External Display not working with MacBook Pro 13" (early 2011)

I have the 2011 Macbook Pro 13" i7, I tried 3 Monitors (8", 15", 24") and 2 TVs (26" 42") with the Apple mini-display to VGA. 3 different VGA cables... I have tried OSX and Windows 7... none of the setting works. All Monitors reporting no signal...

However, all this monitors work with my old 2006 Macbook, so this is very clear there are problems with the new Macbook Pro... hopefully, a firmware fix will solve the problem...

a good news for you! However, still not work with my mini-display to VGA

I find a way to solved.

The new macbook pro need use a special VGA cable in windows7.

The VGA port has 15 pins, normal VGA cable just used 3+6 pins, the other pins aren't connection between two VGA port on the cable.

But new Macbook pro (MC700) in Windows7 need use the VGA cable: all 15 pins are connection between two VGA port on the cable.

Now, I use the cable, everything is fine.

🙂

I'm curious where did you managed to find a cable like that?

Isn't all the VGA cables having 15 pins?

Some VGA cables is follow with projector or television, I used the cable follow with SONY projector, this cable all 15 pins is connection.

Hi,

I am having a similar problem with my new 2011 13" MBP.

I previously had a 2008 macbook and 2010 13" MBP that I would hook up to a Dell LCD/TV Monitor using a monoprice mini-displayport to VGA adapter.

However, when I used my 2011 MBP it would not display anything. I went to the Genius bar and they weren't able to explain the problem, as the adapter worked fine at the store.

I read that it might be a problem specifically with dell tv/lcd monitors so I went out and purchased a new BenQ LED monitor. It worked perfectly initiallly for the first few days, but now is no longer recognized again.

Seems like it's the thunderbolt/mini-displayport problem.

I'm using Apple's "Mini Display Port to DVI Adaptor" linking my 17" 2011 MacBook Pro and an old 30" Apple Cinema Display (DVI) under Lion 10.7.1. I'm reasonably satisfied with the result but would like to get more than 1280x800. That seems to be the best I can get out of this combination. The 17" MBP gets 1920x1200 so I had expected to get that on the larger Cinema Display. Turning Mirroring on or off makes no difference.

Is there a trick to this?

You need the mini display port to dual-link DVI adapter http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A

Thanks, That's what I need all right but $99?

I found another fix to this. The problems that I were having:

MBP 15" Early 2011, Lion 7.2.3) were:

MBP Internal LCD = Secondary

External Mini -> VGA (External Monitor as Primary)

After reinstalling LION, when it went into sleep, and I turned it on, sometimes the external display would be ignored totally. Despite SMC and PRAM resets, nothing resolved this.

Only today, I've noticed that the following resolved it EVERY TIME, and finally, I found a permanent solution:

Sympton Fix:

1) Close the laptop lid with the Mini-DVI/VGA/etc... disconnected & waiut for it to go to sleep. If not, force it to go to sleep via the  -> sleep.

2) Start up again, when fired up, DISCONNECT the MagSafe PSU, and wait a few seconds.

3) Plug the magasfe in again (I personally switches sides incase of dirty contacts)

4) PLug the Mini-whatever back in and it should fire up again.

Permanent fix:

1) Before you perform the above, go into  -> System Preferences -> Energy Saver

2) Under 'Power Adapter' DISABLE the 'Automatig graphics switching', I personally disabled the 'dim screen brightness option' below too.

3) Repeat The sympton fix

This seems to ahve got shot of my issue... After 3 new Mini adapters, and 2 new VGA cables, I happened to work this out no thanks to apple support :-/