MP2010, ATI 5870, PA271W, DisplayPort -- anyone have this config?

[Nebster]

I'm having a slightly different issue than everyone else who's having video issues in these threads. (Fun, fun!)

I have a single PA271W connected via a mini-DP to DP cable. This monitor works fine if I connected it to my iMac. On the new MP, it won't drive it at boot up.

Apple sent me a replacement 5870 card today that does the exact same thing.

The display does work via DVI.

Does anyone else have this configuration that could verify it will cold boot a single PA271W off displayport? If so, then I know my MP is defective and I'll have them swap it out.

Or, if you have other ideas I should try, by all means...

Thanks,

Ben

p.s. Get this: if I start the computer on DVI, unplug it after it's up, and plug in either displayport port... it fires up the monitor at 378x1440 pixels. That's not a typo -- 378 pixels across! ?!?!

[BigAl55]

Yes, with 2 ATI 5770 and 2 NEC PA271Ws with mini-DP to DP cables. Work great but same problems reported in the other thread: Sometimes don't wake up readily from sleep (very intermittent).

I would advise, call Apple.

[Vylen]

Where did you buy your MDP-DP cable from?

[Nebster]

I would advise, call Apple.

Yes, that's how I got the replacement 5870, mentioned above.

[Nebster]

Where did you buy your MDP-DP cable from?

Monoprice. And the cable works perfectly with another computer. So we know it's probably okay.

[benmcgruer]

Monoprice. And the cable works perfectly with another computer. So we know it's probably okay.

There's definitely compatibility issues with the Monoprice cable - with numerous reports here of this issue. If you replace it with the Circuit Assembly cable I'd be willing to bet it fixes your problem.

I had the same problem and fixed it by replacing the cable and I've seen reports from at least 2 or three other users with the same result.

Whether there's something wrong with the Monoprice cable is not clear, but it certainly doesn't seem to work with the new Mac Pro video cards.

[Nebster]

There's definitely compatibility issues with the Monoprice cable - with numerous reports here of this issue. If you replace it with the Circuit Assembly cable I'd be willing to bet it fixes your problem.

I had the same problem and fixed it by replacing the cable and I've seen reports from at least 2 or three other users with the same result.

Whether there's something wrong with the Monoprice cable is not clear, but it certainly doesn't seem to work with the new Mac Pro video cards.

Hmm, that's really interesting/good to hear. I've ordered another cable (the OWC one instead of Circuit Assembly for faster processing) that will arrive Wednesday. I'll follow up here.

Can you point me to the reports from others? I did a lot of searching but never found anyone posting something like this...

Thanks,

Ben

[JavaTheHut]

Can you point me to the reports from others? I did a lot of searching but never found anyone posting something like this...

Yes please lament

[Vylen]

Hmm, that's really interesting/good to hear. I've ordered another cable (the OWC one instead of Circuit Assembly for faster processing) that will arrive Wednesday. I'll follow up here.

Can you point me to the reports from others? I did a lot of searching but never found anyone posting something like this...

Thanks,

Ben

I'm one such other :p That's why I asked where you bought your cable ;)

While I didn't get mine from Monoprice, the place I got mine from were undoubtedly selling the same ones, i.e. they had on them written: E301195 AWM STYLE 20276 80C 30V VW-1 PAK HENG

My problem with them was that whenever the machine was booted from a cold-start, all 3 of my monitors wouldn't receive a signal - only fixed by having the DVI monitor plugged in and then plugging in the DP monitors.

So i bought the cables from CA. It's all fixed - no dead displays on a cold boot.

This is the thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1001577) where we came across this revelation.

[BigAl55]

Both my MiniDP->DP are NewerTech from OWC. I just ordered two from Circuit Assembly to see if that is the problem with wake from sleep. I'll report back in a few days...

[Nebster]

Both my MiniDP->DP are NewerTech from OWC. I just ordered two from Circuit Assembly to see if that is the problem with wake from sleep. I'll report back in a few days...

Oops, glad you posted this. I'll cancel the one order and order the other. <rolls eyes and sighs deeply>

[Nebster]

So i bought the cables from CA. It's all fixed - no dead displays on a cold boot.

This is the thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1001577) where we came across this revelation.

Thanks, both for noticing this thread and pointing me to yours. I read the first part of that thread, but then dismissed it because it was about other issues.

It's frustrating that there are a bunch of closely-themed issues that may or may not really have anything to do with each other. For example, it may be that the 5870 firmware or hardware has issues that make it more sensitive AND the crummier Monoprice cables just manage to exceed the threshold. Both may be cofactors in the problem we are seeing, and they may independently be part of some of the other problems other people are seeing.

Fun, fun. I plan to give AppleCare a lot more to chew on so they get this fixed. Ideally I'd like a more stable card that just works, since this hardware (monitor and cable) seems fine on plenty of other Apple devices.

[miguelito]

Guys: I got the OWC cable (10feet), and having the exact problem Ben has reported in his first post.

FWIW, I am pretty sure that all of these cables come from the same garage in China.

Miguel

[Vylen]

Thanks, both for noticing this thread and pointing me to yours. I read the first part of that thread, but then dismissed it because it was about other issues.

It's frustrating that there are a bunch of closely-themed issues that may or may not really have anything to do with each other. For example, it may be that the 5870 firmware or hardware has issues that make it more sensitive AND the crummier Monoprice cables just manage to exceed the threshold. Both may be cofactors in the problem we are seeing, and they may independently be part of some of the other problems other people are seeing.

Fun, fun. I plan to give AppleCare a lot more to chew on so they get this fixed. Ideally I'd like a more stable card that just works, since this hardware (monitor and cable) seems fine on plenty of other Apple devices.

