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Level 1

9 points

External Display Resolution 1920 x 1200 missing in System Preferences

After using my Black MacBook (2.4ghz, 4gb, 250GB) for 9 months with my HP 2408w 24" external display at 1920 x 1200 (recommended resolution), ALL of a sudden, that resolution is no longer available in System Preferences.

It seems, after the 10.5.7 Leopard update, the problem started. Its totally annoying and obviously a video display driver issue.

Using the mini-DVI to DVI adapter with a DVI/HDMI cable.
Max resolution is now...1920 x 1080.

But ---

When i swtich to the VGA adapter & cable, BAM 1920 x 1280 works like it used to with DVI. Only now the image (on analog VGA) isnt nearly as sharp as the DVI image.

Apple, why did you break this?? There is no way that I can find to manually "set" the resolution, so I am stuck with the crummy picture on VGA, or the sqashed image on the DVI 1920 x 1080.

Apple store is clueless (as usual) but they will take my MacBook for 10-14 days and swap out the logic board -- WOW thanks!

Its probably my fault, I need to STOP applying this system updates...I should have learned by now!

Anyone know how to go back to 10.5.6 ????

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.7), External Display No Longer Working

Posted on Jun 14, 2009 7:45 PM

31 replies

MacBook_sf Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 15, 2009 9:19 PM in response to Travis Chapman

Travis - Your external display issue is different from the thread. When you use Mirroring, MAC OS uses a resolution that allows for the Laptop LCD to still function, while also showing the image on your external display.
This is normal.
From the menu bar, select the Display Icon and it will list the independent resolutions for both displays and u can change it there.

The problem with us other users (HELLO APPLE???)
is when using a DVI cable or DVI->HDMI cable specifically on HP 24" monitors, the resolution cannot be set correctly (1900x1200) as we could in 10.5.6.

My crap solution, has been to boot from a USB HD with OS 10.5.6 when i need to use the external display.

<Edited by: Host>

Jul 16, 2009 1:39 AM in response to MacBook_sf

1. If you can ever live without your Mac for that time, it might be good to have the logic board replaced. Maybe it's just me, but I like fresh parts, but I also have a second computer to use, and It's summer so as a student, I'm free. My computer was just sent in last Thurs for a repair and it was returned Mon. They were only supposed to replace 2 parts, but I also got a completely new keyboard, logic board, and outer display case so my Mac looks brand new.

2. For most apps archive and install works. There's on a few places for system files it doesn't.

In your testing has it made a difference if you download the stand alone updates vs using software update? It seems like it wouldn't make a difference in this case but it's hard to tell.

Jul 21, 2009 10:43 AM in response to MacBook_sf

Bumping this topic.

I have the same problem here with an LG Flatron L246WH 24" on DVI/HDMI connected to my MacBook. Can't get the resolution to 1920x1200. It appears my MacBook decides it's a TV, and gives me the "TV Output" stuff in the Options tab.
I tried SwitchResX but it didn't work. I'm stuck with 1920x1080xOverscan. I have to work with this setup and it hurts my eyes.

Jul 21, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Rense VanderHoek

Let me add that the display is not on HDMI->VIDEO settings, it's HDMI->PC.

cpage76

Level 1

0 points

Jul 22, 2009 2:32 PM in response to MacBook_sf

here's a little trick...you have to trick your laptop into thinking that there's only one display...check out this topic.

Topic : Bluetooth Device Not Waking Up Laptop in Closed Lid Mode

Although its mainly about using closed lid mode, i think you'll be able to set your preferred resolution as long as your tv and mac are capable of this. In addition, i would recommend you invest in a mini-dvi to hdmi. using an adapter between cables like you mentioned could have something to do with it too. You can't neccessarily chain adapters and other cables and expect to get the same result. onsale.com has the minidvi to hdmi for $20 other retailers sale it for $50. Ebay has it for $10 but they're from China 😟.

Topic : Bluetooth Device Not Waking Up Laptop in Closed Lid Mode

Once you follow these instructions, check to see if you display menu lists the resolution you want.

~chris

MacBook_sf Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2009 10:59 PM in response to cpage76

Chris, your reply has nothing to do with the thread. Not sure why you even posted it here.

We are complaining about an issue setting video resolution, not tv.

