Macbook Display Output problems

Question

Macbook Display Output problems

I have a Macbook 2GHz and which I purchased in June.

Since the time of purchase I have been using the mini-dvi port, to output to a VGA monitor in my office, and my Cinema Display (DVI) at home via.

I have a mini-dvi to dvi adapter and a mini-dvi to vga adapater.

Recently, the Macbook has failed to detect the mini-dvi to dvi adapter, but has no problems detecting the mini-dvi to vga adapter.

Presuming that the mini-dvi to dvi adapter was faulty, I managed to receive a new one from Apple (who were very quick to respond I have to say!)

My problem is that even with the new mini-dvi to dvi adapter, I am still unable to detect an external display, and the Macbook does not even seem to detect that the adapter has been inserted.

Could this be a motherboard problem? I am just confused as to why my dvi-vga adapter works, but dvi-dvi is not working. (The DVI Cinema display has been tested with another computer and is working fine).

Macbook White Core Duo 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 13, 2006 6:15 PM

Reply

Answer 1

tylenol

Level 1

10 points

Nov 13, 2006 8:40 PM in response to Antony Nasce1

I have a similar problem, where sometimes on waking the macbook won't recognize the monitor (connected via dvi), and acts exactly like you describe. Nothing short of a reboot seems to be able to reset whatever needs to be reset, but a reboot has worked every time for me. I don't have a mini-dvi to vga adaptor, so I don't know if that would work better.

I'm pretty sure in my case at least the problem isn't the adapter, since my monitor detects when it is attached to something, and thinks it is attached to my macbook even if the macbook doesn't recognize the monitor.

I've also occasionally had a converse problem, where the macbook fails to detect that the monitor has been detached, and rebooting is again necessary. This is easier to deal with as F7 sends it into screen-mirroring mode, and I can ignore it if its not convenient to reboot just then.

I'd be interested in knowing if this is the same problem, and if anyone has any suggestions. I'm worried about trying to deal with applecare, since this problem is very inconsistent, and I doubt I'd be able to reproduce it i.e. for a genius.

Reply

Answer 2

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Nov 14, 2006 6:10 PM in response to Antony Nasce1

The digital output and the analog output on the DVI-D connector of the MB are really like two completely seperate circuits that just happen to share the same connector. It is quite possible that the digital output from the mother board has gone bad while the analog one is still working.

You have confirmed the problem exists using two different adapters. If you confirm the problem exists using two different monitors then I would think the next step is to turn it into Apple for diagnosis and repair.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 15, 2006 7:25 AM in response to BSteely

I am glad you share the same sentiment about different circuits for analogue and digital output from the same port!

When I called Apple Tech support, the man there insisted that it was the same for both, and that I simply had a faulty connector.

Since I posted my original message, the VGA adapter has ceased to operate also. I can no longer connect to an analogue or digital display from the mini-dvi port.

I'm guessing I'm going to need a completely new motherboard.

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 29, 2007 4:18 AM in response to Antony Nasce1

Question to the guys who say it doesn't work. Does it work as expected after a reboot?

I have similar issues, but a reboot fixes them (not ideal) which makes me this this is a software (OS) issue, not a hardware problem.

Reply