Mac Pro won't use 1920x1200 (VGA)

The issue isn't that the display doesn't work correctly at 1920x1200, but that MacOSX doesn't present me with the resolution to select in display preferences. I would think those available selections would be derived from the monitor EDID and the graphics card capabilities.

I will verify the adapter, and report back if it makes a difference.

Melophage wrote:

padarjohn,

where did I claim that the issue was that your display doesn’t work correctly at 1920 × 1200?

You didn't, specifically. You suggested that the issue might be a poorly constructed clone of Apple's adapter (which I haven't ruled out). I read that to mean that you think the adapter may not be properly driving the display.

I'm also open to the possibility that MacOSX handshakes with the adapter and a clone may not present necessary capabilities, which is why, as I said, I'm going to confirm whether it's an Apple adapter and if not, whether that makes a difference.

OK. Yes, it's an Apple miniDisplayPort-to-VGA adapter (I had to check, I know I've used 3rd-party adapters in the past). So I guess we can rule out the adapter.

And... now I've elimimated any possibility that the KVM is the source of the problem. I dug up another VGA cable and directly connected the Mac Pro to the monitor (through the Apple adapter).

Same thing - the closest resolution the Mac will give me is 1920x1080.

Simply amazing. A $10K system with the most advanced graphics setup on the planet, and it won't talk correctly to a VGA monitor.

Well, Apple's support was pretty much useless. They act as if they're not aware of any issues, and their solution (from a "senior level" person) is basically “gee, that’s too bad. It might get fixed in a future update. Maybe you should use a different monitor.”

Given that this problem has been going on for well over a year now I'm not going to hold my breath.

😟

I was hoping for more of a "look at these log files, run these programs to collect info" and "try changing this plist, etc." kind of experience.

samberl wrote:

Hold down the option key when choosing "Scaled" in the Displays preference pane and the other non-available resolutions should be displayed, including 1920 x 1200.

Good luck.

Been there, done that, a long time before even posting here. The only additional resolution it gives me is 1920x1080.

I even tried overriding the EDID based on what I found here

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/106933/mavericks-not-able-to-use-extern al-display-at-full-resolution

Even though that issue involves miniDisplayPort-DisplayPort adapter instead of miniDisplayPort-VGA I figured it was worth a shot. It didn't have any effect, though.I did veryify that it works correctly if I use a miniDisplayPort-DVI adapter and DVI cable. But DVI isn't an option, for reasons I don't want to go into here.