Mac Mini (2012) HDMI losing sync (blank screen/snow)

It seems that this thread is attracting many types of problems. Is it possible we are combining unrelated issues in this original thread? Just asking, there could be a connection?

My display doesn't go blank or flicker. It just goes to a greyish snow with no pattern to it. It has no jiggle or ripple to it. It lasts for about 1 second and then returns without any issues to the OS or apps that are running at the time.

I did speak to an (apple.ca) tech today referring him to this thread. I expressed to him that this problem seems more like a hardware issue than a possible software update fix. Which he reluctantly agreed with. Would any others agree with this?

I am also looking to purchase a laptop, possible MacBook Air but they also use the same GPU as the MM. I did a search for MBA with display issues and there was some. Any possible connection?

At the end of our conversation it is my understanding that apple is aware of this issue and there is an internal report (em550) that's not been released to the public yet. Keep looking!

It would be useful if specific details were included in future posts. Such as a "date code" or something. I have a revision ID of: 0x0009 for my GPU.

Official Response from Apple:

This is a known issue, and it is specifcally related to a problem with the HDMI interface on the new Intel HD4000 Graphics card. This means the HDMI output port in the Mac Mini 2012, not using a DVi to HDMI conversion (which works great on my Mini).

The solution will be fixed by a firmware update, and so you just have to wait until it comes via Software Update.

(or of course, return your Mac Mini, which I just might do).

Michaelk5, what is the source for your quote? I'd like to use it in my appointment with Apple on Saturday.

Decided my Mini is going back. Purchased on 2nd November '12.

Apple website wouldn't allow a return even though the holiday return window is open (27 October to 25 December). Had to call them and pointed out the website statement to this effect:

http://store.apple.com/uk/help/returns_refund

Intel integrated grahics really do suck. Lesson learned. Time to start saving for something with meaty GPU inside.

Hi

Like many others I was experiencing flickering (so now and then, about 2 seconds) and/or coloured snow on my Mac Mini 2012 i7, connected to HDMI. Luckily my monitor (HP LP2475w) has a display port. I bought a mini-DP to DP cable (€ 14.00) and connected my monitor to the DP, which solved the problem.

When connecting a second monitor (to the HDMI port) this does not effect the good working of the HP LP2475w connected to the DP. However the flickering and snow is much worse on the second monitor, than it was when only a single monitor was connected to HDMI. After some time the snowing even remains until I unplug and plugin the monitor again. Morover, the Mac Mini gets very warm then. Therefore I now work with one monitor again, on the DP.

I thought this info could be useful. Maybe a question of overload?

Best regards,

John

I am not having the flickering /snow anymore, what I did was applied the 10.8.2 supplement 2 package and it fixed it, my monitor is quite responsive and all BUT, I still have a problem when restarting my mac mini, my monitor loses the signal and will not bring it back no matter what I do until I have to force restart pressing the power button, then the monitor picks up signal from the HDMI port and I can see a full restart process. Perhaps I am wondering if I am not seeing the mac mini restart correctly is because I do not hear the booting sound, maybe that is why the monitor will not get a signal thru HDMI.

alberto.benamu wrote:

I still have a problem when restarting my mac mini, my monitor loses the signal and will not bring it back no matter what I do until I have to force restart pressing the power button

Really glad that you are not seeing the flickering problem Alberto. Regarding the restarting problem, does your keyboard have a remote power button (so you can restart the mini via the keyboard)? There are some things that you can try, but you'll first need the appropriate keyboard to try them. It sounds like you're having HDMI handshake issues. Also you can adjust the volume of your boot chime if you need to. See THIS article for instructions. Hope that helps.

My keyboard and mouse are not apple, they are Logitech. I am not sure about HDMI issues, as my mac mini not shutting down or restarting properly.

alberto.benamu wrote:

My keyboard and mouse are not apple, they are Logitech.

It's not an Apple feature. My keyboard is also Logitech and it has the power button. Regarding the other issues, have you tried repairing Disk Permissions? That has been know to help shutting down and reboot issues.

You are right, I have a power button, how on earth could I miss that? I have fixed permissions and will do again and see if I have a successful restart with chime and all.

alberto.benamu wrote:

You are right, I have a power button, how on earth could I miss that? I have fixed permissions and will do again and see if I have a successful restart with chime and all.

If your sound is running through HDMI then you might not hear the chime because it will be muted. Just give it around two minutes to reboot without touching anything. See if it comes to the password screen. If it does then you're golden. If it doesn't then try clicking the remote power button and choose sleep. Once it's in sleep mode tap your spacebar or move the mouse around to wake the computer. The HDMI handshake should work this time and your password screen should (at this time) be visible. Hope it works out for you 🙂

I have sound thru toslink. Will try what you suggest, right now.. Will report once I am back.

Thanks.

alberto.benamu wrote:

I have sound thru toslink.

That may also mute your chime if it's selected in the Sound > Output section.

Well as you said I do not hear the chime, also my mac is not restarting as it should. Could it be that I have several peripherals connected thru USB. I have not tried restarting with only keyboard and mouse connected yet.

Just had my second call with Apple Support (+353 21 238 0596). They claimed not to have any knowledge of this this problem. I told them I wanted to keep the fault ticket open but wait for a while to see if a fix is released. In the mean time I have bought a cheap Thunderbolt-DVI adaptor and everything is working okay.