Using Mini DisplayPort to VGA, screen resolution distorts. How do I fix?

When I use my Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, the resolution gets too big for my screen (mbpro 15") and the same thing appears on the projector I use. I'm not sure if I should change my screen resolution while I use the projector or what?
Also, the first (and only) time I used it, it seemed as if the signal wouldn't even send. After a while of fiddling around, the screen finally showed up on the projector (distorted) but we didn't do anything different to change that. It just kind of did it on it's own. Is this common for "first uses" or will this happen every time?
I plan on using this again Friday.

Welcome! If you have mini displayport, you should try the appropriate discussion group for your newer machine:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=251
Although some things are very similar to the original Macbook Pro, many are not.

Similar Messages

My VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA doesn't work.

Since I upgraded to Mavericks, my VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA doesn't work. When I was using Mountain Lion, as soon as you plugged in the Mini adaopter into the mini display port, the screen would shrink and format to where it would project via a RGB cable to a projector. No such luck since Mavericks! Also, I had a lot of trouble with the DVD player when I tried to play a DVD and project it via a projector. It all worked seamlessly with Mountain Lion. Can anyone help me?

I think if you go to System Preferences >> Displays and Option-click on the "Scaled" radio button, it will show you all of the resolutions that you would have had before under Mountain Lion. I just upgraded to Maverick and my resolution preferences (mirrored on a TV using the Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, using 1280x768) were completely reset (my display was no longer mirrored, and the resolution on my main iMac screen became 2560x1440). I found my answer here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/23599645#23599645. Hope that helps.

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.

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.

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 -- any settings on the Macbook Air I need to change?

Going into a meeting with my Macbook Air with Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, which will be connnected to a video projector on site. Never tried this setup before. Will this just work or do I need to adjust any video settings on my Macbook Air?

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.

X1 connectivity problem with old VGA beam projector using mini displayport to VGA adaptor.

Hi all,
I would like to ask you how to connect this X1 with VGA projector as well.
actually, X1 has a external interface specification as mini displayport 1.1a.
So I bought mini displayport to VGA adapter from MAC store.
(Actually, Lenovo Korea office doesn’t sell this adapter directly on Korea, even in the future.)
and try to connect both of LED monitor and beam projector.
LED monitor was worked as well. but, this adaptor doesn't work with VGA projector. TT
Please help me how to work this adaptor with projector as well.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi everybody. I was having the same issue here, but I bought a Mac minidisplayport to VGA adapter. It worked on my Monitor but it was not working on my clients VGA beam projectors. But today I figured out a way to make it work, and it is pretty easy; just change your laptop screen resolution.
When you connect the mini Dport to VGA adapter to the projector VGA receiver cable, just change your laptop screen resolution to 1024x768 (maximum) and the projector will receive the signal with no problem.
This is the best solution that I found, because is easy to find a Mac/Apple Mini display Port to VGA adapter.
Hope this works for you too.
Regards,
J.

2013 27" iMac using mini displayport to VGA, external monitor off center.

I recently purchased a new 2013 iMac 3.5 i7 and connected two external monitors. The minidisplayport to DVI adaptor works fine on one monitor but the minidisplayport to VGA is off center on the 2nd monitor. There is a 2" black band on the left side of the screen. I've replaced the adaptor, cable and tried on two different monitors. I've also tried repositioning image in the monitor settings which it can't move far enough. It only happens on 1920 x 1024. Any other resolution is fine. Other than that it works fine, but this space is going to drive me nuts. Because these are 23" monitors I really would like the highest resolution possible. I'm stuck. Any thoughts?

Update: I switched to DVI and it worked perfectly. I guess there could be an issue with the mini displayport to vga adaptor on the 2013 iMac. I also tested it on a 2012 mac mini and the vga operated as it should.

Connecting an external monitor - should I use mini displayport to VGA or to DVI?

I just hooked up a ViewSonic 24 " monitor to my MacBook using a mini Display Port/VGA adapter cabled to the D- sub port (whatever that is). The quality of the display is decent.
The other option would have been mini Display port/DVI adaptor to the monitor's DVI port. Are each of these options equally good in terms of display quality? Or is one superior to the other?
ViewSonic provides VGA and a DVI cables. I went the VGA route simply because i had the adaptor on hand. I would purchase a DVI adaptor if I thought the display quality would be superior.
Does any one have any insight?
Thanks,
WindyPoint

I've come up with my own answer to my earlier question...
It's the Mini-DVI to VGA adapter.
I ended up trying both adapters, and got the results I described here: [http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9255959].
Besides the simple fact that the Mini-DVI to VGA adapter is the only adapter that fully worked for me, it's also cheaper.
Also, from a mechanical point of view, the nuts to secure a VGA cable to the DisplayPort version of the adapter are recessed into the end of the connector housing. This prevented my VGA cable from being able to be properly secured to the adapter--although this might be a defect with my cable!

Canon projector doesn't recognize the macbook pro with OSX lion using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

for some reason my MBP and my iPad do not work with a Canon LV-7390 projector in the conference room at my office.
they work every other place but in this projector (the most important). any ideas

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.

