Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

ThunderBolt + External Monitor = Mounds of Woe

I posted this issue in another thread but since I'm seeing more issues I thought it best to create my own post.

I use an external monitor, connected using either HDMI or DVI. This monitor (an Ausus) works fine & has been working correctly attached to my old macbook.

With the new 2011 MBP, I can get the external monitor to work, but it exhibits strange behavior. It's difficult to make it the primary monitor using the normal macbook methods, and so I have resorted to just dimming my MBP display to zero (which I don't like having to do).

Once the external is running (either mirrored or as extended) it functions normally. However if the MBP display goes to sleep (or the MBP itself goes to sleep), the external will go black but remain on. When this happens I can no longer turn the external on/off or use any of the buttons on the display. It's frozen in this black "on" state. I have to remove the mini display adapter from the Thunderbolt port which makes the MBP screen primary again & I can then enter pass and wake the MBP up.

At first I thought I could turn the external off and access the controls once the mini display adapter was removed but this is no longer the case. Once it's in this "frozen" state the external won't do ANYTHING until I actually unplug the power cord.

This renders an external monitor on the new MBP's unusable. I reported this to Apple directly along with this post. I may call apple tech support when i have the time. Hopefully I won't have to return this lappie because overall I really like it, but no external monitor is not cool.

I would love to hear if anyone else is having this issue or has any ideas for a fix.

13" macbook pro (early 2011), Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 7, 2011 5:42 PM

164 replies

Mar 19, 2011 8:06 AM in response to George Waxstetter

I am having the same problem with my new 17" laptop. Thunderbolt (miniDisplayPort) to DVI adapter from apple was working on two different monitors, Asus & ViewSonic, for about 3 days. Now both displays show no signal. Was in the genius bar 2 days ago and they verified the adapter is fine, but the port only works when directly connected to an Apple display.
Sounds like a thunderbolt driver issue. They took my serial number for their engineers and promised to contact me. No word yet, but I will continue to ping them.
Shame that the top of the line laptop comes out of the factory with such a glaring error.

Mar 21, 2011 4:09 PM in response to entropic23

Unfortunately the DisplayPort-Issue with booting/waking up from sleep and failing to detect the monitor (thus forcing one to re-plug the connector) hasnt been fixed by the 10.6.7 update 😟

Mar 21, 2011 5:17 PM in response to entropic23

New Update 10.6.7 hasn't fixed the issue for me either. I have a Dell 2407wfp and it just stays in standby. The only time it wakes up, is if I put it into 800x600. But all I see is snow (like when a tv isn't tuned in). Please Apple find a solution. I can't colour correct my images accurately without an external monitor. I'm becoming impatient!

entropic23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 21, 2011 9:33 PM in response to entropic23

It's a shame that the .7 update didn't address the issue, and to be honest I'm a bit surprised. This seems like something that should be a high priority (I imagine many MBP users work at least some of the time on an external display)… which makes me a bit worried that it might be a tougher thing to fix than I originally thought (or should I say "hoped").

I took a look at the fix list and the only display related items are:
• Improves brightness on external displays and projectors
and
• Addresses an issue with some NEC displays in which the screen may appear black when connected to a Mac Pro (Mid 2010)

There were no mentions of anything related to Thunderbolt.

I haven't yet heard anything back from the tech I've been working with, but I just sent him an email and if I do get some news I will post back here.

hoodoo99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2011 8:43 AM in response to matthewadams

I just received my new MacBook Pro 2011 15" and hooked it up to my new HP 2511x monitor via the Kanex DVI connector. All was well until waking it from sleep, when the HP monitor would not wakeup. Only unplugging the power cable from the monitor and replugging made it work again. Rebooting did not help without interrupting the monitor's power. Also, setting it up to use only the discrete graphics card did not help the sleep problem.

Since I had spent lots of time reading everything in the forum here, I had already pre-purchased the Kanex HDMI V2 adapter in case I needed to use it. Well, after recycling the monitor's power and plugging in via HDMI, everything did work and now it works correctly after waking the computer from sleep. So like others, I have found that the DVI connection is the problem.

I haven't had any problems with heat or shutdown so far. I ran the "yes" test and no problems there after letting it go for 5 minutes or so. I installed the 8GB of ram myself and that went well also, although the size of the screw heads is a pain, as it's easy to strip the head if you're not careful. I used Crucial memory after seeing that was the most widely used. So I'm loving the new machine and with the HDMI workaround I now have no issues (*knock on wood*).

hoodoo99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2011 3:02 PM in response to hoodoo99

Well now I found that even with HDMI it fails if the display goes to sleep and the computer does not go to sleep. So it seems to wake up okay and show an image on the external monitor hooked up via HDMI, so long the computer itself goes through the wake up process.

Mar 22, 2011 3:19 PM in response to entropic23

Problem solved.... I returned the 'Griffin' MDP to DVI converter which I purchased on Friday (which didn't work on any monitor I tried) and exchanged it for an apple branded MDP to DVI. Worked first time.

