2011 Mac Mini No Video output to display!

[Jamooche]

I have a new 2011 Mac Mini Server connected to a Dell u2711. When I first hooked 2 days ago it worked fine. Yesterday when I got home from work, I turned it on and there was no video output to the display.

I am running the Thunderbolt port > a mini display port to display port converter > display port cable.

Yesterday, I disconnected the cable going into the Thunderbolt port, waited a few seconds, and reconnected. All was fine. Today, I can't get it to work. I know it's not the display or cables because it connects instantly on my MacBook Air Thunderbolt port.

What can I do for this problem? I got the entire computer setup. I hope I don't have to exchange yet another computer this month!

UPDATE: I just held the power button in until it turned off and turned it back on. Now it works. I shut it down and tried again and it worked. But this is 2 days in a row on day 3 of owning it that I've come home from work and was unable to get it running. And even now, I'm typing this on my laptop!

Thanks!

 

[shortcut3d]

There's actually an Apple KB on this issue. Sometimes the (mini)Displayport needs to be started after the Mac Mini. Solution is to leave the display off until AFTER the start up sound, then power on the display. The Mini defaults to the HDMI port first.

 

[Jamooche]

There's actually an Apple KB on this issue. Sometimes the (mini)Displayport needs to be started after the Mac Mini. Solution is to leave the display off until AFTER the start up sound, then power on the display. The Mini defaults to the HDMI port first.

Thanks!!! I did a big Google search, but couldn't find that info anywhere.

Thanks again!

----------

Nope...still doesn't work. The only way I can get it to work is:

Startup computer
turn on display
hold in power button until off
restart computer

That's the only way it works. If the display is on before or after the startup sound it still doesn't have any video.

What's an Apple KB?

----------

Ok, I think I got it. I have to turn on the display, allow it to try and find a source and then almost go into power save mode and then turn on the computer.

Very aggravating! I found the article you mentioned int the Knowledgebase. What a silly and stupid problem. If I didn't have another computer to do the searching I would have been going to the Apple store and / or returning it saying it's defective.

 

[Dewaine]

I had a similar problem. Turned out it was the adapter.... got a different one, and problem solved.... worth a try, if it doesn't fix it just return the adapter.... Mine would work when I first plugged it in, but soon would have issues, coming back from sleep etc.......

 

[namethisfile]

is there an input selection on the monitor? my monitor did that at first (blank image) when i switched cables from a dvi cable to dvi-mini dp adapter... to a dp cable to dp-mini dp port adapter to connect my mbp to an external monitor. my monitor defaulted to the dvi input until i switched signals coming off of the dp via the input button on the monitor. it should also display what input the monitor is currently on (ie: dvi, or dp, or hdmi).

 

[Jamooche]

Yeah, there are tons of inputs on this display. I actually have my old Dell hooked up vis DVI and the Mac Mini via Displayport. The display always defaults to the last port used.

The problem I have is that if the display is not on and looking for the mini displayport, the Mac Mini does not find it. I need to turn on the display, allow it to search and not find a source on that input and then turn on the computer.

The Knowledgebase suggest powering the display before or after the Mac ding sound. Mine doesn't seem to work if I try afterwards.

 

[namethisfile]

ok. not sure what the problem could be. it shouldn't matter what order you turn on the display--it should display whatever is being fed to it (plug-and-play). i have heard of some dp-to-mini dp cables being incompatible because they were not made in the correct specifications. what cables or adapters are you using? brand?

 

[Jamooche]

ok. not sure what the problem could be. it shouldn't matter what order you turn on the display--it should display whatever is being fed to it (plug-and-play). i have heard of some dp-to-mini dp cables being incompatible because they were not made in the correct specifications. what cables or adapters are you using? brand?

I just tested it again before I typed this response and my method still works.

I am using the display port cable that came with the Dell u2711 with the Gefen MiniDisplayPort to DisplayPort Adapter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...DP_2_DPF_Mini_DisplayPort_to_DisplayPort.html

It's a more expensive option than buying a single cable option, but I found a post where someone recommended this combination and said it worked perfectly.

 

[namethisfile]

i have the same gefen adapter bought from the same store and it works perfectly well with the asus pa238q and my mbp via plug-and-play method.

 

[Jamooche]

i have the same gefen adapter bought from the same store and it works perfectly well with the asus pa238q and my mbp via plug-and-play method.

Yeah...I have NO problems with my MacBook Air with this adapter. It's only the Mac Mini that needs the initial few second waiting period.

 

[namethisfile]

hmmm. dunno.

the dp-mini dp adapter also plugs-n-plays with my mac mini. the same thing with the dvi-mini dp adapter. i notice though that the mac mini configures the monitor differently depending on what signal is being used. if i use the dp cable, the mac mini under display preferences sees the monitor more like tv with 1080p, or 1080i options. with the dvi cable (using a dvi-to-mini dp adapter)--the mac mini sees the monitor as a monitor with 1920 x 1080 etc options. when i go to about this mac, under graphics/video display, there is extra information on the bottom when the dp cable is being used showing display as a "television."

and lastly, this is more subjective--the colors using the dp connection has less "pop" than when i use the dvi connection. also, not subjective, the asus pa238q can't go into srgb mode when using dp connection.

sorry to divert to a different topic. but, thought i'd add this to see if you also notice the colors being less "poppy" using the dp connection than with the dvi connection.

 

[Jamooche]

hmmm. dunno.

the dp-mini dp adapter also plugs-n-plays with my mac mini. the same thing with the dvi-mini dp adapter. i notice though that the mac mini configures the monitor differently depending on what signal is being used. if i use the dp cable, the mac mini under display preferences sees the monitor more like tv with 1080p, or 1080i options. with the dvi cable (using a dvi-to-mini dp adapter)--the mac mini sees the monitor as a monitor with 1920 x 1080 etc options. when i go to about this mac, under graphics/video display, there is extra information on the bottom when the dp cable is being used showing display as a "television."

and lastly, this is more subjective--the colors using the dp connection has less "pop" than when i use the dvi connection. also, not subjective, the asus pa238q can't go into srgb mode when using dp connection.

sorry to divert to a different topic. but, thought i'd add this to see if you also notice the colors being less "poppy" using the dp connection than with the dvi connection.

I don't see an option to display as a television, but in the "about this mac" it does say "television: yes" somewhere in there.

I can't connect the 27" u2711 via DVI because the HDMI > DVI only supports 1928x1080. I wouldn't notice any color differences anyway because I profile with the i1 Display Pro...I'm at 120 Luminance with warmer (more accurate) whites.

 

[namethisfile]

ok. yeah, i meant that about the television support thing under about this mac....

the color being muted might not be dp or dvi related. but, between different macs since i got the new mac mini and have been previously using the same monitor with a mid2010 mbp.

 

[Jamooche]

After a full night of resting, I used my method of turning on the display, waiting a few seconds and then turning on the Mini. All works well and I'm up and running in a few seconds.