Connecting external VGA displays

I am attempting to connect two external displays to my 15" early 2011 macbook pro. One is a Dell monitor and the other is a Hanns-G. Both are pretty old and only have VGA ports, but I know for a fact both the monitors work because I was using them on my old desktop. I already own a rocketfish mini displayport to DVI adapter so what I did was I purchased a male DVI-I to 2x VGA splitter. So basically the setup starting from my macbook pro would be mini displayport>DVI>DVI-I splitter>2xVGA monitors. For some reason when I use this set-up though, the monitors do not connect and instantly go into sleep mode. I've tried going into display preferences and detecting displays, but no luck.
Here's where things are odd. I tried on my friend's monitor, an HP with DVI and VGA ports, to connect the DVI directly to my DVI>mini displayport adapter. That works fine. But when I try to connect through the VGA port on the monitor using a VGA to DVI adapter, and then DVI to mini displayport, the monitor instantly enters "sleep" mode when I plug the mini displayport end into my macbook pro. Since all three monitors entered sleep mode, what I'm assuming is that the right signals are not being converted between VGA and DVI, or something along those lines. Is it even possible to use a splitter cable with the DVI to mini displayport adapter? The signal must be getting screwed up somewhere along the way. But then again, I have no idea. If anyone has any ideas, or any settings I could fool around with on my macbook, it'd be much appreciated!

Hi,
HDMI to VGA cable won't work, you need a converter to convert from digital to analog. The following device is one example:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AC1638
Regards.
BH
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Imac does not detect external vga display

Please help with connecting external vga display to an imac 21.5'', late 2012, OS X 10.8.5 via Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.
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I am having the same issue. Hope Apple can fix this soon!!!

MBP not connecting to external VGA display

Hello everyone,
I have an issue with my MBP (13", Mid 2009) and my external monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 2343NW).
I'm connecting the display using a simple Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.
The problem is that it is not a consistent issue. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I set up the external monitor as the main one (when it is connected), but since the very beginning I did this, I had problems setting the screen resolution. Sometimes it recognised the optimal resolution and used it, but sometimes it did not, it used something like 1024x768 and I can't set the appropriate resolution in the Preferences Panel since it is not available.
Some of the latest times I tried to connect the display I tried to wake up my Mac with the lid closed (using a usb keyboard to wake it up) to force it to try and connect to the display. But now even this "trick" does not do anything (the Mac just wakes up and lightens its own display, even if the lid is closed).
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I also have another Mini DisplayPort to HDMI that I use to connect to other peripherals, and it works fine..
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Hi,
HDMI to VGA cable won't work, you need a converter to convert from digital to analog. The following device is one example:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AC1638
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Mid 2012 Pro external VGA Display corrupt?

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Hi, I am experiencing very similar issues and have been discussing with Apple the problem. Please could you try something:
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Danny

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I usually...
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Glad that I am not the only one have this problem
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Message was edited by: duancg

How to connect external 24'' display to a Satellite A210?

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I have a Qosmio G50-10H, running windows 7 32-bit. After connecting an external monitor the internal laptop screen goes almost black. It's possible to see some elements on screen, but it's to dark grey to work on. It does not respond much to color or brightness adjustment (black to really dark grey). The main trouble is when disconnection the external monitor the internal monitor still is dark grey and still isn't responding much to adjustments. It's so dark on the brigthest adjustments that it is impossible to work on. I have downloaded latest driver for support, but still same problem.
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Hello there, Sam.
The following Knowledge Base article provides some great steps for troubleshooting your issue:
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
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Stackhouse wrote:
Could a defective card cause the performance issues I had, but seemingly only when I have an external monitor connected?
Yes. Contact Apple using the links in the kbase article you mention.

I need to connect my Imac 27'' (newest version) up to 3/4 monitors (all 40'' LCD tv's with VGA and HDMI connections) with extended display to all external screens, not duplicate images. Is this possible?

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I would suggest you visit an Apple dealer, preferably an Apple Store if there's one in your city, and ask for assistance in determining what you need. The questions and issues you bring up are rather complex to address in a technical support forum and would be better addressed in person where you and the salesperson can ask questions back and forth to arrive at the optimal setup.
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I Have a MacBook Pro 13" from early 2011, 2.3ghz Core i5, 4Gb RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 384mb with OSx 10.7.4 (11E53)
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Not sure.
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Connecting external VGA displays

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