Mini DisplayPort adapter only works for a few minutes

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Mini DisplayPort adapter only works for a few minutes

Hi everyone!

I have the latest Mac Mini (2012) and I have it connected to a samsung monitor via HDMI. I would also like to use my Dell 1707FP monitor as a second screen. Here is my problem. I connect the dell monitor via a Rocketfish mini displayport to DVI adapter and a generic DVI cable and it works, but only for about 10-15 minutes. Then the monitor begins to flicker in and out for a few minutes then goes dark and the Dell monitor displays "Can't display this resolution" I've tried unpluging the cable and adapter and reconnecting them, power cycling the monitor, switching between input sources. I don't think the adapter or cable is bad because it works perfectly for a while and the monitor works on VGA with my Windows desktop. Any thoughts? I'm out of ideas.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Dell 1707FP Monitor-DVI connection

Posted on Jan 29, 2014 5:43 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

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140,274 points

Jan 29, 2014 8:16 PM in response to jojo1595

Replace the cables and try again, not all cables and adapters are created alike.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 30, 2014 3:37 AM in response to jojo1595

Alos try connecting to the HDMI port via the Apple supplied HDMI to DVI adopter. That will help determine if the problem is the Mini's Thunderbolt port or the MDP adopter vide the monitor or cable.

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Answer 3

jojo1595 Author

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Jan 30, 2014 8:25 AM in response to lllaass

Okay, I tried it using the same cable with the HDMI to DVI adapter that came with the mini, and it's doing the same thing. So it looks like it's my cable. Is it also possible that just my DVI port on the Dell monitor is failing while the vga port is still good?

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

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140,274 points

Jan 30, 2014 8:36 AM in response to jojo1595

jojo1595 wrote:

Okay, I tried it using the same cable with the HDMI to DVI adapter that came with the mini, and it's doing the same thing. So it looks like it's my cable. Is it also possible that just my DVI port on the Dell monitor is failing while the vga port is still good?

It could be the cable or the Dell's port, I had a similar issue with a HP display. The DVI connection failed on the display but the VGA worked fine, so after using different cables I was back in business.

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Answer 5

jojo1595 Author

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Jan 30, 2014 8:16 PM in response to rkaufmann87

looks like it was the cable. I picked up a new one today and it's been going strong with no issues for a couple of hours now. Thanks!

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,274 points

Jan 31, 2014 5:57 AM in response to jojo1595

Glad to hear that's all it was.

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