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Q: OS X color calibration utility not working correctly

I'm using the Apple Display Calibrator Assistant to calibrate my Dell external monitors on my MBP. Under System Prefs > Displays > Color > Calibrate ... I turn on "Expert Mode" and click Continue.

 

When I get to the screen labled "Determine your display's native response" (and any screen beyond) I normally move the sliders around to calibrate the apple logo to my eye. I've done this a million times before but suddenly the sliders don't affect anything, no matter which screen! Even if I move a slider to a corner where it should tint the screen all red or blue or something.

 

These are new monitors but I successfully did this with two different Dell monitors just fine a few months ago.

 

Help appreciated!

 

Relevant system info:

OS X 10.8.4 (12E55)

MBP 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1024 MB graphic @ 1920x1080

Two Dell U2312HM monitors

iPhone 3G, iOS 4, Mac Pro towers, MacbBook Pro, Mac Minis, PowerBook

Posted on Jul 15, 2013 5:10 PM

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Q: OS X color calibration utility not working correctly

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 15, 2013 7:21 PM in response to espd
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Jul 15, 2013 7:21 PM in response to espd

    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

     

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

     

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

     

    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

     

    Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select

    View â–¹ Show Log List

    from the menu bar.

     

    Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard (command-C). Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).

    When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.

    Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.

    Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

  • by espd,

    espd espd Jul 16, 2013 2:43 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2013 2:43 PM in response to Linc Davis

    There were no Console messages.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 16, 2013 3:58 PM in response to espd
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Jul 16, 2013 3:58 PM in response to espd

    Does calibration work on the built-in display?

  • by espd,

    espd espd Jul 16, 2013 5:46 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2013 5:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

    It does.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 16, 2013 6:30 PM in response to espd
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Jul 16, 2013 6:30 PM in response to espd

    So it has never worked with these monitors? If you still have the old monitors, does it work with them?

     

    Disconnect one monitor and test. If there's no change, continue.

     

    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

     

    Step 1

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

     

    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

     

    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

     

    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

     

    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

     

    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

     

    Step 2

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, or by a peripheral device.

     

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

     

    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs.  The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

     

    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

     

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

     

    After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

  • by espd,

    espd espd Aug 2, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 2, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Haven't had time to try the above troubleshooting, but I will reply when I do it.