Well, read the 2nd page.. that's when we all agreed that Monoprices cables are to blame. In particular, read the last post where Monoprice concedes to a possible active vs. non-active cable issue.

In which case, there seems to be no issue with the card and instead a cable implementation/type concern. However, this is speculative with no definitive response from anyone or hard data.

Guys: I got the OWC cable (10feet), and having the exact problem Ben has reported in his first post.

FWIW, I am pretty sure that all of these cables come from the same garage in China.

Miguel

Well, read off the printed text on the cable - is it the same as what I posted above?

[miguelito]

BTW... Has anyone tried using the DP cable that comes with the PA2711W and a miniDP/DP adapter like:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673985-REG/Gefen_ADA_MDP_2_DPF_Mini_DisplayPort_to_DisplayPort.html

?

Miguel

[JavaTheHut]

to add to this thread I have had issues also with this config (MP2010, ATI 5870, PA271W, MiniDisplayPort->DisplayPort)
Cable ID: DisplayPort Cable E301195 AWM STYLE 20276 80˚C 30V VW-1 PAK HENG

[Nebster]

Well, read the 2nd page.. that's when we all agreed that Monoprices cables are to blame. In particular, read the last post where Monoprice concedes to a possible active vs. non-active cable issue.

No no, I mean I /initially/ read just the first few posts and skipped it. Now that you guys pointed me to it, it addresses the issue. The "headline was buried." :)

[VideoFreek]

BTW... Has anyone tried using the DP cable that comes with the PA2711W and a miniDP/DP adapter like:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673985-REG/Gefen_ADA_MDP_2_DPF_Mini_DisplayPort_to_DisplayPort.html

?

MiguelYes, typing this on my NEW :D 2010 MP hexacore with a 5770 connected to my PA 271W via NEC's DP-DP cable and this (http://www.alternate.de/html/solrSearch/toArticle.html?articleId=254482&query=mini+display+port+adapter&referer=detail&link=solrSearch%2Flisting.productDetails). Has only been up and running for an hour or so, but so far so good.

[miguelito]

Well, read off the printed text on the cable - is it the same as what I posted above?

My OWC cable reads:

DisplayPort Cable E301195 AWM STYLE 20276 80C 30V VW-1 PAK HENG

Same garage!

Miguel

[miguelito]

Yes, typing this on my NEW :D 2010 MP hexacore with a 5770 connected to my PA 271W via NEC's DP-DP cable and this (http://www.alternate.de/html/solrSearch/toArticle.html?articleId=254482&query=mini+display+port+adapter&referer=detail&link=solrSearch%2Flisting.productDetails). Has only been up and running for an hour or so, but so far so good.

Can you clarify whether you have:

1) Any issues with boot up (with your PA271W connected to the miniDP)?

2) Any issues with sleep / waking from sleep?

[VideoFreek]

^^^^

No and no. The system boots fine, and I've tested both display sleep and computer sleep. So far, no problems at all.

[miguelito]

^^^^

No and no. The system boots fine, and I've tested both display sleep and computer sleep. So far, no problems at all.

Interesting... So maybe that chinese garage really doesn't know how to make cables.

[BigAl55]

I just replaced the OWC/Monoprice DP/MDP cables with Circuit Assembly cables and I don't appear to be having any wake from sleep issues. I've been testing it repeatedly over the last 2 days....

So, it doesn't look like it's the video card(s)...

[JavaTheHut]

Thanks for reporting back.

[JavaTheHut]

I just replaced the OWC/Monoprice DP/MDP cables with Circuit Assembly cables and I don't appear to be having any wake from sleep issues. I've been testing it repeatedly over the last 2 days....

So, it doesn't look like it's the video card(s)...

Could you post back the cables ID info for us Just for the sake of clarity

[BigAl55]

DisplayPortTM E74020-C AWM Style 20276 80oC 30V VW1 www.circuitassembly.com

[BigAl55]

http://estore.circuitassembly.com/

[ycookmd]

Is this the correct link to the CA cable recommended above?

http://estore.circuitassembly.com/products/Mini-Displayport-to-Displayport-Adapter-Cable.html

I tried to search the CA website using the Cable ID mentioned above but couldn't seem to find it. I'm not sure why my search didn't show anything.

I am ordering two of the NEC monitors to connect to my 5870 and want to make sure I get the right cables. I haven't seen the monitor in person, but from the photos and reviews I have seen it looks like I just need the cable above (miniDP male plugging into the Mac Pro, to DP male plugging into the side of the NEC monitor).

Thanks if anyone can help clarify this for me.

[BigAl55]

Yeah, that is the cable that I bought (DP>MDP)...

[Einz]

I just received a MDP>DP cable from Monoprice to replace my DVI. I have a HP monitor connect to the 5770 in a 2008 Mac Pro. I have no problem with sleep issue. It was the first thing I tested after read this thread.

The DP cable is nice. It's more flexible and easy to plug/unplug

[JavaTheHut]

Following up I received the new cable from Circuit Assembly and the config starts well but I have noticed I need to off/on the display if I put the computer to sleep? No big deal as I infrequently do this through the workday.

MDP>DP cable ID: DisplayPortTM E74020-C AWM Style 20276 80oC 30V VW-1

[ycookmd]

Also a follow-up. I received the MDP/DP cables from CA as above. They appear to be nicely made, and of good quality. I am using them to attach 2x NEC PA271W monitors.

I also have no start issues. However, with "computer sleep," I also occasionally need to off/on one of the displays to re-awaken it, and once or twice I have had to unplug and replug the cable to get one of the monitors to come back online.

This does not seem to be an issue with "display sleep" as much as with "computer sleep."