Mini Display Port - 2nd Monitor?

[VitcoMusic]

I'm in the process of transitioning from my diesel fan throttled G5 Quad to a nice quiet MP 8 core. However, I haven't been able to get my 2nd monitor to work on the new MP. Both of my displays are Samsung Syncmasters, each with a VGA & DVI-D port. For the main monitor, the DVI connection works fine when directly connected to the DVI port of the ATI Radeon HD 5770 card (standard w/ the MP). For the 2nd monitor I've tried using a VGA to Mini Display port adapter, and a DVI to Mini Display port adapter (both w/Apple adapters) with no success. Some online research and a tech support call to Apple revealed that I need the Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI adapter ($99)!

Has any one else had this experience to confirm this?

Thanks,

DV

[mikehalloran]

You are not being clear. I have never heard of these two adaptors: "' tried using a VGA to Mini Display port adapter, and a DVI to Mini Display port adapter"

When discussing adapters, the first item is the port on the computer, the second is the port on the monitor.

A Mini Display to VGA should have worked. The $99 Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI adapter should also work.

[Frodo]

I'm dealing with something *sort of* related:

I have a 1,1 MacPro 3G and have been using a 23" Apple Cinema. A couple of weeks ago, I found a 30" Cinema for half price and jumped on it. I plugged it into the second DVI port on my stock graphics card-- no picture, but the specs for both monitors showed up in About This Mac. So, I disconnected the 23" and connected the 30" to the DVI port previously occupied by the smaller monitor. Voila-- it worked, but the resolution topped out at 1280 x 800, half of its 2560 x 1600 capability.

Then I found this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3571" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It was my understanding that my graphics card was a dual link (with no ADP or VGA madness), but my understanding has been off center before.

In my case, it doesn't make sense to get a DVI to DVI adapter since both monitors and connections are DVI. Maybe my card is hosed on one side?

[n2mpujack]

I'm in the process of transitioning from my diesel fan throttled G5 Quad to a nice quiet MP 8 core. However, I haven't been able to get my 2nd monitor to work on the new MP. Both of my displays are Samsung Syncmasters, each with a VGA & DVI-D port. For the main monitor, the DVI connection works fine when directly connected to the DVI port of the ATI Radeon HD 5770 card (standard w/ the MP). For the 2nd monitor I've tried using a VGA to Mini Display port adapter, and a DVI to Mini Display port adapter (both w/Apple adapters) with no success. Some online research and a tech support call to Apple revealed that I need the Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI adapter ($99)!

Has any one else had this experience to confirm this?

Thanks,

DV

Depending on the resolution of your monitors you may not need the Mini Display Port to Dual Link dvi adapter but just the regular Mini Display Port to dvi adapter. The main difference between the two adapters is the dual link one has extra wires to carry the signal needed for high resolution displays like the old Apple 30".

Make sure you have things setup right for the way you want to work in the Displays section of System Prefs (mirrored or extended desktop, etc.).

[VitcoMusic]

Thanks all......

It could be that the mini display ports aren't working at all, as I've already tried the mini
display to DVI adapter w/o success. The dual link adapter is on its way, and I'll post an update when it gets here. I guess that's what Apple Care is for.

DV

[VitcoMusic]

Well, I just tried the mini display port - dual link DVI adapter, and still no go. Looks like I'll have to bring my nice shiny new MP to the nearest Apple Store. It really looks like the the mini display ports aren't working. Thus far I've tried three different adapters with my Samsung Synmaster monitor:

Mini Display to VGA
Mini Display to DVI
Mini Display to Dual Link DVI.

Oh well... my G5 Quad (with its Sherman Tank powered fans) is still kickin'.

Dan V.

[HCMarkus]

I've seen a variety of reports on video issues with the latest Macs. I recall that the problems were compounded when trying to run 3 monitors from a single card. Also, Diglloyd reports issues here: http://macperformanceguide.com/blog/201 ... -bugs.html

[mikehalloran]

I'm dealing with something *sort of* related:

I have a 1,1 MacPro 3G and have been using a 23" Apple Cinema. A couple of weeks ago, I found a 30" Cinema for half price and jumped on it. I plugged it into the second DVI port on my stock graphics card-- no picture, but the specs for both monitors showed up in About This Mac. So, I disconnected the 23" and connected the 30" to the DVI port previously occupied by the smaller monitor. Voila-- it worked, but the resolution topped out at 1280 x 800, half of its 2560 x 1600 capability.

