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Level 1

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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

May 6, 2011 10:07 AM in response to entropic23

hi all

i just off the phone with applecare and here is a solution (at least for my standby-problem - but maybe for some more too)

make sure you have the latest firmware AND efi installed (you have to fire up softwareupdate twice for that!)

then:

shut down

unplug every cable but the powercord.

make sure that there is power on the cord (green or orange light)

On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.

Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.

that was step one - and many of us had done this - but here comes one more! And this has done the magic!

While the mac is still shut down (otherwise shut down again)
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys and the powerbutton the same time until you hear the startup sound A SECOND TIME. (the standbyled will flicker while the system starts through twice)
Release the keys.

thats all folks :-)

now my precious dell will fall asleep as soon as the mac says good night!

now there´s only the loud harddrive left - and i think it will be a ssd in replace to shut this old ******* up...

entropic23 Author

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May 6, 2011 10:09 AM in response to Elliot Guillaume

Oh yeah it's definitely a mac thing, no question! This whole business is very hit or miss, and while I'm glad VGhost got his setup to work, and I'm glad I was also able to figure something out, these are still workarounds and must be fixed by apple one way or another.

I should call Apple's French customer service, but sadly I have no credit

Um, as far as I know, you shouldn't need credit (I'm assuming by credit you mean applecare). You should be covered since it's a new mac. Although you may just be referring to phone minutes in which case ignore me 😉

However, that said, I would like to urge you to call them. The more ppl who report this issue the better. Also you can have apple call you. Just set up a tech support appt & they will call you at whatever time you specify, which should get you around having to use minutes (unless of course you're using a mobile phone in which case you probably would get tagged).

entropic23 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 6, 2011 10:20 AM in response to dukevannori

Command-Option-P-R keys

Interesting... PRAM rears its ugly head 🙂

The tech I spoke to back in March had me run through that process but it didn't affect my situation when using DVI... That said I obviously hadn't installed the .4 update of the EFI Firmware back then. It would be really cool if your solution works for more people. If I get a chance I my give it a shot with DVI to see if it actually does something different after the updates.

now there´s only the loud harddrive left - and i think it will be a ssd in replace to shut this old ******* up...

All I've gotta say here is I went this route and couldn't be happier, plus having two drives on my lappie is very very nice. The SSD makes this thing seriously snappy... I mean you can zero a 120GB drive in around a minute. If you've got the $$ to spare DO IT 😀

May 6, 2011 10:36 AM in response to dukevannori

Thanks Entropic, but Dukevannori had the right solution : my external monitor now works PERFECTLY with my Macbook !

Now, what I need to figure out is what caused the problem, because i onced had it working perfectly like that, but the second time I tried it didn't work any more.

THANKS A LOT DUKEVANNORI 😝

MaxHedrm

Level 1

48 points

May 6, 2011 6:17 PM in response to dukevannori

No luck. Zapping the PRAM had no effect.

MaxHedrm

Level 1

48 points

May 7, 2011 8:34 AM in response to entropic23

Either in this thread or elsewhere, someone mention trying it under boot camp in Windows7 and having it work. That doesn't help either on mine. Might be time to go talk to a genius.

raphaelj

Level 1

0 points

May 8, 2011 1:35 PM in response to entropic23

I have two separate setups:

1) MBP 2010 MDP to DVI (Apple adapter) with a Formac Gallery 1900 display: works flawlessly;

2) MBP 2011 Thunderbolt to DVI with a Silicon Graphics 1600SW via Apple adapter and SGI Multlilink adapter: it works only when I don't actively use the external display; as soon as I move a window in it, it starts to flick on/off. It looks like a strange mixture of software/hardware problems.

Now, the SGI display works without any problem with the MBP 2010. Since I have two Apple adapters I tried to switch them, and also to switch the other cables, but to no avail. The problem seems rooted in the MBP 2011.

