Apple Studio Display 15 Troubleshooting Guide
.png)
Fault-finding on the Apple Studio Display 15, from Apple's symptom charts for the analogue Rev. A and Rev. B displays and for the DVI version. Apple did not supply parts inside the LCD assembly, so its charts stop at cables, settings, software, the graphics card and the backlights.[1][2]
First checks
[edit | edit source]- Use the right computer and software. The Rev. A needs a PowerPC Macintosh with Mac OS 7.5 or later, the Rev. B Mac OS 8.0 or later (both also work with Windows 95 or NT), and the DVI version an AGP Power Mac G4 with Mac OS 9.0 or later. The Rev. B data sheet says it does not work with the PowerBook 1400, 3400, 5300 or Duo 2300.[2][3]
- The Rev. B cable ends in a VGA connector; Macintosh computers with the older two-row video port need the VGA-to-Macintosh adapter supplied with it.[1]
- On the DVI version, loose cables or a loose DVI graphics card mimic display faults. Apple's checklist also says to plug the computer into an earthed socket before connecting the display, to protect it from static.[2]
- Without its external power adapter the display will not run at all; see Backlights and power for the adapter ratings owners report.
Rev. A and Rev. B symptom charts
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Apple's cures, in order | Service Source page |
|---|---|---|
| No picture (screen black), green power light on | 1. Confirm the computer's video with a known-good monitor, then reconnect the Studio Display, with both video and ADB cables to the computer. 2. Raise the brightness. 3. If the screen has dimmed over time, the backlights are failing; Apple gives them an average life of 10,000 hours (about 40 hours a week for five years) and referred replacement to an authorised Apple dealer. 4. Call Apple. | Troubleshooting 2 |
| White screen at power-on, random or predominant colour, front controls dead | 1. With the computer off, unplug the ADB cable from the computer and the power from the display, then reconnect both. 2. Make sure the keyboard's ADB cable is in the ADB port on the display's stand. 3. Restart. 4. Call Apple. | 3 |
| Blurred or wavy picture at some resolutions | 1. Set 1024 × 768 and turn Sharpness fully up. 2. Adjust tracking in the Monitors & Sound control panel. | 4 |
| Dark screen, random images or "Signal Out-of-Range" when changing resolution | 1. Choose another resolution. 2. If the message stays for more than about 10 seconds, restart with Shift held down (extensions off), drag Display Preferences from the Preferences folder to the Trash and restart. | 4 |
| Only one resolution; display name or settings missing from Monitors & Sound | 1. Connect the ADB cable to the computer so the software can identify the display. 2. Install Apple Displays Software 1.6 or later. | 5 |
| Missing resolutions and the error "AppleVision failed to load completely" | Install Apple Displays Software 1.6 or later from the display's CD. | 5 |
| Studio Display not listed in the Color section | ColorSync 2.5 had no profile for it; choose Generic LCD Display. | 6 |
| Vertical grey bar at the edge at 1024 × 768 | Centre the picture with the screen position control in Monitors & Sound. | 6 |
DVI version symptom charts
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Apple's cures, in order | Service Source page |
|---|---|---|
| No image (screen black) | 1. Raise the brightness. 2. Shut down, check the cables for bent pins and reconnect. 3. If the screen has dimmed over time, suspect the backlights. 4. Replace the DVI graphics card. 5. Call Apple. | Troubleshooting 3 |
| Blurry or wavy picture | Use a resolution listed as Recommended; 1024 × 768 is the native resolution. | 4 |
| Colours wrong; large areas of one colour uneven | Let the display warm up for 30 minutes; check the ColorSync profile and recalibrate; check Color Depth is not set to Grays. | 5 |
| Image dim | 1. Raise the brightness. 2. Recalibrate in the Monitors control panel. 3. Try other calibration settings. 4. If it has dimmed over time, suspect the backlights. | 6 |
| Image blurry | Use 1024 × 768; other resolutions are scaled and look softer. Turning off font smoothing in the Appearance control panel helps. | 7 |
| "This monitor is not supported by this version of the Apple Displays Software" | Check the computer is compatible and the DVI card is seated; install the Apple Displays Software from the display's CD. | 8 |
| Power light flashes amber, three short flashes repeating | Check the graphics card is the right one; install the Apple Displays Software. | 9 |
| Power light flashes amber, two short and one long, repeating | Backlight problem; Apple's cure was a call to Apple Technical Support. | 9 |
| Screen freezes | A screen saver conflicting with Energy Saver; turn one of them off and restart. | 10 |
| Computer shuts down or sleeps when the display's power button is pressed | The button is preset to control both; change it in the Monitors control panel preferences. | 10 |
| No on-screen indicator when brightness is pressed; no power options in Monitors | Plug the display's USB cable into the computer, install the Apple Displays Software and restart. | 11 |
| Faint residual image after a fixed picture | Temporary; sleep or switch off the display for one to two times as long as the image was shown. | 12 |
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Apple Studio Display 15
- Studio Display (15" flat panel) Service Source
- Studio Display DVI Service Source
- Apple Studio Display 17 Troubleshooting Guide
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Apple Computer, Studio Display (15" flat panel) (Service Source), hosted as File:Apple studio display.pdf (see Studio Display (15" flat panel) Service Source). PDF page numbers: Front View p. 11; Repair Issues: New Rev. B Version pp. 17-19; Troubleshooting: General p. 27, No Raster pp. 28-29, Screen Resolutions pp. 30-31, Miscellaneous p. 32; Take Apart pp. 34-46; Exploded Views pp. 54-55.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Apple Computer, Studio Display DVI (Service Source), hosted as File:Studio.15dvi.pdf (see Studio Display DVI Service Source). PDF page numbers: First Checklist p. 28; No Image p. 29; Screen Resolutions p. 30; Screen Color p. 31; Screen Brightness p. 32; Focus p. 33; Error Messages p. 34; Error Lights p. 35; Miscellaneous pp. 36-38.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Apple Studio Display data sheet (15.1-inch flat panel), L03512A, January 1999, hosted as File:Apple Studio Display 15-inch Data Sheet (January 1999).pdf.