Macbook Pro freezing when external displays connected

adam · 09-26-2010, 06:35 PM

Sorry, I was looking in the wrong place! I have attached the zip of the folder as requested.

Is there a hub that you know of that can provide that much current per port?

Carlo · 09-26-2010, 10:14 PM

All the displays have unique EDID and the three adapters have unique serials, the layout should be remembered correctly. And there is still the wallpaper problem to explain. Can you send me the full logs please?

Please use the tool at http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269
You can attach the file here or send it through http://www.displaylink.com/support/ask_question.php

About the hub I really can't recommend one. I Googled a bit and found a good review of the cheaper Belkin 7 ports hub: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/w...cles/1756.aspx
Amazon (UK) says that it has a 4amp power supply that should be enough.
Again, I can't recommend any and have not tried it!

adam · 09-27-2010, 12:12 PM

Hey Carlo, thanks for your continued help. I have downloaded the tool and will try to get the problem to replicate itself and then pull the logs and upload them here.

Thanks for the information on the hub. I have done a bit more investigating and what is interesting is that I tried another hub I have which provides 2.5A. The interesting thing is that if I connect each monitor in turn and let it fire up, everything is fine. If I connect them all at once, it locks the mac. It's almost like the Mac wants a phased start to the devices.

adam · 09-28-2010, 04:42 PM

Hey again Carlo, I have attached the log as requested. Before taking these logs, I did some various tasks. This included:

Plugging in my USB hub with 2 monitors connected, letting it fire up and settle, then plugging in the third. The monitors displayed fine although they were in the wrong arrangement, so I rearranged them.

I then tried unplugging the hub, switching the monitors off, then plugging the hub back in with all three connected at once (to see if it would still lock up without the monitors actually on). My mac froze and I had to switch it off by holding the power button.

After switching it back on, I plugged my hub in with 2 monitors connected to the hub and they displayed. I then plugged in the third which also displayed. They were again, in the wrong order. I rearranged them, then unplugged the hub and connected it again with 2 monitors connected. This time, interestingly, it froze again (even though normally with just 2 it is ok).

I then unplugged my hub and everything sprang back to life with iPhone and iTunes open for some reason. I plugged them back in and my Macbook froze again. This time, when unplugging my hub my Macbook remained frozen.

I tried some key combos and front row launched. Upon exit, my Macbook was back to life.....strange.

Hope something there is helpful

Carlo · 09-28-2010, 10:12 PM

Adam everything looks absolutely fine in all the logs. All the devices are associated to different screens etc.
Or we are passing wrong information to the OS or there is a bug in Mac OS.
I'll have to find at least two similar monitors to try to see the same issue and debug it.

adam · 09-29-2010, 11:55 AM

Strange....Do you still think that my Macbook is crashing when all 3 are connected at once because of the power issue we talked about? I found this hub which I have ordered and am hoping will resolve the power problem:
http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_inf...oducts_id=2138

Carlo · 09-29-2010, 02:54 PM

Yes I still think the main issue is a power problem. Might be wrong but it's the best fit!
That hub looks quite power-full. Might be a good addition to the test lab here actually, thank you for the hint.

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09-26-2010, 10:14 PM	#2
Carlo Mac Team Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 606	All the displays have unique EDID and the three adapters have unique serials, the layout should be remembered correctly. And there is still the wallpaper problem to explain. Can you send me the full logs please? Please use the tool at http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269 You can attach the file here or send it through http://www.displaylink.com/support/ask_question.php About the hub I really can't recommend one. I Googled a bit and found a good review of the cheaper Belkin 7 ports hub: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/w...cles/1756.aspx Amazon (UK) says that it has a 4amp power supply that should be enough. Again, I can't recommend any and have not tried it!

09-27-2010, 12:12 PM	#3
adam Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 13	Hey Carlo, thanks for your continued help. I have downloaded the tool and will try to get the problem to replicate itself and then pull the logs and upload them here. Thanks for the information on the hub. I have done a bit more investigating and what is interesting is that I tried another hub I have which provides 2.5A. The interesting thing is that if I connect each monitor in turn and let it fire up, everything is fine. If I connect them all at once, it locks the mac. It's almost like the Mac wants a phased start to the devices.

09-28-2010, 10:12 PM	#5
Carlo Mac Team Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 606	Adam everything looks absolutely fine in all the logs. All the devices are associated to different screens etc. Or we are passing wrong information to the OS or there is a bug in Mac OS. I'll have to find at least two similar monitors to try to see the same issue and debug it.

09-29-2010, 11:55 AM	#6
adam Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 13	Strange....Do you still think that my Macbook is crashing when all 3 are connected at once because of the power issue we talked about? I found this hub which I have ordered and am hoping will resolve the power problem: http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_inf...oducts_id=2138

09-29-2010, 02:54 PM	#7
Carlo Mac Team Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 606	Yes I still think the main issue is a power problem. Might be wrong but it's the best fit! That hub looks quite power-full. Might be a good addition to the test lab here actually, thank you for the hint.