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Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues

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sardonicbastard
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
Everything from your description sounds like the voltage is sagging on the USB port, causing the adapter to freak out. Since the USB is only used for power (it HAS to be, because there is no way to "piggyback" on an active USB connection), you should be able to solve the problem by plugging the USB cord from the adapter into an ipod/iphone wall wart, or a powered USB hub. The hub doesn't even need to be plugged in to the wall, either.

Heck, since you're using the dell display, you could probably also just plug the USB into the ports on the monitor itself, it's got a hub in it.
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Jason Chen
12/29/08

@sardonicbastard: Interesting theory! I will give that a shot. :)
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Acmee
12/29/08

@Jason Chen: Save your time. I tried it. Doesn't work. My current theory is that it has something to do with the Nvidia GPU(s) - In Clamshell mode with Internal Display off, the problem will always occur and reappear within minutes, with internal Display running (via 9600) the problem can be fixed most of the time by reinserting the Mini Displayport Plug after first occurence after which the screen remains stable. Meanwhile I tried with various Displays, it is bound to happen sooner or later no matter which USB configuration or Screen is used. Nevertheless, there must be some configurations out there that do work, as the Apple engineers can not be as braindead as to release hardware after months of delay that obviously doesn't work at all. Or are they?
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Jason Chen
12/29/08

@Acmee: Interesting, so it may be an Nvidia problem then. Which means, maybe it can be fixed with new drivers?
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majicman10211
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
You know, I have to say, I've had my 15" 2.4 MBP since October, and I have had none of the aforementioned and highly publicized issues. I have had no video, ram, sleep, or trackpad issues. Now, I can say that I have never used this adapter, so I have no comment on this.
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Jason Chen
12/29/08

@majicman10211: Yeah, this machine doesn't have any of the other issues, surprisingly.
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Adam Jackson
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
That's why, when the new notebooks were announced, i bought a refurbished 2.6Ghz Macbook pro and maxed out everything in it. I'm gonna keep this thing for a year until revision b of the new MBPs happens. Then i'll upgrade.

for now, i'm happy that I only paid $1699 for a 2.6Ghz computer and you suckers spent $2499 for a 2.5 ghz computer with video, ram, sleep and trackpad problems.
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balls187
01/05/09

@Adam Jackson: No, dumbass, you paid $1700 for a *USED* notebook.
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alexvanduyn
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
I think Apple gets a lot of flack on this board because yall are just a bunch of fruit haters! But that aside, how do you measure progress without actually making a progression? Sometimes progression is painful, otherwise we would never have firewire, a mouse(actually developed by Xerox but it took Steve to steal it!) or GUI even, (also stolen from Xerox). What if people said back then "What, we don't need this stoopid mouse, what's wrong with the keyboard and joystick?" All I am saying is sometimes to move things in a new direction, one has to do drastic things.

Also, if you bought a laptop, esp the big one, why do need another screen? If you need more realestate, get a tower, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE FOR!
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Kaiser-Machead
12/29/08

@Alex Van Duyn: No.

My Macbook works flawlessly with my HP w2007 in desktop mode. With the clamshell closed, and sitting on a cooling pad connected to my daisy-chained drives, it's far more versatile, despite its lack of on-board expandability, because I can turn it off, disconnect 3-4 little plugs on the side and just stick it in my bag and skidaddle when I want to travel with it. I could just get a desktop and use the Macbook solely for travel, but that's even more expensive.
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type11
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
I have had my adapter for a little over a week now and it has worked flawlessly with my 30" apple cinema display so maybe it is just something with the dells or you got a bad one. I have seen no weirdness and have used it probably over 40 hrs with multiple plug/unplugs.
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Jason Chen
12/29/08

@type11: Check out the post, I say that the problem's occured on Apple's own Cinema Displays too. But, at this point I have no idea what's causing it, whether or it's the adapter that's the problem or what.
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1 DVS BSTD-Its off the Hizzle fo $hizzle My Dizzle
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
Serves you right,apple!
Next time use an internationally used format, in this case HDMI
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Kaiser-Machead
12/29/08

@Its off the Hizzle fo $hizzle My Dizzle: I'd rather they just kept the mini-DVI. At least that's been around for a few years and anyone who owns a Macbook prior would have at least one dongle already (i have both)
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1 DVS BSTD-Its off the Hizzle fo $hizzle My Dizzle
12/29/08

@Kaiser-Machead:
Is there anyone here who doesn`t have HMDI or anyone who doens`t plan on having it in the near future ?
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Kaiser-Machead
12/29/08

@Its off the Hizzle fo $hizzle My Dizzle: Can't speak for anyone else, but I currently have zero HDMI-equipped gizmos, but I do have an old Macbook that I plan to upgrade, and if the new Macbooks kept the mini-DVI port, it'd work with the dongles I already have, rather than requiring all new ones.
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GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
Are both items plugged into the same power strip? I almost want to say they are hitting a resonance, and interfering with each other.
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ZekeSulastin
12/29/08

@Wowwee, a Zeppelin! SteveDave: Things that should not be an issue include plugging a computer, display-adapter-that-should-be-unnecessary, and a monitor into the same power strip. A printer or air conditioner or something would be a BIG maybe but still ...
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GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
12/29/08

@ZekeSulastin: @vista64guy: I have a fixture that if you put more than two CFL bulbs in it, it will blow a bulb out within a week. They suck less than 13w each, but it still happens everytime, even though they aren't big.
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Anonymoose
12/29/08

In reply to Apple's Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Has Periodic Distortion Issues
lyke omg, why do you even need this anyway? the macbook has a perfect screen with perfection size of perfectionary brightness. and it has 4 point multitouch so lyke it's alllllll gooooood yall.
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Kaiser-Machead
12/29/08

@Anonymoose: Prepare for the venom spitting of people who didn't quite catch the sarcasm. :O
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Anonymoose
12/29/08

@Kaiser-Machead: great. since you typed that, i'm not going to get any venom.

*throws hands in the air in disgust and starts dancing*
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Kaiser-Machead
12/29/08

@Anonymoose: lol..my bad.
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