[Spoffo]

I have a mini I've been using for kids with a large LCD HDTV via a DVi to HDMI cable. It had been working great. Suddenly it doesn't. Just a black screen. I've tried all sorts of different video resolutions, including a safe boot, and I still get a black screen on the TV.

The Mini still works fine when connected to a regular monitor via DVI to VGA, and the link to the TV works fine if I plug it into the DVI out of my MBP or another Mini.

So, my diagnosis is that the video circuit on the mini has lost its ability to talk to other devices over the DVI/HDMI connection. As a result it doesn't offer the 60HzNTSC signal that's necessary to drive the TV (which is what shows as the only available frame rate in the Display CP of any computer connected to that TV, but which isn't shown as available if you're connected to a computer monitor or operating in "dumb" VGA mode.)

So, 3 questions:

a) Has anyone run into this before, where video output at standard computer resolutions and frame rates is still available, but the "smart" ability has vanished?

b) Anyone have an alternative diagnosis they'd care to offer?

c) Does a video repair on the Mini automatically mean a motherboard swap? and how much does that cost? It might be cheaper to just add a VGA to HDMI converter for about $200.

[seanc]

Before you go spending money, I'd try a fresh install of OS X and see where you get.

[turtle777]

Yes, try a fresh install, preferably on a Firewire external HD, so you don't delete your current install.

-t

[P]

Originally Posted by Spoffo 

a) Has anyone run into this before, where video output at standard computer resolutions and frame rates is still available, but the "smart" ability has vanished?

Yes, sort of, on an iMac G5. It stopped recognizing the specific adapter i used from mini-VGA.

Reinstalling did not fix this.

Originally Posted by Spoffo 

b) Anyone have an alternative diagnosis they'd care to offer?

No, but I have a possible fix.