status and noticed that it was not
listed with an alter, Need More Information. Of course no one called me and it was just by
chance I noticed it before everyone left for the day. I called and the Second Tier support
representative told me the repair facility notes indicated that they could no replicate the
problem on site. He asked a number of questions, i.e. monitor make / model, connection types,
etc. He was unable to speak to anyone at the repair facility. I am now waiting for a response
for Corporate Relations who is overseeing the repair.

Jan 15, 2009 3:47 PM in response to Michael Monos

Update: I received a call from Apple stating that they could not reproduce the problem in-house at the repair facility and are sending the MacBook back.

Oh joy.

Jan 15, 2009 7:18 PM in response to Michael Monos

That is completely ridiculous. Of course they can't reproduce it, because it's an 'intermittent' problem. They would have to sit and use the computer for a week. I might suggest you take a picture (with a digital phone/camera) everytime it happens so that you have a complete record. This is what I have been doing.

Jan 16, 2009 3:25 AM in response to Douglas Mcdonald

Douglas,

Yes, ridiculous were my exact words.

The video / photo record was my next plan and will begin as soon as I receive the machine back.

I was also told a support engineer would call me when I received the machine back to troubleshoot the problem over the phone -- huh? I guess there is an encoded message -- 'You are a dummy, and obviously this is a problem with one of your monitors. We'll call you to make sure you know how to plug it in and that the resolution settings are correct...'

Time wasted, money lost.
Lesson learned -- never buy a machine from an Apple Reseller, since Apple refuses to honor the purchases in the same way as those purchased from Apple Retail stores.

It's their prerogative, but it stinks.

Jan 17, 2009 2:11 AM in response to Michael Monos

My replacement MBP arrived Thursday, complete with a new adapter, and I still cannot use my (normally) perfectly functional ViewSonic widescreen display. I'm not taking my laptop in again for repair only to have Apple techs break it (further) again and have to send out for a replacement.

This crap is unacceptable, guys. What are we going to do about it?

Jan 18, 2009 11:54 AM in response to benjamincanfly

My MacBook is enroute from the repair facility. I am assuming it will still not function properly since they said they never saw the behavior at the repair facility, are returning the machine without having done any repairs.

As soon as I receive it I will give an update here. I will also let you know what Corporate Relations has to say.

Jan 19, 2009 9:03 AM in response to Michael Monos

UPDATE:

I received my MacBook from the Apple Repair facility this morning. The first thing I noticed was that the repair facility nicked the top of my MacBook and scratched the metal casing!

I am waiting to see whether or not the video problems show up -- I expect they will since on the return invoice is says: Parts Used, 016-0026 RETURN: UnableToDuplicate

In addition, I complained about what I consider to be a very loose hinge, and as I expected, nothing was done about it. There are multiple threads about this problem.

More updates as things progress.

Jan 20, 2009 7:15 PM in response to Michael Monos

UPDATE: The video problems remain. After reporting this, Apple Corporate Relations had a tech call me to ask various questions I had already answered about the external displays I was using. He then sent me Capture Data and had me send the results to him via email.

ogdoad8

Level 1

15 points

Jan 22, 2009 5:18 PM in response to Michael Monos

Hopefully at some point they'll get behind their products and make them work. The whole "cannot duplicate" is totally bogus. If they actually cared about this serious problem, they shouldn't have a hard time reproducing it, as there are plenty of incompatible monitors documented in these threads. They probably plugged it into whatever was handy and sent it back right away. Keep pressing on them, from the top down now if that's the only way toward resolution.

M H A

Level 1

7 points

Feb 2, 2009 8:24 AM in response to BePo

I was able to trigger my video issues again. My MBP was connected to my 24" monitor via the mini-display-port -> DVI. The MBP had been running overnight and was quite hot on the bottom. I have it sitting on a Griffin Elevator stand, so it should be fine for cooling.

It started with just one app, but after a while was affecting almost every app I was running. Usually moving the window triggers it. I logged out and switched to the 9600M GT, and about 20 - 30 mins later it started to happen again. So it wasn't just the 9400. I finally rebooted and used the MBP for the rest of the day/evening with no issues.

I managed to get some pictures and video of the issue happening this time. I'm also going to call Apple again to provide an update to the case, since it looks like none of the recent updates have helped me.

Here is the link to the pics/video:
http://gallery.me.com/manastasakis#100119

The video is a little slow to load on MobileMe sometimes, so I posted a copy to youtube also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mIIauJ8NfU

Is anyone else having the similar issues?

GBH

Level 1

73 points

Feb 2, 2009 12:28 PM in response to BePo

MHA. I saw your pictures on your site. My suggestion is to sell this as a new cloaking device to the military since it effectively hid most of the fighter jet on your screen. I suggest it be named iCloak. All military jets would be outfitted with a macbook pro, the mini-display port adapter, and a 30" external Dell monitor. Right before entering enemy airspace plug the adapter into the Dell monitor and engage the iCloak device.

Feb 3, 2009 10:45 AM in response to M H A

Reported this in another thread regarding the same issue http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8932341&#8932341
But thought I would share it here as well...Seems there are a lot of us :/

Reporting another flashing screen on a new, (Late 2008), MBP 2.4 It was working fine, until yesterday. I installed the 10.5.6 combo update and and did the firmware update and after that the external Cinema Display started to flicker.

I am currently trying the temporary solution found @ MacFixIt:

+"Currently the problem seems to disappear when users run off the dedicated GeForce 9600M processor, and it is recommended to do this unless battery conservation is of the utmost importance. Using the dedicated graphics processor will also increase the computer's performance. To do this, go to the "Energy Saver" system preferences and check the option to enable "Higher Performance" graphics. This will only take effect after a logout and login again."+

Pfanny

Level 1

0 points

Feb 10, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Community User

I also have a samsung lcd tv. (le 40 a 789 r2) since yesterday i had no picture with my mini display port to vga adapter. so i update my tv to latest firmware. now i can see pc source in "menue". but its only activated when i put on my vga cable with mdp2vga adapter without put that into my macbook. would i put it into it pc source in menue of samsung is inactivated. So i go in pc source on samsung tv. after that i put in the adapter to the macbook. activate sync monitors in the monitor preferences. and take 1600 x 1200 (only this resulution works). than i get a picture. would i now switch to tv source and switch return to pc source it didnt work anymore. so i have to do the same procedure again....

maybe i find another way to work with 1920 and 1080 with vga. otherwise i will test mda2dvi with a dvi2hdmi adapter. maybe it works.

Feb 10, 2009 2:45 PM in response to rustybrick

EXACTLY the same problem here... 23" Apple Cinema Display.

Feb 15, 2009 2:21 PM in response to Pfanny

I have a samsung HDTV as well. How do you update the firmware on it?

Same problem here. Mac recognizes the connection in the displays, but TV says check signal cable...

I not that enthusiastic about installing boot camp and windows 7 beta on to my mac just to trick the display into working either.

MacBook Pro Late 2008 External Display Issues