I've tried every single solution I've read about online (.4 + EFI update; PRAM etc. reset; Apple Hardware test), but it still doesn't work.

Option "Mirror displays" doesn't change anything.

When the SGI screen is connected, the trackpad behaviour also seems slightly odd.

I'll try opening a ticket with Apple but I'm afraid there's little to do. Hopefully they will let me try another MBP, so as to see whether it's a problem common to the whole MBP 2011 series or not.

May 11, 2011 6:01 PM in response to entropic23

I've got the same issues, but I don't think this has anything to do with the wire. I'm thinkning this has something to do with the fact that this model runs off 2 video outputs. Those being the ATI and the Intel 3000. Just my 2 cents.

I've tried on my oldie, but goodie Dell Ultrasharp 2407, and a new Dell ST2320L.... still a no go.

raphaelj

Level 1

0 points

May 12, 2011 6:04 AM in response to puckmugger

Might be, but I've tried gfxCardStatus to switch between the ATI and the Intel, and it doesn't help (external display goes black with the Intel, keeps flickering with the ATI)

If you want to try: http://codykrieger.com/gfxCardStatus

hoodoo99

Level 1

0 points

May 15, 2011 8:49 PM in response to entropic23

I was having problems and reported them early on in this thread. I haven't been trying to figure it out since then as I've had the workaround of manually invoking sleep and turning automatic sleep off. Just installed the firmware update and figured what the heck, maybe things will work better. They do work correctly now - computer went to sleep and upon wakeup, the external monitor is waking up and working as it should!

I am using a Kanex HDMI cable hooked up to an HP 25" LED.

MBP 2011, 15" 2.2 GHz, 8 GB RAM.

May 16, 2011 2:24 AM in response to entropic23

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro 13 inch and I am unable to get my Samsung monitor to work when using it as an external monitor (model is Syncmaster 205BW).

The monitor works fine with a 2010 MacBook Pro 13 inch, so the dongle is fine, as is the monitor. I am using a DVI adapter.

I initially thought the port was faulty on the MacBook, but after dropping the Mac off for a service, the answer is that my MacBook Pro is fine as it works with some other monitors, but for some reason is incompatible with this Samsung Monitor.

As of today (19 May), I have applied all of the Mac OS X updates, including firmware updates and those that say they improve graphics performance, and I am still unable to get the monitor to work.

When I plug the monitor into the port, the Mac responds as it should to acknowledge the monitor is there, and System Profiler recognises the monitor. However, although the monitor itself stops flashing its light to show it knows that a computer has been connected, the screen remains blank and it will show for an extremely brief period of time a message about a resolution problem.

I have tried all resolutions available to me in System Preferences, and even tried SceenResX, and I have not been successful.

Apart from waiting for Apple to address what I believe is some kind of graphics card incompatibility, I am heading off to the shops with my MacBook Pro to test other brand monitors until I find a replacement.

paul258

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May 16, 2011 2:49 AM in response to RobynPhillips

New to Apple - recently had a MacBook Pro bought for me at work. Overall impression is that it's a bit of gadget more than anything else - very disappointing. On the displays issue the on-board options (under System Preferences) allow for the running of 2 monitors where the second may be rotated 90 degrees to portrait mode which is what I want. The only problem is that it doesn't really work. The background display on both monitors becomes corrupt (patchwork pattern) with the problem spreading to what you are actually displaying on the 2nd monitor. You then have to reboot. Also, even before this stage, if the machine hibernates, it crashes on re-awakening, with instructions in 6 or so languages telling me I have to reboot the thing.

My view is that there is definitely a problem with the video card compatibility/software. Will try downloading display software from Pivotpro or some other 3rd party and let you know how I get on - if I find the time.

entropic23 Author

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May 16, 2011 7:01 AM in response to paul258

Hey Paul-

Overall impression is that it's a bit of gadget more than anything else

While I strongly, but cordially, disagree, I can understand being upset and thinking along these lines especially this being your first (at least it sounds like it) mac. This display thing, while very serious, isn't "normal" for apple... their track record speaks volumes.

