periodic Dual-link display problem with new adapter

Since the nvidia update, things have been MUCH better in my experiences. However there are still times when the fuzzy effect appears, but it now works fine most of the time in dual-display mode with the dell 30".

here's also an interesting update to that issue:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/29/applepulls_nvidia_graphics_update_reasonsunclear.html

the previous graphics update patch was removed from apple update. what that means for people that already installed that patch is not clear, since apple is silent regarding all problems with that adapter.
even more, they claim it is fully working (it clearly isn't) - see http://www.macworld.com/article/138423/2009/01/duallinkdvi.html

can someone tell me why this question is marked as "answered"? a lot of people are still having issues and this silence and ignorance from apple regarding this product is actually very disappointing.

I have the same problem (+ the snow problem when using my Dell 30" 3007WFP). Please fix this, Apple.

Kthxbye.

I don't think this is a hardware issue. I have the same Dell 30" 3007WFP, and I get the same fuzzy picture after a while when I run Mac OS. However, I've been using Bootcamp (Windows 7) *for several days now*, and I haven't seen this issues once.

After hours on the phone with Apple, they called me back and told me "This is an issue with the monitor I'm using (Dell 30"), and that only the Apple Cinema Displays are supported"

Can you believe that nonsense?!?!

hi,

just chiming in that i have the same problem as the original poster, wish i'd checked out the forums before i bought, aaargh! please let this be a software issue and can be fixed.

Macbook Pro (Late 2008)
10.5.6
Dell 3007WFP-HC

Apple are you out there? It would be better that you warn people on the Apple store before more and more of us buy a product that does not work as advertised. This dual link adaptor is said to work with external monitors...it so far does not. It does not always work with a Apple display either. We all know this here. But how about the next crowd who will buy?
It would be good for someone who is from Apple to at least tell us what to expect.
All of us here on this forum have been living with no solution now for months!
I am on my second adaptor and don't even get jack from Apple

Just letting you know that i phoned Apple today and got a refund, no questions asked. I think Apple now know this is a faulty product as they've changed the product description to show that it's only for their own 30" monitor.

We may have to wait for a third-party to release an adapter that works. Unless it's the Macbook Pro that's actually the problem (it's my guess that it is.)

Macbook Pro (Late 2008)
10.5.6
Dell 3007WFP-HC monitor

this is very strange, since apple claimed in a press sendout that the adapters work with any 30" monitor.
see this statement fro apple: +"This story was updated on 1/23 at 4:10 p.m. after receiving clarfication from Apple that the adapter in question is intended to work with 30-inch displays other than Apple's"+
http://www.macworld.com/article/138423/2009/01/duallinkdvi.html

reading the other entries and discussions in the web about this issue, it seems like everyone has problems with this adapter.
http://www.displayblog.com/2008/12/30/apple-mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ad apter-distortion-problems/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=applemini+display+port+dual+dviproblems&btnG=Search

here are some updates on my proceedings with apple regarding the new 15" macbook pro, the mini display port to dual link dvi adapter and the 30" apple cinema display:

* it can be a hardware issue, since problems don't seem to exist with macbooks or macbook airs. the only affected models seem to be the 15" macbook pros ( see http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/MB571Z/A ) - it is said, that there are USB power regulation problems, which means mainboard replacements. which apple would never do.

* i got my macbook pro replaced, strangely after plugging the adapter the external screens seems to work out of the box. since this is leopard 10.5.5 i can recommend leaving the osx at this version, not updating to 10.5.6 as is written on the box of the adapter!

still i have some issues, some flickering from time to time, and also strange flickering on some website backgrounds, such as on http://railsrocket.com

i cannot tell if 10.5.6 is the problem, staying on 10.5.5 fixed most of the issues for me. other facts that i can tell from reading lots of blog entries and speaking to lots of people about this issue:

- on bootcamp/windows it seems to work without any problems. this indicates that a software update could fix the issues.
- there are different results when changing the garphic card that is used. find the settings in System Preferences -> Energy Saver
- if you have installed the "nvidia graphics update 2009" reinstall your osx and stay on 10.5.5. that fixed the issue for me. (the graphics update ***** up)
- third party monitors show the same problems as apple cinema displays. in fact, the monitors use similar panels, apple does not "produce" the hardware! most of the apple cinema displays use a LG.Philips S-IPS panel. so actually all the 30" monitors should work the same, or not work at all. which is the case (the adapter also fails on 30" apple cinema displays)

-m

another piece of information:
according to a post on macrumors, ALL macbook pro 2008 and 2009 models have defective nvidia chipsets. see http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=641297

maybe this issues are related? (see also http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1807105&tstart=0 which could be related with the external display problems)

Hey NoseBleed,

When you stated that Apple gave you a refund, did they refund your money for the MacBook Pro, or just the money you spent on the DVI adapter?

they refunded the adapter.

I've been on the road for over a month. I assumed when I left that this would have been fixed by the time I got back. Unfortunately, it hasn't been. In the first hour with the 30" monitor I've had the fuzzies four times. Had to drop to 1280x800 then pop back up to 2560x1600 to fix it.

I checked Software Update in case there was a fix I missed, but there is nothing there yet.

I'm sure this must have been reproduced internally at Apple, with a Cinema Display or a 3rd party 30" monitor. I've seen it with both.

Please, Apple, I know you like to be secretive about your development process, but if you have any information to share on this, please let us all know.

FWIW, because of this problem my company is no longer buying the new MacBook Pros. We are now exclusively buying surplus or used last generation MacBook Pros because they work with 30" monitors and the new ones don't.