gadget_aussie_man

Q: Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly

I have a new Mac Mini 2011 i7 Quad CPU version.  I have a Thunderbolt 27 inch display.  I have found that the display randomly turns off and won't turn on when I use the keyboard or mouse.  This occurs when I am doing stuff on the machine, it is not a display sleep issue.  The first couple of times I had to use Remote Desktop to reboot the Mac Mini to fix the issue.  The last time it happened I removed the Thunderbolt plug from the Mac Mini and reinstalled it and this fixed the issue.  I have the latest software updates on the Mac Mini and the Thunderbolt Firmware update on the Display.

 

I am running Lion 10.7.1

Posted on Sep 21, 2011 9:35 PM

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Q: Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly

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  • by AlohaSpirit2,

    AlohaSpirit2 AlohaSpirit2 Oct 2, 2011 3:43 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
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    Oct 2, 2011 3:43 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I set my screen saver on new Mac-Mini Server to the Thunderbolt display with the clock and then turned off sleep mode...in other words, no sleeping...

     

    This seems to have stopped the random shut offs and failures to wake up since about 9-27-11. 

     

    First tech told me must be hardware, second tech thought software. 

     

    I don't want a new monitor if software can fix mine.   Experiment with screen saver like me and please report back to Apple.   Good luck out there. 

  • by thomasfrombentonville,

    thomasfrombentonville thomasfrombentonville Oct 2, 2011 5:04 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2011 5:04 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I received my Apple Thunderbolt Monitor and Mac Mini Server Last Wednesday and for the first 4 hours it went dark roughly every half hour.  I mentioned here that I was having the problem here. I tried several different configurations and it has now been 4 days with no further problems.  I thought I would describe what I did and you can try and see if it helps.

     

    Make sure you apply all patches, and reboot the system. The next time the monitor goes dark, unplug the monitors power cable and wait 50 seconds to plug it back in.

     

    Next set display seep in energy saver and the screen saver to “Never”. Now reboot.

     

    If the monitor goes dark again unplug the Thunderbolt cable, wait at least 30 seconds and plug it back in and reboot the system.

     

    At this point set monitor sleep to something reasonable and reboot one more time. 

     

    I firmly believe that the problem is caused by some weird mismatch of hardware and software settings.  I think the things I did corrected the mismatch. It may help to reset the PRAM but I didn’t do that myself.

     

    Your milage may vary but I went from being disappointed with my Thunderbolt Monitor to being a happy camper. If it works for you report that here.  Good Luck!

     

     

  • by jaimeandalex,

    jaimeandalex jaimeandalex Oct 3, 2011 2:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 3, 2011 2:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Update: In spite of setting energy saving settings to never sleep display, "blackouts" continue to occur.

     

    I am using a dual monitor set up with my thunderbolt as primary display in horizontal mode, my secondary is being run off the HDMI in vertical mode to facilitate web page reading (System: new 2011 mini server using lion server - no alterations aside from firmware update). When I have been browsing for a while (likely greater than 5 min but have not found definitive time length) and only using my mouse or windows on the secondary screen - primary (thunderbolt) will "blackout" and require an unplug/replug.

     

    I tried to get direct help from an "escalation engineer" I had worked earlier with an ethernet glitch, but reply was, not my department. I am awaiting being provided a contact to someone from the "correct" department (in fact, I am awaiting any response at all, as to whom I should get help from). 

     

    Peripherals attached to display continue to function - but have removed most as unplug/replug toll without prior ejection of my firewire drive is not ideal.

     

    Concur with frustration.

     

    Mac mini:

     

      Vendor Name:    Apple, Inc.

      Device Name:    Mac mini

      UID:    0x0001000C1F333500

      Firmware Version:    22.2

      Port:

      Status:    Connected

      Link Status:    2

      Port Micro Firmware Version:    2.0.7

      Cable Micro Firmware Version:    0.1.18

     

    Thunderbolt Display:

     

      Vendor Name:    Apple, Inc.

      Device Name:    Thunderbolt Display

      Vendor ID:    0x1

      Device ID:    0x8002

      Device Revision:    0x1

      UID:    0x0001000100114ED0

      Firmware Version:    22.2

      Port:

      Status:    Connected

      Link Status:    2

      Port Micro Firmware Version:    0.0.21

      Cable Micro Firmware Version:    0.1.18

      Port:

      Status:    No devices connected

      Link Status:    7

      Super Port Micro Firmware Version:    0.0.21

  • by gadget_aussie_man,

    gadget_aussie_man gadget_aussie_man Oct 7, 2011 7:16 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 7, 2011 7:16 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I posted the original post on 21 September.  Since then Apple contacted me and had me ship my Mac Mini server and Thunderbolt display to them so they could investigate the issue further.  I was supplied with replacement Mac Mini Server and Thunderbolt Display.  This time when I connected up Thunderbolt display I did not install the Thunderbolt display firmware upgrade.  I did install the Thunderbolt upgrades on the Mac Mini.  So far I have not had any incidents of random turn offs. 

