24" Cinema display goes on and off..help!

zeb · zeb #1 (**permalink**)

06-29-2011, 11:10 PM

So, I am a new apple convert, and I recently bought an i7 15" macbook pro and a 24" led cinema display. Both used. The laptop has applecare, the monitor doesnt.

When I first started using both, everything was fine. Now, for about 30 mint after plugging in the minidisplay port it will flash off, then back on a bunch of times (maybe 5 or 6)..always staying on. Is there something I might be missing or is there something wrong? If something is wrong, does it sound like the macbook or the monitor?

The only plug I plug in is the minidisplay one...should I also be plugging in the usb?

Sorry for newbie question, and any help is much appreciated! thanks

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

06-29-2011, 11:26 PM

You may have a defective or loose cable, try another one. And you're using the correct port. The USB port on the Cinema Display is output only for a USB device such as a mouse.

zeb · zeb #3 (**permalink**)

06-29-2011, 11:29 PM

How do I try another cable? Its attached to the display...

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 02:26 AM

OK. Make sure the cable is securely fastened to the mini display port connector on the MBP and not loose. The cable should be a three in one that includes the MDP, USB, and MagSafe.

zeb · zeb #5 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 10:17 AM

Yes, it is a 3 in 1...but if I wanted to replace the cable I dont see how I could...it goes directly into the display, no way to detatch it.
Thanks again for your help!

chscag · chscag #6 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 03:04 PM

I understand, and hopefully it's not the cable but just a loose connection to the MacBook Pro mini display port connector. If the connector is OK on the MBP, it may have something to do with the cable. Check the connector pins on the 3 in 1 cable and make sure none are bent or loose.

zeb · zeb #7 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 03:06 PM

The minidisplayport doesnt really have pins...its more like a usb...
Why would they make the cable non-removable?

chscag · chscag #8 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Why would they make the cable non-removable?

Better conducting capability, less impedance. Each connector adds impedance to the cable.

Also, take a look at this link where you can see that the Mini Display Port has a specific pinout. The male side has 20 pins and that's where you should be looking for bent or loose pins.

zeb · zeb #9 (**permalink**)

06-30-2011, 10:49 PM

They look straight. If you would consider them pins, they are against each wall...not sure how they would bend. They look fine.
Its almost like the screen is "refreshing". Goes black real quick then back on, and only happens right after (maybe 30 seconds) after the display is plugged in. Could it be something in settings? Ive only had the setup for a week or two, this only started a few days ago.
Thanks for all your help

chscag · chscag #10 (**permalink**)

07-01-2011, 01:34 AM

I don't believe there's anything in the settings that can cause that, however, to make sure.... open System Preferences, Displays, when the Cinema Display is attached, and make sure that it's set to its native resolution of 1920 x 1200.

zeb · zeb #11 (**permalink**)

07-02-2011, 01:58 AM

Im just confused, if it was the cable, why would it only go on/off soon after turning on and not all the time? Its weird...
Could something be interfering with it? (some electrical or something)
Its just that I dont have apple care on my monitor, but I do on my macbook...

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,028 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	06-29-2011, 11:26 PM You may have a defective or loose cable, try another one. And you're using the correct port. The USB port on the Cinema Display is output only for a USB device such as a mouse. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,028 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	06-30-2011, 02:26 AM OK. Make sure the cable is securely fastened to the mini display port connector on the MBP and not loose. The cable should be a three in one that includes the MDP, USB, and MagSafe. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,028 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	06-30-2011, 03:04 PM I understand, and hopefully it's not the cable but just a loose connection to the MacBook Pro mini display port connector. If the connector is OK on the MBP, it may have something to do with the cable. Check the connector pins on the 3 in 1 cable and make sure none are bent or loose. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,028 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	07-01-2011, 01:34 AM I don't believe there's anything in the settings that can cause that, however, to make sure.... open System Preferences, Displays, when the Cinema Display is attached, and make sure that it's set to its native resolution of 1920 x 1200. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

24" Cinema display goes on and off..help!

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zeb #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011 Posts: 43	06-29-2011, 11:10 PM So, I am a new apple convert, and I recently bought an i7 15" macbook pro and a 24" led cinema display. Both used. The laptop has applecare, the monitor doesnt. When I first started using both, everything was fine. Now, for about 30 mint after plugging in the minidisplay port it will flash off, then back on a bunch of times (maybe 5 or 6)..always staying on. Is there something I might be missing or is there something wrong? If something is wrong, does it sound like the macbook or the monitor? The only plug I plug in is the minidisplay one...should I also be plugging in the usb? Sorry for newbie question, and any help is much appreciated! thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

zeb #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011 Posts: 43	06-30-2011, 10:17 AM Yes, it is a 3 in 1...but if I wanted to replace the cable I dont see how I could...it goes directly into the display, no way to detatch it. Thanks again for your help!
	QUOTE Thanks

zeb #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011 Posts: 43	06-30-2011, 03:06 PM The minidisplayport doesnt really have pins...its more like a usb... Why would they make the cable non-removable?
	QUOTE Thanks

zeb #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011 Posts: 43	06-30-2011, 10:49 PM They look straight. If you would consider them pins, they are against each wall...not sure how they would bend. They look fine. Its almost like the screen is "refreshing". Goes black real quick then back on, and only happens right after (maybe 30 seconds) after the display is plugged in. Could it be something in settings? Ive only had the setup for a week or two, this only started a few days ago. Thanks for all your help
	QUOTE Thanks

zeb #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011 Posts: 43	07-02-2011, 01:58 AM Im just confused, if it was the cable, why would it only go on/off soon after turning on and not all the time? Its weird... Could something be interfering with it? (some electrical or something) Its just that I dont have apple care on my monitor, but I do on my macbook...
	QUOTE Thanks

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