10.10.3 broke external display support

[Tigerman82]

I have a mid-2010 iMac and have been using a Sony LCD-TV as an external display ever since I bought the aforementioned computer. It has been connected to the iMac via HDMI-cable and Mini Display to HDMI adapter (both brand-name quality products). After the 10.10.3 update and it's supplemental update concerning a video driver problem my iMac stopped detecting the Sony. I don't think this happened instantly after the update but very soon after. I tried everything including checking the connections and cables, checking the Sony and the HDMI slot in question, running Onyx Automation, doing PRAM and SMC resets, booting to safe mode to see if it was a resolution problem etc. Nothing worked.

Then I came across a few threads on the Apple support forums and it became clear that the problem was with the 10.10.3 update. Apparently there are loads of Apple users who are either unable to get their Macs to detect their external displays or who experience problems in their external display such as screen flickering. It has been suggested that Apple might be dropping support concerning older Macs and their video drivers or at least heavily prioritizing newer computers.

Currently I'm faced with either accepting the situation (at least I can use my AirParrot/Chromecast combo but it's not same by a mile in terms of functionality and performance) and hoping for Apple's next update to solve this issue or rolling back to 10.10.2 (this would mean using the Yosemite installer to do a clean install and then running the 10.10.2 combo update) which would be time-consuming. Of course I'm hoping that someone would come up with a temporary fix. One forum member suggested that I should try to cover pin number 19 (hot plug detect) on the HDMI male that goes to my Sony with a piece of tape. I tried it and it didn't work. However, I accidentally covered up pin number 2 (TMDS Channel 2 -) on my first try (I had the HDMI male upside down in my hand) and the iMac did detect the Sony although I still got no picture.

Please discuss this issue! Suggestions for a fix are more than welcome. I posted this thread to this sub-forum as this isn't an iMac issue but a OS X issue that concerns iMacs, Mac Minis and Macbooks alike.

 

[simon lefisch]

I have a mid-2010 iMac and have been using a Sony LCD-TV as an external display ever since I bought the aforementioned computer. It has been connected to the iMac via HDMI-cable and Mini Display to HDMI adapter (both brand-name quality products). After the 10.10.3 update and it's supplemental update concerning a video driver problem my iMac stopped detecting the Sony. I don't think this happened instantly after the update but very soon after. I tried everything including checking the connections and cables, checking the Sony and the HDMI slot in question, running Onyx Automation, doing PRAM and SMC resets, booting to safe mode to see if it was a resolution problem etc. Nothing worked.



Then I came across a few threads on the Apple support forums and it became clear that the problem was with the 10.10.3 update. Apparently there are loads of Apple users who are either unable to get their Macs to detect their external displays or who experience problems in their external display such as screen flickering. It has been suggested that Apple might be dropping support concerning older Macs and their video drivers or at least heavily prioritizing newer computers.



Currently I'm faced with either accepting the situation (at least I can use my AirParrot/Chromecast combo but it's not same by a mile in terms of functionality and performance) and hoping for Apple's next update to solve this issue or rolling back to 10.10.2 (this would mean using the Yosemite installer to do a clean install and then running the 10.10.2 combo update) which would be time-consuming. Of course I'm hoping that someone would come up with a temporary fix. One forum member suggested that I should try to cover pin number 19 (hot plug detect) on the HDMI male that goes to my Sony with a piece of tape. I tried it and it didn't work. However, I accidentally covered up pin number 2 (TMDS Channel 2 -) on my first try (I had the HDMI male upside down in my hand) and the iMac did detect the Sony although I still got no picture.



Please discuss this issue! Suggestions for a fix are more than welcome. I posted this thread to this sub-forum as this isn't an iMac issue but a OS X issue that concerns iMacs, Mac Minis and Macbooks alike.

I just connected my late 2011 MBP to my plasma TV and it worked fine. Have you tried a different display adapter? I know when I was on Lion (10.7.5) I was using a thunderbolt to DVI adapter (the external monitor I was using only had DVI), however when I upgraded to 10.10.1 I was no longer able to connect to that monitor. I then got another adapter and connected to the monitor just fine. I think my old one burned out or something. Regardless, I purchased another adapter (thunderbolt to hdmi) and connected to a 32" lcd and haven't had any probs.

 

[Tigerman82]

I just connected my late 2011 MBP to my plasma TV and it worked fine. Have you tried a different display adapter? I know when I was on Lion (10.7.5) I was using a thunderbolt to DVI adapter (the external monitor I was using only had DVI), however when I upgraded to 10.10.1 I was no longer able to connect to that monitor. I then got another adapter and connected to the monitor just fine. I think my old one burned out or something. Regardless, I purchased another adapter (thunderbolt to hdmi) and connected to a 32" lcd and haven't had any probs.

I haven't yet because it does seem that this is a 10.10.3 problem (granted, it might apply to only certain older models). Take a loot at this thread and tell me it's not a 10.10.3 problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6983326?start=0&tstart=0

Also, as I stated in my original post, I was able to get the iMac detect the Sony by covering pin 2 of the HDMI connector that goes into the Sony although I did not get a picture. Would this be possible if the adapter had broken?

