Mini DisplayPort to VGA, suddenly isn't detected

I use a VGA projector hooked to an early-2009 20" iMac for teaching classes. Had no problems with it whatsoever for a couple of months; was always detected and everything set up fine when I turned the projector on for a class. Last week I turn the projector on and nothing; no signal detected. Couldn't remember if I had run the MiniDP-VGA adapter update or not; but since it doesn't detect a display, it won't let me run it. Tried different VGA cables; no luck. Went out and got a new adapter, no luck. Tried various combinations of powering projector on before iMac and vice versa; no luck. Only monitor I have handy was an old CRT, but it wasn't detected either. Any ideas? I've got several classes lined up to teach in the next month.

Did you go to System Preferences Displays pane and try adjusting various settings for the projector's pane. If you cannot see the projector's preference pane, use the +Gather Windows+ button. If there is no +Gather Windows+ button, then the second display (the projector in this case) is not being recognized.
You can try this test. Start up that MacBook Pro in FireWire Target Disk Mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Connect it to the iMac using a FireWire cable. It should show up as a external FireWire drive. In System Preferences +Startup Disk+ pane, select it as the startup disk for the iMac. Restart the iMac (with the projector connected) using the system on the MacBook. Since it worked on the MacBook, if your problem is software-related, it should now work in the iMac (because it is booting off a different system).
If it still does not work, the problem is more likely to be hardware-related. It might be the adapter or the iMac's port.

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The Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter does not detect my external monitor.

Processor 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory 12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 6750M 512 MB
Software Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4
I just purchased this dongle, and when I plug it into my thunderbolt port it doesnt do anything. It works for my MBP 2012 13'' which I just purchased today.
iMac 2011 21.5''

Hmmm, if once booting, you turn the Monitor OFF & back ON, does it see it?

Does Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter support DDC/CI?

I have a Mac Pro and a MacBook5,1.
Mac Pro is attached to a BenQ monitor which supports DDC/CI communication.
With a capable software I'm able to set brightness and contrast of the monitor without using monitor's OSD (thanks to DDC/CI communication).
If I attach the same monitor to my MacBook5,1 with VGA cable through a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, DDC/CI stops working.
I'm no more able to set brightness and contrast and the app reports that monitor isn't DDC/CI capable.
I'm sure its not an issue related to the app that I'm using to set brightness and contrast. It detects correctly both of the monitor (the internal and the external one) and I'm sure that I'm sending DDC/CI commands to the external monitor and not to the internal one.
So, does Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter support DDC/CI, and therefore passthrough its signal?
Or is it a problem of MacBook and its Mini DisplayPort which does not support DDC/CI at all? I don't think so.
I hope you can help me.
Regards
Andrea

No. Unlike DVI, which in the DVI-I configuration has both digital and analog pinouts, DisplayPort (and mini-DisplayPort) are purely digital. Mini-DP to DVI then DVI to VGA will not work. If you look carefully at the Apple Mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapter, you'll notice it's a DVI-D connector - digital pins only.
The Apple mini-DisplayPort to VGA adapter contains a digital-to-analog converter.
So, you'll have to choose. If you want VGA, get Apple's mini-DisplayPort to VGA adapter.

No image on screen using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

Received mini today. After unboxing, read through the packet. Then began to hook everything up as directed. I used a Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to connect the monitor from our now dead desktop to the mini. After double checking all connections, I hit the power button. I immediately heard the apple chime. Then the monitor showed the grey apple start up screen. Suddenly the monitor went black and said it was going into sleep mode. I can't get it out of sleep mode when connected to the mini. It is NOT the monitor or the adapter. I plugged the monitor straight into a netbook and it worked. Then, I plugged the monitor using the adapter into my MacBook Pro and also got it to work that way. So I tried replugging the adapter into the mini. Still can't get an image on the screen. I can't complete set up or use mini because I can't get an image. Any suggestions or ideas? I will call apple in the morning if I can't figure it out tonight. But I'm hoping someone can give me suggestions. Thanks for your help!

