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

User profile for user: Pierre Cross
Pierre Cross Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Ati 4870 Monitor/Mouse problem

Hi!

I have one Mac Pro Quad Core Nehalem 2.66Ghz with one ATI 4870 connected to two Acer Al2423 (1920x1200 at 60 Hz). One is connected using DVI cable and the other with the adapter Mini display port/DVI.

The problem here is the mouse movement, if you try to follow a straight line with the mouse (mighty mouse) the pointer jumps forward some times more rapidly than your hand movement. Imagine you want to select one button in some software and when you stop the mouse to click that button the pointer stops some inches after or behind... i'm getting nut with this thing.

Apple on the phone can't fix this thing... tried lot's of thing's: change ports, connect/disconnect, new OSX install (10.5.6) the 10.5.8 don't change nothing at all... with one monitor connected on the the DVI port or using only the Mini Display Port...

I have BootCamp installed with Vista Ultimate 32 Bit. and the mouse works very nice there but in OSX just jumps and moves erratically.

I visited a technical Apple center this morning and they didn't find any problem, i tested the machine with them and the mouse was very fine, not a single jump, using my keyboard and mouse and others in the center... they have the monitor there connected with VGA adapter.

After this journey changed the cables from DVI to VGA, with the adapters from DVI to VGA and MinDisplay Porte to VGA (on the two monitors) and the problem goes away... bad drivers from Apple/ATI?????

What can i do to solve this thing?

Regards

p.s. - Snow Leopard didn't solve this thing either

Mac Pro 2.66GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 27, 2009 1:57 PM

Reply
166 replies
User profile for user: Christoph Borsbach
Christoph Borsbach
User level: Level 1
0 points

Aug 29, 2009 4:18 AM in response to Pierre Cross

Hi Pierre,
i share your pain. I have the exact same problem. (look at some other threads, we are not alone). I talked to the apple hotline for 60 minutes yesterday, the problem was not resolved. i'm going to visit an authorized repair center on monday, but i doubt they will find anything because it's certainly a driver or perhaps a firmware problem with the ati card. Running my TFTs via VGA isn't an option, not with a ~2500 Euro computer. With Windows XP (Bootcamp) there is no problem.
Apple, are you listening? We need a driver update! I'll happily help testing!

Chris
Reply
User profile for user: Pierre Cross
Pierre Cross Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Aug 30, 2009 5:49 PM in response to Pierre Cross

Both OEM and PC flashed cards have the same problem, depending on monitors, of course.

I will investigate this thing related to HDCP:

The AppleUpstreamUserClient.ktext, ona a Hackintosh if you use a Disabler.ktext with it in its blacklist the jumping/mouse lag problem goes away.

If anyone knows how this thing works can give us a help? Found this in another forum...

Regards
Reply
User profile for user: Christoph Borsbach
Christoph Borsbach
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 3, 2009 11:38 PM in response to Christoph Borsbach

Replying to myself here: The HP LP2475w DOES work with the ATI-Card and "solved" the issue for me. Well, not really, but i'm at least happy for now as i wanted to buy it anyway. A nice display, recommended if you're in the market for one anyway.

Regards,
Christoph

P.S.: The Apple Service Provider has not even called back yet on this topic :-/
Reply
User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,321 points

Sep 4, 2009 6:50 AM in response to Pierre Cross

After this journey changed the cables from DVI to VGA, with the adapters from DVI to VGA and MinDisplay Porte to VGA (on the two monitors) and the problem goes away... bad drivers from Apple/ATI?????
What can i do to solve this thing?

You have solved it then, haven't you? The problem sounds like something with the adapter. Still, not quite sure how things are connected by reading your post, but if the mini-display port is involved I wouldn't be surprised if that was causing the problem. It is for many.

For the other poster, I'm glad you got your monitor to work, if not perfectly. There are a lot of issues with other-than-Apple monitors now. For both you guys, and I'm too tired to look again, keep up on the latest OS updates. New drivers may help you out a lot.

Oh, sorry Pierre, you have used Snow Leopard and the problem didn't go away. Well, hopefully in it's next version it may.

Edit: Well, wait a minute... a monitor or graphics card tied to mouse problems?... And it works fine under Windows? Something else must be going on here. What, right now I don't have a clue.

Message was edited by: Samsara
Reply
User profile for user: Pierre Cross
Pierre Cross Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Sep 4, 2009 7:22 AM in response to Samsara

Hi Samsara!

Is solved??? DVI and Mini-Display doesn't work properly... i call this a backup resource not the solution.

I like your tone, really!

🙂

... and Yes, something else must be going on here. I have one our two clues but i can share here, i'm afraid to be judged like the Conspiracy Man... LOL

Regards

p.s. - keep on Apple, your losing to much points... a super high expensive machine that is peaky with monitors... it is pathetic in the XXI century, don't you feel that to? No, of course, big bucks are more important... the Mac experience was from another time... and i have that for 22 years... but doesn't fell the same anymore...

And just for the loving end part, the OSX is losing some things for what? Like in Spaceships, if it works, don't change it or you can blow up the Spaceship in orbit. 😉
Reply
User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,321 points

Sep 4, 2009 7:52 AM in response to Pierre Cross

and the problem goes away

I took that as meaning it was solved...

Don't get too carried away with conspiracy theories. I have ones myself regarding Apple, and just recently their denial of Snow Leopard to G5 users seemed a pretty blatant signal of what their true intentions are. But it doesn't help us, for me it just makes my stomach ache. If another company starts making good computers with a good OS, I bet Apple would be out of business pretty soon. It's a shame they abuse their most loyal customers so.

Good luck to you, Pierre, I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you. Some compatibility issues will always spring up, but with the number of complaints about the ATI, or the Nvidia, not working with other displays, I think Apple will make some changes pretty soon. But still, display problems, graphic cards, linked to mouse behavior? I still can't quite conceive of it.

Edit: I was thinking, Pierre,.. you just might want to invest in say, a Logitech mouse. I have an M500 and the thing is just dandy. And Logitech just updated their software as well.

Hatter, if they made them and I could afford it and the air conditioning bill, and have a table made of Oak that could support it, I would have gotten a 30" CRT.

Message was edited by: Samsara
Reply
User profile for user: Christoph Borsbach
Christoph Borsbach
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 4, 2009 8:35 AM in response to The hatter

I try to recap the whole problem. I have to admit that it's really weird and i would not have believed it before it hit me myself.

It boils down to this: Some TFTs are not compatible with the OSX-Ati drivers. When connected digitally to the mac all input devices, regardless of the maker (i tested 6 different keyboards and mice), will hang every 3 seconds. You cannot move the mouse accurately that way. Again, this happens only with some tfts. I was in the market for a new one anyway and the hp mentioned above doesn't have the problem.

Under Windows XP this problem does not exist, hence i think the mac-drivers are the problem, and even more specifically, somone mentioned it might have to do with the HDCP support. (but afaik thats speculation).
The Problem goes away if you use VGA adapters, but Pierre and myself are of course not willing to accept this as a solution in 2009 with a 2000+ $/€ machine.

I hope you understand our pain better now 🙂.

Thanks for listening/reading 🙂

Chris
Reply

Ati 4870 Monitor/Mouse problem

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.
Learn more Sign up