Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter creates jumpy mouse cursor

wanderinghome:

Please DO keep us posted on the data capture you're doing for them. Did your contact say anything about the frequent (6 times every 30 seconds) writes to the system.log?

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The guy I spoke with didn't mention anything about the frequent system writes, but I imagine that it was what he read about it in the other posts in the thread that prompted him to email me that program.

I've noticed that when I work in lightroom and am adjusting sliders where I hold the mouse button down while working them the problem seems to disappear- only free movement of the mouse seems to be affected. Please post your observations on this too, as it might be helpful to Apple moderators.

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If I hold the mouse button down to, for example, drag a window around, I experience the same stutter.

I have two case #'s with Apple--one of them through Executive Relations (as a result of my email to Steve Jobs). The exchange went something like this:

- The Exec. Relations person (Melissa) told me she was going to do whatever possible to make me happy. She was going to start by having an "Engineer" calll me the next day.

- The next day, someone from Apple called (a tech guy, but not an Engineer). He said the engineers couldn't' reproduce the problem and he wanted to capture my machine for testing. He said they would send me my fixed machine back or a replacement after this testing. For some reason, he never asked about log files or console entries.

- I told him I'd been waiting over two months already (for the adapter, at least) and didn't think I should have to wait even longer. He agreed and said he'd call Melissa back to see if they could cross ship a replacement.

- Melissa called me back about a half hour later and said if she sent me a replacement that "there was no guarantee it would work" and I would not be allowed to return it. She then tried to push me to another system (like an iMac) or to return my current MBP and not buy another one. I have no idea what she and the other rep discussed before she called me back, but her attitude quickly went from "do whatever I can to help you" to "you should return your computer or buy an iMac." It's almost like she knew that this problem was inherent to the design of the setup and adapter and would not be going away.

Since I already had an RMA for my first purchase, I just decided to reorder a new one and not "waive" any of my return rights. The new machine behaves the same way. When I booted up the new machine, I tested it out with the pre-installed 10.5.5 system to see if the problem persisted--it did not until I installed 10.5.6.

I would call back the Apple support person to tell him about these log entries, but he didn't provide me with a name or number. All I have is Melissa's contact info, and she's gone for a while due to the Holidays.

I do have an Apple store nearby, but I know better than to go there. For the past two months nobody (including the store manager and assistant manager) knew anything about this adapter. It seems silly that I have to educate them about their own products.

Another user reports no mouse issues with his Dell 30" monitor: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8694654#8694654

(although he has other issues)

Maybe this only affects the 30" Cinema Displays.

In addition to the mouse jump/system log problem, is anyone seeing red horizontal streaks/flashes whenever a solid black background is displayed (such as during boot, or return from screen saver)?

Jeff

Jeff,

Please keep this thread related to the mouse issue. In answer to your question, I do sometimes see horizontal lines (mine are blue) and sparkles on dark backgrounds. I'm pretty sure there are already multiple threads about these video anomalies.

I’ve got a few more data points to consider. The jumping mouse issue doesn’t manifest at the option choose boot disk screen. Also, the MacBook won’t boot into safe mode if the adapter is attached. After booting into safe mode, the adapter can be attached and works. However, it manifests the jumping mouse issue in safe mode as well. I hope that this info helps the experts at Apple to fix this issue as it grows more annoying as each day without a fix passes. I would imagine that we Cinema Display owners represent some of the best customers that Apple has.

SecondAct:

Did you call Apple and/or submit feedback online? They may not read these forums.

An update on the 'mouse button held down' issue:

Yes, the behaviour still exhibits when the mouse button is held down, but you have to look closely to see it, as the cursor jumps less than half an inch. I guess most of the time I was concentrating on the on-image results and didn't notice the small movements. But yes, they still occur even when the button is held down.

Sorry to assume otherwise. krypptic, your observations regarding safe mode and the adapter seem like they would be helpful- thanks for posting them.

P.S. Does this only affect USB mice? Has anyone tried using a BT mouse? Apple or other brand? I love my logitech VX revolution more than any other mouse I've had, but it would be good to know anyway...

My windows move more than half an inch, so I don't have to look very closely at all.

I have tried a Logitech Bluetooth mouse and a wired Apple Mighty mouse--they both do this.

Second Act gets credit for the safe mode comments. Hopefully they will do some good.

Whoops! You're right. Credit to second act, where it belongs for that observation. Yes, MOVING windows with the mouse button down they jump far more than half an inch, but adjusting sliders it doesn't. Seems like it's tied to how fast and how far the cursor itself is moving maybe?

You're right. Resizing windows still skips, but much less so.

I have one of these adapters scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. My MBP is still running 10.5.5. Am I correct that my best bet and this point is to stick with 10.5.5 until there is a software fix for the mouse problem (in 10.5.7 perhaps)?

Well, supposedly the adapter requires 10.5.6 to be installed. I had it working with 10.5.5, but I don't know if this will introduce other issues. Plus, 10.5.6 introduced a number of fixes specific to the MBP Unibody. So, not updating may solve the mouse issue but open you up to other problems.

I'm choosing to suffer with the mouse issue for now rather than downgrading to 10.5.5 while anxiously awaiting a cure.