I had the same issue when I bought my mac mini last week apart from I wasn't even getting the initial grey screen. I went back to the Apple shop and they gave me another mini and fired it up in the shop using the adaptor on an old VGA monitor. It worked perfectly.
When I got home I set it all up again and still had the same issue. I nearly threw out a couple of monitors as I thought they were broken.
However, had a look around the web and found this suggestion:
Shut down the mac and disconnect the adaptor from it. Now fire the mac up and let it boot up FULLY. Once it has had a chance to boot up fully, only then plug the adaptor in.
Worked for me and I haven't had the issue since (touch wood). Hope this helps.

Mini-Displayport to DVI adapter not working, but Mini-Displayport to VGA and Thunderbolt work fine

Mini-Displayport to DVI adapter not working, but Mini-Displayport to VGA and Thunderbolt work fine.
This is a brand new MacBook Pro (15-inch, mid-2012) just received. I suspect that this is a hardware problem as:
The mini-displayport to DVI adapter and the external monitor that I am utilizing connect and operate just fine using my older MacBook Pro (mid-2010) with the same OS.
The new MacBook Pro powers the external monitor with a mini-displayport to VGA adapater without issue.
The new MacBook Pro powers an Apple Thunderbolt display without issue.
Both MacBook Pro's are running OSX Lion 10.7.4.
The only combination which does not work is the mini-displayport to DVI adapater used in conjunction with the brand new MacBook Pro (mid-2012).
All adapters and components (mini-displayport adapters) are Apple retail adapter.
I have tried several external monitors, including my Dell U2412m.
When I connect the mini-displayport to DVI adapater to the new MacBook Pro (mid-2012), nothing happens. The external monitor reports "no signal" and attempts to go into sleep mode. Using the "Detect displays" button has no effect, even when used multiple times. Rebooting does not help, nor does resetting the SMC or PRAM.
Any other suggestions before I take it to the Genius Bar?

I turns out that the logic board of my MacBook Pro was faulty (despite being brand new).
I took it to the Apple Store, presented the problem, and one of the Tech's came to the same conclusion that I had -- hardware failure. Phone support was no help in the matter (and even told me that what I was trying to do wasn't a supported option, which is rediculous). However, the Genius Bar did take care of the problem, and my MacBook Pro was back to me with a replaced logic board within a few days.
Hope that htis helps.

Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter not waking monitor

Hi,
I've had my Mac mini for about a month now (the 2010 model with 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo and 2GB of RAM). Initially I had it connected to a 32" TV via HDMI which worked perfectly. However I have now switched to a 24" Iiyama ProLite E2410HDSD which doesn't have a HDMI socket. I've bought a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.
Whenever I put the mini to sleep or switch it off, the display does not come back on. To get it to work, I have to unplug the adapter from the mini and plug it back in again. Is there any way to get it to work all of the time?
Thanks,
Thomas
Edit : Just booted into Windows 7 using Boot Camp, and putting that to sleep and waking it works perfectly!
Message was edited by: thomasw234

I think I know what's wrong, but I don't know of a good way to fix it. The Iiyama is not constructed correctly. It appears that it's DDC channel goes down when it's sleeping, which it shouldn't do, unless it allows auxiliary power on the VGA cable to keep the channel active, which it also seems like it isn't doing.
Does the Iiyama have a DVI input? That might work better with the correct adapter. Although if they messed up the architecture of the VGA port, they may have messed up DVI, too.
null

Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter won't work on thunderbolt port

Hello
I bought 2 new Macbook Pro 13' , 2.9 Ghz Intel Core i7, with 8 Go 1600Mhz DDR3, Intel HD Graphics 4000 512 MB, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 (11E2617).
I have connected a Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter in order to show presentations on different LCD projectors but no image appear.
The external monitor is detected but no image is shown. I have tried to change the frequencies: parts of the screen appears but no a correct image. I have the same symptoms with the 2 Macbook Pro. Using old Macbook Pro with the same Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, the slides are showns normally.
I make a test with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter and with a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter and everythings works correctly with both adapters.
Does anybody has a solution?
Thank in advance for your help
Philippe

