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10.7.1 and Mac Mini 2011 - still random black screen and flickering

M

MacBird

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 1, 2010
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There is still no firmware update for the 24'' ACD that solves the black screen and random flickering issues with the new Mac Mini 2011, even with 10.7.1 installed.

I just called Tech Support and am going to return the Mini for refund. I'm surprised they started selling devices that don't work with Apple hardware, poor quality control or they started selling them knowing there are problems, both options don't reflect well on Apple.
 
I plan to get the server model and I have a 24'' ACD. I hope I do not have the same problem.
 
krburrell said:
I plan to get the server model and I have a 24'' ACD. I hope I do not have the same problem.
Click to expand...

If you are not in a hurry, it might be a good idea to wait until they release a firmware update for the ACD and/or Mac Mini.
 
(this is a long shot, and has probably been brought up, but I'm just trying to help)
Did you try a different HDMI cable? I was having flickering and random screen fails at 1st, until I swapped out cables. I understand that they're digital cables, and typically "either they work or they don't", but after swapping out some 30 gauge HDMI cables for beefier, higher quality ones, the issue went away.

(keep in mind, I'm talking the difference between the $2.99 and $4.99 cables on Meritline, not some insane $84.99 Best Buy "special")

Just my $0.02, hope everything works out!
 
ess5 said:
(this is a long shot, and has probably been brought up, but I'm just trying to help)
Did you try a different HDMI cable? I was having flickering and random screen fails at 1st, until I swapped out cables. I understand that they're digital cables, and typically "either they work or they don't", but after swapping out some 30 gauge HDMI cables for beefier, higher quality ones, the issue went away.

(keep in mind, I'm talking the difference between the $2.99 and $4.99 cables on Meritline, not some insane $84.99 Best Buy "special")

Just my $0.02, hope everything works out!
Click to expand...

The 24'' ACD connects through the mini display port, it does not have a HDMI port but it is interesting that different cables can make a difference.
 
MacBird said:
There is still no firmware update for the 24'' ACD that solves the black screen and random flickering issues with the new Mac Mini 2011, even with 10.7.1 installed.

I just called Tech Support and am going to return the Mini for refund. I'm surprised they started selling devices that don't work with Apple hardware, poor quality control or they started selling them knowing there are problems, both options don't reflect well on Apple.
Click to expand...

I have had Apple (Australia) tech support on the phone - they asked me to reset my Mac mini's PRAM and NVRAM.

No flickering......yet :)

Edit: it's happening again *sigh*
 
Last edited:
I've been experiencing the flickering as well.. I felt like I went weeks without seeing it and now several times today its happened.

Interesting thing - 2 weeks ago I started using 2 monitors with the mini. My primary one that is flickering is connected using dvi with the hdmi-dvi adapter included. The second monitor is using a single display port cable (mDP-DP). The second monitor doesn't experience flickering at all. I'm typing on the 2nd screen right now and the first is flickering like crazy.

Going to try swapping the dvi cable. Actually I even have an hdmi-dvi cable that I can try out.
 
MacBird said:
There is still no firmware update for the 24'' ACD that solves the black screen and random flickering issues with the new Mac Mini 2011, even with 10.7.1 installed.
Click to expand...

Black screen like a boarng screen saver ? Does the screen come back when you press a key ? I have that with my 2010 iMac 27" (and ACD 24" attached; but also without). Just the screen turn black but no lost of data. Raised a ticket in bug reporter on that one. Also Lion installed and updated to 10.7.1
 
Dell U2711...

My Dell U2711 hooked to 2011 Mini 10.7.1 via mDP - dual-link DVI adapter ( native 2560 x 1440 ) has a slight issue sometimes when waking from sleep...

Upon waking it sometimes gives me a big "snowstorm" of noise overtop of the display's image... If I sleep the monitor ( shift control eject ) and then tap any key before the monitor goes into power saving mode it will recover the display with the snow now gone...

From what I have been able to find out from what research I could do was that it appears to be a DELL issue that affects not just the U2711 but a few others...

For those same reasons there seems to not be any easy way to get the DELL to work consistently well using a mDP - DP cable hooked to it's native display port...

Other than that - no other issues...
 
My 24" LED Cinema Display also went bonkers just a few days ago. It started to flicker several times before it shuts off permanently. The display just finished its one year mark btw. I thought it was my Mac Mini causing the problem at first but when I plugged into my MBP, the same thing happened.
 
