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Acorn

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Jan 2, 2009
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I have a thunderbolt 2 cable that I plugged into a 2013 macbook air with thunderbolt 1 and the other side to mini display port and it did not work. Im guessing that I was wrong to assume thunderbolt 2 was backwards compatible with thunderbolt 1 and mini display port.
 
Where did you buy the cable from? I'm using Apple and OWC thunderbolt 2 cables and daisy-chain my 2nd monitor off an external drive enclosure with a mini-dp to dp cable.
 
I have a thunderbolt 2 cable that I plugged into a 2013 macbook air with thunderbolt 1 and the other side to mini display port and it did not work. Im guessing that I was wrong to assume thunderbolt 2 was backwards compatible with thunderbolt 1 and mini display port.
You need one of these cables, not a Thunderbolt cable: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Display...0&sr=1-3&keywords=0.5m+mini+DisplayPort+cable
Thunderbolt cables are active on both ends so they can't be used on a purely Mini Displayport device like a monitor. In short, Thunderbolt devices recognize Mini DisplayPort but Mini DisplayPort devices don't recognize Thunderbolt.
 
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OP, get a mDP cable from a reputable manufacturer like Belkin/StarTech/Accell, they're not expensive and those makers are listed on the DP product portal. Look for one that specs out 5.4 (HBR2), or 8.1 Gbit/s (HBR3) per lane (21.6, or 32.4 Gbit/s for a full 4-lane link) - they should also state that they are DP 1.2/1.2a compliant. Don't buy the "compatible" products. They're much less costly than TB 1/2 cables.

Regarding your issue, TB 1/2 cables are compliant with DP 1.1 only, many newer SST displays require DP 1.2 or newer to function (including all of the Dell, Eizo, and BenQ displays in my offices and home). I've assisted members solve this very issue in these forums...
 
OK at least I know the cable isnt faulty than. One more cable for the pile. I appreciate everyones assistance in figuring this out. Thanks everyone.
 
how do i connect macpro 2006 to imac 27" late 2013 to share imac display. my macpro has video graphics ports dvi and minidisplayport.
The 2013 iMac only supports Target Display Mode over Thunderbolt. There's no way to use it with your Mac Pro.
 
what could i do purchase a macpro 2008? or what is the next macpro model compatible with target display mode?

No, the only Mac Pro that would work with Target Display Mode with your particular iMac is a 2013 model... aka Trash Can Mac Pro... :/
 
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