By any chance were you using a VGA->DVI adapter when trying to use the Mini-DisplayPort->VGA adapter? As in Mini-DisplayPort->VGA->DVI?
I had trouble with this. I found going straight to Mini-DisplayPort->VGA or Mini-DisplayPort->DVI worked perfectly but once I added a VGA->DVI or DVI->VGA adapter to the chain the screen would be detected by OS X but the monitor itself would give the "No signal detected" message. I tried all these combinations on the same monitor.
Not sure if it helps your situation but I have noticed some similar issues.
EDIT: Oh, and I have the new MacBook Pro 15inch with Retina all fully updated. I noticed that with my late-2009 White Macbook didn't have this issue with the cables and adapters.

Mini displayport to VGA + Samsung CRT

I have a brand new 15'' MacBook Pro and an old Samsung 19'' CRT Display. I tried connecting them using the Apple Mini Displayport to VGA adapter but it looks like the monitor is not receiving any signal. I tried "Detect displays" in System preferences > displays but still nothing happens.
I read in these forums that there's an update for the adapter firmware but I downloaded it and it said there was no adapter to upadte. I also found that there are problems with some Samsung displays.
So, is there any way to fix this? I could buy a Mini Displayport to DVI + DVI to VGA adatper but I would like to avoid that.
Thanks!

It's not being detected: there's no Arrangement tab in Displays and clicking Gather Windows doesn't show other window.
I've never used this display with a different Mac.
Thanks!

Mini DisplayPort to VGA

Have a New MacBook Pro - Trying to get it to work with the mini DisplayPort to VGA cable on a DELL 2100MP Projector. Can not get anything to happen. The DELL Projector works fine with a PC Laptop plugged VGA to VGA and or a PC Desktop plugged VGA to VGA cable. The desktop PC is using Analog RBG 1024 x 768 75Hz.
The MacBook Pro and the mini Display Port works fine on various monitors around the office, just can't get anything to happen on the Projector?

Hi tforbes7,
When you plug an external display into a new unibody MacBook Pro (15" or 17") the graphics circuitry in the computer decides whether the external display is an analog display or a digital display, based on the adaptor that you've plugged in. *It does support both analog and digital.* The Apple rep you spoke to misspoke themselves. A VGA connection is always analog, and a DVI connection is always digital.
The problem here is that your 17" MBP only detects the mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor. So, because DVI is an all-digital signal, the MBP sends out the digital signal. The VGA adaptor cannot deal with this video signal, and so the video is not able to be passed on to the projector.
The solution, of course, is to purchase a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for use with VGA external displays, including projectors. You cannot use a mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor and a DVI to VGA adaptor in tandem. I myself use a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor (for greater compatibility) and it has worked with every external display I have tried as of yet. When you plug in the mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor, an analog signal that is compatible with the analog display is outputted from the computer.
The bottom line is this: If you need to connect a projector or external display, choose the best quality connection "method" that is common to both devices. If your projector supports DVI, you should use the mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor that you already have, and bypass VGA entirely. If your projector only supports VGA, then you must purchase a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for use with that projector. It should work.
One more thing:
Make sure you upgrade the firmware on the mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor if you do indeed need to purchase one. This upgrade will show up in Software Update when you have the adaptor plugged into your MBP and is necessary for compatibility with some external displays.
If you have any further questions or require clarification please don't hesitate!
--Travis

Mini displayport to vga issue

I am trying to connect my MBP to multiple projectors(via vga distribution amp) using the mini displayport to vga adapter. It will recognize and correctly connect to each projector individually but will not connect to all simultaneously. Have a macbook w mini dvi to vga adapter that works fine both individually and simultaneously but for some reason the MBP will not. any help would be greatly appreciated.

