Cinema display resolution oddity

My Cinema display is set at 1680 X 1050, and normally works as it should.
However, when waking from sleep, the desktop background will shrink at
the bottom and right, to show a gray background.
Changing the resolution manually from and back to 1680 X 1050 fixes
this.
Hardly a major problem. Is this unique to my machine / display?
harv

You need to switch from Mirrored to Extended Desktop mode in the Displays pane of System Preferences. In Mirrored mode, the external display is always set to the same resolution as the built-in display. In Extended Desktop mode, the resolutions of the two displays are set independently.

Similar Messages

24' cinema display stuck in 640 X 480 - unless used in Apple Store!

I really need some help with my new MBP and 24" LED cinema display that is driving me crazy. The first part of the problem is that when I bring my MBP out of sleep and attach the monitor, or if I simply disconnect the monitor and reconnect it without sleeping, it only shows 640X480 and no options for other display settings.
I have tried a great many things and suggestions, including deleting the com.apple.windowserver.plist files (system and byhost versions), repairing the permissions, resetting the pram. Nothing makes any difference to this behaviour.
The second part of the problem is that having decided it was the monitor itself I took both the display and the MBP back to the apple store today where it worked faultlessly - no amount of rebooting, sleeping and attaching/detaching would make the error occur. Once we gave and I got them both home again - it reverted to the previous, faulty behaviour! We wondered in the store if it was a faulty cable - but no amount of wriggling of the cable makes any difference.
When The display is correct, the system profiler shows:
LED Cinema Display:
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Software
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Not Supported
Connection Type: DisplayPort
When the display goes to its 640 X 480 mode, the system profiler shows:
Display:
Resolution: 640 x 480
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Rotation: Supported
Connection Type: DisplayPort
I found a few things relating to issues with recognition of monitors when coming out of sleep - but this monitor was made specifically for this MBP, and others don't seem to be having this problem. My MBP also works fine with my DELL flatscreen display at a high resolution.
Anyone got any idea what else I can change before I have to completely rebuild my MBP. I am really confused by this - why would it insist on working in the Apple Store and refuse to work correctly at home?

First off, the power cable is not permanently attached to the monitor. It is a 3-pronged, grounded connector at the monitor end. I know because I just disconnected mine and freed up the entire cable. Since I'm one of those who just does stuff even when it may not always be well-advised, I can report on an experience that could bear on your situation.
I had my Mac Pro running when I reached around the back of my 24" LED display and pulled the plug from the monitor. Of course, the monitor instantly went "black". I quickly replugged it back in (no, I didn't shut anything down and risked frying the monitor). When the monitor returned to life it was "stuck" in 640 x 480 mode and I could only "restart" or "shut down" to get it restored to the 1920 x 1200 mode I keep it in.
This suggests to me that the problem lies in your cabling and power delivery system. Perhaps you are getting power surges or power spikes that have the equivalent effect of taking your monitor "off" and then returning the monitor to a 640 x 480 condition after restoring power.
If it were me, I'd try with a new monitor cable to power. I'm betting your problem doesn't have anything to do with the monitor to computer cable, but it isn't the only cable here. Something is disrupting the constant power feed and I'm betting the problem is amplified by faulty power cord. Since I just replicated your situation by literally pulling the plug and replugging it in, it seems to me that this would be a fruitful area of investigation.
Hope this leads you somewhere positive.

Cinema display goes black upon resolution change in Windows XP

Greetings
Earlier today, I updated my ATI X1600 Radeon to the latest Windows Catalyst drivers and to the Catalyst Control Center from ATI. Even since, whenever a Windows application (games, in this case) tries to change the resolution on my external Apple Cinema Display (designated as the main monitor in the ATI Catalyst Control Center, with the MacBook Pro display disabled), the display goes black, and the monitor power lamp starts to flash.
If I unplug the external Cinema Display from my MacBook Pro, my MacBook Pro display activates, and displays whatever it is I was trying to launch, so the problems is somehow related to the Cinema Display, even if the new drivers are causing it.
This happens regardless of my Catalyst Control Center settings, such as scaling the lower resolution to fit the screen, or keeping it the original size, with black borders around. The problem does not occur when I launch games using 1600 x 1024, the Cinema Display's native resolution.
Any ideas what might be causing it, and how to resolve it?

