Monitor Not Going To Sleep on Mac Mini Server With Lion

Question

Monitor Not Going To Sleep on Mac Mini Server With Lion

Summary: I am attempting to configure a Mac Mini Server that runs OS X Lion. This machine was originally shipped with OS X Lion; it is not an upgrade. My current specific problem is that my Viewsonic VX2835wm monitor will not go to sleep when the minutes setting on the Display Sleep setting for Energy Saver has been reached. Instead, the screen goes blank for a couple of seconds and is replaced with a blank blue backlit monitor. (Ironcially, the display sleep menu cautions: "Never letting your display go to sleep may shorten its life".) I very much want and need the ability to have my monitor go to sleep so as to save energy and to extend the monitor's life for as long as possible.

Additional Background: I have had a couple of calls with Mac support and they have been unable to tell me whether this is a "design feature" or a flaw in the Lion OS because they have had no similar reports and they do not have the latest hardare available running Lion Server to test to see if this happens with other monitors. (They also, of course, don't have the VX2835wm monitor.)

I do, however, know the following:

(1) My HDMI monitor is connected to my Mac mini via a DVI KWM switch (ATEN CS1784) such that the HDMI output from my Mac is converted to DVI (using the DVI to HDMI converter that came with my Mac Mini) and is then run through the KVM and then converted back to HDMI (using a full pin DVI to HDMI cable). However, I have tested the monitor with a straight HDMI to HDMI cable running directly from the Mac Mini to the monitor and it has not changed anything.

(2) The Lion operating system correctly recognizes (in Hardware / Displays) the model of my ViewSonic monitor.

(3) I have a MacBook Pro running Leopard (OS X 10.5.8) that is connected to the same monitor through the same KVM switch (by way of a BookEndz docking station) which properly shuts down the monitor when there has been no activity for however many minutes are set in the Display Sleep setting under Energy Saver. (Indeed, all I want is the same functionality on my Mac Mini that I have enjoyed for the last two years with this MacBook Pro.)

(4) When fully connected to the KVM, if I switch from my Mac Mini to my MacBook Pro and my Mac Mini display goes to sleep while I am working on my MacBook Pro, when I switch back to the Mac Mini, my monitor backlight will be off (and the power light will be standby yellow rather than the blue on) until I wake my computer up by touching the mouse of keyboard. I wonder if this may mean that the Mac Mini's signalling of the change in status from on to standby is somehow dysfunctional.

(5) Shutting down the server functions (and other open applications) has no effect.

I would greatly appreciate feedback from anyone out there running a Mac Mini with Lion regarding whether or not their monitors go into standby mode when the Display Sleep time is reached (please note whether or not you are running the Server or Client version, whether or not it is a new install or upgrade, and what monitor you are using).

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7), Server

Posted on Aug 8, 2011 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 25, 2012 9:54 PM in response to Community User

Did you ever resolve this issue? I too have the Mac Mini with Lion Server and a Viewsonic VX2835wm. I'm experiencing the same problem as well. Unfortunately, I just gave up and manually shut the monitor off when I leave the office.

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Answer 2

Sep 26, 2012 3:41 AM in response to jbelstner

No, I didn't solve the problem. The monitor still goes to sleep with WIndows but not with my Mac Mini. About 8 months ago I basically wore out the power switch on my monitor so I bought a wireless power switch to shut it off at the outlet. The VX2835wm monitor itself is now starting to fail as well-- a couple of times it's gone through a weird sequence of flashing screen colors on power up and ended up in an overscan mode (that took me for ever to figure out how to fix). I have decided to replace my VX2835wm with a Dell u2412m once it fails for good partly because I really want to keep the 16:10 resolution (very hard to find these days) and partly because I want to see if a different make of monitor will go to sleep properly based upon my Mac Mini power down settings.

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2012 1:16 PM in response to Community User

Today I installed a new Dell u2412m 1920:1200 monitor via an Aten CS1768 KVM switch. The monitor now goes to sleep the moment my Mac mini goes to sleep. The problem that I first described back in August 2011 now seems to have had nothing to do with the Mac operating system and everything to do with the hardware (and/or drivers) of my old Viewsonic VX2835wm monitor.

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