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dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
OK Im having a bit of an issue with some old, yet for me very reliable, technology.

I have a 2018 Mac Mini base model. I have an old HP S2031 display connected to my Seagate Go Flex Thunderbolt adapter via a DVI to Thunderbolt adapter. The Seagate is connected to the Mini via the Thunderbolt adapter.

This was a carryover from my previous 2011 Mini and has worked flawless for a decade.

Fast forward to now. The SSD I had in the Seagate either died, or the adapter has gone bad, not sure which. If I leave the SSD in the adapter, it will eventually mess up the video and the Mac will get rebooted. Removing the SSD and all seems well.

Whats odd is if I connect the display direct to the Mini, the display isn't recognised. It only works if the Thunderbolt chain goes thru the Seagate adapter.

Any reason for this? I'm probably just gonna get another cheap SSD drive to replace in the Seagate and hope its just the drive that went bad.

Do SSD's usually just die like this, seemingly with no warning?

Thanks for reading
 

chabig

macrumors G4
Sep 6, 2002
11,434
9,299
That is weird. I checked the specs of the Seagate Go Flex external drive and it has no Thunderbolt ports, just USB.


I think the easiest way thing to do is get a new display. Trying to figure out which combination of adapters are needed to convert modern video to the old DVI is going to be hard.
 
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dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
That is weird. I checked the specs of the Seagate Go Flex external drive and it has no Thunderbolt ports, just USB.


I think the easiest way thing to do is get a new display. Trying to figure out which combination of adapters are needed to convert modern video to the old DVI is going to be hard.
Thanks for the reply.

That’s actually a different adapter you listed. The one I have has dual Thunderbolt ports. Originally came with a hard drive but when that died I just put in a SSD in the slot.
 

dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
Can you share a link to your Seagate device? I'd like to take a look.
Sure I think it’s this one

 

chabig

macrumors G4
Sep 6, 2002
11,434
9,299
That's interesting. I am unfamiliar with those products. I think you have two problems; 1) your SSD is failed, 2) you can't get video on your DVI display.

Can we agree that the display and the Seagate SSD/adapter are very old tech? Let's go with that. I will then suggest that trying to extend the life of the Seagate device isn't worth the trouble. I would recycle the whole thing–SSD and adapter. You can get a modern fast SSD for very low cost.

And the video problem can be solved by purchasing a dedicated cable. These are available from Amazon for about $12.

 

PaulD-UK

macrumors 6502a
Oct 23, 2009
870
470
If the monitor needs power from the mini display port (even if it is only an ID or switch-on signal) then it won't work directly attached to the Apple TB3<>TB2 adapter.
The adapter doesn't supply any power, just the various data signals.
 
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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,183
13,230
The HP S2031 has DVI and VGA inputs, is this correct?
Connect the display DIRECTLY TO the Mini.
Nothing "in between".
Get that working reliably, and THEN worry about connecting the drive.

I can see 2 (well, actually, 3) different paths to connect the display:
1. HDMI (Mini) to DVI (display) adapter/cable
or
2. USBc (Mini) to DVI (display) cable
or (as a last resort)
3. USBc (Mini) to VGA (display) adapter/cable.

Possible sources:


Can't help with the drive.
 
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dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
If the monitor needs power from the mini display port (even if it is only an ID or switch-on signal) then it won't work directly attached to the Apple TB3<>TB2 adapter.
The adapter doesn't supply any power, just the various data signals.
How can I tell if my monitor does indeed need some power from the port? It has a separate AC adapter for power.
 

dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
The HP S2031 has DVI and VGA inputs, is this correct?
Connect the display DIRECTLY TO the Mini.
Nothing "in between".
Get that working reliably, and THEN worry about connecting the drive.

I can see 2 (well, actually, 3) different paths to connect the display:
1. HDMI (Mini) to DVI (display) adapter/cable
or
2. USBc (Mini) to DVI (display) cable
or (as a last resort)
3. USBc (Mini) to VGA (display) adapter/cable.

Possible sources:


Can't help with the drive.
Yea thats the display I have.

I've narrowed down my problem to a bad SSD drive. I've removed the drive and the mini has been on without issue for 3 days now.

I'm gonna get another cheap SSD and see how it goes in the drive. I've pretty much given up hope of getting any of my data from the SDD anymore.
 

PaulD-UK

macrumors 6502a
Oct 23, 2009
870
470
The USP of the Go-Flex was that the drive was replaceable - if it is in the Seagate plastic case.
You could swap your drive between USB 3, FireWire or TB interfaces.
Any SATA HD/SSD will work in its slot, either in that case or not.
 

dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
The USP of the Go-Flex was that the drive was replaceable - if it is in the Seagate plastic case.
You could swap your drive between USB 3, FireWire or TB interfaces.
Any SATA HD/SSD will work in its slot, either in that case or not.
Not sure what you mean by USP?
 

dvdchance

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2012
238
8
Right click on USP and choose Lookup... Unique Selling Point.
Ok gotcha...yea it worked out great that way. It was a horrible original design with the hard drive attached so close to the body of the adapter. And for whatever reason the hard drive never spun down it was always spinning. Had bad heat issues. The original one only lasted a few months till I RMA'd it. The second didn't do much better till I threw in this SSD and turned it into the boot drive for my old 2011 Mini. Wow that was back in 2014. Literally its been hidden on the floor behind my desk for 9 years now, trouble free.

Looking back I guess I got my $345 worth from this device.
 
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