Update on my situation: when I tried to change the resolution manually in Windows, I encountered the same problem. Now, whenever I connect the Cinema Display to my MacBook Pro, the same thing occurs: the screen goes black, and the power lamp starts flashing, even though I've changed back to 1600 x 1024.

My 20" cinema display won't give opimal resolution with my MacBook

I just bought a 20" cinema display and hooked it up to my MacBook; I can tell that the cinema display is not at the 1680 resolution; It says it is from the Display drop down menu, but when i toggle between lower resolutions nothing changes;
It seems to be at the 1280 of the MacBook
I read some posts that talked about this problem;
Can anyone tell me about their experiences, and how to solve it?

OK, so my desktop was put to sleep overnight as I do on a daily basis and this morning my 4-month-old 23" cinema display was solid black. The power light was on and NOT flickering. I restarted, unplugged, changed power supply, also connected the display to my new MacbookPro but the Display refused to show anything.
I brought it to the Apple Store and they took it in for a whopping 21-Day repair! I am extremely upset that Apple would sell an expensive, professional peripheral that conked-out 4 months after its purchase. Luckily, I had read these forums and found out that the problem was not uncommon. I was wise to follow everyone's advice and spend additional $$ on Apple Care.
But 21 days for a graphic arts professional without his monitor and NO loaner is outrageous. The guys at the Genius bar did not even flinch or bat an eye when he took it in. It's as if I was returning a Hyunday to the dealer. At least, they offer a free 100,000 mile warranty.
What gives, Mr. Jobs?
Message was edited by: gotomike

Why does my 27" LED Cinema Display only display maximum resolution of 1920x1200, when my Mid 2009 13" MBP says it supports up to 2560x1600?

When I have my MBP connected to my 27" LED Cinema Display, my display settings only show a maximum resolution of 1920x1200, when the specs on both my MBP and Display say they they support up to 2560x1600? Am I missing something?

I finally decided to just take my MBP down to the Apple store and see what would happen if I connected it to one of their new ACDs. At 1st, the guy at the Genius Bar told me that my MBP only supported 1280x800 as a maximum resolution. I told him that was for my MBP screen, and not an external monitor. Finally I convinced him to let me connect my MBP to one of their monitors. Low and behold, looking at the Display settings pane I saw some addtional resolutions, including 2560x1600!
So, now I have confirmed that my MBP can drive an external monitor to a resolution of 2560x1600, using just the single mini displayport connection. I just have to figure out what's wrong with my ACD. Suspecting that my older ACD might not support this higher resolution, I did finally discover that my model only supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1600.
Sorry for all the confusion...

Screen resolution problem - HP computer and LED Cinema Display

I just purchased an HP Envy Phoenix H9-1330 with Windows 8, and I connected it to my 27" Mac LED Cinema Display, but the resolution is horrible. The highest option in the screen resolution menu is 1280 x 720, and I'm getting the error message "Your resolution is lower than 1024 x 768. Some items might not fit and apps might not open". How do I fix this? What kind of issue is this (Windows 8? Graphics card? HP can't support my monitor? etc...)?
I just bought another brand new computer, but not an HP, with Windows 8 and I have no problems with the resolution - it looks absolutely beautiful. I want to use my monitor with my HP desktop though.
Thanks for any help

Still haven't figured it out....
BUT I did notice that, on the back of the computer, there are 2 additional DVI connections that are covered with a black cover and screwed in (and they say 'please do not remove'.... I'm asuming it's because they aren't connected to anything? Or maybe they aren't connected to the graphics card?). Is it possible that just my DVI connection is wrong, and I'll need to connect to one of these covered-up DVI inputs instead? But why are they covered up? Do I need to take it in so they can be connected to the graphics card?? Help! I don't want to return this computer, but I will have to if I can't get the resolution fixed.

