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Random Black Screens

Sir Ruben said:
So basically removing one block of RAM or using the Thunderbolt port solves the problem.

Id strongly suggest people invest in a thunderbold > whatever cable and the problem will be gone instantly.

Im using thunderbolt > displayport and I have an awesome flicker free picture.
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People are reporting that removing memory doesn't fix the issue, though.

I'm returning my Mini tonight, the HDMI port should work, I need my
Thunderbolt port for other duties and I'm not prepared to use a workaround on a bit of new and expensive kit that should be working in the hope Apple can and/or will fix it! (YMMV, of course!) :)
 
Sir Ruben said:
So basically removing one block of RAM or using the Thunderbolt port solves the problem.

Id strongly suggest people invest in a thunderbold > whatever cable and the problem will be gone instantly.

Im using thunderbolt > displayport and I have an awesome flicker free picture.
Click to expand...

The problem is what to do with dual monitors. I agree using the mdp to DVI is good for one monitor as a temporary fix but it is not a good permanent solution. As it is right now you can't use the mini for dual displays without sacrificing on the HDMI port. That is not really acceptable.
 
I'm tempted to buy a Mac Mini anyways, and use a Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter. I'd then keep watching the forums for news on Software/Firmware/Hardware fix.

If by the time the 2013/4 Mac Mini launches Apple still haven't fixed it, I'll ring up AppleCare as the first time I've tried using the native HDMI port and see what they do...
 
One week old Mini 2.6 just had snowy screen after it turned black. (HDMI -> DVI to Dell U2410). Happened about 5 minutes after startup with Safari open and Cinebench Open G/L running in background. Here's a short video of what it looks like. Totally UNSAT!

http://youtu.be/I6dakWCN8hk
 
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calvol said:
One week old Mini 2.6 just had snowy screen after it turned black. (HDMI -> DVI to Dell U2410). Happened about 5 minutes after startup with Safari open and Cinebench Open G/L running in background. Here's a short video of what it looks like. Totally UNSAT!

http://youtu.be/-rT118xVtA0
Click to expand...

The video is unavailable, could you repost please? I am curious to see how it looks like.
 
Snow like that is normally an indication of HDCP issues. I doubt it would fix itself without you disconnecting and reconnecting the screen to force the HDCP to go through its handshaking again. The only times I tested my HDMI port I had no issues but then I am going to a non-HDCP screen.
 
madrag said:
How long does it stay like that?
Do you need to restart the mac for it go return to normal?
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It stayed like that for about 5 minutes, then I restarted the machine. Probably would have been indefinitely. I didn't think to reboot the monitor, but I will try it next time. It seems to be fairly reproducible at about 5-10 minutes from boot running a stream and Cinebench or memtest.

Note, I also saw this on a HDMI->HDMI connection to a Samsung UN4600 TV.
 
i also have this issue with a new mac mini 2012 model.

i had a dual monitor setup. both monitors have a dvi in. the mac has one thunderbolt out and one hdmi out. the random "blackouts" - monitor just goes into standby and back on for a second (happened twice yesterday) - occur on the hdmi connected monitor.

thunderbolt output works with no issues.

i gave it back and now i am waiting to see if this issue can be fixed. for that price i expect a perfect device.

the issue with the hd4000 is already known since june/july. i mean, does apple not test their prototypes? its not like it is a seldom and very random bug. it happens to so many people after a short time. no way that this could have been "overseen" in a normal quality test.
 
iwhisper said:
i gave it back and now i am waiting to see if this issue can be fixed. for that price i expect a perfect device.

the issue with the hd4000 is already known since june/july. i mean, does apple not test their prototypes? its not like it is a seldom and very random bug. it happens to so many people after a short time. no way that this could have been "overseen" in a normal quality test.
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I agree, even if it costs 100 EUR, you buy something that is expected to be in full working conditions.
 
Curious if this is a design defect, why am I not getting it? I tried both the 24inch apple monitor and the dell 2412 as well. via hdmi to dvi included with the mac.

maybe its the adapter?
 
hugodrax said:
Curious if this is a design defect, why am I not getting it? I tried both the 24inch apple monitor and the dell 2412 as well. via hdmi to dvi included with the mac.

maybe its the adapter?
Click to expand...

This is getting to be a long thread which you didn't read through, but there are plenty (me included) that are getting the issue connected straight hdmi-hdmi. NO adapter.

I think it's a HDMI handshake issue. As others have noted that have seen it too it looks like the same thing they have seen other places like with TVs and blu ray players.

You may not be getting it because your monitor doesn't trigger whatever causes it.

