I have 2 30" acd's connected to my 2008 mac pro and one constantly keeps turning on and off by itself. After about a minute it powers off and then 10 seconds later it powers back on. Over and over again. Its not the dvi port because i've switched the monitors and its the same monitor that keeps doing it. Has anyone else experienced this? I've unplugged it from the current surge protector into a different one but its not making a difference. There are no usb devices attached to the back of it either.
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Apple Cinema Display keeps powering on and off by itself
- Thread starter kboller07
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It sounds like the monitor thinks it isn't getting a signal, even though the card output is good, according to your test.
I hate to say it, but I think you need to return it for repair or replacement (bad circuit). Is it still covered by the original warranty or AppleCare?
I hate to say it, but I think you need to return it for repair or replacement (bad circuit). Is it still covered by the original warranty or AppleCare?
It would, as the monitor wouldn't have a signal out from the graphics card, and shut down, if this function is working properly. Apparently this aspect is just fine.
But when the system is On, a faulty monitor circuit could incorrectly think there's no signal, and default to Shut Down. Giving you the problem you're having.
But of course.
Seriously though; Ouch! It turns out that as long as the monitors usb cable is plugged into the mac pro it doesn't turn off by itself.
Beats the heck out of getting it fixed.
It's a little weired though.I had forgotten the 30" ACD does have USB and FW400 in it.
It happens for me as well for a few MP+ACD combos - WITH the USB /Firewire cables plugged in, as well as the brightness going down until it hits minimum. I've never got to the bottom of it.
Just as a matter of interest, which side of your dual-screen setup was the malfunctioning 30ACD on? The left?
I've had Applecare check out all the monitors - in fact, practically all the monitors I'm using, including those which exhibit this problem, are most likely from a batch of 20+ which failed over time and were replaced by refurbs last year in a giant 'let's actually fix them instead of just stuffing them in a back storeroom when they break' exercise.
My guess at this time is that it's more likely to be a USB problem with the Pro, PRAM reset may cure it but for me it's intermittent - and once again I haven't found anything concrete to blame with the Pro in order to discuss with Applecare.
Little problems like this may take less brainpower to temporarily cure than some Windows hardware/software issues, but the frequency of these irritating minor ailments are one of the things that really bug me about the Apple environment in comparison with similarly priced, similarly managed Windows setups.
Just as a matter of interest, which side of your dual-screen setup was the malfunctioning 30ACD on? The left?
I've had Applecare check out all the monitors - in fact, practically all the monitors I'm using, including those which exhibit this problem, are most likely from a batch of 20+ which failed over time and were replaced by refurbs last year in a giant 'let's actually fix them instead of just stuffing them in a back storeroom when they break' exercise.
My guess at this time is that it's more likely to be a USB problem with the Pro, PRAM reset may cure it but for me it's intermittent - and once again I haven't found anything concrete to blame with the Pro in order to discuss with Applecare.
Little problems like this may take less brainpower to temporarily cure than some Windows hardware/software issues, but the frequency of these irritating minor ailments are one of the things that really bug me about the Apple environment in comparison with similarly priced, similarly managed Windows setups.
That would be annoying IMO.
It does seem really odd.
Perhaps it's a ground loop or even noise.
It's something to do with the interplay of the Pro's USB behaviour with the ACD. It's not a DVI issue as I can plug in a 3007/8 and get a solid display. The ACD has to be 'reset' by being unplugged from its PSU to cure it - which is what lead me to send the monitor back - but none of the monitors I've sent back with solely this error has ever come back flagged faulty.
It was the left one for me. It never did this with my old G5 and was fine with my Mac Pro until recently when I moved. Once I plugged everything back in it was doing this for days but then I plugged the USB cable back in and it hasn't done it since.
Dear KBOLLER07, I know this post is ancient. But ONLY YOU saved me from trashing my Cinema display.It turns out that as long as the monitors usb cable is plugged into the mac pro it doesn't turn off by itself.
Beats the heck out of getting it fixed.
Not one of the mods, or Mac-headed engineers who haunt this site. It was YOU.
I thought this 20" A1081 Cinema was gonna be a really good 2nd monitor paired w/my 2019 Catalina iMac, 21.5" Retina. But after the Cinema kept CONSTANTLY blacking out for 'no reason', I had pulled it out of my music studio and was ready to... I dunno... give it away? Sell it? I tried re-seating all connections, powering down and up again... NEVER did it enter my mind to connect add'l connections on the breakout cable!!!
YOUR ADVICE to plug in the USB cable is THEE MOST WELCOME SUGGESTION because IT FREAKIN' WORKS!! I've been using it for days now, and I believe the problem is SOLVED. Whereas it used to crap out within minutes (usually) of getting warmed up, it now stays on until the Mac screen saver starts (30mins), and when the displays go out entirely (1 hr) it wakes up obediently w/the iMac. So KBOLLER07, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. You get a GOLD STAR. I registered here mainly to show you my appreciation. Connecting the monitor's USB connection to KEEP IT FROM UNWANTED BLACKOUT is not a Macrumor... itz a MACFACT.
God Bless and Be Well!!