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New Mac Mini with LED 24" LED Display

Hello all,

I just got myself a new Mac Mini yesterday. I connected it to my existing 24" LED Display. Prior to this, my display was connected my MacBook (2009) and I have never had any problems. Since yesterday (connected to my Mac Mini), my LED goes black from time to time (0.1 s randomly). There are quite a few theories about why it does this. Since I have never had this problem before, it seems to me that it maybe something to do with the new Thunderbolt port (on MAC mini) which is used for the display as well. In fact I have read an interesting article

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/thunderbolt_macbook_pro_suffers_flickerin g_display_issues/

I suspect the same problem is happening with the new MAC mini.

I am keen to see if there will be a firmware fix from Apple, on either the MAC mini or the Display.

Charles

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 1:42 AM

176 replies

charles.m.h. Author

Level 1

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Sep 5, 2011 6:34 AM in response to marionfromparis

I have escalated as much as I could ..... I am also very annoyed!

This is my last email to Senior Advisor to escalate:

It has been a month now that my display is flickering, and frankly speaking this is not usable. The New MAC Mini (Thunderbolt port) was advertised as Backward compatible with my existing 24" LED Display. This is what has led my purchase decision. It is not. Whilst I accept that some equipment might be faulty, the amount of time I have already spent explaining this issue and talking to Apple is not acceptable. The answer : No timeline has been confirmed is not acceptable after a month.

As a consumer, I do have rights. One of my rights is to be sold Equipment which works as advertised.

As it stands today, what are the options:

1) Apple acknowledge the problem and fix it. Either send me a firmware, or replace my display with one that Apple knows works with the New Mac Mini.

2) I take my case to Consumer Rights: Under the Sale of Goods Act, the retailer must either repair or replace the goods 'within a reasonable time but without causing significant inconvenience'.

muphli

Level 1

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Sep 14, 2011 2:53 PM in response to charles.m.h.

Today Apple released an EFI-Update for the MacMini. I just wanted to know if this update solves the Thunderbolt problems mentioned above because the update-description says:

"This update includes fixes that enhance the stability of Lion Recovery from an Internet connection, and resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode performance on Mac Mini (mid 2011) models."

Sep 14, 2011 8:41 PM in response to muphli

No joy with the new EFI update for Mac Mini and Cinema Display blackout and flickering...

tbromine

Level 1

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Sep 14, 2011 11:51 PM in response to charles.m.h.

Here's what I did with a Mac Mini and it seemed to help. (I did replace the Mac first -- what a pain. When I saw the flicker again, my heart sunk and almost forked out a grand for the 27" display.)

I suspected some kind of voltage incompatibility, with the Thunderbolt output on the Mac being too high for the 24" ACD. So, I added an MDP/USB extension line to knock it down some. (The length on the ACD is rediculously short anyway). Well, it reduced significantly, but did not eliminate, the flicker. I added another extension on just the MDP line and appears to (almost 100%) eliminated it. I have seen one blanking in about a week.

gautam v

Level 1

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Sep 15, 2011 3:44 AM in response to pierregrenoble

Same here. I have mac mini 2011 I% connected to cinema display 24inch. Problem is screen going black intermittently and screen flickr- NOT happy!!!

Sep 15, 2011 6:11 AM in response to tbromine

tbromine that's an interesting idea. How long were your extension cables? I just bought a 15 foot usb/mdp expansion on ebay for 14$- hoping that will do the trick.

I have the latest developer release of 10.7.2, and that doesn't fix it, nor does the new efi update. If it is a voltage problem, I wonder if it can be fixed at all with software.

Sep 15, 2011 7:58 AM in response to tbromine

Do you have a link to these MDP/USB lines?

PS: if you tweet about this I suggest using #ThunderboltFail

Sep 15, 2011 8:03 AM in response to Jason W-D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15FT-USB-Mini-DisplayPort-Extension-Cable-Apple-LED-/160 642221918?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256705c75e

That's the extension I got- it was the longest I could find.

charles.m.h. Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 16, 2011 3:29 AM in response to missilemike

Hello,

I agree with the previous posts, I also suspect that the issue is related to voltage. I believe that the USB / MiniDisplay extension is a smart option. I wish I had known before buying an Altona DVI to HDMI adapter, which is costly, and uses too much cabling an ports. However, the problem has disappeared.

By the way, I have updated the Firmware and Software this morning and re-tested. No joy. Still flickering.

Charles

Sep 17, 2011 8:34 AM in response to charles.m.h.

Hi,

I'm having the same problem since two months now... According 2nd level support agent, "it should be solved with version 10.7.2". Unfortunately he had already said "it will be solved with 10.7.1"...

I think time for patience has gone. I think we all wait because it is an Apple product and we are kind of addicted wich makes us tolerant but for me the limit is reached. This situation is just unacceptable

Pedro

tomas_c

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2011 4:04 PM in response to charles.m.h.

Hello everyone.

Sadly I have to join you also. 😟

Bought a new iMac 21,5" and when connected to my ACD 24" I get a lot of flickering also...

This *****!! How hard can it be to fix this!

/Tomas

Sep 20, 2011 7:36 AM in response to tomas_c

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1453?viewlocale=fr_FR

Can we have HOPE on this ????

I returned my macmini after just 4 days desperatly trying to find a solution.

SO i can't try the update (link above)....

If you tell me this works out, i'm going to rebuy my mac mini right away, cuz' i need it to work.

(i have the eternal problem of flickring when connecting my newgeneration mac mini with my 1year old apple LED cinema display 24 pouces)

Awaiting for you guys 🙂

thanks

Sep 20, 2011 7:43 AM in response to marionfromparis

Marion, I'm afraid that firmware is for the new Thunderbolt Display. It is nothing to with Mini Display Port monitors like the 24" ACD

Sep 20, 2011 2:44 PM in response to Jason W-D

ugh, in a rush i did'nt see the word thunderbolt... daamn

*losing hope as we speak*

....

rep1967

Level 1

0 points

Sep 22, 2011 1:44 AM in response to marionfromparis

I put in a 3 meter length mini display extension cable yesterday between my 24" ACD and the TB port on my new mac mini and had a day without screen flicker/blackouts. Keeping my fingers crossed. Early days. Will report back after a few more days.

Rob

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New Mac Mini with LED 24" LED Display