HDMI or Mini Display Port Terminators?

[Bakey]

Hi all.

I've an issue with my MacBook Pro (13" early 2015)... the display garbles and the machine freezes when it isn't connected to an external display.

Once connected to an external display (it doesn't even have to be turned on) then then the internal display settles down, and the machine becomes usable.

With this in mind, is there such a thing as either a Mini DisplayPort or HDMI terminator that would allow me to then use the laptop as a laptop?

I've had a quick Google, but I've not found anything as yet.

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers, Mark.

 

[Howard2k]

What if the HDMI cable is connected to the MacBook at one end and disconnected at the other end? Does the problem persist?

 

[Bakey]

What if the HDMI cable is connected to the MacBook at one end and disconnected at the other end? Does the problem persist?

Unfortunately yes it does... hence me thinking if I was able to terminate it, then it might become a workable laptop!

The machine is way out of warranty, other than the display issue it really is a rock solid machine... I've reseated the video card cable a couple of times, which did do the trick for a while at least :-(

 

[Howard2k]

Well, there goes my idea of cutting the end off the cable!

 

[Fishrrman]

"...is there such a thing as either a Mini DisplayPort or HDMI terminator that would allow me to then use the laptop as a laptop?"

NEVER heard of such a thing.

 

[posguy99]

"...is there such a thing as either a Mini DisplayPort or HDMI terminator that would allow me to then use the laptop as a laptop?"

NEVER heard of such a thing.

Couldn't do 10 sec of Google, huh?

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

www.amazon.com

Not that OP shouldn't fix the actual problem.

 

[Fishrrman]

An "emulator" seems completely different than a "terminator" (and yes, I remember "terminators" from back in the SCSI days)...

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, OWC had headless adaptors for the mac mini, I wonder if that would work as a quick fix.

NewerTech HDMI Headless 4K Display Emulator

Activates your Mac or PC GPU, even without a display, emulating resolution displays up to 4K, so your remote interface works exactly how you'd expect.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[posguy99]

An "emulator" seems completely different than a "terminator" (and yes, I remember "terminators" from back in the SCSI days)...

And because the OP uses the wrong word (or a different word), obviously the linked device is not the answer to his question.

 

[Bakey]

Couldn't do 10 sec of Google, huh?

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

www.amazon.com

Not that OP shouldn't fix the actual problem.

Sorry, who you having a pop at here? I did Google the issue, I didn't find a solution hence me asking the question here!

It's nice to be nice right!?

So, I'm giving the FREEGENE HDMI Displayport Dummy Plugs a shot, in the hope they may cure the issue.

 

[sarpler]

Have you tried just wiping the drive, resetting the pram/smc, and doing a fresh install?

 

[Bakey]

And because the OP uses the wrong word (or a different word), obviously the linked device is not the answer to his question.

Have you tried just wiping the drive, resetting the pram/smc, and doing a fresh install?

Yup, I reset the SMC... and no joy I'm afraid.

It's definitely a graphics board hardware problem that's for sure. One of the tech support chaps where I work reseated the video card cable and it did cure the issue "for a while"... as it happens, the FREEGENE HDMI Displayport Dummy Plugs have cured the problem... which is nice
[automerge]1573512598[/automerge]

Couldn't do 10 sec of Google, huh?

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

FUERAN 4K Dummy Plug，Virtual Monitor Display Emulator, Headless Display Adapter Supports up to 3840x2160@60-1080@120 HDMI-Compatible Graphics Acceleration for Ethereum ETH ZEC BTC Mining (3 Pack)

www.amazon.com

Not that OP shouldn't fix the actual problem.

So... the problem has been cured thanks to your recommendation.

Still unsure as to why you were insistent on having a little pop there in the first place, but thanks.