External Display Resolution 1920 x 1200 missing in System Preferences

Question

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

Reply

Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jun 15, 2009 8:33 AM in response to MacBook_sf

Here is a link to an article with some downgrade strategies...

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20090514132546680

Reply

Answer 2

MacBook_sf Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 16, 2009 7:51 AM in response to BSteely

Decided to test 10.5.6 by installing on an extra drive, and swapping it in the MacBook with the 10.5.7.

Just as I expected, the external display works perfectly. Apple has definitely changed or broken the video driver.

I could try to use Archive/Install, but from what I have read from Apples own Support Pages, there will still be problems with applications that will need to be re-installed.

Geez I wish I hadn't upgraded to 10.5.7 - where is the Apples QA Testing??

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 17, 2009 1:22 AM in response to MacBook_sf

I am also experiencing this issue. My 24" monitor no longer has an option for 1920x1280 when I connect it via the DVI to HDMI connection. This is completely annoying and unacceptable. Now I wonder if there's a fix coming or if I have to downgrade from 10.5.7 to 10.5.6 somehow. Is that even possible without losing work done?

Reply

Answer 4

Houd.ini

Level 1

0 points

Jun 18, 2009 8:46 AM in response to MacBook_sf

I want to chime in on this too, I am also missing the native 1920x1200 display resolution for my monitor since the 10.5.7 update, and I know at least one other person on my local forum that has the same problem. The only 16:10 resolution I can choose is 1280x800, which is quite useless on a 24" screen. Get this fixed Apple!

Reply

Answer 5

Jun 19, 2009 11:07 AM in response to MacBook_sf

I am quite upset as I use this machine for my standard definition video editing station and editing on a 24" LCD at a lower than native resolution is impossible. Apple REALLY needs to get on this and get it fixed asap.

I tried using switchRESx, but couldn't get it to work, if anyone has any ideas or solutions, I'm all ears!

Thanks.
Philip

Reply

Answer 6

MacBook_sf Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2009 1:51 PM in response to s9tpepper

UPDATE --

Yes this is totally annoying Apple...

Geinus Bar still wants to replace my perfectly good Black MacBook Logic Board. I say no way (10-15 day turn around time).

*******************************
Heres what I did -- I had an extra drive so I installed a fresh OSX, and applied ComboUpdate 10.5.6 and put that drive into the MacBook.

You guessed it -- now my 24" HP Monitor works as it used to 1900 x 1200.

So, I swapped the drives back in the MacBook to 10.5.7 (UGH)

I wanted to TRY an Archive/Install but the Mac Repair Mgr at the Apple Store said its not 100%. I will still need to re-install apps (a pain in the a*#!)

So, for now I am using the 10.5.6 drive as an external USB with the "Option" key at startup. Oddly, an Apple "Genius" told me OSX can only be booted from a Firewire external drive...Guess I am the Genius after all!

Seriously, I have submitted this via Apple.com/feedback please do the same.

The Genius Tech Mgr promised to escalate this to Senior Apple Care, but since 10.5.8 has already been seeded to the Dev's, Im not holding my breath.

Device drivers (aka windows) totally suck, but at times I admit it is really useful. Or at lease a Restore Point to go back to the last OSX Update....Sheesh

Reply

Answer 7

Jun 19, 2009 4:07 PM in response to MacBook_sf

This needs to be a hotfix ASAP, it is absolutely unacceptable.

Reply

Answer 8

Jun 21, 2009 4:34 PM in response to s9tpepper

I have the same exact problem. I reported it on the apple.com/feedback site also. I urge others to do the same. This is definitely a regression.

I have 2 exact same Macbooks, and I only updated one of them to 10.5.7, and that's the one that has this problem. The one on 10.5.6 is working as it has been the last year and a half.

It's surprising that this scenario is not well tested at Apple.

I wonder if they read these forums and how they can practically issue just a driver update. I hope we don't have to wait for 10.5.9!! Argh.

Reply

Answer 9

kklare

Level 1

110 points

Jun 21, 2009 5:54 PM in response to MacBook_sf

My early 2009 is working fine with mini-DVI to HDMI to 1920x1080 TV.
Plugged and played, mirror or separate.
-Ken

Reply

Answer 10

Jun 21, 2009 6:07 PM in response to kklare

HDTVs are not the issue. The issue are 1920x1200 resolution 24" monitors do not work from a mini-dvi to DVI adapter. Only HDTV resolution works (1920x1080) which is why your HDTV works.

Reply

Answer 11

Jun 21, 2009 7:26 PM in response to MacBook_sf

I have a similar problem but with only a 17" screen. The resolution is stuck on 800x600! I can't change it. The problem was created when Apple Help on line suggested that I download the software upgrade from 10.5.6 to 10.5.7. Does anyone have any suggestions?????

Reply

Answer 12

Jun 21, 2009 10:11 PM in response to MacBook_sf

I have the exact same problem with my HP w2408h and my mid-2007 Black MacBook via DVI/HDMI.

Fortunately, it seems to work if you reinstall the software from scratch and update using Mac OS X 10.5.6 Combo Update found here:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_6_ComboUpdate

I hope someone from Apple will patch this flaw ASAP.

Thank you.

Reply

Answer 13

Jun 21, 2009 10:32 PM in response to Lightspire

So you reinstalled OSX and went back to 10.5.6 right?

Unfortunately that's not an option right now as I'm in the middle of a project, but this is truly annoying and should be fixed asap.

Reply

Answer 14

Jul 12, 2009 3:30 AM in response to MacBook_sf

Hi all

I seem to be having the same problem.

Im using a macbook pro with a native resolution of 1440x900 plugged into LGtv/monitor via DVI to HDMI. It worked fantastic for a year, then a few days ago i plugged in my set up and 1440x900 has gone from my system preferences for my external monitor.

I too had just upgraded to 10.5.7. Ive tried everything other than a complete reinstallation of osx, im gutted.

Steve

Reply

Answer 15

Jul 15, 2009 5:55 AM in response to MacBook_sf

I want to confirm (as much as possible) that my similar problem has the same root cause, the 10.5.7 upgrade.

Last week I purchased a 20" Acer LCD monitor. This is my first time using an external monitor with my MacBook. I am connecting through Apple's Mini DVI to DVI adapter. The Acer monitor's native resolution is 1600 x 900. I can see this resolution (and select it) when I am using both the built-in MacBook LCD and the Acer. However, when I select the display mirroring option, the 1600 x 900 resolution is not available and the icons, windows, text, etc. are grainy when displayed on the Acer monitor.

Can I be optimistic that this issue will be resolved in a future OS X update? I intend to purchase the Snow Leopard upgrade when it is available. Otherwise I need to investigate returning the monitor because it is not currently able to do what I want it to do.

Reply