Problem starting up with external monitor attached

[linju]

(cross posting this from Apple Support communities)

I'm having a problem where on cold startup or a restart, the MacBook Air screen is stuck on the Apple logo, and the external monitor shows a very light grey. This happened after upgrading to Mountain Lion and applying the SMC update. It did not happen before on Lion. (I'm not sure if it happened right after the ML upgrade, or if the SMC firmware update caused this, since I upgraded without an external monitor.)


Other details:

MacBook Air 13-inch, Mid 2012
Connected to an external monitor via Micro-DVI-to-DVI adapter

Forcing a shutdown (by holding down the Power key) and restarting without an external monitor enters OS X normally. Power Nap is available in System Preferences > Energy Saver.

Problem is consistently reproduced when restarting or starting with an external monitor plugged in. Restarts and startups are fine without a monitor attached. I can successfully connect the external display after the system's up and running.

Anyone run into this problem?

 

[masaguchi46]

Same problem but with a monitor connected with the mini-displayport.

I am having the same issues starting up my MBP 2011 (early) with the monitor connected. Without the monitor is it completely fine but with the monitor it shows a distorted screen after the apple logo and chime.

I did reset the PRAM but that did not do anything.

Hopefully someone has the solution to this.

 

[Boyd01]

Very strange. I had a 2011 MBA and now a 2013 MBA. I use them 90% of the time connected to an ancient Apple Cinema Display (2005?) with a DVI to MiniDisplayPort adaptor. Never saw a problem like this on either machine.