Mini DisplayPort -> VGA and MBP 2011 not working

Same problem here... I used the original Apple miniport to VGA adapter and nothing...

I was starting to lose hair over this issue, until I tried switching to the "discrete" GPU using gfxCardStatus, in my case a Radeon 6750M. As soon as did this, the second display was enabled. It seems the integrated Intel 3000 graphics cannot handle a second display via Thunderbolt.

I tried VGA, HDMI and Displayport adapters, all 3rd party cheap stuff, and all worked fine. So if you use gfxCardStatus to force your MBP to use the low-power graphics, setting it back to discrete or dynamic switching should fix it. Battery life is halved, but if you're using a 2nd display, you're probably not far from a power outlet 🙂

Had the same problem and switched to discrete graphics instead and it worked like a charm 🙂

i have the 6490, and the gfxcardstatus does't work.

I have a late 13" MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt port. I struggle to connect to an external display - this has caused some embarrassing moments when I have needed to present work in front of executives. I really need to resolve this issue.

First of all, the MBP almost never automatically detects an external display. I have to select 'Detect Display' almost every time.

This is what happens:

1. I connect the mini adapter to either a VGA or DVI display,

2. The blue screen appears and the MBP thinks that the display is picking up the video feed - but it's not.

3. I then have to disconnect, close the lid on my MBP, reopen it and then repeat the process, on the off chance that it might work.

I have worked out that by powering on the display and selecting 'detect displays' at the same time usually gets the video feed coming through, but not always.

This is so frustrating. It's either Lion (the external display worked like a charm on my mid 2010 MBP running Snow Leopard - always automatically connected) or the ThunderBolt port.

Please help! It's driving me nuts (not to mention making presentations a very nerve racking experience).

Thanks

I am experiencing the same issue on my MacBook Air 11" (2011). The steps to reproduce is not very consistent though. Sometimes I can unplug the video cable and plug it back in and the 2nd display is auto-detected/switched.

But sometimes, and maybe after the MBA has been disconnected, slept/resumed, re-connected, the 2nd display is not detected. Although, the entire desktop moves over to the 2nd display, I just don't see anything on the 2nd display.

I hope this helps others with the VGA monitor connection with Thunderbolt where the monitor goes to sleep and will not wake up. I have had the same problem since I bought a mac mini 2011 model and the monitor (Gateway VGA) would go to sleep after about 20 minutes and the mac mini had to be totally shut down and restarted. Nothing would wake the monitor. I have a fix FINALLY for mine and hope it helps others in the same fix.

In Preferences, make sure these are set exactly.

NO Screensaver. Turn This OFF.

In Security/Privacy:

UNCHECK Require Password For Sleep/Screensaver [this is a major issue with Thunderbolt]

UNCHECK Show message When Screen Saver Is Locked

UNCHECK Disable Automatic Login

In Energy Settings:

UNCHECK Put Hard Discs To Sleep

CHECK Wake For Network Access [This is a major issue for Thunderbolt]

UNCHECK Allow Power Button To Put Computer To Sleep

CHECK Start Up After Power Failure

CHECK Restart Automatically If Computer Freezes

Same problem for me , the vga doesn't wake up after sleep. I have to unplug and replug the displayport to work.

Thanks for your help

My problem is solve, i bought the real apple adaptor and it works