Mac Mini i5 2011 HDMI handshake/flicker issue...

If the firmware required an update, and that was not applied,

a problem may exist where a cure could have fixed it...

Identification of the model, so as to apply the correct item

is important; since the incorrect one won't fix an issue in

hardware it was not intended to resolve.

•Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.6 - for 2011 MINI

helps issue with USB ports and connectivity

•Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.7 - for 2012 MINI

helps issue with HDMI issue, not said to be for 2011.

There may be a hardware issue, so if the unit is correctly

identified as a 2011 model, the firmware update may not

help, as it is Not said to address that specific issue. So,

you may need to inquire of an Apple Authorized service

or ask an Apple Store with Genius bar about the unit, it

may (or may not) be something they could help you with.

You could try & see if this reset (try more than once) could

help the issue; it may be a hardware failure. Check all the

cables, plugs, and ports to see if the issue is not in Mini.

•Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support

Perhaps a genius could perform a stress test on video

or see if some other items appear weak in a test. If a

genius in official Apple Store location is unavailable, you

may have to locate an authorized service provider who

has staff with experience troubleshooting Mini graphics.

A problem may indicate a repair, if SMC reset, or other

hardware (cable, display, other cause) doesn't fix it.

Did you try the SMC reset to see if the system power

management controller may affect this situation?

If you are sure (by serial number lookup or records) the

computer is a Mid 2011 build, not a Late 2012, the first

and earlier EFI firmware update may have been applied

already. Correct identification helps in such matters...

•PS: Do the web page URLs in your post have significance?

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

edited

With a reproducible problem, the issue likely is hardware caused; at least

between the items you have working together. There may be a condition of

exists between incompatible gear in that instance. Hard to say how to fix it.

Maybe someone else may see this and offer ideas based on finding out

first-hand on the other choices, or some item not regularly experienced.

Sorry to not be of much help...

Hopefully someone can offer alternative ideas.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Just wanted to let you know that I too have exactly the same issue. I can plug my mac mini into my projector without any problem, but when I plug it first into my 1604, I get the flickering. Also, exactly as you said, it does not flicker during the boot process. The strange thing was that when I first setup the receiver, it seemed to hold the signal. However, there after I get the flickering and the inability to lock the HDMI signal. I read somewhere that you can do a reset of the HDMI connections which might help. Will try and find and let you know how it goes.

One of the other incidental items that may affect graphic and display performance

in these Mini versions with dependent standard system RAM for use in graphics,

may be to increase the installed user-upgradeable system RAM so there is more

RAM available to the graphics chip that shares it. About 256MB VRAM is all the

AMD graphic processor has, but it would draw from standard RAM for support.

•Mac Mini (Mid-2011, MacMini5.2, A1347, 2442) Core i5 2.5 dual core specs:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i5-2.5-mid-20 11-specs.html

Maximum Memory 16 GB (Actual) -- 8 GB (Apple)

Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

•Mac mini: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

recent RAM spec from reputable sources show higher total will work

see OWC macsales or crucial.com for their correct spec for your Mini.

The adapters may be part of the problem, but I have no solution in that regard.

My own (two) Mac Mini computers use basic adapters for DVI display... The

most recent Mini (Late 2012) included the $30. adapter so I can use my 20"

Apple Cinema aluminum display. The older Mini, a Late 2005 PPC G4 1.5GHz

is using a Samsung panel that does OK, a basic no-frills deal with OS X 10.5.8.

So nothing really helpful in there. Would be nice to see if the new contributor

has some recent experience; finds some good leads that I've not yet explored.

Perhaps in the duration since your post, you have some additional information?

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Did you solve the problem?

I have the same issue with my mac mini 2011 and a Denon x4100 AV-receiver.

It's driving me crazy...

Not sure if there was a stated cause of the symptoms, however the hit-and-miss cure may be

a matter of (if lucky) finding at least one other brand of cable or display adapter to try & use...

Since these kinds of issues are hard to reproduce in a computer where they're not present

and sometimes hard to reproduce if only the computer is taken in for diagnostic testing if the

adapters or cables normally used with the computer are not included, there may be some hope

if replacement cables and adapters are tested in the configuration; one may be defective.

While the unit may be checked or tested by an expert or maybe even an Apple Store genius, to

see if any evidence of internal hardware error or defect exists, those tests usually do not include

any peripheral extras, cables or adapters that are external to the computer or official Apple parts.

• Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store Genius Bar
• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider

• Apple - Find Locations - Country Selector (sales, service, etc)

https://locate.apple.com/country

Ports, cable jacks, connectors, cables and adapters, and also the display itself should be inspected

and suspected. You may be able to get some free inspection or diagnostic tests on the computer at

an official Apple retail Store where they have a genius section, by reservation. Or on a fee-basis

through an Authorized Apple Service Provider (independent authorized reseller/service repair) shop.

The hardware tests included with the computing hardware are not indicative of correct diagnosis;

however professional testing and duration testing with an idea of what to look for, may be helpful.

Sorry to not have any real answer in this matter. But thought to reply as another year approaches.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Hello, everybody! I'm owner of Mac Mini late 2012 working with El Capitan, after implementing update in December the computer lost HDMI connection to Full HD TV via Yamaha reciever (it does not matter, I tried direct connection without success). I've also already tried multiple SMC as well as PRAM resets which haven't worked, replaced a battery on motherboard as well. Even Internet recovery tool has not worked. I could see just light grey screen with an apple in the center, a second later picture disappeared. The computer is available by VNC, I've tried all diagnostic tools, it has not revealed thardware's troubles.

Expect that the December's update was a reason. Hope, that Apple knows about the issue and going to help.

You may see if official hands-on may help to further appraise the issue.

• Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store Genius Bar
• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider

Suggest you offer some feedback, perhaps to Product feedback area

as noted from the Contact Apple page http://www.apple.com/contact/

among all Feedback links copy-pasted below:

Apple Feedback

Tell us how we’re doing. Select the appropriate feedback option

(we read everything, but can’t always respond):

•Product Feedback

If you tried any of the above including replacement cables or adapters, in case they

were cause of the issue, and nothing worked out, you may need to visit an AASP to

see what they'd charge for a full diagnostic test of your Mini...

Good luck! 😐

{the post replied to has been relocated; this is an old thread}

Hi sensei_russ. Did you solve this?

I have the same problem with mid-2011 mac mini and Marantz SR5011 (2016).

Stable on boot disk section screen, but 7 second flicker once booted.

I noticed this was solved in another thread after Yamaha supplied a firmware update specifically to solve this issue...

Re: Mac Mini HMDI Chronic HDTV Refresh Problem?

We have had a HDMI problem but only with Macmini5,1 models which is a mid 2011 model. Our Macmini5,1 models have the Intel built-in HD 3000 graphics chip they do not have an AMD chip.

Like you describe it results in an apparent handshake/flicker issue and the screen keeps flickering to black. This occurs with a HDMI cable to a KVM to a monitor. We tried several Mini Displayport to HDMI adapters to see if this would work better but the only adapter that fixed the problem for us was this one. http://www.club-3d.com/index.php/products/reader.en/product/mini-displayport-12- to-hdmi-20-uhd-active-adapter.html

The most important aspect of the above is that it is an 'active' adapter rather than a passive adapter. All the cheaper adapters are passive ones. Being an active adapter it regenerates the clock signal which may be the reason it works.

Brilliant. Thanks John. I'll try that active adaptor you recommend.

Thanks again!

wilko

Thanks John for your help!

The club-3d adapter solved my problem!

Thanks again!

Patrick