I just got my 2012 Mac Mini yesterday (mid range model) and have already noticed three instances where the video would blink out for about a half second, and then come right back. This happend twice already when I'm connected to a Apple 23 inch LCD monitor via the included HDMI-DVI adapter and once when I'm connected via HDMI to my Samsung LCD TV. Anyone else noticing this happening on their Mac Minis? Thanks.
Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)
Concur with AC, this is likely a hardware problem in the GPU logic itself (not firmware, manufacturing defect, nor OSX related). The issue appears to be very reproducible-- 5-10 minutes after wake, blank screen. The problem surfaced on Win/Linux PC's in June-- no fix from Intel in two releases of MRC code. Fast forward 5 months, Mac Mini's on OSX show same problem. No fix from Intel, no fix from Apple. So, it's not O/S, not mobo, not manufacturing, not firmware-->> it's HARDWARE related to a faulty HD4000 GPU. This issue was also present in the HD3000 GPU, and Intel still has not fixed it in the HD4000.
I worked in the chip industry as a supplier to Apple (not Intel), and every version of silicon we released had issues. The game is this: you hope your customer doesn't find out the issues that don't have a workaround in firmware, because then you start a very expensive process -> redesign the chip, spin it, test it, manufacture another run at the foundry, and fab and replace new mobo's--> a process that costs millions. Everybody remember Intel's Sandy Bridge chipset design error issue found by Tom'sHardware that Intel first tried to brush off, then was forced into a recall that cost $700MM?
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=6030
Everyone is foolish to think Apple or Intel will admit this is a hardware issue because EVERY Mini out there will require a new mobo with a redesigned GPU. Intel is probably pushing Apple and the other OEM's to hold off until they can get Haswell out in the spring. Apple is in danger of becoming the Dell of the 2003-05 era, by continuing to sell faulty hardware with a known cap issue claiming their mobo's weren't affected. http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/hardware/dell-tried-to-hide-bad-cap acitors-problem
If you can live with the issue, keep your Mini, but its resale value will fall when this issue becomes well-known. I returned my 2012 Mini 2.6 after 10 days and bought a 2011 refurb Mini with Radeon GPU. No problem. Wake up folks, return it, and save that hard-earned cash to buy another day. Good luck!
All, I got my 2012 Mac Mini back from the Apple service center in Singapore 2 days ago. They replaced the main board which means a new CPU and graphics processor. I have the 2.6Ghz i7 model with 8Gb of ram.
I have been running since then without a single black screen and no snow. Managed to get through 2 1080p movies and a bunch of high def TV shows without any issues.
Will let you know if the problem resurfaces, but maybe there is a hardware element to this issue.
OldEyes wrote:
sc25893 wrote:
I wish I could have kept the i7 quad core but this is getting ridiculous. Now people are reporting both HDMI and DVI getting the same problem.
Waiting for a fix is just way too risky if you've got the chance to get your money back. You could always hold on to the cash until this blows over and then buy one again. Of course this is only good if you have another machine to work on while you wait!
I have a bad feeling it's the HD4000 itself, not a firmware/software update but a return computer to shop job. I hope not for other peoples sake but I couldn't take that risk.
Sam.
I bought the MacMini 5,3 Server from the Apple Refurb store, and it has the same problem, could this be a software problem because I don't remember any hoopla over this when it came out. HD 3000 chip set. 8 gigs of ram. 2.0 ghz quad core i7
I just dug out MDP to HDMI and plugged it in, had a couple short blinks but no major sync problems.
Spoke too soon just had a major snow screen. I am using a generic MDP-HDMI adapter.
Dear all,
I would like to contribute both a new test case and a suggestion how to possibly avoid the problem - at a price.
Please try this: Remove one memory module so that you have just one DIMM remaining. This is known as a workaround to the same HDMI blinking out bug as ours, albeit on the PC platform.
According to this the bug only occurs with dual channel memory setups:
http://communities.intel.com/message/171244
(Apologies in case I am accidentally re-posting a link here).
