External display turns off when macbook isn't charging...

I have my old 2007 white Macbook hooked up to an external display. Recently I have been wanting to calibrate the battery while using it on the external display, but every time I remove the charger from the Macbook the external display will stay on for a couple of seconds then turn off, it will only come back on when I click the mouse or press something on the keyboard, but then it will go back to sleep. Note: when my Macbook is connected to the external display I keep the screen closed.

When you are looking at the displays in the System Prefs, all you have to do is click and drag the tiny rectangular bar from the main screen to the external monitor screen (this designates the primary monitor).
Once you've done that, all you have to do is close the lid. Your screen will flash a couple times, but the external monitor will then remain on and working, and you dont need to keep your lid open.
FYI, I would turn down the brightness of your MBP down all the way (for both the screen and keyboard). I have found that this reduces any heat build up that it may have from running with a closed lid.
Hope this helps!
Ben

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ach nee....
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Hello all,
As stated my 2008 Unibody 13 inch, serial number W8******1AX turns on and works fine when it is connected to power.
When it is unplugged it instantly turns off and turns its fans on full until it depletes the battery (so it is obviously getting power.. just not where I want it)
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Before this, the computer had an intermittent life, it would turn off when it saw fit, which got progressively worse.
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Here is the Battery Read out;
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Serial Number:          ?00€›Æ⁄¬+9tt
Manufacturer:          GSA-1280
Device Name:          ASMB016
Pack Lot Code:          3230
PCB Lot Code:          30db
Firmware Version:          ddae
Hardware Revision:          dac2
Cell Revision:          2b39
Charge Information:
Charge Remaining (mAh):          4113
Fully Charged:          No
Charging:          Yes
Full Charge Capacity (mAh):          4200
Health Information:
Cycle Count:          1
Condition:          Normal
Battery Installed:          Yes
Amperage (mA):          379
Voltage (mV):          12275
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          15
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          5
Automatic Restart on Power Loss:          No
Wake on AC Change:          No
Wake on Clamshell Open:          Yes
Wake on LAN:          Yes
Current Power Source:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
PrioritizeNetworkReachabilityOverSleep:          0
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          2
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          1
Wake on AC Change:          No
Wake on Clamshell Open:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
Reduce Brightness:          Yes
Hardware Configuration:
UPS Installed:          No
AC Charger Information:
Connected:          Yes
ID:          0x0100
Wattage (W):          60
Revision:          0x0000
Family:          0x00ba
Serial Number:          0x00ebc719
Charging:          Yes
Power Events:
Repeating Events:
Type:          Wake or Power On
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I'm at my wits end with this thing, I know it is getting on in age, but other then this, it has been flawless in its operation.
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Many thanks!!
<Edited By Host>

There may be a hardware cause behind the symptoms you cite, so a diagnostic
is recommended to see which parts are weak or failed in the computer. A visit to
an Apple Store with Genius bar may be helpful, as they can perform testing there.
A call ahead or use their web page, to schedule an appointment, is advised.
In the US and Canada, the Genius bar at a retail Apple Store can perform
a diagnostic service, for no fee, even on Apple products without AppleCare.
See links:
Apple - Concierge
Genius Bar - Apple Retail Store:
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
List of Apple Stores, cities, countries:
http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/
Also authorized Apple service providers who can test, repair and guarantee their
work should be able to handle an out-of-warranty older Mac, within age limits...
Ones too old for the Apple Store could be serviced at a Specialist, instead.
•Find Locations - Sales, Service, Training, Consulting:
https://locate.apple.com/
•Did you try resetting the System Management Controller?
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
•A reset of NVRAM may help with some issues:
About NVRAM and PRAM
•Calibrating is part of maintenance, esp with older portables:
Apple Portables: Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance
•The power adapter can be problematic and cause issues, so there's this:
Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters
Also another item, other than keeping the magnetic connections clean of
debris, grime, and corrosion, is to check the MagSafe Board or have it
checked as part of a greater diagnostic. This board is behind the port
that supplies the computer and the battery with power from the adapter.
When it partially fails or if/when one of the connecting wires or plug fails
you can find odd issues or partial use. The battery may charge but it
may not be able to power the computer, and other odd effects.
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook
In older portable Macs, this was generally called a 'DC-in board' and as
such, you could read about it in an iFixit repair guide for the MacBook
model you have. These vary so the matching article is recommended to
see if that is something you may want to try. But I would have diagnostic
testing done and avoid additional damages from attempted DIY efforts.
There have been a few reports of other failure on the logic board that
contributes to a partial failure of the charging system, so about all this
may do is troubleshoot around the failure without finding an exact cause.
However it goes...
Good luck & happy computing!

External display turns off when macbook isn't charging...

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