Macbook Pro 2011 Bootcamp Secondary Display

Apple recently released this: Macbook Pro EFI Update 2.1

This update includes fixes that resolve an issue with Turbo Mode in Boot Camp, and improve performance and stability for graphics and Thunderbolt.

The MacBook Pro EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your notebook computer. Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source. When your MacBook Pro restarts, a gray screen will appear with a status bar to indicate the progress of the update. It will take several minutes for the update to complete. Do not disturb or shut off the power on your MacBook Pro during this update.

Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: After updating users Boot ROM will be MBP81.0047.B0E

Not sure if it will fix the problem. Can download it here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1381

Just confirmed ... doesn't work even with the latest patch

I also tried my projector after updating, and it does NOT work.

This is my first Macbook Pro. Is this Apple hardware quality?

What happens is that the AMD Driver for this Video Card doens generate Analogic signal, just Digital. If you use an DVI or HDMI connection it will work. If you need VGA its impossible. The only solution in the market is a USB to DVI/VGA converter that you can by from ENCORE. I am using one and works.

This issue has nothing to do with "Apple hardware quality". You are trying to use an older technology (analog) with a device designed and built to use newer technology (digital).

Use the correct connector and/or get a projector that handles digital input.

I don't know in what world do you leave, but I leave in a world where my customers, at least 99% of them have projectors just with VGA connectors. Should I say to them by a HDMI or DVI projector because I need to visit you to do a presentation?

Following your logic why Apple is selling Mini Display Port to VGA adapter?

The problem is clear. The driver just send Analogic Signal if you run MAC OS. In Bootcamo doesn't work. Someone should fix that. I belive Apple has a lots of customers running Bootcamp and Win 7 with the new Mac Book Pro.

My 17" MBP 2011 unit works with most VGA connectors I've plugged it into via BootCamp. Can't recall having an issue.

I do have an issue connecting to my TV via VGA & BootCamp though. If I plug in after its booted it doesn't detect the screen. If I plug it in and *then* boot into Windows via BootCamp it works just fine. Maybe try that on your projectors?

While it's true VGA is analogue and going out of fashion, for company presentation projectors....well, they don't really seem to have caught up. Newer ones have DVI and HDMI etc. but a lot of existing ones are VGA only.

Apple make perfectly useable adaptors for those amongst us stuck in the analog display world (ughh), until your users struggle into the digital world invest on one (or more) of the adaptors provided for sale.

For what it's worth, my MBP 13" early 2011 (the one with the Intel chipset) has exactly the same problem.

I called Apple tech support who said 'Dunno, ask Microsoft'. Microsoft said 'Not our problem'. Meanwhile, I updated the drivers from Intel as well as getting all the updates from Apple & Windows and the latest patch today.

The problem remains - the external monitor, connected by a Thunder-VGA adaptor works just sometimes in Win7 although always in Mac.

Given our combined experiences to date, it would seem that there will be no fix for VGA in Bootcamped MacBook Pros.

I'm off to get a monitor with a digital connection rather than waste any more time.

Good news - just installed the MacBook Pro Software Update 1.4 that came out today (5/11/2011) through standard Software Updates and it appears to have fixed this problem (it advertises as much in the update notes as well as improved 3D performance and Thunderbolt support). I've installed it and tested on Windows 7, using a mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter (Apple brand though I use Dynex too) and connected to an Epson PowerLite 1770W projector. I haven't tested every possible setting yet with projector or video card, but so far it appears to be working.

Good luck guys.

Our first new 13" MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt is experiencing this issue. I've narrowed it down to some specific scenarios. These all occur in Windows 7 with Boot Camp:

- A regular VGA monitor or projector will work but only when the cable & adaptor are plugged in in this order: VGA Cable to Adaptor first, then Adaptor to Laptop. If you reverse this order, and do Laptop to Adaptor, then Adaptor to VGA Cable, it will not be detected.

- Projectors operating through an Extron input switch (I believe the models we have are MLS 304MA) will not work at all, regardless of adaptor order.

OS X, of course, works fine.

This is a challenge for us as I don't believe any of our classroom podiums accept DVI.

I applied the Firmware Update that was released this morning (5/11/2011) but it was not successful in fixing the issue.

In general, you're right - usually better to connect adapter to cable first and then introduce the full chain to the computer's mini DisplayPort. Yesterday, we also tested with an Aluratek VGA Splitter connecting a Dell 21.5" Display and the Epson projector. With those, you need to follow the following order:

1. Power up the splitter with the AC adapter.

2. Connect the Dell Display into the splitter's #1 port.

3. Connect the projector into splitter #2 port.

The projector will adopt the Dell display's preferred resolution settings at which point you can choose 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratios. That said, we did this with several different laptops with the new updates from yesterday and they worked well, but still need to test all other settings.

Hey Fiorejo1,

What driver are you using in that Machine. I installed the updates but the problem persists.

Cheers,

Not sure what voodoo magic is at work ... as for me, I have updated the firmware and whatever mumbo jumbo drivers and patches from Apple via the Software Update.

I've tried every possible method ... VGA --> Adaptor --> Mac, Adaptor --> Mac --> VGA

I still cannot get the macbook pro to project out on any projectors while in bootcamp .... wasted spending money on this crappy adaptor that only works in Mac OS ...

now have to fork out money to get a USB --> VGA adaptor instead ...

*sigh*

+1

Installed all the recent (May, 2011) software updates, patches, etc... And still can't get my MacBook Pro 13'' to work with any projector using the MiniDisplayPort to VGA adaptor, whilst on Windows 7 via BootCamp 3.2.

Everything works just fine on MacOSX, therefore the problem seems to be related with the Windows vídeo driver, or BootCamp itself.

It is really disappointing that Apple can't get something as basic as connecting a laptop to a projector to work.