30 inch Apple Cinema Display-system prefs not showing native resolutions

The 30 inch Apple Cinema Display, seems to be working fine with the mac pro, but when I try to hook up the 2009 mini, the display preferences do not show the mini's native resolution of 1920x1200. The maximum it shows is 1280x800, and only gives a few other choices. This mini had once been attached to a TV monitor, so I am wondering if that has something to do with the lack of choices in the system preferences. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the system preferences to display the correct info so that I can adjust the resolution ?
Thanks

Being compatible with the 24-inch Cinema Display and being able to use it at resolutions higher than 1280 by 800 doesn't necessarily mean that it can drive the 30-inch Cinema Display at its full resolution. You need to use a dual-link DVI connection as stated above.
(62751)

Resolution issues in mirror mode with last model of Cinema display and MBP

I have been using my MBP with a 27 inch Cinema display for the last year in mirror mode. (Both prior to Thunderbolt). Today, the cinema display is only coming up in low resolution while mirrored, but if I exit mirro mode, the reolution on the Cinema display is correct. Any suggestions on how to get back to prior state?
Thanks to anyone who responds!

Same issue here. Since upgrade to Snow Leopard, my 24 Cinema LED Display acts weird with closed lid on my Macbook. It doesn't switch on video at all, only audio seems to work. It is correctly plugged with the special power/USB cable that comes/is attached to the 24 Cinema LED. Also booting the Macbook and immediately closing the lid doesn't
No video at all!
Please help, it seems my external display has become useless...

Max resolution of '30 inch Apple Cinema Display'...?

When I connected 30 inch Apple Cinema Display, model M9179ZM/A, to an ATI Radeon X850 XT graphic card, I have failed to get higher resolution than 2048 x 1538 althought this graphic card is listed in the Technical Specification at www.apple.com/displays/specs.html as an appropriate card for driving this monitor.
Plese could anybody tell me where a mistake is?
Thanks.
PC Windows XP

Being compatible with the 24-inch Cinema Display and being able to use it at resolutions higher than 1280 by 800 doesn't necessarily mean that it can drive the 30-inch Cinema Display at its full resolution. You need to use a dual-link DVI connection as stated above.
(62751)

Adding 30-inch Cinema display to a new iMac. Not getting full resolution.

I have just bought a new 27-inch quad core imac i5 and have added my old 30-inch cinema display (five years old) as a second monitor but the resolution is poor - 1280 x 800 compared to 2560 x 1440. How do I improve the resolution as it's almost not worth having?

You need to use a dual-link DVI adaptor to get a higher resolution from that display.
(53141)

How to connect my Cinema Display as a second monitor

I just purchased a new 27-inch iMac, and I explained to the Apple folks that I had a 17-inch cinema display (silver clad model) that I wanted to connect, for a dual monitor set up. They told me just to get the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, but I was surprised to realize that's not going to work.
Can anyone tell me how to do this, and what connector is actually needed? I have the big old white power brick that I bought to daisy chain my old 17 and 23 inch displays with my old configuration (Mac Pro).
Or can you not have a second monitor with an iMac?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Cathy,
What connector is on that Cinema? ADC, VGA, or DVI?
Video Card:
GeForce GTX 675MX
VRAM Type:
GDDR5
Details:
This model has a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX graphics processor with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. At the time of purchase, it can be custom configured with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory for an extra US$150.
Standard VRAM:
1 GB
Maximum VRAM:
1 GB*
Built-in Display:
27" 16:9 Widescreen
Native Resolution:
2560x1440
Details:
This model has a 27" LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with IPS technology and a native resolution of 2560x1440. Apple also reports that the "cover glass is fully laminated to the LCD and an anti-reflective coating is applied." Previous Aluminum iMac models have the LCD covered by glass. The company no longer reports viewing angle or contrast ratio, however. Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of iMac hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this iMac. Display replacement, keyboard replacement, a hard drive upgrade service, and more are provided.
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring*
2nd Max. Resolution:
2560x1600 (x2)
Details:
*This model can simultaneously support two external displays up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-3.4-27-inch-alumin um-late-2012-specs.html

HT1338 cinema Display 30" no longer recognized by my mac pro? What can I do? It worked fine until now.

