Mac Mini display only working in Safe Mode

Question

Level 1

0 points

Mac Mini display only working in Safe Mode

Hello,
First let me start off my saying when I got my mac mini and plugged it into my LG 42" it worked just fine. But I could not see the panel at the top, if I clicked around for awhile I could see the window pop down from the top but still could not see the panel. So I decided to go into displays and fool around, BAD idea. Now it's stuck in I believe 1680x????, and it keeps saying incorrect format across my TV. But when I start it up in Safe Mode, it works just fine the display comes back but STILL not panels at the top. I am really at a lose here, please if anyone can help, I would really appreciate it! THANK you in advance.

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 9:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

Feb 16, 2010 11:54 AM in response to BCross

Welcome to  Discusssions!

If you could list your LG TV's exact model number, I might be able to find the manual for it online and suggest a setting on the TV to solve your problem. The problem you are experiencing is because of a scan issue, and there's a setting on most newer TVs to deal with this. There's also a setting in Mac OS X that relates to it called Overscan which may need to be turned on or off depending on your TV's capabilities.

Reply

Answer 2

BCross Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 17, 2010 7:59 AM in response to Euchre

I'm sorry the TV I am running it on is my LG 37". The Model is 37LG30-UA. Is there a way I can save the setting in Safe boot? Because like I stated, it works under safe boot. But once I restart it, it goes right back to the incorrect format. Thanks for your help

Reply

Answer 3

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Feb 17, 2010 9:12 PM in response to BCross

When it's running in Safe mode, go into Displays preferences and make a different resolution selection from the one it started up in. Be sure to select one that results in a useable screen, preferably the setting that was in use before all the trouble began. Once you have done that, restart normally. The setting made in Safe mode should persist through a normal restart and you should be back to having a useable screen.

If you get to that point, stop messing around with the Mac. The problem with the TV cutting off the edges needs to be fixed on the TV, not the Mac. Check for screen size settings. There should be one specifically for computers. Sometimes it's called Just mode, or Just Scan or some such silly name. Or possible Full or Full Screen. Or even Dot-by-Dot. They seem to use every name but the right one, which would just be Overscan Off.

Reply

Answer 4

Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

Feb 18, 2010 1:06 AM in response to BCross

According to page 72 of the owner's manual, there is a Just Scan setting for your LG. This is the setting you should be using if you are connected via HDMI. If you are connecting via the VGA connection, theoretically things should just work. Your best bet is actually the HDMI connection, using the mini-DVI port with the included mini=DVI to DVI adapter and a DVI to HDMI cable.

Reply

Answer 5

BCross Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 18, 2010 7:01 AM in response to Euchre

I think I really messed up here. I did a PMU reset like apple told me too, the fan was running at full speed. So I thought to myself, let me try it again. Now the computer will not even load at all, no gray screen, NOTHING. Please don't tell me I fried my logic board? Or is there something I can do, other than buying a new computer?

Reply

Answer 6

Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

Feb 18, 2010 10:24 AM in response to BCross

Your mini is an Intel based mini, and you should never, ever perform a PMU reset on an Intel based mini. The proper procedure for an Intel mini is the SMC reset. Be sure to read the whole article before proceeding. (The "Additional Information" section at the bottom of the PMU reset article explains that the procedure should not be used on Intel minis.)

Reply

Answer 7

Dec 10, 2016 3:32 PM in response to Euchre

Hi! I am in a very similar situation. But my specific problem is that once I re-adjust the proper display settings that used to work well with my Philips LCD TV, I restart the mac mini and it won't recognise it again... it only recognises the TV during the safe boot no matter what I do to preserve the settings... is there a way to save these settings?

thanks!

Reply