I bought my Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter last May and only had the chance to use it now for my presentation. When I connected the cord of our LCD Projector to the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, it didn't work. I thought the cable was problematic and so I used another one but it still didn't work. After my presentation, another friend used the same cable and her Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter for MacBook. Her Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter worked. She said she just connected the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to the cord of the projector and it already worked. Is my Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter problematic or is there something I forgot to do that's why it didn't work? It's the first time for me to use it and can I have it replaced just in case it really isn't working?

Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor for my iMac app?

I installed my Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to my iMac and connected it to a ViewSonic Pro 8500 DCP projector and was unable to get the image on my iMac projected on to the screen. Do I need an app for this and if so how do I obtain one?

No. No 'app' is required. Check the display resolution you have set. It's likely the Mac is not able to detect the max resolution of the projector you've connected it to. You may have to set the display resolution manually.

Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort) to VGA doesnt support Full HD Properly?

Hello,
Last month, I've bought a MacBook Pro 15" 2011 Model with 2.2Ghz Intel i7 2nd Generation with AMD 6750M. I've also got a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter in order to connect it to my FULL HD Samsung 23" monitor. The display works fine but there is a lot of flickering going on. Also whenever I set the screen resolution to 1920 x 1080, the screen gets shrinked and moves to the sides. Half of the screen is beyond the limits of the display ,that is, i cant see the left half of the display. I've tried changing the monitor setting also but no use . Tried connecting it to windows (using BootCamp) but still the result is the same. All other resolutions work well but the native resolution of the monitor is 1920 x 1080, So i'm in dire need of it...Please help

By any chance were you using a VGA->DVI adapter when trying to use the Mini-DisplayPort->VGA adapter? As in Mini-DisplayPort->VGA->DVI?
I had trouble with this. I found going straight to Mini-DisplayPort->VGA or Mini-DisplayPort->DVI worked perfectly but once I added a VGA->DVI or DVI->VGA adapter to the chain the screen would be detected by OS X but the monitor itself would give the "No signal detected" message. I tried all these combinations on the same monitor.
Not sure if it helps your situation but I have noticed some similar issues.
EDIT: Oh, and I have the new MacBook Pro 15inch with Retina all fully updated. I noticed that with my late-2009 White Macbook didn't have this issue with the cables and adapters.

Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter flickers

I have 2 Samsung SyncMaster 23 in, HD Displays connected to my Mac Mini. The Display connected via the Mini DP to VGA adapter flickers erratically. This started happening after installing the latest upgrade of OSX Mountain Lion. I called Apple support, they gave me a list of steps to try to fix the problem, which I followed to the letter, to no avail. The problem is annoying, to say the least. I tried to find out if there was a firmware update for the adapter, but I am running the latest firmware (1.03).
I would appreciate any help to solve this issue.

Thank you for your message.
1. Both monitors only have VGA input.
2. The other adapter, Mini-DVI to VGA has always worked properly.
3. The Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter is an Apple original product I bought at an Apple store. I bought 2 adapters.
4. Actually I have 2 Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapters: The one I use with my Mac Mini, and another adapter I use to connect my Mac Book Pro to a Panasonic projector.
5. I have tried using both adapters, and the flickering problem is present using either adapter.
6. I believe the flickering problem is definitely something that needs to be addressed and solved by Apple. The adapter is its product, and should work as advertised, no matter what version of OSX I am running. Please remember that there was no flickering before I upgraded to the latest OSX Mountain Lion.
7. I do not believe buying an adapter from another manufacturer, as you suggest, would solve the problem.
Thank you for your help.