Here a quick description of my setup: Mac Mini Core i7 @ 2,3 GHZ w/ 16 GB RAM. I have a dual-screen setup with two Lenovo L220x each @ 1920x1200. The display connected via the Thunderbolt->DVI adapter works fine without any trouble at all whereas on the HDMI I get flicker, interemittent snow, or permament snow (need to power cycle display) every hour or so.
Finally an interesting observation: I had exactly the same problem with my MacBook Air (2011) with an Intel HD 3000 Graphics (as opposed to the HD 4000 in the Mac Mini). The difference was that the flicker occured with a 3rd-party miniDisplayport->DVI adapter while it worked flawlessly with the corresponding Adapter from Apple.
Cheers,
-David
MAC MINI 2012 Hey there, I changed the refresh rate in mac display settings and this has fixed the problem, on 60hz NTSC I had some blackouts, on 50hz I have had no issues.
experiment with your refrersh rate.
patsarge wrote:
What gives with the minis... Are these normal problems with all users or power users and gamers?
Hi Patsarge, you basically have two options, but first let's answer your question. At this time no one knows what percentage of minis are effected. Only Apple knows this. The problem effects 2012 minis with the Intel HD4000 graphics chip. Intel has said that they have sent Apple new drivers which are supposed to fix this issue BUT Intel has said that before about new drivers for this problem for other platforms, and they have been wrong. Apple has seeded the new drivers in 10.8.3 last week and developers are now testing them. This process takes between 30 and 60 days (normally). There may also be a new firmware written by Apple for the HD4000. No need to worry as this issue will get resolved. Not all minis are effected, but of the ones that are effected the majority of them are HDMI port related. A lot of people are asking Apple for a free Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter and that seems to be helping most people with this issue. Just keep in mind that the adapter isn't fixing the problem, it's just keeping you from seeing it. So your first option is to get a new mini and make sure you get a free TB to HDMI adapter and then cross your fingers and turn it on. You should be OK BUT there is no 100% fix for this issue yet, so don't be surprised if you still see the problem. Your next option is to buy a refurbished 2011 mini. These have the same warranty as a new one and some people like them more because they cost less and they have a better graphics chip. Once everything is worked out you will love your mini. My mini is hooked up to my 92" Mitsubishi and it works fine. You should be in good shape with your Panasonic. One good thing is that if you buy a mini now you will have a longer period of time to test it before returning it. Normally it's 14 day return but now Apple has expanded it through January 7, 2013 (just make sure you purchase it before 12/25/2012). The refurbished mini's come and go as supply allows, so if you don't see the model you want it should be back soon. You can find them here; http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini
Hope that helps 🙂
For those whose Software Updater doesn't show this firmware update, you can also find it here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1616?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Please let Apple know if the new firmware has fixed your issues or not 🙂
An update on where I'm up to with this.
Summary so far is, I had the blinking out problem once every couple hours. Occasionally that blinking out would lead to snow which required monitor restart.
I had my brand new mac mini swapped out with another brand new mac mini by an apple genius. The new mac mini also exhibited exactly the same problems
I ended up changing to a Mini Display Port to DVI adapter and never experienced a single blink with that setup. But obviously that stopped me from using two screens, and also stopped me from connecting my mac to my hdmi TV.
I reconnected up the original HDMI to DVI adapter to my monitor today to make sure my mac was still experiencing the same problem. Within 10 minutes of power up I saw my first blink. Now having confirmed I was still experiencing the issue, I applied the firmware update 1.7 from apple.
So far after a period of about 30 minutes, I haven't noticed a flicker yet. Those who've had the problem instantly recognise that 30 minutes is no where near a long enough test to confirm a fix.
I will continue my staring competition/torture, err I mean testing of this display and I will report back my results once I've either got confidence that this is fixed, or when I experience a blink again.
I will also say that the washed out color problem remains. I freely admit that I haven't tried to calibrate this monitor at all yet, but really I shouldn't need to.
Finally, good luck to everyone out there who experienced the problem and are now trying this fix.
