I have a 13" Macbook (late 2008) connected to an external monitor using a mini-displayport to dvi adapter. I usually have it on extended mode, with the external monitor set as primary. AC adapter is plugged in all the time. I usually close the lid on the macbook when I am not using it, so that it will go into sleep mode. When I open the lid again, it wakes up, and the external monitor is detected normally. Every application window is where I left it. However, I upgraded to Snow Leopard (10.6.1) recently and I encountered a problem. Whenever I open the lid to wake up, as I described above, the external monitor is not detected at all. I have tried to plug/unplug the dvi adapter, turn on/off the external monitor, but it is still not detected. The only way to detect the external monitor is to go to System Preferences->Display then click on 'Detect Displays'. This is a major hassle, because I also have to move the application windows around from the macbook display back to the external monitor. Anyone else have the same issue?
Redo everything from the scratch. remove mini display port and replace. reboot your macbook while all is connected. If it doesn't work, while your macbook is on, detect display again and reboot. Think of your external monitor like an lcd projector. Basta all connections and power on, detect display and reboot your macbook. Otherwise reset PRAM. To reset PRAM: 1. Restart your computer. 2. While booting up, press and hold Opt+Cmd+P+R all at the same time before the blue screen appears. 3. Wait for the 2 chime and then release. Hope this helps. Im using the external monitor now with dvi to dvi. samsung 22 inch. paired wireless keyboard and mouse with my macbook pro 15'. Basically the monitor is for my Mac Mini but this just to explore if it works. Will get back to my original setup eventually.
Mini display to hdmi adpater you need. Don't know though where its available. Check the resellers, just call them and ask.
Are you also on extended mode with your setup? Using Snow Leopard already? Can you close the lid on your macbook, then when you open the lid again, the external monitor is detected automatically? This was working perfectly on Leopard. I have to clarify that I am able to use the external monitor after waking up from sleep mode if I (a) reboot the macbook with the external monitor turned on, or (b) if i go to the system preferences and detect displays manually. Thanks.
Hi bocanator, i am using an extended monitor, too with my MacBook Pro and have tried different settings with the System Preferences and all tests detect the monitor after sleep. I even turned off the mon before and after sleep, and detects ok. Should your problem continue, you can tick "Show displays in menu bar" so you need not reboot or go the system preferences all the time to detect the displays. it does not solve the issue but it's a work around. Have you tried changing the refresh rate of your external monitor?
