New Mini Projector Problem - NO SIGNAL on Daily Restart

Question

Level 1

117 points

New Mini Projector Problem - NO SIGNAL on Daily Restart

I just got a new Mac Mini. I have it connected to a Mitsubishi XD490 projector using the DVI adapter that came with the machine. Everything works great, until the next day. I have my Mini Set to auto shut down each night, then startup new in the morning. The computer starts up, and I can find it on my network, but when I turn on the Projector, the projector says that it has "NO SIGNAL" from the Mini. I then push the power button on the Mini and restart it with the projector on and everything works great! I have the Display Sleep mode set to off in System Prefs. I can turn off the projector and turn it back on during the day with no problems. The problem only happens after the nightly shutdown.

What could be causing this "NO SIGNAL" message from my projector?

Kevin

MacPro 3.0Ghz Quad Cores, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 6 Gigs of ram; 4 internal HD

Posted on Dec 3, 2009 8:06 AM

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Answer 1

Kevin Hawkins Author

Level 1

117 points

Dec 4, 2009 6:21 AM in response to Kevin Hawkins

Well, it is the next day and No Change! I reset the PRAM, NVRAM. and the PMU yesterday. I thought that might solve it. I still get a NO SIGNAL message from my projector in the morning. If I then push the power button on the Mini and power down and back up, everything works fine.

What could be going on? Help!

Kevin

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Answer 2

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Dec 4, 2009 7:32 AM in response to Kevin Hawkins

It sounds like the Mits projector is in violation of the part of the VESA spec dealing with EDID that says a host system (mini in this case) be able to supply auxiliary power to the DDC function within an attached display in the event the display is in a power off state. OK, that was a lot of jargon, but basically what it means is when the projector's power is switched off, it becomes invisible to the mini.

What happens if you just let the mini sleep instead of powering it off completely each night? Can it recover from sleep mode even though the projector is off? That would be one possible solution.

The only other solution would be to get one of those EDID replicators. There are a few on the market that I am aware of.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4714

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4715

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011003&pid=3048&seq=1&format=2

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Answer 3

Kevin Hawkins Author

Level 1

117 points

Dec 7, 2009 11:20 AM in response to BSteely

Well, I tried the Sleep instead of shutdown with the same result. Great suggestion though. My next step is to try the plugs that you suggested. Do I have to have a windows machine to program them? Or do I just plug them in and go?

Kevin

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Answer 4

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Dec 7, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Kevin Hawkins

No, these things can self-configure without need of a computer. They will come with instructions for how to do that. You basically hook it up to the display and it reads the display's EDID and copies it into a memory device of it's own. Then you hook the replicator between the Mac and the display and thereafter the Mac will see the EDID of the replicator (which is a copy of what's in the display), even should the display "go dark" and fail to produce an EDID when the Mac is probing for it.

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Answer 5

Kevin Hawkins Author

Level 1

117 points

Jan 13, 2010 11:37 AM in response to BSteely

Still no luck!! I tried one of the devices and that did not fix it. I talked to Apple, and they can not figure it out! Is there anyone who has any ideas for me!

Kevin

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Answer 6

kguy

Level 2

420 points

Jan 14, 2010 5:38 PM in response to Kevin Hawkins

Hi- by any chance are you unplugging your Mitsubishi projector at night? Or is it connected to a powerstrip with switches, andare you cutting all current to it at night? if possible, try leaving it plugged into a live Outlet at night (but power off, of course) and see if that works.

I've got a Mitsubishi monitor that has the same problem , but as long as it is connected to a live outlet, the problem disappears.

Message was edited by: kguy

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Answer 7

Kevin Hawkins Author

Level 1

117 points

Jan 15, 2010 5:48 AM in response to kguy

I have The projector plugged in to a UPS power strip. I leave power strip on all the time and just turn off the projector. I will play with that though and see if I find anything. Thank you!!!

Kevin

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