 

[simon lefisch]

I haven't yet because it does seem that this is a 10.10.3 problem (granted, it might apply to only certain older models). Take a loot at this thread and tell me it's not a 10.10.3 problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6983326?start=0&tstart=0



Also, as I stated in my original post, I was able to get the iMac detect the Sony by covering pin 2 of the HDMI connector that goes into the Sony although I did not get a picture. Would this be possible if the adapter had broken?

I know when I first updated to 10.10.1 my adapter was finicky. It would should picture for a few seconds then the screen would show snow. Or, it would work fine but as soon as I moved my MBP out of the way, the screen would turn to snow again. So even tho I wasn't able to keep the picture, the adapter was "working" poorly....which could be the case with the Sony being detected but not showing any picture. As soon as I replaced the adapter, no probs since. Try replacing it and see what happens. I use one from monoprice.com (it's like $5). That way you don't waste money if it doesn't work.

Troubleshooting 101: test the easiest, most obvious solutions first to rule out other possibilities.

 

[Tigerman82]

Just found this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6986147

So it seems the problem is with the 10.10.3 update causing problems with (older) Macs with ATI video cards.

 

[simon lefisch]

10.10.3 broke external display support

Just found this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6986147



So it seems the problem is with the 10.10.3 update causing problems with (older) Macs with ATI video cards.

Gotcha. That's why I'm not affected as my MBP uses an AMD card. Sorry I can't be much help.

Edit: just remembered that AMD/ATI cards are the same. From the thread it looks like it's a specific series that are affected.

 

[AdnanSyed]

10.3 update doesnt solve the problem

 

[danielwbbr]

2014 13" MBP 2 external displays

I don't know if this is related but I've been docking my late 2014 MBP with two identical monitors and just recently only one of the displays will be detected. I've tried different adapters and cables and the issue seems to be related to my second thunderbolt port. I have to connect to that port first then the other, only then will both my external monitors be detected.

 

[Partron22]

You might try a USB->Display adaptor, if you can locate one without throwing too much $$$ at the problem.

 

[alessandrap]

I have a mid-2010 iMac and have been using a Sony LCD-TV as an external display ever since I bought the aforementioned computer. It has been connected to the iMac via HDMI-cable and Mini Display to HDMI adapter (both brand-name quality products). After the 10.10.3 update and it's supplemental update concerning a video driver problem my iMac stopped detecting the Sony. I don't think this happened instantly after the update but very soon after. I tried everything including checking the connections and cables, checking the Sony and the HDMI slot in question, running Onyx Automation, doing PRAM and SMC resets, booting to safe mode to see if it was a resolution problem etc. Nothing worked.

Then I came across a few threads on the Apple support forums and it became clear that the problem was with the 10.10.3 update. Apparently there are loads of Apple users who are either unable to get their Macs to detect their external displays or who experience problems in their external display such as screen flickering. It has been suggested that Apple might be dropping support concerning older Macs and their video drivers or at least heavily prioritizing newer computers.

Currently I'm faced with either accepting the situation (at least I can use my AirParrot/Chromecast combo but it's not same by a mile in terms of functionality and performance) and hoping for Apple's next update to solve this issue or rolling back to 10.10.2 (this would mean using the Yosemite installer to do a clean install and then running the 10.10.2 combo update) which would be time-consuming. Of course I'm hoping that someone would come up with a temporary fix. One forum member suggested that I should try to cover pin number 19 (hot plug detect) on the HDMI male that goes to my Sony with a piece of tape. I tried it and it didn't work. However, I accidentally covered up pin number 2 (TMDS Channel 2 -) on my first try (I had the HDMI male upside down in my hand) and the iMac did detect the Sony although I still got no picture.

Please discuss this issue! Suggestions for a fix are more than welcome. I posted this thread to this sub-forum as this isn't an iMac issue but a OS X issue that concerns iMacs, Mac Minis and Macbooks alike.

Hi,
I had the same issues with HDMI only after I upgraded to Yosemite 10.10.3 I am in fact able to mirror the screen through HDMI but the screen turns black when trying to display images/movies. I tried with the Thunderbolt-HDMI converter and I get the same problem. When I use Thunderbolt only it is okay. Does anybody have an update about this?
Thanks!

 

[alessandrap]

Hi,
I have the same issues with HDMI only after I upgraded to Yosemite 10.10.3 I am in fact able to mirror the screen through HDMI but the screen turns black when trying to display images/movies. I tried with the Thunderbolt-HDMI converter and I get the same problem. When I use Thunderbolt only it is okay. Does anybody have an update about this?
Thanks!

 

[MacInTO]

I have a 2012 rMBP running 10.10.3 and a HP 23bw monitor. I tried to it hook up with the HDMI and nothing. I did the usual SMC, PRAM reset and no changes. The Thunderbolt to DVI doesn't work either. Only the Thunderbolt to VGA worked. I have a NVIDIA graphics so it seems to affect all MBPs?

Anyone with any other knowledge?