No cursor on external monitor

Question

I've connected my Macbook Pro Retina Display to two different external monitors, Samsung and Dell, with a mini DisplayPort to HDMI connection, and in both cases the cursor is misaligned on the Macbook and disappears on the monitor.  Also mirroring seems to start automatically even though I've set it up in extended desktop mode.
Any clues would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The ATI Mobillity X1600 GPU used in early MBPs like yours seem to be as troublesome as the nVidea 8600M GT in the later ones.
You can try talking to the next level support, Apple Customer Relations at 1-800-767-2775. Politely explain to them what's happing and that, from postings on the Apple Discussion forums, this not a isolated problem. Ask what you options are.
If that doesn't work, you can request a "depot repair." That's a service done at a central Apple facility instead of an Apple store or AASP. They go through the computer and basically do a refurb for a flat fee of ~US$300.
The "gotcha" with the depot repair is that the computer must physically be in good shape with no outward evidence of dropping, drowning, etc. From other reports around here, it sound like the turnaround is about a week, and people seem pleased with the result. It's a much better option than the faster onsite service for $800-1100 that would only replace the logic board.