OS and Software > All Things Macintosh > [OS X] New Macbook Pro MDP to VGA issues

[OS X] New Macbook Pro MDP to VGA issues

Does your iMac have thunderbolt as well, or is it just mini-dp port?

Maybe the thunderbolt equipped Macs require a special adapter... It wouldn't put it past Apple.
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GO LEAFS GO!

Well, just the one port that looks like MDP and the adapter fits into it .. definitely not USB or FW.

First, you can't turn off thunderbolt. It is the same physical connection as the mini display port, your adapter just does not connect to some of the pins.

This does not mean that there is not a compatibility problem.. If your adapter does not meet the standards for mini display port then it could cause intermittent problems. But before we get to that try the following:

Plug in your adapter with your monitor connected. Do this while the computer is shut down. Not asleep!

When you turn it on, press and hold the command, option P R while it starts up. Keep them down till the computer gives you either three start up chimes or the MacBooks screen flashes 3 times.

If that does not product video on the external screen, open the apple system profiler from the about this Mac, more info button.

Check both thunderbolt and displays to see if they are listed in there.
If not then you may have a compatibility issue, I would be interested knowing how this works out. Feel free to PM me if you like.

reply to BrohamFred
Have you checked Software Update for any pending OS updates. I buy both Apple branded dongles as well as low-cost HDE dongles -Apple lasts longer.
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While it's true that love has no boundaries, no limits, and no rules, your court-appointed restraining order has all three.

reply to Rampcheck
@Rampcheck: as far as I know, the adapter meets MDP standards and was advertised as such (which really doesn't mean much but I know what you are saying about third part/grey market junk. BUT, I did use the MDP adapter on my iMac -- model ID iMac9,1; Intel Core 2 Duo; 2.66 GHz; Boot ROM version IM91.008D.B08; Snow Leopard -- and it worked fine on an old VGA CRT monitor I had laying around so I figure the adapter works). I guess I could try resetting the PRAM but I don't have high hopes; I'll let you know what happens but don't expect much

@Byron: yes all updates have been applied and are routinely checked. (This was the first thing I did with the Macbook even before I had the MDP issues.)

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@all: Do you think it is possible that Apple sabotaged the MDP on newer hardware so only Apple adapters and Apple displays work with them? I wouldn't think so since Apple has been active in many standards adoptions (USB, FW, MDP, etc.) but I'm starting to wonder.

OR, do I have a pure Thunderbolt port and they nixed MDP on it altogether? HiVolt could be right then.... But based on what I read, I thought TB and MDP would both be supported on the (port on physical the) Macbook Pro I bought a few weeks ago.

reply to BrohamFred
I have a Griffen and a Belkin MDP adaptor. My Griffen one was made after the Early 2011 MBP was released (with the Thunderbolt port) and the Belkin one was released when the first MBP's with MDP Audio passthrough were released (sometime around Early 2009? I'm not sure). Both work with my Samsung TV and Samsung external monitor on the same Macbook Pro (Early 2011). Apple isn't discriminating against 3rd party manufacturers with their Thunderbolt/MDP port from my experiences.

reply to BrohamFred
I have a third party adapter with a new MacBook pro. It has worked with every monitor/projector I've tried it with so far. That being said, there was one time where it exhibited the same behavior you described.. I had to use a shorter VGA cable to get it to work.

Do you have the 13" or 15" MBP? If you have the 15", try forcing it to use the discrete graphics card.

Also, I'll agree with bryon. From experience, most third party adapters are made like shit and break all the time in strange ways. If you want to be sure it's going to work, the Apple adapter is worth it.
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University of Southern California - Fight On!

@Rampcheck: PRAM reset didn't do anything; still not external monitor detection. Thunderbolt details:

MacBook Pro:

Vendor Name: Apple, Inc.
Device Name: MacBook Pro
UID: (removed)
Firmware Version: 25.1
Port:
Status: No devices connected
Link Status: 7
Port Micro Firmware Version: 2.1.1

@Parth: I really don't believe Apple is discriminating but I wanted to put it out there as a possibility.

@Thinkdiff: 13" Macbook. Yeah, I know the third party / Chinese stuff is crap but at the price point I figured I'd try and once it worked fine on my iMac I figured the adapter wasn't the problem (unless there is some esoteric cabling/pin setup in the new Macbooks but I'd go with a software problem if I had to bet ... when I plug in the adapter and cable the Macbook screen flickers and when I hook it up to the TV it indicates that something may be attached since I can select that option on the TV input settings but I just get "No Signal". Hooking up the old CRT to the VGA adapter from the Macbook gets me nothing unlike when I connect the adapter MDP end to the iMac which detects it and displays/works fine).

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Thanks everyone for the input; keep it coming. I really don't think it is an external hardware issue here ... something wonky is up with the Macbook port and/or software (latest OS X Lion with latest Software Updates applied).

What brand/model is this adapter your working with?

Does the brand matter? I don't have it with me right now but it worked with my iMac.

I think it was this one:
»www.amazon.com/Displayport-Cable···2HU39BS/

I bought it from the same Amazon page, but not sure if I used the same seller. Mine works as described above, but it doesn't work at all with the integrated graphics card (I believe that's by design) so I can't really do a 1 to 1 comparison.

I'll double check what seller I bought it from.
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University of Southern California - Fight On!

OK, I found it:

»www.amazon.com/Display-Female-Ad···2ODG5GO/

Brand does matter, they are not all created equal. have you done all the thunderbolt firmware updates?

Also, Is the iMac thunderbolt or min display?

reply to BrohamFred
Yeah, I may be screwed on this one ... why Apple, why? ... standards are standards (at least until the aftermarket people fskck with wiring and get them to work at the time and don't conform to the standards). OK, so probably not Apple but crappy aftermarket people who don't read and implement the design specs as they should ....

reply to Rampcheck
@Rampcheck: do you have links on firmware updates; Macbook Pro was purchased early Jan 2012.

Thanks.

Run your software updates from the Apple menu, if you need them they will be there, if not they are likely installed already since your hardware is so new.

Most firmware updates care applied in the factory even if software is not updated. So run the updates and see if it finds them. If memory serves there is a update for the port and I think one of the thunderbolt display that would apply to that hardware.

As already posted, all updated have been applied via Software Update. I though maybe there was a special was one for certain computers that were experiencing problems.

Thanks.

Sorry I missed that part, I sometimes forget info from days past.
No, there are no special updates. If your computer does not see any in software update then there are none.

Well, I'm sending it back; it doesn't work with my Macbook Pro for whatever reason.

Anyone have good luck with a MDP to VGA adapter for a Macbook Pro purchased recently (late 2011, early 2012) that is cheaper in cost than the one Apple puts out?

Thanks.