After the 10.9.2 update, I'm seeing the white screen with apple logo at boot

Question

After the 10.9.2 update, I'm seeing the white screen with apple logo at boot

Note: I'm seeing similar DP issues with a Mac mini - mid 2011. It has a built-in AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256MB.

I'm using a Startech DP-DualLink DVI adapter (http://www.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-DVI-Dual-L ink-Active-Adapter-USB-Powered~MDP2DVID). This drives a 2560x1600 display.

After the 10.9.2 update, I'm seeing the white screen with apple logo at boot and then at the point where the white screen would be replaced by the desktop, the adapter drops into a test pattern (as if it had lost signal).

Using an (unpowered) DP-VGA adaptor works (different monitor).

Posted on Mar 5, 2014 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 5, 2014 10:09 AM in response to James Brunner

James,

I'd suggest you start a new thread since this sounds like a similar issue, but a with different cause. You probably won't get much help here since it is specific to the Radeon 7950.

However (if at all possible), I'd suggest you first try a monitor with a native display port to see if the problem is your GPU or the adapter. If it is the GPU, try calling Applecare (if you have the extended coverage). If not, take it to an Apple Genius if there is an Apple Store nearby (make an appointment online first to save time). Hopefully, they can easily plug it into a Display Port monitor (if they have an old one) to check the GPU and there won't be a charge. I don't think this model supports Thunderbolt displays, but you could try a TB display (if it does).

I suppose it could also be the monitor, so you could also try plugging in another DVI monitor to the adapter.

Good luck!

Dave

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2014 10:33 AM in response to James Brunner

James,

One more thought.... I would guess there is an 80% chance that it is your adapter. My problem (and several others), developed the problem because we inadvertently ran the GPU in "PC Mode" and it (surprisingly) worked until 10.9.2. There was obviously some minor change in the driver that made it incompatible to run in PC mode, but works fine when set (correctly) in "Mac mode." These changes may have made the adapter incompatible.

You may want to call Startech support to see if they have seen a problem with 10.9.2. and see if they have any suggestions.

Dave

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Answer 3

Mar 5, 2014 5:09 PM in response to David Strait

David, my point in posting is that I don't believe the problem is specific to the Radeon 7950. My mini has a built-in Radeon 6630M. I've also seen a similar post for Radeon 5870. Based on all decriptions, I think it's the same root problem. The interesting difference here though is that this is built-in factory hardware, not an add-on card. And obviously, there's no "pc/mac switch".

I have talked with StarTech. They indicated that they have working minis, using the adapter. I didn't ask though if their mini's were using Radeon or Intel Graphics. This was an option on the mid-2011 mini.

You mention, pc vs mac mode and compare that to an incompatibility in the adaptor. Remember, that the adaptor is on the other end of the displayport. The thing that changed is the graphics driver inside the mini - the same Radeon driver that impacted your card.

Other notes: The adaptor is not dead, because it's successfully displaying the white screen and apple logo at boot. The monitor is fine for the same reason and also because my PC can drive it just fine. The display port functions because of the white logo. The display port also works with a VGA adapter (don't know that this tells us anything useful). The problem first manifested itself during the 10.9.2 patch process.

I've submitted an apple bug report. Apple hasn't responded, but the bug has been marked as a duplicate - so someone else has reported similar.

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Answer 4

Mar 5, 2014 6:04 PM in response to James Brunner

Hi James,

My main point should be that you originally posted your issue on a thread that was specific to a possible issue with the Radeon 7950 (since moved to this new thread by the moderator). Howvever, it seems there is no problem with the 7950; only operator error (by myself, and at least a few other people). Everyone who had the issue responded that the problem was solved when the switch was in the correct position (these were reported in two other threads that didn't originate). So clearly this "problem" didn't apply in your case.

Your question probably wouldn't have been found by others that have the same issue you are having.

Good luck!

Dave

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Answer 5

Mar 29, 2014 11:47 AM in response to James Brunner

As much as it makes me nervous to install software from Russia, this fixed the issue. It's a shame that after a month, Apple couldn't resolve this.

See post: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5939590?answerId=25218128022#25218128022

Thanks Amaga.

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Answer 6

Oct 21, 2014 9:07 PM in response to James Brunner

Got an email from Apple. Problem is resolved in Yosemite. Roughly 8 months - but it's finally fixed.

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