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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

tyerac

Level 1

0 points

Aug 1, 2011 8:25 AM in response to jlyall

I'm having the same issue as everyone. I have 13" 2011 MBP, and 2 Insignia 19" LCD monitors. I've tried the mini DV to HDMI and that works, but I want the Mini DV-VGA to work because for some reason the HDMI picture quality is not as sharp as VGA.

I'm connecting 1 of my external monitors with the Plugable USB 2.0 Display which attaches from the usb port to VGA adapter to the monitor and works flawlessly, but the Mini Display to VGA Apple brand adapter plugged into the Thunderbolt does not even pick up on the Insignia monitor.

I have an appointment today with the Genius bar... hoping they are as genius as they say :-(

Aug 5, 2011 2:05 PM in response to entropic23

I have earlier posted about my problems with my 2011 13 inch MacBook Pro not working with any external modern/high resolution display.

After a long and painful process with my local Apple reseller and AppleCare, Apple have finally recognised there was a problem with my MacBook Pro and replaced it.

I am pleased to report that the new MacBook Pro happily works with my external monitor.

entropic23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2011 5:34 PM in response to RobynPhillips

@Robyn–

Thanks for this report. It sounds like it could actually be a hardware issue with the early TB MBP's, which ***** because that's what we all have 😟

I've got to think about this a bit but I may have to go the same route you went (meaning exchange). I was soooo hoping this was a software issue with the early implementation of the TB port.

I would love to hear if other people have had the same experience as Robyn, which I'm assuming was trying a number of monitors with no joy and then exchanging for a newer MBP and trying the same monitors and having them work.

Which brings to mind:

Robyn–did you try this with multiple monitors? Was your experience that none of them worked before but all of them worked after?

tombear

Level 1

0 points

Aug 6, 2011 11:00 AM in response to entropic23

Before everyone freaks out, pull the power plug and reput it into the monitor. I have a HP 2511x and this worked... Now I just set it to a hdmi signal and I turned off power saving settings from the mac book air

jlyall

Level 1

9 points

Aug 9, 2011 10:36 PM in response to entropic23

So no one has tried the AOC 2434PW monitor at all? 😮

Need to buy this and was hoping someone might be able to comment. Guess I'll have to be the guinea pig.

Aug 9, 2011 10:56 PM in response to entropic23

I have the same problem. Brand new MacBook Pro 15-inch, with full updated Lion, connected to my 24" Dell Ultrasharp 2405FPW using the Apple branded mini-displayport to DVI-adaptor.

My Macbook Pro simply won't detect the external display.

The monitor is ok because it works with my 2007 white MacBook with mini-dvi to dvi adapter.

Does anybody can help? The problem is the adapter?

Thank you

Aug 12, 2011 7:59 AM in response to -A-L-3-X-

I came back to the store and I switch the adapter with a VGA type.

This works, but the quality is lower, obviously.

Aug 13, 2011 2:06 AM in response to -A-L-3-X-

I just talked to apple support a few minutes a go. They told me thats a widespread problem and they're talking to their engineers to find a solution! They promissed me that the one who cares about this problem will call me back Monday or Tuesday. I have the Imac 21.5 inch 2011, smallest version with originial minidisplay to dvi converter and a 5 meter dvi to hdmi cable. Works fine with my MBP 2010! But Imac doesnt detect anything, I tried Lion, Snow Loepard and Windows 7!

regards from germany

Aug 17, 2011 4:42 PM in response to hardflip11

I have the latest MacBook Air.

Rec'd a thunderbolt/mini display port to HDMI adapter

Plugged to 55" samsung led. nothing.

updated to lion os x 10.7.1 yesterday. boom worked no problem

plugged into tbolt / hdmi to hdmi/dvi adapter and usb docking station for triple screens. worked first try

today tried to learn how to rotate screen

would not recognize one from tbolt port.

tried samsung tv, still fail

reboot

fail

shutdown, restart. ok?

Is there a more appropirate process to disconnect a monitor to ensure a full shutdown/boot sequence isn't required?

Eject monitor?

Aug 21, 2011 5:47 AM in response to entropic23

As I was searching for a resolution to this problem and reading all the posts. Most have the MBP but the problem exists with the latest iMac as well

27' iMac

Dell monitor.

Monitor goes to sleep and after computer and won't wake up. I did try someone's suggestion of manually putting the computer to sleep and waking it up. That appeared to work.

Aug 25, 2011 1:26 AM in response to hardflip11

Still no answer from apple, second time that they didnt call me back! Badest support I've ever seen!

Vavery

Level 1

0 points

Aug 31, 2011 1:11 AM in response to entropic23

MBP 15" 2011 with Mac OS Snow Leopard and Win 7 Ultimate x64 (Bootcamp), external display ViewSonic 22" via DVI to Thunderbolt adapter.

Strange behavior of the connected display under both OS:

1. While the display is connected and everything works fine, suddenly the external display goes black (no digital signal) and it cannot be re-detected by the graphics card. Reboot (both OS) or reconnect Thunderbolt adapter does not help. After a while (?) the computer reconnects to the external display without any obvious reason. I tested several identical monitors, they all behave the same, while working without issues on other computers, even on my old MBP 15" (2008).

2. While connected to the external display, sometimes I can see on the desktop image (or dark areas in photos) random groups of white blinking pixels. Restart usually (but not always) solves this issue and again I tested different monitors and they all behave the same.

All these issues and manny others like:

- Weak wireless signal reception.

- Sound problems from Cirrus Logic drivers, low sound, impossibility of headphones connection-disconnection during different applications and games without loosing the sound.

- Again high temperatures of the whole machine during games or high graphics applications.

makes me believe that this new model was not engineered well by Apple (except the exterior design) and it is actually a piece of crap compared to older models.

Excuse me for being offtopic with the last part but after 5 months of workouts, trials, updates, etc. with this notebook I'm still very disappointed with it and I wish I had never spent 2,600 euro on it.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Aug 31, 2011 3:50 AM in response to entropic23

Thats a well-known, long, long story.

Problem lies in active minidisplayport to something adapters

I personally have MDP-dualDVI one and everytime have to give it 10-30 minutes of warm up with 2-3 reconnections until it work as intended.

The only cure I know of - try to exchange for another one, some works, some - works bad.

But... Mine worked well around month or so - and problem is very unpredictable - so I can not just plug it, show problem exists and change for another ((

Sep 14, 2011 5:46 PM in response to entropic23

Just more fuel for the fire. 4 week old 2011 imac 21.5". $1000 laCie monitor wich worked perfect via DVI on my old G5 tower. Now its a tottaly random signal loss, not caused by any computer activity. Just got off the phone with tier 2 tech support (apple). Nice but no clue. Had me run system data collection and send to him.

My best guess? Thunderbolt port and DVI do not play nice together.

I'm gonna try HDMI and pray it works for me.

steve359

Level 6

17,175 points

Sep 14, 2011 6:02 PM in response to chiphotog

Before I bought my MBP 15 in 2.0 GHz, I read some of the comments on the MiniDisplay adapters.

I read some comments that on VGA and DVI adapters, the posts on the adapters that screws are supposed to go into can be too long, so the connection between the cable and the adapter is not secure. Picture can get fuzzy, "lined", or dropped when the cable physically changes position.

I intentionally bought a minidipsplay to DVI that had very short posts to prevent the "loose connection".

Not sure if this helps, but my MBP-to-Samsung 22 in connection, and MBP to 27in 1080 LCD monitor works perfectly ... external display model number is detected and external display automatically set to maximum (1920x1080).

Maybe I am just lucky ...

ThunderBolt + External Monitor = Mounds of Woe