Cinema display 30" no longer recognized by my mac pro. Until now it worked without problems, then after a crash it fails to recognize the display.
Now it runs in a far lower resolution. What can I do?
I tried to get da driver for it, but could not find any.

Try the other DVI port on the graphics card. On early Mac Pros, only one port is the dual-link DVI needed for full resolution on the 30" display. Make sure the display's USB cable is plugged into the computer.

Cinema display sound problem after Mavericks update

Since I updated to Mavericks, sound only comes from my laptop speakers, instead of from my LED Cinema display's speakers. And when I look at Sound in Preferences, there is no longer the option to change the sound source. Anyone come across this and know how to fix it? Thanks.

Hey there Kravmafan,
It sounds like you are not getting the sound options you are expecting when using a cinema display. I would suggest using these troubleshooting steps from the following article, named:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573
Try unplugging the video adapter or cable and then plug it back in.
If more than one video adapter is in use (or "daisy-chained"), troubleshoot by using only one adapter.
Example: A mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter connected to a DVI to HDMI adapter is an unsupported configuration because there is a series of adapters in use.
If available, try using a different display and or adapter (or use a different connector by using DVI instead of VGA, for instance).
Reset the system
You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.
Reset the resolution
Start by resetting the Mac's parameter RAM. If the display does not come up, was previously set to an unsupported resolution, and still results in no video:
Start up in Safe Mode.
From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.
Choose Displays from the View menu to open the preferences pane.
Select any resolution and refresh rate that your display supports.
Restart your computer.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Sterling

Cinema display screen fault

My 24" Apple aluminium cinema display, is suffering from numerous horizontal white blocky type lines all over the screen. This has just appeared today and the unit is approx 6 years old. The programmes can just about still be seen in the background and all buttons on applications work.
I presume this is a monitor problem and not my G5? When it first happened, I went to system prefs>displays>and played around with the resolution settings which seemed to cure it, but soon as I put it to sleep and woke up the system, it re-occured.
Any help appreciated.

Hi X423424X
I'm unsure where the video card is in the G5, could you tell me where to locate it? Thanks

Cinema Display not detected

I got my 20" Cinema Display back from repair today (backlight problem) and now I can't get my MacBook Pro to detect that it's attached. While it was at the repair center, I used a CRT as a second monitor. So today, I just closed the MBP (didn't shut it off, which I think is what cause the problem), disconnected the CRT, connected the ACD and opened the MPB back up. Completely black screen, with the little LED on all the time.
So, troubleshooting:
- The MBP still detects the CRT
- ACD is detected by both a G4 and G5
- A different 20" ACD is ALSO not detected by my MBP
- Reset NVRAM and SMC
- Booted MBP in safe mode
- Booted MBP from startup CD
- Tried various resolutions while the CRT was connected, thinking maybe it was stuck on one that's not compatible with the ACD
- Moved and recreated the com.apple.windowserver.* files
I'm running 10.4.9 and here's what the graphics/displays info says, WITH the Cinema Display connected:
ATI Radeon X1600:
Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x71c5
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-xxxxxx-086
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.086
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display:
Status: No display connected
Been messing with this for four hours, and I still have a blank display. Any other ideas? From one thread someone mentioned replacing the logic board fixed a similar problem.
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

UPDATE:
I just got back from my visit to a mac genius. Of course Murphy's law was in full effect! With my MBP connected to the cinema display in the Mac store, everything worked as it is supposed to.
Well, I rush home thinking that maybe mine would now work - - no luck! He did suggest that I try connecting analog with the provided dvi-to-vga adapter. This suggestion DID work! BUT, I want my video digital! That is why even though I was happy with the iBook G4 that I bought last year, I wanted digital video + expanded desktop!
I think I will make another reservation with the Mac Genius, but this time, bring my monitor. Will keep you posted...

Cinema display resolution oddity

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