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Dell 2209wa Monitor compatability

I've just plugged in my Dell monitor and doesn't work through the DVI cable only VGA with adaptor plus the screen looks terrible (type blocky and distorted). Optimum screen resolution is 1680 x 1050 but that isn't a preset option. Anybody any ideas on driver support for this from either Mac or Dell?

Also what the **** happened to the Firewire 400 slot, they've removed it!! What a drag is there an adaptor available I don't have a USB or 800 firewire cable.

2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 22, 2009 2:35 AM

Reply
14 replies

Apr 1, 2009 2:01 PM in response to javierp

To be blunt, you're doing something wrong.

The Dell 2209WA I just received and plugged in is working fine with my 09 2.93GHz Quad using the supplied DVI cable.

I'm running it as the only display, and I have the Dell set to the DVI input. (not auto)

All digital handshaking comes up just fine, and native resolution is offered in OS X System Preferences panel.

E.

Apr 2, 2009 12:27 PM in response to javierp

You do understand that you are in the MAC PRO 2009 forum, right?

If you are having trouble specific to a MacBOOK Pro, perhaps you should be asking in that forum's display section.

As rjglasse has mentioned, since this is a MacBOOK Pro, hit the hot key on the keyboard to ensure that the unit is either in screen spanning or screen mirroring mode to force the MacBook Pro to output to both video outputs. (Onboard LCD As well as External) You can also make sure the checkbox for mirrored displays is checked in the System Preferences panel for Displays.

E.

Apr 13, 2009 11:28 AM in response to AnotherMacProUser

My display preferences has no 'Mirroring' option, just a series of resolutions (not including the one I want), 'colors', 'detect display' (does nothing) and 'rotate'. (Yes, I understand what forum I'm in, I have a Mac Pro early 2009.) I have yet to try the duel DVI cable this seems my only option as the screen is blank with the current DVI cable so no opportunity to alter any prefs (this is also the case with my aging Macbook pro). Weird?

Apr 13, 2009 11:39 AM in response to koalawatcher

The forum locale wasn't directed at you, Koala. The other user I replied to was having issues on his MacBook Pro apparently, and because they hijacked your thread, I responded directly to them about their misplacement of their post.

Which video card did you get in your MP09? (the GT120 or the ATI 4850?)

Are you attempting to use both ports at the same time, or just one?

If you are using ONLY one display, the mirroring option should not be available to you, as OS X will not have detected multiple displays during startup, so there is no reason to offer mirroring. =) That comment was meant more for the MacBook Pro user that hijacked your thread, since notebook computers have a built in display by default. (1 + 1 = 2 displays. =D )

Have you tried using JUST the DVI port, DVI cable, and setting the monitor to DVI input ONLY (not the auto setting) yet?

If you have the ATI 4850 like I do, I cannot see why your setup would not work when mine took literally 20 seconds to plug in and get running.

Also, the reason you are not seeing the native resolution of the Dell is because 1600 x 1050 is not a standard resoltion. When connected via analog (VGA) OS X only will display 'standard' resolutions as defined in the monitor definition files. (1600x1050 is not included in the default files) When you use DVI, that information is communicated DIGITALLY to the video card, which is why it shows up in the list. (you possibly already know this though)

As mentioned above, remove all connectors from the graphics card, plug just the bundled DVI cable in, switch the Dell monitor to DVI input in ONLY (not auto) and start the MP09 up.

Report back what happens when you do that.

E.

Apr 16, 2009 12:06 PM in response to AnotherMacProUser

Thanks E and apologies everyone (well the apology would strictly be from Dell): I have got the duel DVI cable and followed E's detailed instructions still to no avail. I thought this is too weird so I tried the other Dell monitor (I bought two but left one boxed as I suspected they would need returning) sure enough popped straight up so 3 weeks of pillar to post investigation has resulted in being a dodgy monitor all along!! Thanks all for your contributions.

KW

Apr 16, 2009 12:11 PM in response to koalawatcher

OY!

Had I known you had a spare, I'd have told you to test that right at the outset. =)

Glad you finally got it resolved. Send the dodgy one back, and make Dell replace it PRONTO.

Now, you get to deal with the MiniDisplay Port Adapter issues I've been reading about, if you intend on running a dual monitor setup with that second one.... =P

Good luck! LOL.

E.

Dell 2209wa Monitor compatability

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