Activating Mini DisplayPort after transplanting internal hard drive?

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Level 1

15 points

Activating Mini DisplayPort after transplanting internal hard drive?

Just transplanted an internal SSD from a 2008 Mac Pro (which had two DVI input) into a more powerful 2009 Mac Pro (which has one DVI input and two mini Displayport inputs). Trying to connect two monitors to it, and the DVI input is fine but the mini Displayport inputs don't appear to be working anymore, and I'm assuming this is related to the hard drive, as the mini Displayports were fine before the operation. Any advice on how to get these working that wouldn't require a clean wipe and install of OS X?

Thanks!

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 11:41 AM

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Answer 1

ManSinha

Level 6

12,183 points

Jun 24, 2016 11:43 AM in response to DanSudkamp

What OS version is on the transplanted SSD?

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Answer 2

DanSudkamp Author

Level 1

15 points

Jun 24, 2016 11:46 AM in response to ManSinha

10.10.5 Yosemite. Thanks!

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jun 24, 2016 12:07 PM in response to DanSudkamp

It has nothing to do with the SSD at all.

You said "2009 Mac Pro (which has one DVI input and two mini Displayport inputs)."

Do you really mean the graphics card in the 2009 has two mini displayport outputs and one DVI output?

What specific graphics card is it?

Does any of the two mini displayport outputs work as only connection?

- Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM

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

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

About NVRAM and PRAM

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

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Answer 4

DanSudkamp Author

Level 1

15 points

Jun 24, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lllaass

Hi, thanks for the reply. I guess that is what I meant, the graphics card has those ports. ATI Radon HD 5770 1024 MB.

I'm surprised to hear that it would have nothing to do with the transplanted SSD, as the mini Displayports worked just minutes earlier with the old drive that was previously installed. But I'll take your word for it!

And yes, I did try using mini Displayport as the only connection, it didn't work that way either. Also tried resetting the SMC and NVRAM, and neither of them resolved the problem, but thanks anyway for trying to help!

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jun 24, 2016 12:28 PM in response to DanSudkamp

Does the DVI output work?

Does the mini displayport cable and monitor input now work on another computer?

With two display connected does the problem one show in About this Mac>Displays or About this Mac>System Report>Graphics/Displays?

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Answer 6

DanSudkamp Author

Level 1

15 points

Jun 24, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lllaass

The DVI output is working fine. And yes the mini Displayport and monitor work with another computer. I also just successfully used a VGA-to-mini Display with the computer in question and it worked fine, meaning the ports are fine. So the problem I guess is with the adapter/cable I'm using. Weird that it would be fine with other computers and not this one... Anyway, thanks for the help.

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Answer 7

Jun 24, 2016 2:12 PM in response to DanSudkamp

You can only run two out of three "legacy" displays (DVI or other displays with adapters) off that card. To get the third, you need to be using an ACTIVE adapter or a direct DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort connection, no adapters.

That is why the query about whether just using one adapter on one Mini DisplayPort works by itself.

Even if it won't light up the display, if you have any ONE display working you can look in About this Mac to see if the display_name for any of the others is showing.

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Answer 8

Jun 24, 2016 2:19 PM in response to DanSudkamp

The question you did not ask directly, is, "Does Mac OS, as installed, always contain "Drivers for every appropriate Mac?".

The answer is Yes for Purchased versions, and NO for factory installed or re-installs of the original factory-shipped versions. Factory Installed contain only Drivers for the specific model they shipped with.

So if that drive has a MacOS that was factory-installed for a different model Mac, it is possible it does not contain all Drivers you need.

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