Normal for macOS to reset my display setups after disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?

Ant

unread,

Feb 5, 2021, 8:45:40 PM2/5/21

to

Hello.

Is it me or normal for macOS to reset my display setups after
disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?
It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts from scaled
1280x800 resolution (want bigger GUI and texts due to old eyes) set in
macOS' accessiblity. Is there no way to have macOS remember these since
it's annoying to retelling it? This is with an over month old 2020 13"
MBP (Intel i7).

Thank you for reading and hopefully answering.
--
So leaky, itchy, tired, and loco! Also, 2021 isn't any better. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

Percival John Hackworth

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 12:37:21 AM2/6/21

to

On 05-Feb-2021 at 5:45:33PM PST, "Ant" <Ant> wrote:

> Hello.
>
> Is it me or normal for macOS to reset my display setups after
> disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?
> It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts from scaled
> 1280x800 resolution (want bigger GUI and texts due to old eyes) set in
> macOS' accessiblity. Is there no way to have macOS remember these since
> it's annoying to retelling it? This is with an over month old 2020 13"
> MBP (Intel i7).
>
> Thank you for reading and hopefully answering.

I constantly connected my older MacBook Pro to a Samsung 27" monitor with
HDMI. It would recognize the resolution of the external monitor automatically.
I used both monitors side by side.

My boss had an Apple 27" monitor with much higher resolution and his 13"
MacBook connected up to it and recognized it with no problem.

I'm wondering who makes your monitor and what happens when you connect it to
your system. Do you see both on the Displays System Preference? What version
of Mac OS is this? Something that new is probably 10.15 or 11.x.

Here in SF/Bay, the Apple Stores aren't open, so getting a Genius Bar
appointment to have someone look at it isn't possible. Also schlepping the
display and laptop would be a pain even if things where open. Have you called
the Apple Support line?

I have no idea if rebooting and resetting PROM is still applicable since my
stuff is much older.

--
DeeDee, don't press that button! DeeDee! NO! Dee...

Your Name

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 1:31:11 AM2/6/21

to

Resetting the PRAM / NVRAM might help (will require resetting some
System Preferences though):
- shutdown the Mac
- hold down Command, Opt, P and R keys when booting
- wait for two startup chimes, then release the keys

but there do seem to be a lot of people suffering from various external
display issues with macOS 11 Big Sur.

Lewis

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 4:04:49 AM2/6/21

to

In message <i86o8e...@mid.individual.net> Percival John Hackworth <p...@nanoworks.com> wrote:
> On 05-Feb-2021 at 5:45:33PM PST, "Ant" <Ant> wrote:

>> Hello.
>>
>> Is it me or normal for macOS to reset my display setups after
>> disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?
>> It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts from scaled
>> 1280x800 resolution (want bigger GUI and texts due to old eyes) set in
>> macOS' accessiblity. Is there no way to have macOS remember these since
>> it's annoying to retelling it? This is with an over month old 2020 13"
>> MBP (Intel i7).
>>
>> Thank you for reading and hopefully answering.

> I constantly connected my older MacBook Pro to a Samsung 27" monitor with
> HDMI. It would recognize the resolution of the external monitor automatically.
> I used both monitors side by side.

> My boss had an Apple 27" monitor with much higher resolution and his 13"
> MacBook connected up to it and recognized it with no problem.

that's not the issue. The monitor works fine and us recognized
correctly. "It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts" It
sounds like Ant is using a custom config for the screen and that is not
being remembered.

I have no answer, I do not run my screens at non-standard resolutions.

--
"Are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Well, I think so, Brain, but pantyhose are so uncomfortable in the
summertime."

Ant

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 5:05:10 PM2/6/21

to

In comp.sys.mac.hardware.video Percival John Hackworth <p...@nanoworks.com> wrote:
> On 05-Feb-2021 at 5:45:33PM PST, "Ant" <Ant> wrote:

> > Is it me or normal for macOS to reset my display setups after
> > disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?
> > It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts from scaled
> > 1280x800 resolution (want bigger GUI and texts due to old eyes) set in
> > macOS' accessiblity. Is there no way to have macOS remember these since
> > it's annoying to retelling it? This is with an over month old 2020 13"
> > MBP (Intel i7).

...

> I'm wondering who makes your monitor and what happens when you connect it to
> your system. Do you see both on the Displays System Preference? What version
> of Mac OS is this? Something that new is probably 10.15 or 11.x.

Monitor and the hub+adapter to connect HDMI cable (came with the monitor) to 2020 Intel MBP's Type-C:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VA27DQSB-Adaptive-Sync-DisplayPort-Frameless/dp/B08C63NR1V
http://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Adapter-Ethernet-MacBookPro-Thunderbolt/dp/B0841T9KC9/

I forgot to mention Big Sur v11.2 earlier in my original post. I wonder if it is a bug.
--
Go SB's TV ads. & half-time show! :P

Ant

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 5:06:40 PM2/6/21

to

In comp.sys.mac.hardware.video Lewis <g.k...@kreme.dont-email.me> wrote:
> In message <i86o8e...@mid.individual.net> Percival John Hackworth <p...@nanoworks.com> wrote:
> > On 05-Feb-2021 at 5:45:33PM PST, "Ant" <Ant> wrote:

> >> Hello.
> >>
> >> Is it me or normal for macOS to reset my display setups after
> >> disconnecting and reconnecting the same external HD 1080 monitor (HDMI)?
> >> It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts from scaled
> >> 1280x800 resolution (want bigger GUI and texts due to old eyes) set in
> >> macOS' accessiblity. Is there no way to have macOS remember these since
> >> it's annoying to retelling it? This is with an over month old 2020 13"
> >> MBP (Intel i7).
> >>
> >> Thank you for reading and hopefully answering.

> > I constantly connected my older MacBook Pro to a Samsung 27" monitor with
> > HDMI. It would recognize the resolution of the external monitor automatically.
> > I used both monitors side by side.

> > My boss had an Apple 27" monitor with much higher resolution and his 13"
> > MacBook connected up to it and recognized it with no problem.

> that's not the issue. The monitor works fine and us recognized
> correctly. "It resets to default Retina default tiny GUI and texts" It
> sounds like Ant is using a custom config for the screen and that is not
> being remembered.

That's correct.

> I have no answer, I do not run my screens at non-standard resolutions.

Yeah, I wonder if this non-default display setups weren't tested well. :(

--
Go SB's TV ads. & half-time show! :P

Lewis

unread,

Feb 6, 2021, 8:15:30 PM2/6/21

to

In message <9LidnTGS5qJ3j4L9...@earthlink.com> Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
> In comp.sys.mac.hardware.video Lewis <g.k...@kreme.dont-email.me> wrote:

>> I have no answer, I do not run my screens at non-standard resolutions.

> Yeah, I wonder if this non-default display setups weren't tested well. :(

I am not sure the behavior is incorrect; it makes sense to me that when
plugging in a screen it uses the screens native settings.

--
'Can't argue with the truth, sir.' 'In my experience, Vimes, you can
argue with anything.'