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I have an early 2011, 15” MacBook Pro. I use it to teach and it has to connect to an LCD projectors. The projectors I use connect via a VGA cable. The MacBook Pro uses a thunderbolt port and only has an Ethernet, firewire, 2 USB ports and a card reader. I went to hook into a projector and the MacBook could not see the projector. I tested the cable and projector, I tested the dongle (thunderbolt to VGA) and all seem to be working fine. The only thing that it seems to point to is the Thunderbolt port. my profiler does not report that it is connected to the projector. I can not seem to find a way to test the port. so here are the serious of question, is there a way to test the port?is there a replacement port (I understand that this is now vintage)?is there a work around to still hook into the VGA port on the LCD projector? One projector has an S-video port and the RYG ports. The other, in addition to the VGA, has a DVI port and an HDMI port. any help would be appreciated
Can you give a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter instead. I think you’ll find it will work! Gilbert heres what you need Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter Update (10/28/2018) OK, so you have the DisplayPort version of the adapter Vs the Thunderbolt version and it won’t work either. Sadly your problem is within the logic board. Your USB ports are only USB2 Vs USB3 which is much faster. I think you’ll find the screen refresh will be so slow you can’t watch video’s and just jumping between slides will be painful. I wouldn’t recommend it. I guess its time to decide if you’re up to replacing the board your self or getting your system to someone who can. Here’s the IFIXIT guide: MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011 Logic Board Replacement as far as the logic board you could also install a 2012 board which if you can find one would give you USB3 ports and a better GPU.
Repairing/replacing the port isn’t really the best option we have here because these ports aren’t that modular in the first place. Microsoldering is required to solder a new Thunderbolt port to your Mac’s logic board too. You’re better off using a USB to VGA adapter instead; as @danj stated in his answer. USB to VGA Adapter
I had same issue but with external drives through a thunderbolt firewire 800 connector.. I could not see drive or power it up. I found this link.. https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reset-t… For me o just had to shut down and power up to reset Reset Your Mac’s NVRAM or PRAM. Cheers. John