I cannot get both monitors to work when connecting my MacBook Pro to a VGA monitor using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

Need help with 2 monitor set up on MacBook Pro.

I am sorry for the confusion. The reason I asked about the speaker bar is that I can't find any information that shows built-in speakers on your monitor. I have looked everywhere, including in the HP specifications.
Here is the Back I/O panel (Input / Output) for your computer:
Figure 2: Back I/O panel
1 - Video Graphics Adapter port
2 - USB 2.0: 4
3 - RJ45 Network (LAN)
4 - Audio: Line in
5 - Audio: Front speaker/Line out
6 - Audio: Microphone in
The way that I have always connected speakers is to the port labeled # 5 (Audio: Front speaker/Line Out). This port allows sound to be sent to speakers. The VGA port is for video only. There is no audio capability. The only connection that sends Audio and Video is the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connectors.
This is the type of connector that I would expect to see coming from your speakers:
The male one at the bottom of the picture.
Please check the monitor carefully to assure that there are actually speakers built-in. I just don't want us to continue fighting a problem that doesn't exist. There may have been some incorrect information in the advertisement that you read.
Signature:
HP TouchPad - 1.2 GHz; 1 GB memory; 32 GB storage; WebOS/CyanogenMod 11(Kit Kat)
HP 10 Plus; Android-Kit Kat; 1.0 GHz Allwinner A31 ARM Cortex A7 Quad Core Processor ; 2GB RAM Memory Long: 2 GB DDR3L SDRAM (1600MHz); 16GB disable eMMC 16GB v4.51
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HP Photosmart 7520 AIO
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Mini DisplayPort to VGA problem

Hi, all!
My New MacBook can't work with external display with resolution more then 1360x768 using Mini DisplayPort to VGA connector.
Then I'm setting bigger resolution (for ex. 1920x1080) display shows me picture for a 2-3 seconds, then switches off, and on again.
Tested 3 monitors and one tv.
Any suggestions?

Hello
I have this Problem too, my monitor best resolution is 1680 X 1050 but I can not set it, i have only 1600*1200 or 1440*1050, what can I to do?
but i don't have this problem with my MacBook Pro 10.6.4, I have best resolution 1680*1050
Emad Falsafi
Message was edited by: Emad Falsafi

Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor not Mirroring

13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) running 10.8.3
Monoprice Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptors freeze the system (no issues with Monoprice Mini DisplayPort to DVI connected to monitor) so I tried an Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor and that works ok, EXCEPT it doesnt automatically mirror to projectors like older models I have used.
Is the 13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) supposed to auto mirror when connected to projectors using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor?
Thanks for any assistance.

I havent had a chance to test, yet it looks like if I create the settings for mirroring when the projector is attached to the laptop, the setting should stick moving forward.. I thought it just auto-sensed. Will try and report back here if there are any changes or to solve the ticket...

How long can the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter last?

Hi,
I've been using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (genuine) for a year now but not everyday. Yesterday I bought a new display that needs this adapter, so now is the time that it will be used everyday. I was wondering how long can it last (or operational hours) if it were to sit in the same place, not unplugged, with an average use of 4 hours a day?
Thanks
PS. This one: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/B/mini-displayport-to-vga-adapter.

This is impossible to predict.
Sometime cables last a lifetime, sometimes they fail in short order.

Mini displayport to HDMI = fine. Mini displayport to VGA = terrible on late 2011 MacBook Pro. Any ideas?

Hello,
I have a late 2011 unibody MacBook Pro. It has a real problem displaying through a projector or tv using mini displayport to VGA. I connect it to my tv at home with a mini displayport to HDMI cable and it works fine. If I have to connect through a VGA adapter/cable to a tv or projector for work the image always looks like the contrast has been turned right up and it looks awful. I have tried creating a profile, calibrating the secondary display and adjusting gamma settings but it doesn't make any difference.
If I plug my old black MacBook into the same projector/tv using VGA it works fine so I now have to take 2 laptops to work which is ridiculous. I thought it might be the adapter itself but at a recent event a colleage experienced exactly the same problem with his identical set up so I thought it might be something to do with the projectors set up at the event but I recently tried connecting to a projector at a different event and got the same results and now I'm confused. I guess it must have something to do with the adapter but not sure what.
Any help much appreciated.

You really have to mess with the resoluton, espescially the refresh rate, as it varies from projector to projector, monitor to monitor. Even within the same brand! Because so many manufacturers are trying so many different things to become the next cool kid on the block, and the way the formats are being configured that's now part of the game.
That's why so many professionally produced corporate shows hire a dedicated projectionist for the video presentations. Too many bugs in the honey.
Refresh & sesolution are the first things to look at.
Just so you know that colors in PowerPoint PC, and PowerPoint Mac, don't exactly match... go figure.
I forgot to mention another thing, sometimes it's the projector that needs to be tweaked.

Using Mini DisplayPort to VGA, screen resolution distorts. How do I fix?

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