What are you talking about?

cpage76

Level 1

0 points

Jul 23, 2009 3:25 PM in response to MacBook_sf

my bad. i thought Acer was a TV manufacturer. thought i give my 2 cents since what i found indirectly trying to use closed lid mode gave me other resolution options that i didn't have before.

well anyway...good luck with the issue.

Jul 23, 2009 9:09 PM in response to cpage76

Also happening to me - I have a 24" Westinghouse display that I had been running at 1920 x 1200 for a long time - now all of the sudden the highest resolution I can use is 1920x1080 (interlaced) and it flickers HORRIBLY - as if something is wrong. I hope this gets fixed SOON, or if someone knows of a solution, PLEASE tell me.

Jul 26, 2009 10:49 AM in response to MacBook_sf

Another very annoyed user. Running DVI out on my MacBook air to HDMI, 24 inch 1920x1200 display. I fought this for weeks (tried utilities), then called Apple Care and they acknowledged the problem and gave a vague indication it would be fixed sometime. I went on vacation for a few weeks, figuring there would be an upgrade. Nothing yet. Apple please fix this quickly.

Aug 2, 2009 9:58 AM in response to MacBook_sf

I'm having the same problem on my new Macbook pro 13 inch with my dell's 2407wfp-hc monitor. My system came with the 10.5.7 version so I don't think I can downgrade my system without reinstalling leopard. I don't know also if the installation dvd comes with the 10.5.7 or a previous version. It's unacceptable. For now I'm losing space in my monitor due to this problem.

The first day of my mac, I think that it detected my monitor as a 2407wfp-hc monitor, but not now, it only detects a "Vga monitor". It's so confusing.

I'm connecting it by vga with the miniDisplay port adapter. Also I'm having problems with the monitor with windows xp and bootcamp. It's worst than this, the monitor's resolution is 640x480 all the time and I can't change it, I've tryed various drivers but nothing seems to work.

I'm disapointed with Apple, this is my first mac and the experience by the moment it's not as good as it could be.

Anyone has ideas how to fix it?

MacBook_sf Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 2, 2009 1:26 PM in response to digitallxd

Wow this is your first Mac and you have these weird display issues.

I posted the original problem because Apple including the "Genius" bar refused to acknowledge the problem.

The OLNY workaround is --- buy an external HD, download 10.5.6 from online and install it onto the drive and boot from it.

Option 2 -- Re-install OS X from the 10.5.6 installer, but as you stated its a new MacBook(pro 13" - i have the black macbook) so im not 100% certain if the 10.5.6 installer can be installed "on its own"

I am using the mini-dvi to VGA adapter until Apple owns upto this screw up. It actually works ok on vga 24" 1900x1200 but not as clear as hdmi/dvi

merloin

Level 1

4 points

Aug 4, 2009 12:47 PM in response to MacBook_sf

I too ran the updater to make the jump from 10.5.6 to 10.5.7 on my Mac Mini 1.66 core duo/1GB/120G SSD and completely lost the proper monitor settings for my LG 50" plasma TV. It ran beautifully and looked GREAT before this update. Even noodling with SwitchResX could not bring back the proper settings. I will be trying to downgrade back to 10.5.6 tonight and I already know that it will take hours.

I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO THIS BEFORE APPLE! I used to trust system updates but this one seems CRAZY to me. Even worse, these comments have been here since May and nothing has changed or been fixed yet !! Very surprising and disappointing coming from Apple.

Is there something else going on here? Is there an upcoming product that competes with my Mini hooked up to the TV? If there is it better be pretty **** awesome. Might it have anything to do with DRM?

APPLE, PLEASE HELP.

Brad Nelson

Aug 5, 2009 2:27 PM in response to MacBook_sf

The new (just released) 10.5.8 update seems to have a fix for it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3606

"Resolves an issue in which certain resolutions might not appear in the Display pane in System Preferences."

Updating! 🙂

Aug 6, 2009 10:26 AM in response to Rense VanderHoek

It worked for me! Huzzah!

merloin

Level 1

4 points

Aug 6, 2009 12:25 PM in response to merloin

****! I just finished reinstalling everything from scratch and the day I finish is the day they come out with 10.5.8. Just my luck!

External Display Resolution 1920 x 1200 missing in System Preferences