Level 1

8 points

MBP CD2 DVI to VGA not working with projector

I am having issues getting the MBP to recognize a DELL 2300 projector through a DVI to VGA apple cable.

A few months ago there were posts about this, but no solutions. The problem seems to be with the 'INTEL' side of things, as the same projector with the same DVI to VGA apple cable works on an older G4 tower running 10.4.9. The projector also works on an old G4 iBook with it's version of a VGA adapter. To make things more confusing, a DVI to Video apple cable works with the DELL 2300 on my new MBP C2D-but produces a terrible quality picture. Mysteriously, my previous 1st generation MBP CD worked with the DELL 2300 via a DVI to VGA apple cable (but I'm not sure which OS was out at the time 10.4.8?)

My new MBP CD2 definately recognizes the projector through the DVI to VGA adapter, but the projector doesn't recognize the video signal from the computer. It is DEFINATELY the MBP (or universal drivers), as I have checked the DVI to VGA dongle (works), have checked the projector (works with an ibook running 10.4.8 OSX with VGA dongle), have changed resolution settings before and after connecting, have restarted computer, have tested various orders of connecting the projector and cables. STINK! (I also have TWO DVI to VGA adapters, so it is not a bad adapter). I have also played with exchanging various plist files from older universal versions of 10.4.8 that worked with the projector-no help.

As I stated, the projector will work (in horrible quality) with a DVI to Video dongle. Why it will not work with the DVI to VGA dongle is a mystery and annoying 🙂 I would hope that a newer MBP CD2 would be plug and play (like my previous MBP CD and an old G4 tower and an old iBook G4...but no).

Any ideas, any help, any answers?

MBPC2D 2.16, 2GB, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on May 6, 2007 12:58 PM

53 replies

stevemcc

Level 1

10 points

Oct 17, 2007 1:07 PM in response to magyarmerce

I'm using a new MacBook and have encountered the connection problem twice in the past month with different projectors. I've tried all the various fixes described in these postings and none of them seem to reliably fix the problem, which is making my continued use of the Macbook questionable. I'd like to join n those who suggest complaining vigorously to Apple since this is clearly a serious problem for all of us who do presentations and is a critical problem for those of us who travel and present.

horne9

Level 1

24 points

Nov 7, 2007 11:12 AM in response to stevemcc

this still on leo?

fgm1996

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2007 4:38 PM in response to magyarmerce

I just experienced the same problem with a MacBookPro3,1 / Intel Core 2 Duo/ 2.2 GHz running Leopard. I almost ruined a talk, and was saved by an old ibook which
worked flawlessly. Interestlingy, the DVI output works fine with an external Apple display. That is the LCD projector with the DVI to VGA connection that is kaput.

Russa

Level 4

1,343 points

Nov 9, 2007 5:46 PM in response to magyarmerce

Yep. I have a MBP with Leopard. I was in a meeting the other day and got up to present only to find that the Dell 3300MP wouldn't work. You can imagine the anti-MBP remarks during the meeting with all the Dell users in the room 😟

Strangely my machine can see both displays, but there is "no signal" coming from the MBP.

Fabio D.

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:25 AM in response to Fabio D.

Hi folks,
I did an upgrade (archive and install) to Leopard, but the problem is still present (with the same fashion of Tiger). So, I'm seeing such problem as an hardware-related issue, IMHO.

Help... 😟

Nov 13, 2007 5:52 PM in response to magyarmerce

Hi I have a similar problem today.

I am using MBP CD2 with a Proxima Ultralight x350 projector. The DVI to VGA is not working. The projector actually has a DVI input. So I try DVI to DVI. Not working neither. I have dual display in my MBP but nothing is detected in the projector.

Now my anti-Mac-colleagues are laughing at me. Really bad.

Have any guy from Apple responded to this thread?

Nov 13, 2007 8:20 PM in response to CrimsonScythe

Missed that earlier reply. Did you make any adjustment on the Proxima setup? I tried DVI to DVI but it didn't work.

Can Apple at least come up with a list of compatible projectors as a short term measure?

I have not upgrade to Leopard. So should I wait and see?

Nizer

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2007 7:42 AM in response to 1Samuel1803

Apple HAS NOT MADE A PEEP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. It has been here for MONTHS now.

Very disappointed.

ElBiggus

Level 2

365 points

Nov 14, 2007 8:22 AM in response to Nizer

Apple never officially respond on here; from time to time someone may pipe in, but that's a very rare occurrence. I suspect they look at the higher-traffic threads, but the result is more likely to be a software update or knowledge-base article than a post on here, as those will reach a larger audience. (Lesson to be learned: RTFM!)

For what it's worth, at work I've connected at least a dozen different types of projector to my MBP (using the Apple DVI/VGA adapter, 3rd party adapters, and DVI connections) and every time it has worked flawlessly, as it also has when any other Mac-using cow-orkers (about 150, at a rough guess) have done so, so it's not a general problem and may take a long time to even narrow down why the problem occurs, let alone fix it.

