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    R3 MiniDP Problem

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by aznpos531, Oct 13, 2014.

  1. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    I've had my R3 hooked up to a Dell U3011 via the mini displayport with a miniDP to DP cable for the better part of a year now. Despite some occasional hiccups it's been working well for the most part. Just now when I powered up the computer it would not recognize the monitor connected via the miniDP. Strange thing is according to the nVidia control panel there is a monitor connected via VGA when in fact there is nothing connected to the VGA port. When I unplug the miniDP cable, the monitor responds and when I plug it back in, the monitor says that there is no signal coming in from the computer. This leads me to believe that the cable is fine as is the monitor; which leaves the computer. Here are the things I've tried with no success:

    - Start button + p / Fn + F6
    - Update/rollback nVidia drivers 312.44, 290.53, 344.11 (all clean installs)
    - Power drain (unplug power cord and battery; hold down power button for 1 minute etc.)
    - Plugging in the miniDP cable before, during and after start up

    Connecting to the monitor via a VGA cable works but going from 2560x1600 to 2048x1280 is painful so I'm desperately trying to fix this!
    I believe I've ruled out:

    - Monitor failure
    - Cable failure
    - Driver issues
    - Other hardware related issues

    All of this plus the fact that I've been unplugging and plugging in the miniDP cable a lot (power back flow issues) leads me to believe that the miniDP connector itself is broken. Before I decide on what to do next, I would appreciate any input/suggestions you guys might have.

    Thanks in advance! :)
     
    aznpos531, Oct 13, 2014
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  2. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    Update: Tried the same cable and monitor with an Alienware 17 with similar specs to my R3 and got the same results. Led me to believe it was the cable. Went out and bought another cable and the same thing happened so that rules out the cable. That leaves the displayport input on the monitor itself. Well this sucks...
     
    aznpos531, Oct 15, 2014
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  3. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    Some interesting developments. Turns out the MDP port on the laptop, the MDP to DP cable and the DP port on the monitor are all working individually. They just refuse to work together. More details to come once I figure out what is going on.
     
    aznpos531, Oct 20, 2014
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