Then I found this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3571" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It was my understanding that my graphics card was a dual link (with no ADP or VGA madness), but my understanding has been off center before.

In my case, it doesn't make sense to get a DVI to DVI adapter since both monitors and connections are DVI. Maybe my card is hosed on one side?

It is probable that you do not have a dual-link video card. The system profiler should give you enough information on the card so that you can look this up. If you do have a DL card, then, yes, part of it is not functioning though I have never heard of this problem before.

[mikehalloran]

Fortunately, this problem does not seem to affect the new iMacs. I am running a 2nd monitor using the MD to DVI adapter with no problems.

[Frodo]

It is probable that you do not have a dual-link video card. The system profiler should give you enough information on the card so that you can look this up. If you do have a DL card, then, yes, part of it is not functioning though I have never heard of this problem before.

I've reconfirmed that the card is a DL, and when I bought the machine it boasted support for the 30" monitors which were already working on G5s at the time. The card is the NVIDIA 7300GT with one DL DVI port and one SL DVI port. By all accounts, it should work.

If the card is defective, then it was DOA. If the card's specs turn out to be not what they were advertised to be, then there's a different sort of issue to deal with where getting the card replaced is concerned.

My choices.

1. Have the machine, card, and monitor checked out first...

2. Buy a better card first (which would cost less than the diagnostic). If that doesn't do the trick, then there is some other flaw with my machine which could require having circuit boards replaced.

At that point I could...

3. Have a diagnostic done anyway or buy a new machine.

It's just that when all dots are connected where Apple support docs go, I not only have the solution already but I also still have the problem. The available info just doesn't add up.

I'm starting to think that the 30" monitor looks pretty darn good at half res!

[mikehalloran]

Is making them look at it under AppleCare out of the question?

If so then the least expensive solution would be to take the rig to someone who could swap out the video card and, if it works, sell you the card.

[n2mpujack]

Is making them look at it under AppleCare out of the question?

If so then the least expensive solution would be to take the rig to someone who could swap out the video card and, if it works, sell you the card.

No idea who you're responding to, but if it's Frodo, AppleCare is totally out of the realm of possibility for a machine as old as his apparently is. And swapping out a video card on any of the desktop MacPro's is as easy as pie.

[Frodo]

True-- Apple Care is in the hobbit history books. Renting or borrowing a card for an afternoon sounds very attractive it were possible.

I may try to take just the card itself to an authorized Apple specialist to see what's up.

Understanding why an NVIDIA 7300GT is not doing what it is advertised to do this late in the game "scares me a fair piece", in a manner of speaking.

There will be cash involved, no doubt, but I'd walk into an active volcano at this point to get this resolved. (Hey-- I've done it before... )

[buddhabelly]

How many minidisplay ports on your machine? if there are 2 minidisplay ports and 1 DVI port, then on that particular card, 1 of the minidisplay ports is shared with the DVI port, hence only one device will work when connected. Try the other minidisplay port. Sometimes a restart, and worse case PRAM reset is necessary to force detect new monitors, but not very often.

A minidisplay to dual-link adapter is only necessary if you're running a 30" Cinema display, as it can carry twice the resolution.

Adam

I'm in the process of transitioning from my diesel fan throttled G5 Quad to a nice quiet MP 8 core. However, I haven't been able to get my 2nd monitor to work on the new MP. Both of my displays are Samsung Syncmasters, each with a VGA & DVI-D port. For the main monitor, the DVI connection works fine when directly connected to the DVI port of the ATI Radeon HD 5770 card (standard w/ the MP). For the 2nd monitor I've tried using a VGA to Mini Display port adapter, and a DVI to Mini Display port adapter (both w/Apple adapters) with no success. Some online research and a tech support call to Apple revealed that I need the Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI adapter ($99)!

Has any one else had this experience to confirm this?

Thanks,

DV

[VitcoMusic]

There are two mini display ports on the new MP. Turns out the reason for the black screen was that I didn't have the adapter plugged into either mini display port in quite far enough - even though it already fight like a snug fit. I felt really dumb when I discovered this at the local Apple Store.

Important note - you have to make sure that you have your main monitor (w/your menus) plugged into the mini display port. The secondary monitor is plugged into the DVI port. When booting up however, the 'Apple' briefly appears on the secondary monitor.

Adam - you are correct. The 'dual link DVI' adapter is not needed unless you're using a 30" Cinema display. I'm using the regular 'DVI' adapter for my new 23" Samsung Syncmaster.

DV