...with instructions in 6 or so languages telling me I have to reboot the thing.

That sounds like the kernel panic screen to me. I have only had kernel panics on two (out of dozens) of macs so it's not the norm, especially on stock comps. The first was a macPro and it was a simple RAM issue. The second was a newer iMac, which I exchanged for a new one.

This will probably infuriate you, but you may want to do some troubleshooting. Do a search for "kernel panic" for more ideas, but the gist will be to remove all hardware (incl ext monitors) and sleep the MBP. Wake it up. Panic? Nope. Move on and attach one piece of hardware. Rinse repeat. When you get the panic you will know exactly what's causing it. BTW kp's are almost always hardware related.

Unfortunately I can't help you with the mosaic issue. Personally I would figure out the kp issue first. Then test the monitors in normal orientation & only then mess with the monitor orientation.

It is unfortunate though... Every mac I've used in recent years was bullet-proof monitor-wise. Basically slap something on and it worked. With the introduction of TB this has changed. HOWEVER, when TB's rough start is smoothed out, having "a single port to rule them all" will be an absolute godsend... Especially for lappie users & the various docks that should be coming out. This stuff is a way off but should happen (fingers crossed!).

jmulnix

Level 1

9 points

May 16, 2011 9:58 PM in response to entropic23

I am having the same issue. My screen will flicker at a steady pace about once every 3 to 5 seconds, the flicker its self is maybe half a second long tops. This problem is non existent in Windows 7.....

Needless to say this is completely annoying! Was not a problem until today, I thought I was lucky to have avoided the horror stories of Thunderbolt display problems. This is another thing I can add to my growing list of annoyances with a $2400 computer. It is sad really. I can hook up an Asus netbook to my 1080p display with no problems but somehow one of the fastest laptops available has issues being hooked up to an external monitor.

I want to love my MacBook but unfortunately it has been annoyance after inconvenience after just plain silliness with this computer.

Please fix this Apple.

The monitor I use is a 23" Samsung 1080p display through a Thunderbolt to DVI connection.

10.6.7 Build 10J4138

paul258

Level 1

0 points

May 19, 2011 7:08 AM in response to entropic23

Hi Entropic23 and jmulnix,

Have had a further look at the display issues or rather our Apple support guy at my place of work has. Firstly, my own observation is that once the problem onsets, the display on the native monitor is also corrupted. If you whip out the fancy thunderbolt connector to the external monitor, the native display immediately corrects itself. So no need for a lot of fancy progressive tests, it's the external monitor in portrait mode (not landscape) that causes the problem.

My Apple man at work here has just run a series of tests, re-installed operating system etc. and has confirmed that the display problem is limited to portrait mode on external monitor - he's pretty certainly it's a driver issue. So, I think you are right jmulnix, what you have got is a very expensively acquired problem. And my advised solution? Just learn to live with the external monitor in landscape mode. (I have an 8 year old Dell laptop that can handle an external monitor in portrait mode using PivotPro software.)

My other serious gripe with Apple culture is the lack of compatible versions of technical software e.g. scientific graphing software such as Origin or SigmaPlot. (Anyone know if MatLab or Mathematica runs on these things before I start wasting more time?) In addition, since I last posted, the MacBook has decided it no longer wants to know about equations in Word documents. I have a work-around which involves copying the equation (within the equation editor) and re-inserting into the document - apparently something else I have to learn to live with.

I guess these matters can all be solved by loading VM Fusion or Parallels software - in other words, get the Apple to pretend it's a PC, at least part of the time.

So back on topic, anyone else out there got a MacBook 13" Thunderbolt running an external monitor in portrait mode?

In summary, if you go all technical with these Apple thingeys they fall flat on their pretty little faces. They're gadgets.

Cheers, Paul 258

ThunderBolt + External Monitor = Mounds of Woe