Unable to use projector on OS X Mountain Lion

Same here: 13" MBP retina early 2013. This morning, tried to connect to NEC projector with Apple-brand "Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter." Mac wouldn't recognize it at all. Googled problem, tried hitting the Option key and finally it did recognize projector. Mirrored every screen EXCEPT the iPhoto slideshow I wanted! When iPhoto was on the Mac screen, the projector displayed the constellation blank homescreen only. Finally reloaded photos onto an old Dell laptop and took that to my meeting. No problems with the Windows 7 Dell! Really disappointed with Apple on this! Got this first Mac two months ago -- otherwise runs great.

Finally I resolved my problem. My mini display port to VGA adapter wasn't an original device. I brought my Mac in the Apple Assistance Center and they told me that Mac was Ok. They tried to connect a monitor to my Mac with an original device, and all was working! So, I bought an original device and finally I could connect my Mac to the projector. So, you could try to change the adapter before you change the PC

I'm using Apple-brand adapter and still have problems.

I had the same problem, changed the white label adaptor for a apple adaptor, but still had problems. When i updated the imovie app, all the problems just went away. Funny, but sad. The imovie app i never use had something to do with the conflict. Now i can´t connect my projector and my monitor without problem.

Thanks to the apple COMMUNITY, that supports everyone that spends their hard earned dollars ou euros and give them to Apple, that really have no support for their clients.

My first time here in the community - I've looked through many many threads on this, but

(a) can't find a solution that works, and

(b) wonder if my problem is slightly different:

- I have MBP13" (late 2011) and Optoma EP720 projector;

- OSX 10.8.3,

- the MBP does detect the projector, but the projector doesn't find the output from the MBP.

I think this may be a different problem from others previously posted - anyone here got any advice please?

Many thanks

I didn't have an optoma as you mentioned but I had one of their mini-projectors and an older optoma projector and dvd player combo. Again, as I mentioned in an earlier post, what seemed to save me and solve my problems was purchasing what was advertised as an 'active' adapter -- saw it advertised like this on Amazon:

Cirago Mini DisplayPort to VGA Active Adapter (DPA2011)

Connects a Mini DisplayPort-enabled computer to a VGA monitor, projector, or TV

• Supports PC resolutions up to 1920x1200 (WUXGA) and HD up to 1080p, 60Hz
• Supports VGA interface through fully-fledged signal conversion
• Easy to use, no software required

This is in no way an endorsement of this product beyond the fact that it worked for me. There may well be similar or the same kind of product available from other vendors for less than the $17 is cost for this particular item. I'd say find one, buy one and if it doesn't work return it.

So I finally was able to try using someone else's VGA adapter on my 2013 MBA, and it connected fine to the projector (well, I first had to close the lid of the computer and open it back up for the auto-detection to start). I returned my VGA adapter to the Apple store and got a new one. My MBA works fine now with any external display. The original adapter must have been faulty.

Thank you for that information - I've just ordered a new adapter and hopefully that's the answer.

Much appreciated (in advance!)

Problem solved! - thank you so much.

It was indeed a connector problem. Your help is much appreciated.

glad it worked! but there's got to be a better way, right?

Hi, I just bought a 15" MBP and while at the Apple store, bought an HDMI--VGA adapter. Went to give a presentation and the laptop did not detect that any display/projector was connected.

From this thread, I learn I should hold down the Option key, or take back the adapter for a replacement. Not a great experience and now that I feel I cannot trust the adapter have stopped, for the time being, of using my laptop for presentations. Had the horrible experience of having to show my presentation on a Windows machine, but at least the projector worked.

Any other advice?

Ed

Running Mountain Lion 10.8.3 on a new 2013 13" Macbook Pro (bought just last week). When I connect to the projecter with a VGA adaptor (my school provides this adaptor and I don't know if it's an Apple adaptor), the projector displays a blank screen showing just my wallpaper and nothing else. Does anyone know if there is a specific fix to this problem yet? I feel it has been a consistent problem and the solutions posted seem to be reliant on chance (sometimes it'll work; other times it won't) and this is unreliable. Since one of the main reasons I purchased this computer was so I could lecture with it at school, I am hoping a seamless, easy solution is on hand.

The computer when first hooked up to a projector defaults into "extend my desktop". You should be able to use the trackpad to move the mouse over there. If you select display in system preferences you should be able to select "mirror displays" or something like that to put the same thing on both screens.

Hi Ann,

Thank you for your response. Could you explain what you mean by moving the mouse "over there"? I can move the mouse on the screen, but it is completely blank. The only mirroring options I see on the display menu are "AirPlay mirroring" which, if I am correct, I don't think applies to me. And the other option is "show mirroring options in the menu bar when available" --> the box is already ticked off on this choice. Other tutorials say that I have to click the "Arrangment" tab on the display menu to access the mirroring option, but I don't have the arrangement tab on my display menu. Does the arrangment tab only appear when I am hooked up to a projector?

When you are extended desktop mode, it is like the computer has added more destop (but without the menu bar). You can move your mouse there and can drag a program window there if you want. MS PowerPoint and Keynote will, in presenter mode, put the presenter panel on one screen and the full presentation on the other.

I believe you are correct in that you need to be hooked up to the projector to see the mirroring option. I am at my desktop currenlty so I can't make a definitive call. However, a little app from the app store called "Display Menu" puts all the important controls up in the menu bar like it was on past Mac OSes. I use it all the time. It has the ability to adjust resolution easily and turn on mirroring.