Moaning and whining that Apple aren't giving you a personal response isn't helpful to anyone, and personally it makes me disinclined to spend any of my time trying to help -- I make my living developing software, and some people seem to think that diagnosing and fixing bugs is easy, and all they need to do is shout loud enough. I can understand your frustration, but this is a support forum, not a therapy session, and given the complexity of something like OS X, the number of interacting components (including applications you've installed, the make and model of projector, system updates, extensions, other third party hardware, etc.) the problem may have absolutely nothing to do with the external video output at all.

(Apologies for the rant but I've had a long day filtering out lots of similar posts on my day-job support forum, and I've got a little cranky.)

bspence

Level 1

4 points

Nov 30, 2007 3:29 PM in response to ElBiggus

One, you're really not helpful and quite rude, especially the RTFM comment. Two, this is a problem that should be happening. Connecting a laptop to a projector is a basic, basic function that all laptops need to work. It's a serious issue, not a minor bug. I'm pretty shocked to find that Apple released a whole new operating system and this bug still isn't squashed. Like others here, it makes Apples look really bad to Windows users, and reinforces the stereotype that Macs aren't worth having because they're not compatible with much.

I've been trying to help a friend fix this problem while she has a whole party of people waiting on her. It's humiliating that something so basic doesn't work and not worth the premium price you pay for a mac.

Dec 3, 2007 11:43 AM in response to magyarmerce

Hello,

I wanted to reply to add a bit of information to the technical database, since Apple was not successful in resolving my similar issue with Mac/Projector sync/display last week.

I was having problems getting my new MacBook to work (would not connect - no signal) with a slightly older Optoma EZPro735 and called both Mac and Optoma with no resolution. I was using a DVI to VGA adapter, mirrored display at the optimum resolution with no luck.

However, I tried a duel DVI cable with my new Mac and Optoma EzPro 735 and it worked. I guess the newer MacBooks do not use VGA – only DVI.

Everything is working as it should now.

Lisa

alexbog8

Level 1

6 points

Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM in response to magyarmerce

today I had the same problem like many people here. I could not connect to a Philips bCool projector. By chance I discovered the following procedure: connect your dvi to vga adapter; connect via vga an external monitor. wait to be detected by your mac or click detect display. when is recognized, and you have display on both monitors, unplug the external monitor, BUT NOT THE DVI TO VGA ADAPTER, and then connect your projector. DON'T CLICK DETECT DISPLAY, but you can change the resolution on the projector. Anyway, in your display preference you will not see your projector, but your external monitor previous plugged. it's a little bit annoying, but at least it works. My projector has also an S-Video port, I bought today a DVI to S-Video adapter, I'm curious tomorrow to see if it works.
Cheers,

Fabio D.

Level 1

0 points

Dec 19, 2007 3:50 AM in response to magyarmerce

Something strange currently happens...
After one month since Leopard installation, DVI devices still don't work, but if they support VGA connection, and if I connect them with VGA cable, the PB recognize and activate them. Now the problem is that VGA devices are recognized as "Generic VGA Monitor", so PB can't setup the right resolution for a certain monitor. In my case, I have a HP w19b 19" 16/9 external display, but I can't set the good resolution (1440x900) because the system show me only basic vga 4/3 resolutions.
Anybody knows if exists a way to force the monitor type in Mac OS X?

Thanks,
F.

Jan 16, 2008 7:53 PM in response to magyarmerce

Wow after reading all these comments about this problem and no real fixes! I am a teacher and just switched from windows over to macs. I was bragging to my class about how much better my mac is than my old sony as far as the operating system, that is until I went to plug the mac into the projector and start teaching. The mac recognized the projector but no video output to the projector no matter what I did with resolution , uplugging connections, etc. Many of the things written about here. I have to agree with others that this aspect of connecting to a projector is a basic and necessary function. I consider this a critical function and I can't use the laptop if it won't project my lectures and info to my students. I am not going to carry around two laptops. So what are you doing about this Apple? Cause otherwise I send this one back and stay with windows based laptops for less money,some annoying operating system problems but it can hook up to a classroom projector.

rabunda

Level 1

58 points

Jan 17, 2008 3:37 PM in response to magyarmerce

In our living room, I use a Dell 2300MP projector and an Intel Mac mini, and it works. I connect the included DVI-to-VGA adaptor to the back of the mini, then connect it to the projector with a VGA cable.

None of the resolution choices the OS gave me worked well with the 2300, so I installed DisplayConfigX to add additional resolutions. The one that seems to work best is 1024x720 (HDTV 720p) at 60 hertz.

When I select that resolution, the projector discovers that it's connected to an HDTV source, and automatically sets the aspect ratio to 16:9.

The only issue I've run into is that when I turn on the projector, the screen image is always GREEN (everything is tinted green). If I change the resolution to another setting, then change it back, then the picture is perfect.

I was thinking about getting an Apple TV and using the mini as an office computer, but I have been concerned about it working with the projector. (Since I had to "hack" the display resolutions to get the mini to work, I'm trepidacious...)

Message was edited by: rabunda

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MBP CD2 DVI to VGA not working with projector