Thunderbolt display: devices not discovered after using Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter

I have an interested problem related to using my MacBook Air in clamshell (closed) mode, connected to a Thunderbolt display. The problem appears to be related to moving my MacBook air between my office and my home.
At the office, I use the MacBook Air with an external VGA display, connected via the Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter. At home, I use the MacBook Air together with a Thunderbolt display. An Apple USB keyboard is also connected to the display.
Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter implicated
The following sequence of events causes the problem to occur:
Use the MacBook air (open) together with a VGA display, connected via a Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter (depicted at right);
Put the MacBook Air to sleep by closing the lid, and disconnect the Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter (I am not sure if the order of these two steps is significant—I usually perform them almost simultaneously when packing up my MacBook Air and getting ready to leave the office); and
With the MacBook Air still closed, connect it to a Thunderbolt display with a connected USB keyboard.
At this point, I would expect to be able to wake up the MacBook Air by tapping on the space bar of the keyboard. However, what I have observed is that this does not wake the MacBook Air.
I can wake the MacBook however by moving or clicking a Bluetooth mouse that is paired with the MacBook Air.
At this point, although the MacBook Air is awake, and the display is working, the USB keyboard connected to the display still does not work. This is the problem, in a nutshell.
Unplugging the USB keyboard from the display, and plugging it back in causes the MacBook Air properly to identify the keyboard.
I used Apple System Profiler to save a list of identified devices at two points in time:
Immediately after waking the MacBook Air by moving the Bluetooth mouse (at which point the USB keyboard was not working); and
After unplugging and plugging in again the USB keyboard (at which point the USB keyboard worked fine).
Many devices are enumerated in the second list that are missing from the first. For example:
Keyboard Hub@fe110000 <class IOUSBHubDevice, id 0x1000378ef, !registered, !matched, inactive, busy 3 (37993 ms), retain 6>
AppleUSBHub <class AppleUSBHub, id 0x1000378f2, !registered, !matched, inactive, busy 1 (37987 ms), retain 6>
IOUSBInterface@0 <class IOUSBInterface, id 0x1000378f4, !registered, !matched, inactive, busy 1 (37986 ms), retain 6>
Keyboard Hub@fe110000 <class IOUSBHubDevice, id 0x1000378f6, registered, matched, active, busy 0 (7 ms), retain 10>
AppleUSBHub <class AppleUSBHub, id 0x1000378f9, registered, matched, active, busy 0 (1 ms), retain 9>
IOUSBInterface@0 <class IOUSBInterface, id 0x1000378fb, !registered, !matched, active, busy 0, retain 7>
Apple Keyboard@fe112000 <class IOUSBDevice, id 0x1000378fd, registered, matched, active, busy 0 (112 ms), retain 11>
and many child devices…
Using the Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter appears to be a necessary step to causing this problem to occur. If I merely disconnect the MacBook Air from the display, let it go to sleep, and then reconnect it again, the USB keyboard will work immediately and can be used to wake the computer from sleep.
Some devices are discovered even when the computer is in sleep mode. This is how it should work.
The problem appears to be that when a Mini DisplayPort–to–VGA adapter has been used since the last time the computer was connected to a Thunderbolt display, the MacBook air does not discover devices completely when it is again connected to the Thunderbolt display while in sleep mode.
Can anyone else reproduce this problem?

Hi glraczon.support,
It sounds like the external display you are using (projector) operates at a smaller resolution than your MacBook Pro. You may want to configure the display preferences in System Preferences for the external projector.
Here is an article that may help you with that process:
OS X Mountain Lion: About the Display pane of System Preferences
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5369
Thanks,
Matt M.

Using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to connect Macbook Pro (2009) for a presentation via projector.

When I connect my Macbook Pro (2009 model) using a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to display a presentation via projector, only the top-left portion of what is displayed on my Macbook Pro's screen is displayed on the projector, as though I zoomed in on that portion of my screen. The projector is on and the adapter and the cable that connects the adapter to the projector machine is correctly connected. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Hi glraczon.support,
It sounds like the external display you are using (projector) operates at a smaller resolution than your MacBook Pro. You may want to configure the display preferences in System Preferences for the external projector.
Here is an article that may help you with that process:
OS X Mountain Lion: About the Display pane of System Preferences
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5369
Thanks,
Matt M.

Mini DisplayPort to VGA, suddenly isn't detected

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