One thing which might be causing your problems is the compatibility of your DVI converter. The Griffin one I had which didn't work was DVI-D (digital). From what I've read DVI-D is only compatible with newer monitors, Where as DVI-A (analog) is more compatible with older monitors. I'm not sure how accurate this information is, I'm just reiterating what someone else wrote elsewhere.

My monitor is a Dell 2407 wpf. I tested the Griffin MDP to DVI on a Lacie 512, Apple Cinema HD (older model), and a Samsung pc monitor, it did not work. Apple's MDP to DVI worked on all the monitors above.

Hope this helps.

hoodoo99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2011 3:38 PM in response to ryantherazer

I just got off the phone with Apple Support and they had me uncheck the "Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible" checkbox in the Energy Saver System Preferences. I have the big "slow" 5400 RPM 750GB drive. With this option disabled I now am able to get the external display to wake up no matter what, with either HDMI or DVI!

I will post again if I see the problem resurface, but it's looking encouraging.

Mar 23, 2011 4:13 AM in response to entropic23

I have the Apple-branded MDP->DVI Adapter and Harddisk not set to sleep - still the error occurs (at least on boot) at least 1 out of 3 times.

wkupj07

Level 1

0 points

Mar 23, 2011 5:38 AM in response to entropic23

Similar problems here. Running a 2011 13" i5 Macbook Pro (10.6.7) through a Apple branded mini-display port to DVI adapter to a DVI to HDMI cable connected to a HP 2207h. I can see the OS displaying properly in the brief moments (less than 1 second) it intermittently flashes. When I had 10.6.6 installed the display was working perfectly. My 2007 Macbook still works fine with the display.

Also, the speakers in the monitor sometimes randomly get a bad static hiss from the MBP. It may be an issue that the driver is trying to send display info over the sound channels of the HDMI?

Using the same cable and adapter connected to my TV via HDMI everything works as it should.

Message was edited by: wkupj07

hoodoo99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 23, 2011 9:14 AM in response to wkupj07

Reporting back after thinking everything was fixed. I still have the same problem on either HDMI or DVI when I let the computer fall asleep on it's own. Now, with the setting turned off to put the disk to sleep, both DVI and HDMI work fine if I manually tell the computer to sleep. However my external display never wakes up if the computer falls asleep on it's own.

For now I have disabled all the power options for display and computer sleep and am manually sleeping the computer. I will call up Apple Support again and let them know.

thisdoor

Level 1

4 points

Mar 25, 2011 12:21 PM in response to entropic23

I am trying a 3rd party adapter and my Apple Monitor is not detected with my MBP 15" early 2011 10.6.7. Same thing when booting from install disc. Just a black monitor. Tier 1 Applecare suggested I buy a Moshi adapter! LOL, excuse me?
I need a 3rd party adapter to work between my 2 Apple products?
Going to retail to put the proof in the pudding. If I have the same issue with an Apple mini display/dvi adapter, that's on them, or they can GIVE me the 3rd party adapter.

entropic23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 28, 2011 9:22 AM in response to entropic23

I just got a reply from Apple tech in response to my inquiry for an update on this issue. Here's what Zach (Tier II tech) had to say:

I haven't heard anything else except that they (the engineers) are investigating the issue and to keep an eye out for software updates in case they release an update fixing this issue if that is the method they choose based on the investigation.

I think the only thing this makes clear is that there's nothing resolved about this Thunderbolt problem. I will post an update if I hear anything else and would appreciate it if anyone else in contact with Apple post here as well.

I feel compelled to say that overall I love this lappie... once this somewhat major kink gets worked out this MBP is likely to become my favorite (overall) comp of all time.

MaxHedrm

Level 1

48 points

Apr 2, 2011 1:04 PM in response to entropic23

I'm having the same issue as many of you. I have a Sceptre LCD that is DVI, so when I ordered my 15" MBP (2.3) I started hunting for an MDP to DVI adapter. I bought the Kanex adapter, since it was relatively cheap & from a reputable company. The MBP doesn't even see the monitor. I returned the first one (I love Amazon, by the way, free return shipping & upgraded my replacement to FedEx Priority Overnight, Saturday Delivery - probably cost them more than I paid for the adapter). The second one is the same. I also emailed Kanex & they said they are plug & play, so if it doesn't work, it must be a faulty adapter, but with 2 in a row, I'm thinking that's not the case.

I've fiddled with gfxCardStatus to lock it one way or the other, still nothing shows up. :^/

Apr 3, 2011 9:07 PM in response to entropic23

Having the same issue: 2011 MBP 13" i5 with an hp 2207 (thunderbolt to dvi). Worked fine with an older 15". I have an appointment on Friday with the genius folks. Anyone discourage this meeting? They want me to bring in my macbook AND my monitor. I would hate to go through the trouble if this is futile; I'm gonna be pretty annoyed if I get down there and find out that genius thinks this is some software issue that I need to wait on.

ThunderBolt + External Monitor = Mounds of Woe