DELL 2007WFP as External display

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DELL 2007WFP as External display

For some reason - and I've called both Apple and Dell about this to no avail - I can not use a DELL 2007WFP on my Macbook. The lights on the DELL simply go amber.

If anyone has anything that might help me, please please let me know - since both of these products are brand new and I would really love to get them working.

Macbook (black) 2.0 Intel Core Duo - 2Gb RAM - 80Gb HD, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 25, 2006 11:47 AM

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Answer 1

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Imola

Level 2

395 points

May 25, 2006 11:50 AM in response to cdevroe

Does the MacBook detect the monitor? I have the 2001FP and 2405FP and both works fine, also there's a couple of users here who uses the 2005FP without issues either. Are you using a brand new Mini-DVI to DVI cable? A couple of users reported that they tried to use their cable from their powerbooks and got a dim display with some Dell monitors.

-Imola

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Answer 2

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 12:33 PM in response to Imola

Yes, the Macbook detects the monitor just fine. It knows what features are supported, etc - but simply will not display my mirrored nor extended desktop. I can not figure it out.

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Answer 3

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 12:53 PM in response to cdevroe

Can someone verify, on a Macbook, that there are no pins missing in the mini-DVI i/o port on the left side of the Macbook? From what I can tell, the middle bottom row, is missing the 2nd and 4th pin from the right. I can't see in there well enough to determine whether or not they are broken, missing, or supposed to be there at all. Please confirm this if possible.

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Answer 4

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 1:56 PM in response to cdevroe

I am going absolutely bonkers over here, because as far as I can tell - this should be working. Every single component (Macbook, mini-DVI to DVI Adapter, and DELL 2007WFP 20.1" widescreen LCD) is brand new!

Again, any help would make my blood pressure go down.

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Answer 5

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 2:02 PM in response to cdevroe

Me again. The very second I plug the display into the Macbook the display says "Entering power save" and the number 2, and power button, go amber. Just so that anyone that has any insight knows exactly what is going on.

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Answer 6

May 25, 2006 2:14 PM in response to cdevroe

So how does the displaty work with another computer? If it behaves the same it might well be a problem with the display.

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Answer 7

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 2:15 PM in response to infinite vortex

I wish I had access to another machine, but I do not - currently. I plan on asking a friend to come over and plug in their Powerbook, and Macbook, respectively. We'll see how that goes, but that may not happen before tomorrow.

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Answer 8

cdevroe Author

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May 25, 2006 2:16 PM in response to infinite vortex

Also of note: I plugged my DV-camera into the display via composite, and it worked really well - so I can only imagine, at this point, it might be an issue with the cords, adapter, or macbook.

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Answer 9

May 25, 2006 2:32 PM in response to cdevroe

Well that's good news. The only thing now is to confirm your DVI port works. Once you can do that you can start playing elimination as to the cuase of your problem.

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Answer 10

Northoak

Level 3

795 points

May 25, 2006 3:30 PM in response to cdevroe

I don't have a MacBook yet but I found this info in the online manual:

To connect an external display or projector with a DVI or VGA connector to your computer:
1 Turn on the external display
2 Make sure the display cable is connected to the external display
3 Connect the display cable to your MacBook using the appropriate adapter (the Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter or the Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter).
Your MacBook automatically detects the external display.
4 Adjust the resolution on an external display by using the Displays pane of System Preferences or by using the Displays icon in the menu bar.
Note: Your MacBook supports external display resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 on Apple DVI displays and up to 1600 x 1200 on VGA displays.

I'D SAY STEP #4 IS THE IMPORTANT ONE HERE!

I use 2 displays on my iMac and I have to use "DISPLAY PREFERENCES" whenever I switch between an extended desktop or desktop mirroring.

HOPE THIS HELPS!
Northoak

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Answer 11

Imola

Level 2

395 points

May 25, 2006 4:16 PM in response to cdevroe

Here's the pic of my port.

-Imola

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Answer 12

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

May 25, 2006 9:52 PM in response to cdevroe

You mentioned the MB properly detects the Dell but you haven't said what resolution it is setting up and trying to send to the Dell. So, what is the resolution in Display Prefs that is being sent to the 2007?

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Answer 13

cdevroe Author

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May 26, 2006 4:38 AM in response to BSteely

First - Thank you for posting the photo, this helped me to know that my port appears to be "normal".

The Macbook automatically sets the 2007WFP up with 1680x1050, a resolution that is suggested by DELL, and a resolution that is said to be no problem based on the specifications page.

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Answer 14

cdevroe Author

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May 26, 2006 4:40 AM in response to BSteely

Oh, unless of course I turn mirroring on, which then it sets itself to 1280x800 which is native for the MB.

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Answer 15

May 26, 2006 5:10 AM in response to BSteely

So, what is the resolution in Display Prefs that is being sent to the 2007?

One thing nice about Dell displays is that you'll never find any weird resolutions with any of them. They too use the GMA950 in their desktops, as well as many other low end graphics processors, so for them compatibility is key.

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