tarsier123

Q: 30" side controls don't work

Hi,

After upgrading to Snow Leopard the controls on the side of my Apple Cinema Display stopped working. I do know that I can go to System Preferences --> Displays --> Options but no matter what I change there doesn't change the way the side buttons work. Also, what I found strange is that before I upgraded, when the computer was off the little light on the screen was off too, meaning the screen was turned off and it would only light up when the computer was on, now it is the other way around. When the computer is on the little light on the monitor is not lit up but when I turn the computer off the screen light comes on.
Any ideas what is going on? I don't understand it and is driving my crazy. Thanks

Posted on Mar 6, 2011 5:11 AM

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Q: 30" side controls don't work

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  • by Malcolm Rayfield,

    Malcolm Rayfield Malcolm Rayfield Mar 6, 2011 4:22 PM in response to tarsier123
    Level 7 (28,085 points)
    Mar 6, 2011 4:22 PM in response to tarsier123
    The display's power light is supposed to be on when the computer is off, and off when the computer is on.
    <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2806>

    Is the display's USB cord connected to the computer?
  • by tarsier123,

    tarsier123 tarsier123 Mar 8, 2011 12:08 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Mar 8, 2011 12:08 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield
    yes, the USB cable is plugged in
  • by Charles Austin Miller,

    Charles Austin Miller Charles Austin Miller Mar 9, 2011 5:47 AM in response to tarsier123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2011 5:47 AM in response to tarsier123
    Same problem here. 30" HD Cinema screen works fine, otherwise, as long as I startup with the tower. Can't startup/shutdown from the flatscreen power button, nor can I control brightness with the flatscreen buttons. Power light doesn't appear on the flatscreen, either. All cables properly connected. This *****.
  • by Richard Kirkman1,

    Richard Kirkman1 Richard Kirkman1 Dec 5, 2011 4:38 PM in response to tarsier123
    Level 1 (105 points)
    Dec 5, 2011 4:38 PM in response to tarsier123

    Make sure you read to the end, in case you might have done what I did.

     

    I thought I had the same problem, but I went to my System Preferences and under Displays>Options, changed the radio buttons to "Puts the computer to sleep or wakes it" and unchecked the "Disable brightness buttons." I could've sworn I'd tried that before. Now all the buttons work. When I touch the power button, I get a dialog box that asks if I want to Restart, Shut Down or put it to Sleep. The brightness buttons display a brightness bar on screen that shows the increments of changing the brightness. I also tried changing the power button behavior to "Turns the display on and off," and it works properly, too.

     

    I did not have to do a restart after changing the Preference options. I wonder if you've tried making sure you have a choice other than the "Does Nothing" button selected before you uncheck the Brightness button box. 

     

    Here's an idea. I recently pulled off the plastic from the side panels of the monitor (after a year). I didn't even realize they were still on. It's possible I tried fixing the button problem in the Preferences back when the plastic was still over them, and it didn't transmit the touch through the plastic, so it didn't work. I felt really stupid when I saw the plastic strips still on there. Maybe I'm not the only one who didn't catch the strips on the sides of the monitor when I unpacked it.

     

    I am using 10.6.8, BTW.