How to restore display on MacBook Pro to original settings after faulty external display connection

Rookie question, 2009 MacBook Pro.  We bought a dvi-VGA adapter to connect to an external display. Got a picture on the external monitor but very poor resolution.  Meanwhile the display on the MacBook Pro re-set itself and we were not able to restore it to normal even after we disconnected the external monitor.  We now have our MacBook Pro with messed up resolution and display, AND no external display.  How do we get the MacBook Pro back to its default display settings?  Any help greatly appreciated!

this is from another discussion:
jk10003
Re: MacBook doesn't sleep when closing lid with external monitor attached with Lion     Oct 14, 2011 7:01 PM    (in response to admgtz) 
I would like to offer this solution.  I have a MacBook Pro with an external monitor, and, for a year and a half both displays slept when I closed the MBPS.  This behavior stopped when I installed Lion.  They would sleep when I removed the power cord, but what a pain that would be.  The command "pmset -g assertions" gave no indication of which process ought be preventing sleep.
I contacted Apple support, and after some searching, the guy working with me found this thread, which was flagged as an Apple-approved solution:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3190417?start=165&tstart=0
This is the important part:
Correct AnswerRe: How do I tell Lion to disable the LCD screen even when the lid is open?
Aug 31, 2011 9:56 AM (in response to Bob_viking)
Here's the command to make your laptop behave like it did Pre-Lion (courtesy of my friend):
sudo nvram boot-args="iog=0x0"
Works perfectly for me. If it screws up your system, just zap the PRAM next boot (cmd-opt-p-r) and you'll be back to the default Lion state. Or if you can still get into terminal, this command will get you back to Lion's default state as well:
sudo nvram -d boot-args
Enjoy!
One snag was that I had to run it with the external monitor disabled, but it worked great!

Similar Messages

  • HT201262 How to restore an apple macbook pro to factory default?

    How to restore an apple macbook pro to factory default?

    Selling your Mac / Resetting  the computer to the factory condition
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5189
    http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-prepare-your-mac-for-sale/

  • How do restore factory settinngs ( macbook pro retina) after i used migrate wrongly

    how do restore factory settinngs ( macbook pro retina) after i used migrate wrongly. and want to start from the original

    Use Lion Recovery to reformat the drive.

  • HT201364 how do I reset my macbook pro to factory settings. Am currently using OS X Mavericks

    how do I reset my macbook pro to factory settings. Am currently using OS X Mavericks?

    Do you mean by "reset to factory settings" re-installing the OS X version it had originally?
    Phil

  • How do I return a MacBook Pro to Factory Settings and Delete all Passwords before I sell the Computer?

    How do I return a MacBook Pro to Factory Setting and Delete all Passwords and Files before I sell the Computer?

    How old is your Mac?
    What version of OS X came on it originally?
    You must return it to the version of OS X that came on it originally before you sell it.

  • How do I reset MacBook Pro to original settings for sale?

    I want to reset a slightly used MacBook Pro to original factory settings... plan to resell on eBay.  Thanks!

    Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
    Step One - Back up your data:
           A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
           B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
              1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
              2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
              3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
                  side.
              4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
                  sure to opt for that.
                   Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
                   startup drive.
    Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
              1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
              2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
              3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
              4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
              5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See.What to do with iCloud before selling your computer
    Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
         A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
              1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
              2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
              3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
                  Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              4. Install OS X.
              5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
              6. Shutdown the computer.
         B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
             Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
                       it is three times faster than wireless.
              1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
                  Utilities window appears.
              2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
              3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click
                  on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
              4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
                  and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
              6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
              7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
              8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
    *If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

  • How do I restore my new MacBook Pro to factory settings?

    I got a MacBook Pro back in September and did migration assistant to transfer all of my programs, etc. over.  It took an entire day.  Anyway, I'm having issues with some programs so I would like to reset my computer to it's factory settings then actually install all of the programs from the original disks.  There were no CD/DVD's that came with it so I'm not sure how to go about doing this.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks
    Scott

    Restart with the Option key held down, tab to Lion's recovery drive, press Enter, and use it to erase the drive. Install the OS.
    (62322)

  • How to restore Lion on Macbook Pro??

    I'm trying to restore OSX on my Macbook Pro, the HD has been wiped, I used cmd-r on boot to get to the disk utilities and perform the restore, but when I log in with my apple ID it says "This Apple ID has not purchased OSX Mavericks".....  I don't want to install Mavericks, I want to install Lion, what I had before, but it doesn't give me an option for Lion.  ***?

