ADC - DVI adapter (or KVM switch) Apple Display dark / dim : Solution

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ADC - DVI adapter (or KVM switch) Apple Display dark / dim : Solution

Just posting a solution to an issue that was perplexing. If you're running an ADC apple display through a ADC/DVI adapter with boot camp (or sharing an ADC display via an ADC KVM switch box) and your display is going dim on you... here's what worked for me....

Simply go to System Preferences>Displays and re adjust the Brightness slider each time this happens. I don't know what causes this but for some reason my display will default back to the dimmest setting randomly when I use my KVM switch. Before I found the solution I was pulling hair out. But the fix, though cause is a mystery to me, is basic, albeit somewhat temporary, as it seems to re-occur.

Mac pro, 8 x 2.8, 8GB Ram, 2.5TB, Mac OS X (10.5.6), boot camp, win xp 32bit SP3.

Posted on May 28, 2009 10:56 PM

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Answer 1

MartyP

Level 1

59 points

Jun 15, 2009 5:49 PM in response to Michael Northcutt

Hi Mike,

Hope you're still watching for replies. My problem is with Windows XP Pro in Boot Camp. We seem to be running similar systems. My display is an older Apple 23 inch Cinema display with the ADC connector - using Apple's humungous and always hot ADC to DVI converter box.

When I leave Mac, I set the display for max brightness in sys prefs (which is still very bright on this 6 year old display) - or use the slider in the menu bar Display prefs. When I boot Windows the screen is dim - but it also changes the Mac's setting back to dim when rebooting into Mac, as you've noticed. Have to readjust the slider each time.

But in Windows it's dim and unadjustable as far as I can see. When booted into Win XP Pro SP3 the various boot windows that pass seem bright. Once on the desktop all is totally dim. There is no white at all, just dark gray. The Nvidia 8800GT drivers are there as is the Nvidia control panel. But nothing works. The sliders don't brighten or dim - there is only an effect from some of the Nvidia controls that change contrast or gamma - but not brightness - it stays dark but flares a bit. The Windows Display control panel has no effect either. The screen is as dim as it can get short of being off.

When I set up the Boot Camp partition some months ago I don't remember a dim screen problem. It may have happened after I updated to OS 10.5.7. That could be the problem. But I can find no way out and don't have the time to downgrade the OS to 10.5.6. I'd sure be glad to hear any other suggestions you may have uncovered. Personally, I'm stumped.

Thanks,

MartyP

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