Outboard monitor

[Artpulis]

I have a 2017 Mac with a Radeon pro 580 graphics card. I am running two outboard monitors, one of which is an old Apple one. That one intermittently goes off and on, and I can figure a correlation of why. Does anyone know a way to test to see if the problem is with my computer or with the monitor. I don't mind replacing the monitor, but hate to do so if the problem is in the graphics card. Thanks

 

[Slydude]

Do you have another computer that you could connect the monitor to long enough to test it?

 

[pigoo3]

Looks like you have a 27" 2017 iMac. This 27" iMac can support either a single external display at 5k resolution...or two external displays at 4k resolution (or less).

Thus knowing the exact models of the external displays could help in solving the issue.

My guess is it's not the iMac's graphics hardware. If it was the iMac's graphics hardware...the iMac's builtin display would most likely have an issue as well.

My guess is the issue is with the external display is:

1. The display itself has an issue.
2. Maybe a bad video cable.
3. Maybe a bad video adapter (if you needed a video adapter to connected to your iMac...since you mentioned this was an older Apple display).
4. Or maybe one of the connections was loose.

But definitely do what Slydude suggested...and connect the possible problem display to a different computer (Windows or a Mac) to see if the issue persists. This could be the fastest troubleshooting method.

Nick

 

[Slydude]

Good points Nick I didn't think of that. I guess that's why they pay you the big bucks.

 

[pigoo3]

...guess that's why they pay you the big bucks.

Still waiting for the check!