MacPeter
Level 2 (185 points)

Q: thunderbolt display sluggish and needs to be replugged

i have two thunderbolt displays and both are behaving oddly: unresponsive at times, and needing to be unplugged and plugged back in constantly. Does anyone else have such an issue?

Mac Pro (Late 2013), mac os x El Capitan

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 2:42 PM

by Smokerz,Apple recommended
Smokerz Smokerz
Level 6 (9,699 points)
A:

Would be helpful if you thoroughly described your external set up to which bus and which port. there are 3 buses and 6 ports.

 

 

read this:

http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/mac-pro-thunderbolt-performance/

Posted on Feb 17, 2016 4:05 AM

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MacPeter

Q: thunderbolt display sluggish and needs to be replugged

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  • by Smokerz,Apple recommended

    Smokerz Smokerz Feb 17, 2016 4:05 AM in response to MacPeter
    Level 6 (9,699 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 4:05 AM in response to MacPeter

    Would be helpful if you thoroughly described your external set up to which bus and which port. there are 3 buses and 6 ports.

     

     

    read this:

    http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/mac-pro-thunderbolt-performance/

  • by MacPeter,

    MacPeter MacPeter Feb 17, 2016 1:23 AM in response to Smokerz
    Level 2 (185 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 1:23 AM in response to Smokerz

    Thank you for the link: that is useful and interesting.

     

    Meanwhile, at home I have the Apple 27" display connected to the thunderbolt port 1 of the mac pro (late 2013) and the other thunderbolt ports don't have anything connected to them. Lot's of usb chargers are connected to the USB ports on the mac pro and also on the display. There is an airport express connected to the mac pro ethernet port 1 because the mac pro is situated in a place awkward to receive wifi signal. So the wifi on the mac pro is switched off and the airport express does that job. I have the latest keyboard and trackpad (the ones that connect by bluetooth or lightning with rechargeable batteries).

     

    Every so often the display freezes: the trackpad and keyboard give no response but if I log in to the computer from my iphone (ssh) it seems it is still functioning. In those circumstances, unplugging and replugging the thunderbolt connection to the mac pro sometimes fixes the problem after a 30 second wait. But sometimes I reboot the computer and then things are fine again.  Another issue is that sometimes the USB ports on the display appear dead.

     

    Yesterday I purchased two thunderbolt cables (which are amazingly expensive) and connected the display to the computer by using the thunderbolt port on the back of the display. This does seem to have dramatically improved everything. The display is considerably more responsive. So far ..

     

    Thus the cable with thunderbolt and macbook charger is not being used today.

     

    It's very natural to guess that there is something wrong with the display's built in connecting cable.

     

    I am hoping this explanation gives you a clear idea of the external setup I have, and maybe you can comment on this. Should I take the display into the apple store to have it checked out?

  • by Smokerz,Apple recommended

    Smokerz Smokerz Feb 17, 2016 4:31 PM in response to MacPeter
    Level 6 (9,699 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 4:31 PM in response to MacPeter

    I'd try one Display and connect it to bus 0 port #5. See if those problems go away. I'd also use the built in TB connector. Make sure you do not align those TB connectors wrongly. Its a definite could be problem. Slightly rounded to slightly rounded.

     

    If that works then connect the second Apple display to bus 0 port #6 and see what happens. If good leave them alone. If wonky then move the second display away from bus 0.

     

    Also go to Apple support and search for a firmware updater v1.2 for those TB displays.

     

    also go to apple support and check on their latest smc and efi boot rom versions against what your ASP reads. keep these up to date

  • by Smokerz,

    Smokerz Smokerz Feb 17, 2016 4:33 PM in response to MacPeter
    Level 6 (9,699 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 4:33 PM in response to MacPeter

    when you have time list the manufacturer of this e usb hubs. They definitely could cause the issues.

  • by MacPeter,

    MacPeter MacPeter Mar 10, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Smokerz
    Level 2 (185 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Smokerz

    So, I didn't follow your advice because, at least for the moment, the following is working for me.

    I bought two thunderbolt cables and plugged the monitors in via their thunderbolt port. Things are considerably happier this way.

     

    Most of the USB peripherals are Inateck, there's a USB/ethernet hub and I also use some inateck 2.5" drive enclosures.

     

    There are two monitors, but actually these are connected to different computers, one to a 15" Macbook Pro c. 2012 and the other one at home to the Mac Pro. I haven't tried connecting both monitors to the mac pro!

     

    Now the cable attached to both monitors is not being used for anything and I am reluctant to mess with it as everything is apparently working.

     

    If I discover anything further I will update..