"snowstorm"​

Same, a few times from first boot up only than either I wait or have to boot up again. My Dell is a 2407FWP
 
Same problem

I've got the same problem. I have a Mac Mini with the 6630 GPU and a 24 inch Apple Cinema Display connected.
I used to have a MacBookPro running Lion connected with the ACD without any problem. I've sold the MBPro and replaced it with the new Mac Mini and that's when the problems started. I get without any reason a black screen for about a second and this happens every 2 - 15 minutes.
Once I had a completely distorted screen, where the corners appeared in the middle of the screen. I was able to continue typing and using the mouse, but the center of the screen had moved (see attachment).
Is Apple going to fix this problem or will I have to return the Mini?
 

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My case is similar with an ACD of 27". It has worked perfectly for the last 2 years with a MBP 13", including with Lion since it was released. My MBW was stolen two weeks ago and the problem has appeared with the new Mac Mini. My bet is therefore the problem is with the computer. In the last days however the problem has mostly gone away (it remains that sometimes when I boot the screen is misplaced and I have to connect and reconnect the display port).
 
They might fix it but the question is when. I returned my Mac Mini for a full refund several weeks ago and if Apple fixes the firmware, I might get one again. I was not willing to wait and hope they will eventually fix it.

peschybear said:
I've got the same problem. I have a Mac Mini with the 6630 GPU and a 24 inch Apple Cinema Display connected.
I used to have a MacBookPro running Lion connected with the ACD without any problem. I've sold the MBPro and replaced it with the new Mac Mini and that's when the problems started. I get without any reason a black screen for about a second and this happens every 2 - 15 minutes.
Once I had a completely distorted screen, where the corners appeared in the middle of the screen. I was able to continue typing and using the mouse, but the center of the screen had moved (see attachment).
Is Apple going to fix this problem or will I have to return the Mini?
Click to expand...
 
ghaah

Very strange, after some "security update" on Lion 10.7.1 my Cinema display 24" hooked up with my Mini i5 2.5Ghz hasn't flickered for two days. Before this it used to randomly(every 10-15minutes or so) flicker/ go blank for half a second. I have not done anything else except installed updates the usual way(apple program update menu).

Has anybody else got cinema displays 24" hoooked up with thunderbolt port(Macbook / Mac mini) that is starting to "behave" correctly?

Regards.
Henrik

FORGET IT - Problem still exists!
 
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Has someone already installed the EFI update? I'm wondering if it fixes the flickering/black screen problem.
 
I've been having this problem since I bought the mini although, not as bad as a lot I've heard on these forums. My screen goes black about once every few hours. I have noticed that when I have my phone or my iPad plugged in, it seems to get worse(I don't know if this is related to the problem or just a coincidence).

I've updated the EFI firmware, but it was late last night and haven't had a chance to see if the problem is still there. I will check tonight, and report back.
Has anyone else noticed if the firmware update has helped?
 
I didn't have your problem specifically but looks like the EFI firmware update fixed my display rotation issue that I was having.

One bug down! (and one of the more annoying ones for me at that!)

Ruahrc
 
mini 2011 ACD 24 screen blackouts

Installed a Circuit Assembly DVI to MDP adapter between the mini's thunderbolt port and the ACD cable. I don't have a way to measure frame rates, but I haven't noticed any problems with the ability to display anything, and the screen blackout problem and the other display oddities have not recurred.

I suspect that any such DVI-MDP adapter could accomplish the same thing, although I don't know why this works.
 
I also have a 2011 Mac Mini (2.5 GHz, AMD) with a 24" Apple Cinema Display that has the flicker and black screen problem.

I just got off the phone with Apple. They acknowledged the problem.

They say their engineers are working on a solution, which should be available "in a few days." I was asked to hold tight on returning the unit. He seemed confident that it will be fixable via an update that should be posted soon via Software Update.

Fingers crossed!
 
993RS said:
I also have a 2011 Mac Mini (2.5 GHz, AMD) with a 24" Apple Cinema Display that has the flicker and black screen problem.

I just got off the phone with Apple. They acknowledged the problem.

They say their engineers are working on a solution, which should be available "in a few days." I was asked to hold tight on returning the unit. He seemed confident that it will be fixable via an update that should be posted soon via Software Update.

Fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update. Have you installed the EFI firmware update, and if so, has it made a difference?
 
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