strange monitor / display problem

[wfriedwald]

hardware:
brand new 2018 mac mini
brand new ASUS monitor

here's the issue:

I have the mini connected to two displays -
a thunderbolt port to a displayPort on the monitor
the HDMI port to a projector

when I have both connected, generally they are working fine, it doesn't matter whether I 'mirror' the two displays or not.

then, if I go away for an hour or so, and let the system go to sleep, here's what happens when I try to revive it:

the monitor (connected via displayPort) will not work - I get a message, "displayPort no signal."

but when I reconnect the monitor via the HDMI port, it works fine.

somehow the sleep mode, then the process of reviving it, causes the HDMI to somehow overwhelm the displayPort / thunderbolt port, or something!

not sure why this happens or how to avoid it - other than never letting the system go to sleep, just to shut down entirely when I'm going to be away from it for more than 15-30 minutes.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? any feedback would be appreciated.

thanks and happy 2019 everybody!

w

 

[ncrypt]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2018-mac-mini-blank-screen-on-wake-from-sleep.2156262/

This thread is also covering this issue. For me, personally, switching to a USB-C to HDMI cable has fixed the problem.

 

[wfriedwald]

wow! this is a fairly widespread problem. a lot to read here!

am still not sure what to do. I was hoping to use the HDMI port JUST for the projector... so you're saying if I have one cable (USB-C to displayPort) going to the Monitor and another (USB-C to HDMI) going to the projector, I won't have the problem?

thanks!

w

 

[Fishrrman]

OP, my solution:

1. Go to the energy saver control panel.
2. Set computer sleep to "never"
3. Set display sleep wherever you like
4. Set up a "hot corner" for a screensaver
(on mine, I leave all the checkboxes UNchecked)

When you're going to leave the Mini for a while, either push the mouse pointer to the screensaver hot corner
or
Reach forward and turn the display OFF.

When you need to use the Mini again, do this:
Reach forward and turn ON the display (if it's off)
then
Click the mouse.

Try it "my way" for 2-3 days, then come back and report your findings...

 

[wfriedwald]

thanks! so it's an issue with the computer & the OS, rather than the monitor - obviously, since a lot of mini owners have this problem, no matter what monitor they're using.

thanks again, will try.

w

 

[ncrypt]

wow! this is a fairly widespread problem. a lot to read here!

am still not sure what to do. I was hoping to use the HDMI port JUST for the projector... so you're saying if I have one cable (USB-C to displayPort) going to the Monitor and another (USB-C to HDMI) going to the projector, I won't have the problem?

thanks!

w

From what I understand, there doesn't seem to be much consistency with what works, DisplayPort works for some, HDMI for others.

In your case, since DisplayPort is getting no signal after sleep, I would try connecting to the monitor using USB-C to HDMI, thus avoiding using DisplayPort.

 

[wfriedwald]

From what I understand, there doesn't seem to be much consistency with what works, DisplayPort works for some, HDMI for others.

In your case, since DisplayPort is getting no signal after sleep, I would try connecting to the monitor using USB-C to HDMI, thus avoiding using DisplayPort.

thank you! that does sound like the simplest solution. Happy 2019!

 

[Stephen.R]

Reach forward and turn the display OFF.

I don’t know about other brands but on my Dells, this has the side effect of turning off the built in USB hub too, which means any external drives connected to it get cut off (even powered ones, it doesn’t just kill the hubs power it completely disables it)

I did have some success with wake-from-sleep when I disabled DDC/CI (basically the control channel that can be used to set brightness, contrast etc via software).

 

[wfriedwald]

reporting back! Yes! I did as was instructed, and have not had the problem since. the machine still acts a little funny, monitor-wise, and probably am going to fix it completely by getting an USB-C to HDMI cable or adaptor. yes, thanks!

w