MBP13‘3 and External Monitor Problem (screen goes pink/ laptop hangs)

Adding my experiences to this thread.

External monitor new apple 27" LED display - "clam shell mode" - crashes - horizontal pixelation with colour distortion. Can move mouse pointer around but can't get response from keyboard. Hard restart using power button is only way. Can't get to a combination to get it to do this demand.

Happened again running the laptop without an external monitor attached.

I though thought it was the screen saver kicking in - but doesn't always happen.

Anyways - waiting, waiting, waiting

@Dan,

Are there any messages in the console log about the condition? The problem to which this thread refers typically leaves no error messages in the console log.

Richard

I also have the same problem and I can't seem to pin down a specific series of events that leads to the computer locking up - only that it occurs when connected to a VGA projector. It will work fine for several days/hours then lock up (screen goes black and backlight for keyboard comes on - everything on the computer is otherwise unresponsive). Once it locks up, it usually locks up several more times after short periods of use.

Haven't had time to call Apple Support yet. This problem seems to have cropped up only in the last month or two. The computer seemed to work fine the first few months (purchased May 2010) I had it, but the issue has become more and more frequent.

So i had the same problem that everyone has with MBP 13", but since i upgraded my ram to 8 GB (not at apple of course) the problem doesn't seem to occur, it's been 2 weeks now and no freezes, i keep my MBP connected to an external monitor most of the time. I also read a post on this forum that a guy had his ram modules changed and he had no issues afterwards.

It happens to my late 2010 Macbook Air also. Every now and then it gives me the pink / white blank screen and the machine hangs!

Same for me. Mac Book Air Late 2010 13". Screen becomes pink and laptop freeze. Tried everything without success... Was working perfectly with my "old" MacBook Pro. Called Apple Support and did not get any helpful advice... this is a major pain.

I had only had problems when using the computer in dual display mode with the lid open until today. If I used it clamshell or used it open but mirrored things were OK. Today I got a freeze with a coloured screen (not sure what colour sore of blue/magenta/cyan with my colourblindness) with the lid closed and DVI to a Dell 22".

I just installed an SSD last night if that's in any way relevant.

I tried it in clamshell mode, but, after a week, the same old problem occured again. So, I've finally sent it back to Apple UK for them to look at. I told them about this thread so they won't be short of ideas for things to try. I suggested they change the RAM. I'll let you know what happens.

To the folks that just bought macbook airs, first, my condolences, and second, thanks for the info. I am currently having both my motherboard and RAM replaced. If that didn't work, I was going to ask for the 13" air, as it is similarly priced to my 13" MBP. I was hoping that the redesigned motherboard configuration would alleviate the problem we've all been having, but evidently this is not the case. If using your machine w/ an external monitor is a must, I would suggest returning it for a refund ASAP. If the solution is to replace the RAM, then MBAs may be more challenging to fix as the RAM is soldered to the motherboard and not user-replaceable.

I have exactly the same problem.
I live in Shanghai, China. I bought my Macbook Pro MC374CH/A and a new mini-display to VGA adapter 2 weeks ago, each time when I connect my MBP to an external LCD display(mine is LG W1942S), it will be freezed randomly with a pink/white/blue(one of them) screen, I am not running any mem/cpu intensive programs, the only solution is to hold the power button and reboot my MBP.

I called AppleCare China, the tech guy said that they don't know much about the problem yet, I also told him this discussion in this forum, he said of course he will escalate this problem to apple support team.

I hope you guys could figure out what the problem is and come up with a solution, because this problem is really annoying.


Thanks!

It may have nothing whatsoever to do with this, but has anyone simply used one cable to go from their MBP to the external monitor? Rather than using the Mini-Display Port-to-DVI adapter, and then connecting that to the monitor's DVI cable, I went to Monoprice.com and got their MDP-to-DVI cable for less than $10. I have an August 2010 13" MBP (2.66 GHz) and it's been perfect forever.

jdlink wrote:
3. External USB keyboard (Apple in my case).

This is not necessary. I have had the issue when on battery power connected to a projector, with no USB mouse or keyboard.

Apple has just released a new 500MB+ update for OSX. Did the update fix this problem?

This problem is not in the release notes so i do not think so.

Still using external monitors (3 different brands) for 3 days without problems.

(After upgrading mem to non-apple 8GB)

Updated to OS X 10.6.5 and still got a pink screen after that. Was connected to a Dell external monitor at that time, using minidisplay to DVI adaptor.

By the way, the pink screen + freeze also happens when not connecting to an external monitor!