Big Sur External Monitor Shifted/Scaled Incorrectly

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Big Sur External Monitor Shifted/Scaled Incorrectly

I have a Samsung external monitor, model B2230 that is connected via DVI to a DVI to USBC adapter. The monitor displays shifted, meaning that there is a vertical black bar running through the middle of it, and the left side of the monitor displays the right side of the desktop and vice versa. I've tried resetting NVRAM, booting into safe mode and using different adapter and ports. I've also tried all the display prefs but none fixed my issue. At this point, the monitor is useless.

Connected to an iMac 27" 5k running Big Sur 11.5. Has been a problem since I got the monitor in June, although I fixed it once by unplugging and plugging it back in. That fix no longer seems to work.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jul 26, 2021 6:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

magicrabbitprod Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 30, 2021 8:15 AM in response to magicrabbitprod

Update - I was able to get the Samsung monitor to display correctly by changing the cable configuration. It's now connected to the iMac:

Samsung monitor -> DVI to HDMI cable -> HDMI to USBC adapter -> iMac.

I'm getting some intermittent blackout on the Samsung, but that seems to be a known issue with Big Sur.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252061764

I consider this a "workaround" not a "fix" since it's clear that Big Sur doesn't play well with DVI and my workaround is still giving me issues. But at least the monitor displays correctly.

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Answer 2

Jul 26, 2021 2:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I was able to test with an old Apple ADC monitor. When connecting this monitor to the iMac, it worked perfectly and the issue did not occur. I also tested the problem Samsung monitor with a new A1 MacBook running 11.0.1, which had the same issue as the iMac. Finally, I tested the Samsung with a 2013 Mac Pro running 10.14.6 and the issue was not present; the Samsung monitor worked fine and displayed correctly on this machine.

So:

iMac (Big Sur) to Samsung: problem

iMac (Big Sur) to Apple monitor: no problem

Macbook (Big Sur) to Samsung: problem

Mac Pro (Mojave) to Samsung: no problem

My conclusion is that Big Sur and the Samsung don't play well together. Where do we go from here?

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jul 26, 2021 7:32 AM in response to magicrabbitprod

Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.

When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.

For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211

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Answer 4

Aug 21, 2021 8:02 PM in response to magicrabbitprod

Thank you for pointing out DVI.

I have an old school acrylic ADC Cinema Display that was showing (not as drastically) the same shift with Big Sur.

I only had about 2 pixels to the right shift, but the chopped off right side showed up as a vertical line dead center of the display.

The conversion is a bit insane: ADC to DVI big ol' converter block, that DVI -> HDMI -> Mac mini.

My second display (same but smaller version) I have the same except the last bit is HDMI -> USB-C -> Mac mini.

That display had no problems.

I swapped the DVI -> HDMI converter pieces, juggled genders with adapters, and now it looks right.

Coming from a trusty Mojave, I can say this is certainly a Big Sur issue.

TL;DR - Big Sur + DVI seems to be the culprit. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jul 26, 2021 10:52 AM in response to magicrabbitprod

Your report does not show anything I can see that may be causing the issue. By chance do you see any patterns in the external displays behaviour such as it only occurs on specific apps or when specific wired peripherals are connected?

If not then I would suggest re-testing with another monitor to narrow down if it is the Samsung external display, the iMac or possibly some compatibility issue.

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jul 26, 2021 7:19 AM in response to magicrabbitprod

Please try different cables to concoct to the external display, also doing a Safe Mode reboot with no wired peripherals connected. another option is to test with another external display.

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jul 26, 2021 3:01 PM in response to magicrabbitprod

Return the Samsung for another brand.

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Answer 8

Jul 26, 2021 7:24 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Please see my original post. I've already tried different cables, adapters and ports on the machine and I've tried resetting NVRAM and booting into safe mode. None of these have resolved the issue, which is why I'm posting here.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jul 26, 2021 6:54 AM in response to magicrabbitprod

What happens when you restart the computer in Safe Mode?

Use Safe Mode to isolate issues with your Mac

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Answer 10

Jul 26, 2021 7:00 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Rebooting in safe mode makes no difference.

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Answer 11

Jul 26, 2021 9:42 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Here you go. I hope it helps.

System Report

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Answer 12

Jul 27, 2021 3:25 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for your help troubleshooting. So, the conclusion is that this is a OS glitch? Nothing else to be done? It seems odd that I have to buy a new monitor when this one works perfectly well.

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Big Sur External Monitor Shifted/Scaled Incorrectly

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