Macbook causing wavy screen on second monitor

[trump29]

Hi all,

I joined a company several months back where I inherited a Macbook Pro and a second monitor (a Dell P2210). Since then I've had problems with the second display waving with varying intensity, and it's hella annoying, almost impossible to use.

I assumed initially that it was a poor cable connection, but it turns out that wasn't the case. It's the Macbook somehow disrupting the Dell monitor.

So if I keep the two next to each other the Dell will shimmy a little bit, then a little more, then a little more until the whole screen is waving like the Atlantic. If I keep them way far apart it's sometimes okay and sometimes not, but the side of the screen closest to the Macbook waves with some degree of intensity from barely noticeable to really bothersome.

Has anyone else experienced this?... How can I resolve the problem? It makes a second monitor virtually useless when you have to keep it three feet away at all times.

 

[Shootist]

Yes with Macbook Pro late 2011 13 and 15 inch. Not with the new Dell E6420 I have.

 

[chscag]

If possible, try substituting another monitor in place of the Dell to see if the same interference happens, or try the monitor on another Mac. I've never experienced that with my Macs. I have several external monitors but both are Samsung not Dell.

 

[trump29]

If possible, try substituting another monitor in place of the Dell to see if the same interference happens, or try the monitor on another Mac. I've never experienced that with my Macs. I have several external monitors but both are Samsung not Dell.

I've brought my MacBook home as well and I do get similar results with my Dell 2407 wfp. So whatever the problem is it's not exclusive to this monitor, though it could be exclusive to Dell monitors.

The wavyness also changes speed and sometimes direction. It will wobble wobble wobble until it gets really intense in one direction, slow down, move in another direction then speed up again, slow down, etc.

I feel like if I move my MacBook around it influences that. Like if the wobble is getting intense I can move my MacBook and it will go away for a couple minutes before coming back again and increasing intensity. I don't know if that's actually the case or if I've just convinced myself that it is though.

 

[chscag]

I doubt it's exclusive to Dell monitors. Dell monitors are usually well built and high quality. It sounds like it could be related to the graphics output by the MacBook Pro. Give us the year and model of the MacBook Pro. It could also be related to the type of output adapter you're using. Include the specs for that also so we can do some looking up on this end.

And tell us exactly how it's hooked up. For example: MiniDisplay port out on the MacBook Pro to DVI adapter to DVI on the Dell.

The more I think about the symptoms, I'm beginning to think it sounds like a cable or adapter mismatch. Let us know.