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    LG external display - issues with unibody MBP - miniDisplayPort

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by cdnalsi, Dec 17, 2008.

  1. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    Hey everyone!

    Just got a 22" LG (L222W) and connected it through a Mini Display Port > VGA on my unibody Macbook Pro (2.53).

    Everything went fine, the display is nice, it works great with the MPB, but I do have this small issue:

    Once in a while (quite randomly) the screen goes black for 1, 1.5 seconds, and then it comes back on. The computer does not freeze (it actually happened just now when typing, and my words got through), sound does not freeze, image does not freeze (happened while I was paying a game).

    Tried switching my LG with my dad's LG, a 22", older model.
    Same thing happened. Black screen for 1 second, back to normal again.

    I thought it could be the VGA cable, but I've tested it with 2 cables now, same issue.

    I'm thinking it's because of my MiniDisplayPort > VGA adapter (which I bought at an Apple Store).

    But then again, it might be software as well.

    Anyone got any ideas? Would really appreciate it. Cheers! :D

    edit: forgot to mention that the display does NOT go into power-saving mode because the on LED, which is blue, is still blue when the black-out happens, as opposed to orange when in power saving mode...
     
    cdnalsi, Dec 17, 2008
    #1
  2. fastrandstrongr

    fastrandstrongr Notebook Evangelist

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    it sounds like something that happens directly on my macbook when i use the integrated chip. are you using the 9400m? my screen "blinks" once in a while, there's no rhyme or reason to it - it just happens seemingly at random. reading around on the forums it seems like others are having this issue as well. try it with the 9600gt if you havent already.
     
    fastrandstrongr, Dec 17, 2008
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  3. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    Hey, cheers!

    It's been 10+ hours since I switched to the 9600, and there's no more black outs at all. I'm thinking I'm done with the whole issue.

    Thanks, fastandstrongr!! :D

    And if I think about it, it totally makes sense that the 9600 can drive the 22" better than the 9400. :D
     
    cdnalsi, Dec 18, 2008
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  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    On a sidenote, why don't you use MiniDisplayPort > DVI? I would prefer that.
     
    Phil, Dec 18, 2008
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  5. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    yeah a 9400 should still be able to power an external screen without blacking out...

    it might be the VGA connection (but that would still be weird).
     
    masterchef341, Dec 18, 2008
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  6. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    @Phil: Yeah, but I got this awesome deal on this 22" LG and it only has a VGA port :(

    The monitor still looks great, I love the colors and the sharpness and stuff, but I HAVE to use the VGA port.

    @Chef:
    Yeah I thought it was the cables, even the small MiniDisplayPort > VGA adapter, switched cables, monitors around, and still had the blackouts.

    Now that I've switched to the 9600, everything is just great. Haven't had a blackout since!

    Thanks guys! :D
     
    cdnalsi, Dec 18, 2008
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  7. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Oh right. That is what is important. I also use a 22" 1680*1050 through VGA and it looks excellent.
     
    Phil, Dec 18, 2008
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  8. fastrandstrongr

    fastrandstrongr Notebook Evangelist

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    im glad that the issue is fixed, at least for the moment, but i think that apple should acknowledge that there are problems with the integrated chip. the transient "blinking" drives me crazy.
     
    fastrandstrongr, Dec 18, 2008
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  9. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    As much as I figure:

    When I'm at home and have the display hooked up, might as well go with the 9600 - since I'm plugged in power as well..

    When I leave, or want to be portable, switch to 9400 to save battery and unplug the display...

    So it's not really a downside for me, I'm just glad it works :D
     
    cdnalsi, Dec 18, 2008
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