After returning mac mini due to blinking issue, I got new one (cheaper with no fusion drive) that had same issue before EFI update. It seems that update fixed issue because I do not see it anymore (several days). I have dual monitor setup DELL U2410, also HDMI worked fine with Toshiba REGZA TV.
There are still some (non display related issues) when mini wakes up from sleep. I need to restart browser to get sound back (e.g. youtube) on external usb audio. It is unlikely audio driver because does not happen on other mac machines.
Update on my second mini with a dead Thunderbolt port after second visit to Genius Bar …
Recap:
Result: It was the adapter.
While I won't be fully convinced until this mini with new DVI adapter is solid until it's run flawlessly for two weeks, I must say this refusal by the first genius to test the adapter wasted many hours of my time and some gas money.
I'm going to detail the test steps taken at the Genius Bar because it wasn't smooth and perhaps others can pick up a hint or two.
Diagnostic steps:
Conclusion: Bad DVI adapter. No idea why it resurrected for the second mini only to die again later.
On the recommendation of the senior Apple tech, I will be providing polite, but strongly worded feedback to http://apple.com/retail/feedback/
When I think of the hours I wasted setting up the first mini, the time & gas money for the useless first visit to the Apple Store, rolling back to my laptop, wiping and reinstalling the OS to return the mini, setting up the second mini, rolling back to my laptop again, and then syncing back to the mini today, well, you can imagine my level of dissatisfaction.
So folks, if the Apple Genius tries to brush you off, insist that they do the diagnostics no matter how many times they've seen the problem.
If I encounter any problems with this second adapter, I assure you I'll be back to let you know. :-)
TB to DVI isn't a workaround for some of us. I'm using the Mac Mini in my living room as a HTPC (runs XBMC, etc) and I use its HDMI output to send video and audio to my AV receiver for 5.1 sound. DVI does not send audio, does not support HDCP (which means I can't play protected movies etc) and my AV receiver doesn't have DVI inputs. I want to/must use the HDMI output.
As I explained in a previous post, using an EDID device inline (in my case "Dr HDMI") fixes the disappearing picture problem I had (I know someone else solved it with a Gefen Detective, which is also an EDID device). I suspect there's more than one problem, but there's certainly something wrong with the Mini's HDMI EDID handling. Dunno if that's fixable in software... when 10.8.3 comes out, if it doesn't fix it then I will be returning my Mini and wait until they fix it in a new one.
You're not reading the main point here, the ONLY connection Apple says works without issues are THUNDERBOLT TO THUNDERBOLT. Display Port does not work. HDMI does not work. No adapters via HDMI or Thunderbolt work.
I bought a $700 Dell U2713HM to replace my Gateway 24" 1080p monitor and the Vizio HDTV before that, specifically to get a proper image from my 2012 mini. The Vizio HDTV was hooked up via HDMI and looked awful, the whites were overblown. I tried the Gateway next, via HDMI, same exact problem. Then I bought the Dell and used a MDP to DP cable (no adapter). The image quality was much better but still not right. However, the mini died just a few days after getting the monitor. DisplayPort does not fix the issue, this is a 2012 Mac mini issue, the monitor is not the problem. Apple's Genius Bar employees admitted to me and read the Apple bulletin that said this is a known problem that the only video out that works properly on the 2012 mini is Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt. Not MDP to DP through the Thunderbolt/MDP jack, or any other variation. There is no fix. Apple does not know if they will fix this in the future, but they do know that they are instructing their employees not to replace the hardware once your mini fails. Meaning, you will have a very expensive paperweight, and it doesn't matter if you have AppleCare (I do), Apple will still do nothing for you.
I still do not know why this happened. Apple does not seem to know why it happens to some mini's while others seem to work fine (or why mine worked for 3 weeks before dying), but the Apple Genius' said, once this happens you cannot get any video output except through Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt, meaning "we sold you a faulty computer, but now you should spend another $1000 to be able to use it". There are still massive issues with color profiles, washed out whites, black screens, on screen static, etc. that the last OS X mini-specific update did not solve completly. Even if I spent another $1000 with Apple for a Thunderbolt display, I would have a mini that doesn't have full functionality as advertised, with no fix available.