The secondary issue which is also noted by some in this thread (and others) is the poor picture quality over HDMI (again me included) On the same Dell monitor, the difference is night and day with the older version of the mini being MUCH better.

Apple (and maybe intel as well) has something goofy with the HDMI implementation in these new minis
 
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sno1man said:
This is getting to be a long thread which you didn't read through, but there are plenty (me included) that are getting the issue connected straight hdmi-hdmi. NO adapter.

I think it's a HDMI handshake issue. As others have noted that have seen it too it looks like the same thing they have seen other places like with TVs and blu ray players.

You may not be getting it because your monitor doesn't trigger whatever causes it.

The secondary issue which is also noted by some in this thread (and others) is the poor picture quality over HDMI (again me included) On the same Dell monitor, the difference is night and day with the older version of the mini being MUCH better.

Apple (and maybe intel as well) has something goofy with the HDMI implementation in these new minis
Click to expand...


It sounds like a lot with a bunch of defective Minis. Since an implementation issue would cause the same issue to everybody.

I have no issues with snow/blackscreen/or quality of output on two different monitors.

What will be interesting will be Apples response to the issue.
 
hugodrax said:
It sounds like a lot with a bunch of defective Minis. Since an implementation issue would cause the same issue to everybody.

I have no issues with snow/blackscreen/or quality of output on two different monitors.

What will be interesting will be Apples response to the issue.
Click to expand...

My picture quality is even slightly better than with my old Mini. And no black screens too.

Apple certainly did serious testing of the Mini. The issues may be from a bad batch.
 
It's not purely an HDMI connection issue, because I have had a few momentary video dropouts to black screen using the Mini's MDP/Thunderbolt port with an adaptor to DVI to connect a 20" Apple Cinema Display.

Rarely happens, but it does do it on my 2012 Mini.
 
It is a shame that Macrumors don't put this issue on the frontpage! :mad: With all other issues in the past they did it when there were even less reports.

Look at the forums here at Macrumors and Apple's own forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4472316?start=255&tstart=0

And not only the black/snow/static screens are a problem, also bad colors and light grey tints that cannot be seen.

Macrumors probably get paid by apple...
 
Snowcake said:
It is a shame that Macrumors don't put this issue on the frontpage! :mad: With all other issues in the past they did it when there were even less reports..
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Yes, it looks like MacRumors is in bed with Apple, otherwise this black screen/snow issue would be plastered all over the front page. The consumers buying this product should know about it to make an informed decision.
 
there may be an issue with 10.8.2

I was one the early posters about the issues with black screens and poor display quality.

Had an open incident with Apple support and they asked me several times for log files.

Latest message was that I can hold off for now and that a fix was coming, and that it may be related to an issue with the 10.8.2 update and now it's gone missing

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1491586/
 
sno1man said:
I was one the early posters about the issues with black screens and poor display quality.

Had an open incident with Apple support and they asked me several times for log files.

Latest message was that I can hold off for now and that a fix was coming, and that it may be related to an issue with the 10.8.2 update and now it's gone missing

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1491586/
Click to expand...

Indeed, it is weird that it is missing. But if you do internet recovery, you should get the special 10.8.2 Mac Mini 2012 Verson. If not = :confused:

But i think that the missing 10.8.2 update has nothing to do with the issues related to Intel HD4000/hdmi, since these problems were also reported under windows using bootcamp and Intel was talking about a bios/efi/firmware problem.

calvol said:
Yes, it looks like MacRumors is in bed with Apple, otherwise this black screen/snow issue would be plastered all over the front page. The consumers buying this product should know about it to make an informed decision.
Click to expand...

Someone should contact Gizmodo. :p
 
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Snowcake said:
Indeed, it is weird that it is missing. But if you do internet recovery, you should get the special 10.8.2 Mac Mini 2012 Verson. If not = :confused:
Click to expand...

Actually no, you get 10.8.1. Had to restore the other mini today and that's where I'm stuck. People buying new retinas are having the same issue.

It may not be related, but it is odd
 
I agree that this problem should be posted on a big website home page.

Just to get things moving.

Apple can either release a software update that will solve the display problems.

Apple can recall all of the hardware on store shelves.

Or Apple could start a program up that gives mac mini owners a free hdmi adapter because we are using the product wrong. :mad:

I'm not giving Apple a cent until they fix this issue.

And to the people who say that's it not a big deal.......IT IS.

If you want to waste your money on a brand new product that has problems with no known fix in sight be my guest.

What the hell is with Apple and their sealed lips.

Why dont they update their loyal customers with progress on the problem instead of leaving them in the dark?

It really makes Apple look lame.

Apple just loves secrets don't they?:mad:
 
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