  • by gadget_aussie_man,

    gadget_aussie_man gadget_aussie_man Oct 7, 2011 11:58 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 7, 2011 11:58 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I spoke too soon.  I have just had a random turn off of the display.  I will keep a record as if it continues I will upgrade the firmware and see if the incidence increases or decreases.

  • by Simod,

    Simod Simod Oct 8, 2011 6:09 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 8, 2011 6:09 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I get random blackouts as well. Prior to the latest firmware update it was happening 1-2 times a day. Didn't happen again until now.

     

    To fix it I have to ...

    - Open MBA to get alternate display.

    - Pull the cable and put back in again.

     

    Sometimes though this disables one or more item plugged into the monitor. So I have to reboot instead.

     

    VERY annoying.

  • by jliv,

    jliv jliv Oct 8, 2011 2:01 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 8, 2011 2:01 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Just another victim of this black out problem. Mine just started today, after about 2 weeks of perfect operation. The TB display and my MBA will both go blue, then either both displays return to normal, or I lose the TB display, and only the MBA works. Very random. At one point it was flipping back and forth every 5 seconds or so. Now it appears stable, but I had one black out about 10 minutes ago. No expert, but I would say this is a defect with the monitor, or with the firmware.

     

    BTW: I downloaded the TB firmeare 1.0 update, and it tells me I cannot run it on my machine. I am running a MBA with Lion. It is about 2 weeks old. I have run ALL SW updates.

  • by AlohaSpirit2,

    AlohaSpirit2 AlohaSpirit2 Oct 9, 2011 7:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
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    Oct 9, 2011 7:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Okay here is my new info. 

     

    After at least a week of no blackouts,   I plugged a USB mouse into the USB port on Thunderbolt and on reboot the screen shut off. 

     

    I  pulled power cord to restart it and of course pulled out USB mouse. 

     

    So, USB and blackouts. 

     

    I told tech support.  Awaiting their response.

     

    Anyone else have the USB blackout connection?

  • by gadget_aussie_man,

    gadget_aussie_man gadget_aussie_man Oct 9, 2011 7:42 PM in response to AlohaSpirit2
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 7:42 PM in response to AlohaSpirit2

    I have nothing connected to the USB ports but I do have disk drives connected to the firewire ports on the back of the display.  I am getting blackouts.

  • by Hacir,

    Hacir Hacir Oct 9, 2011 7:52 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 7:52 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    I am on my second Mac Mini Server and Thunderbolt Display and have the same issues.  I did not upgrade the firmware this time and the display is more stable, but when I try to do serious work (i.e. video/photo work) it will flicker and shutdown frequently.  It's as if it can sense when I really need to use it

     

    Apple support has been very good to work with, as always.  They are a world class team.  However, I am returning for a refund (so I can purchase a display from another vendor) - I have serious work that needs to get done that has been delayed.  When this is officially resolved, I'll take another look at the display.  Best of luck everyone - it's an awesome piece of hardware when it works.

  • by kclarke2000,

    kclarke2000 kclarke2000 Oct 9, 2011 10:22 PM in response to Hacir
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 10:22 PM in response to Hacir

    Here is the latest from me as I have posted about a week ago, I have been in contact with Apple Support, they have run a diagnostic test on my mini server and I sent them the file, since then, I have been using the display on my 15" 2011 MacBookPro and have not had a problem with it and the blackout problem.  It seems to be isolated to the 2011 mini server, I have many USB items plugged into the TB display including a mouse and keyboard.  Apple is suppose to get back to me on Tuesday with an update from Engineering on the problem.

  • by youngz21,

    youngz21 youngz21 Oct 9, 2011 11:57 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 11:57 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Blackout problem is on my mini server(mid 2011) and thunderbolt display, too. Solution yet?

  • by Rainer Puschner,

    Rainer Puschner Rainer Puschner Oct 10, 2011 12:36 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2011 12:36 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    For what i can tell the blackout only occurs, if something is connected to the display using USB. When i connect all these USB Devices to the Macbook Pro, everything is fine... anyone else?

  • by WestVanPete,

    WestVanPete WestVanPete Oct 10, 2011 9:25 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iCloud
    Oct 10, 2011 9:25 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    That was my experience. (The USB having something to do with the power out).

     

    I would have hung on to the display in hopes of a firmware fix, but when the fan came on it sounded like the bearings were blown so I called Apple for a replacement.

     

    My new one comes Thursday.  Fingers crossed.

  • by jliv,

    jliv jliv Oct 10, 2011 12:48 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2011 12:48 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

    Adding on to my original post:

     

    I only have my MBA plugged into by TB display. Nothing else. No USB or FW or TB devices.

     

    In the past couple of days I have had one or two "blue outs."

     

    jliv

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