I got my late 2012 Mini in November.
I have experinenced some blackouts but they were rare, maybe two or three times a day.
I only had one major colored noise burst that requred turning the monitor on and off.
When it became available, I have applied the EFI firmware update.
Now everything is fine.
Even before the update, aside the occasional flicker,
I didn't have any other image quality issues like fuzzy text, washed out colors or burnt out whites.
I tried HDMI to DVI, Thunderbolt to DisplayPort and Thunderbolt to DVI connections on three monitors:
Eizo ColorEdge CG243W,
Dell Ultrasharp U2412M,
and Samsung Syncmaster XL20 (actually Samsung does not have DP, so I only tried HDMI to DVI and Thunderbolt to DVI).
All combinations work prefectly for me!
Image quality is perfect and the output looks IDENTICAL on both TB and HDMI ports,
connected to DP and DVI inputs on my monitors.
Colors are good, text is sharp and I can see subtle shades of dark and light grayscale patches.
I have added 16GB of RAM and I have just finished a huge Photoshop compositing and retouching job and I enjoyed doing it.
After reading all this horror stories, I guess I'm really lucky!
Late 2012 Mac Mini 2.6Ghz Core i7, Fusion drive.
Installed 16GB of OWC RAM. My primary display (Apple LED Cinema Display w/displayport) would occasionally go black. Required a reboot (sometimes power-cycle of the Display would resolve it, and sometimes hot-plugging the display would resovle it). I even saw a couple times where power-cycling the second display would bring the Apple display back to life too.
Replaced the LED Cinema Display with an Apple Thunderbolt Display. Exact same issue.
installed a fresh OS on a 2nd HD -- same issue.
Read about all the other people having a similar issue. I was out of town, but installed the mid-December firmware update around 1/1/13. Didn't help.
Dropped the Mini off at the Genius Bar of the Apple Store. They kept it for a week, ran quick diags and gave it a clean bill of health. Absolutely worthless.
I finally dawned on me that it could be a RAM issue, so I reverted to the 4GB OEM RAM. Worked perfectly. No issues at all. Rock solid.
Paired 1x 8GB OWC DIMM with 1x 2GB OEM RAM -- again, no issues. Life is good.
OWC cross-shipped me a replacement 16GB upgrade. Exact same issues all around.
Now I'm returning the OWC RAM (with a 15% restocking fee).
I'm hoping I won't have this issue when using some other vendors RAM.
Any suggestions?
It definitely seems to be something with the shared video memory.
I can CONSISTENTLY demonstrate the issue by running a (Flash) video in full-screen on either Apple Display (2560 x 1440) while a second 1920 x 1200 display is attached AND I have 16GB of OWC RAM installed.
Either Apple Display (I have one attached, and have borrowed another for testing) just goes black after about a minute, like it went to sleep or something. Audio is still there, and if I connect remotely, the graphics are still there.
I wind up having to reboot the Mac to recover.
If I pair one of the 8GB OWC DIMM's with an OEM 2GB DIMM, I don't have the issue. Been running fine with 10GB for weeks. Problem immediately reappears with 2x 8GB OWC DIMM's / 16GB of RAM.
--
I have two monitors connected to my late 2012 i7 Mini.
I do a lot of Photoshop work with huge files, so I have installed 16 GB of RAM.
I have Eizo CG243W connected with Thunderbolt/DP cable as my main monitor for critical color work
and Dell U2412M connected with HDMI/DVI cable for Photoshop tools and palettes.
I never had any color problems and no detail loss in whites.
At first I had some blinking and colored noise issues, but they all dissapeared after the first firmware update.
Now everything is rock solid,
I have Photoshop sessions as long as 12 hours without a single glitch.
I'm using high quality cables.
I'm using direct HDMI to DVI cable (no adapters) and it is a quality cable rated for full HD signal.
There are some cheaper cables out there rated as HD Ready (720p max)
and maybe they can be blamed for some issues?
Mac Mini 2012 video blinking out
