Newsroom Updates

> Introducing Apple Intelligence for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

> macOS Sequoia takes productivity and intelligence on Mac to new heights

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

5 points

Mac Pro sometimes displays static after displays wake up from sleep

Twice already when waking my two displays from sleep, the primary display will show just colored static, not the login window. The external display seems fine and shows just a blank screen. If I type in my password, the static goes away and the primary display shows the desktop. I can't reproduce the problem... it just happens (so far, infrequently).

I recently upgraded from an older Intel Mac Pro to a stock Early 2009 Mac Pro with 2 x 2.26 Quad-Core Xeon using the same two displays (a 19" Samsung and a 24" Dell) I had before. The 19" Samsung is connected via a mini displayport to DVI adapter and the 24" Dell is connected via DVI and is the primary display. My Mac never sleeps; only the displays sleep and I have it configured to require a password when waking from sleep or screen saver. I also have the Flurry screen saver enabled.

I basically unplugged my old Mac Pro and plugged in my new Mac Pro to my existing setup (displays, network, keyboard, mouse). This never happened with my old Mac Pro so I doubt that it's a problem with the 24" Dell (unless it's a huge coincidence that it started happening after I upgraded).

I want to reiterate that the 24" display is NOT connected via the mini displayport to DVI adapter, but through the DVI port. This problem happened once yesterday and once today and I've had the new Mac since Monday. I'd say my displays go to sleep about 6 times a day since I go in and out of my office often. The problem has yet to happen when I wake up the display first thing in the morning.

Early 2009 Mac Pro 2 x 2.26 Quad-Core Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 24" Dell display via DVI, 19" Samsung display via mini displayport to DVI

Posted on Mar 19, 2009 12:58 PM

149 replies

Jan 21, 2011 10:39 AM in response to chinhster

I had the noise after booting from Windows to Mac OS, and when starting the Mac after power on. Shutting off the Monitor (DELL, DVI) does never help, so I use to use the hot-corner-workaround after having logged in blindly.

No problems with Windows, so far, so I think it's a big driver problem -- or an ugly hardware problem that needs a workaround in the driver.

I own only one monitor.

Fjan

Level 1

10 points

Jan 23, 2011 12:50 PM in response to Andi-0815

I get this too on a 5870. I have two monitors attached, an Apple and a Dell and it only happens to the Dell.

From what I picked up somewhere else the grey static is most likely caused by HDCP negotiation failing between monitor and card.

Mar 4, 2011 3:13 PM in response to Fjan

I'm still dealing with all of these issues - anyone had Apple actually resolve anything yet?

grdh20

Level 1

72 points

Apr 5, 2011 9:35 AM in response to MarkCutler

This does not not go away with 10.5.7 and I really suspect it is a Video card hardware bug shared between a few ATI models. Maybe something in the vid card connector itself? Then again, I think some have reported same problem on display port connectors too. In any case, my MP 2010 (5870) is set to not ever to go to sleep, but sometimes on start up, when I get to the desktop, I get snow/static covering the screen. If I unplug the DVI cable and plug it back in at the computer, then it returns to normal. I have tried a different cable. It doesn't happen allot, but does continue from time to time. very frustrating not to be able to pin down though.

grdh20

Level 1

72 points

Apr 5, 2011 9:37 AM in response to grdh20

sorry I meant 10.6.7 above.

Apr 5, 2011 3:00 PM in response to grdh20

I'm pretty sure the white noise issue is caused by poor HDCP verification on Apple's part. Many 3rd party displays that have HDCP support are showing this - however - white noise doen't appear on displays that don't have HDCP in my experiences.

Keep bothering Apple about it.

grdh20

Level 1

72 points

Apr 6, 2011 12:11 PM in response to Spacecadetcraig

I don't understand what HDCP - High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection would have to do with getting infrequent static at boot on the desktop? I don't think that is it unless I'm missing something. Also, my static has nothing to do with sleep whereas most others report this from sleep. Do you still think it is the same issue?

Apr 6, 2011 2:53 PM in response to grdh20

I can't be 100% sure it's HDCP issue but I feel confident about it. I'm in the same boat with you: sleep isn't the only time static hits me - it can happen utterly randomly.

The white noise is usually what happens when the HDCP technology doesn't think you have permission to be viewing the content on the screen (which is ridiculous). It's a form of DRM for displays. I don't think Apple spends much time (if any) testing HDCP compliancy on 3rd party products and this may be why it's happening only to people on 3rd party products and not Apple's own displays.

grdh20

Level 1

72 points

Apr 7, 2011 9:13 AM in response to Spacecadetcraig

I wonder if anyone has figured out a way to disable HDCP on a mac?

jlow00

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2011 4:44 PM in response to grdh20

I've put up with this since November, I'd love to see if someone can disable HDCP to see if that really works. I'm betting that a driver replacement may be required and is likely prohibitive and totally not supported. Has any body else called apple on this to see what the status is?

YeeHa!

Level 1

110 points

Apr 10, 2011 9:09 PM in response to jlow00

I called tech support yesterday. The guy that answered knew nothing about any problems with static/snow display... Suggested that I make an appt to take it in to an Apple store. Also suggested that I try resetting the SMC. Anyone try that?

grdh20

Level 1

72 points

Apr 11, 2011 11:33 AM in response to YeeHa!

yes I have tried resetting SMC for other reasons and the problem I have as since IO don't use "sleep", the problem is not infrequent enough to be able to show anyone from Apple or do any real troubleshooting. For anyone who can repeat this reliably, you should probably bring it is to show at an Apple store if it is possible. To Apple, this probably sounds more like a rumor than a real issue unfortunately.

tomk94

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2011 11:49 AM in response to chinhster

I have the same problem with my iMac 21.5" from 2010(cheapest model) connected with a Mini Displayport to DVI adapter and cable with the LG E2240. 50% of the times i turn the screen on after startup or after sleep the screens shows white snow/noise.

It's very annoying. I hope there will be a solution soon. Will it be usefull to RMA the Mini Displayport to DVI adapter?

Forrest

Level 1

142 points

Apr 28, 2011 9:36 AM in response to chinhster

I have a new Mac Pro with a Samsung monitor. I experience the "snow" phenomenon -- but not always. When it happens, I simply power cycle the monitor and it goes away.

Mike_MV

Level 1

0 points

Apr 29, 2011 3:03 PM in response to chinhster

Even before I had my 2009 Mac Pro, I would get this TV-like snow issue on my PC "hackintosh".

I used to think that this problem was because the monitor had a problem, but now I know differently.

C'mon, Apple. We paid for high-end computers for a reason. How about a fix for this?

Mac Pro sometimes displays static after displays wake up from sleep