LCD monitor too dark on Mac Mini

Question

I have tried both a Viewsonic VP730b and a Samsung 740BX and both are way too dark.
Here's the wierd thing. If you unplug the DVI connector in the back, and plug it back in, the image looks good.
But if you then restart the mini, the image goes back to being way too dark.
Any suggestions ?
thanks,
m

Answer 1

Apple, are you there ?
Apple don't really monitor these discussions - they are user-to-user so the only way to have Apple themselves respond to this is by contacting them and reporting the issue. here, you'll only get responses from other Apple users - except in rare instances where an Apple staffer may hit on a problem he/she decides to help with. That isn't to say a Moderator may not notice you message and escalate the issue upwards, but of course that wouldn't help your specific case.
OK, all that said, it sounds to me like your display is not being correctly autodetected, and that the system DOES correctly autodetect the monitor when you unplug the display and plug it back in, but fails to again at the next reboot.
The first thing to suggest is that you ensure the DVI adaptor is very firmly inserted into the port, and the thumb screws tightened up completely. A number of video problems with minis have been caused by slightly loose/poor contact issues with the DVI adapter so it needs to be solidly attached. next is then ensure the VGA connector from the screen is firmly attached to the DVI adaptor and the thumb screws tightened. Then reboot.
If the screen comes up dim/dark even after the connectors are firm, open the displays preference panel. Does the name of your display (or it's model number) appear at the top of the panel? If not, then the display isn't detected, so click the 'Detect Displays' button. If that doesn't bring the display model up, then the most likely cause is either the display isn't outputting the correct signal to auto detect (very unlikely with these two models you list) or the DVI adapter is faulty.
If the display name is showing, click the Color tab, then the calibrate button, and run through a basic calibration (ie, Expert Mode UNchecked). At the end, save the calibrated profile and exit the preference pane. The reboot. If the Mac detects the display at all, it should autoload the calibrated profile you saved and thus the problem should disappear.
If the fault remains, then again it could be a faulty DVI adapter, or an issue with a MacOS preference pane. If you go through the procedure I suggest and the problem still persists, post back.