    Lion is no longer available for computers that qualify to run Mavericks. It may be possible to install Lion if it was pre-installed on the computer when it was new. Otherwise, you would need to reinstall a functional Lion system from a backup or have the original Lion installer application. Or you can purchase a Lion download coupon:
    You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax.  It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
    If Lion was pre-installed new then you can try this:
    Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
    Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
    Partition and Format the hard drive:
    1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
    2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
                if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
    This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.

  • I want to restore my new macbook pro to factory settings

    I just bought a new 13 inch Macbook pro mid 2012 it shipped with Lion so I updated to Mountain Lion but like two weeks later it started to run slow, I want to restore my Mac to factory settings. I have been searching how to do it but everyone say that i need a cd but I dont have any cd.       

    turn your computer on while holding down the command + r keys - release the keys once you see the apple logo and once you get to the disk utility menu - erase your macbook and reinstall your OS - i think because you upgraded to Mountain Lion - your recovery partition will also be Mountain Lion - try doing a clean install of ML and see if the issues you're having are gone when you do a clean install.
    if you're still not happy with the way Mountain Lion performs in your macbook, then you have to do a Internet Recovery to get Lion reinstalled.
    good luck

  • How Do I Use my MacBook Pro to Watch a DVD From External DVD Player

    Hello Everyone!
    While waiting for Apple TV to become available in my place of work, I want to use my MacBook Pro monitor for watching a DVD movie played on an external DVD player. The DVD player I have is an LPC-D1000, which is a new model. While Mac has its own DVD player, I'm trying to make use of my LG DVD player. If that's possible, please guide me on how to do it.
    Thank you.

    You could use Elgato Systems' EyeTV product to view external video sources on your MBP.
    There is additional cost involved, but it would achive what you want. You can buy the Hybrid product, and connect your external DVD player via Composite (red, white and yellow connectors) to your MBP via the EyeTV.
    http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna&PHPSESSID=3c4e16afe5 0303162b285a6f70791f86

  • How to reset macbook pro to original settings?

    I am not using my macbook pro and would like to give it to a grandson; but I need to get rid of all my information before sending.
    It is so easy with an IPad and iphone; should be just as easy with all Apple computers..
    thank you in advance.
    Rita

    Boot from your install disk & erase the drive, then install OS X, when the Welcome Screen stops, Commad + Q to quit the installer, eject the DVD, shut the computer down. Give it to your grandson.
    If running Lion, post back.
    One more thing...deauthorize iTunes BEFORE you erase the drive.

  • How do i change my macbook pro's security settings so that i am capable of connecting to my families "mifi" device

    I just got my macbook and aside from using my iPhone i have no experiance with mac products.. I just got it home and wanted to go online and as i typed in the password a message pops up and says "the wi-fi network "MIFI" requires a WPA2 password. i called sprint because the hotspot was from them and they said that dont really have much they can do for me unless i bring the computer in to them. its 930 at night so obviously thats not an option. they told me how to see what i need to change it too on the macbook "wpa/wpa2 mixed code" but i tried to go into the open network preferences tab and it still didnt really make sense to me. So.. any answers?

    Does your MBP recgonize the device? You should be able to just join the network, with wifi on, through the wifi bar in your menu. If it shows up, just select the network and use the router password to connect.
    Clinton

  • How can I Reset my MacBook Pro to factory settings

    I have Yosemite.  its a 2014 MackBook Pro.  I need to erase it to send it back.  Im switching from the 15" to the 13".

    Click here and follow the instructions.
    (118119)

  • How do I erase all info and reset my macbook pro to original settings so I can sell it?

    Im trying to get my laptop ready to sell and need to erase all my info.  its running 10.6.  Thanks

    Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
    Step One - Back up your data:
           A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
           B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
              1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
              2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
              3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
                  side.
              4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
                  sure to opt for that.
                   Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
                   startup drive.
    Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
              1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
              2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
              3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
              4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
              5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See What to do with iCloud before selling your computer.
    Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
         A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
              1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
              2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
              3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
                  Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              4. Install OS X.
              5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
              6. Shutdown the computer.
         B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
             Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
                       it is three times faster than wireless.
              1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
                  Utilities window appears.
              2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
              3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click
                  on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
              4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
                  and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
              6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
              7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
              8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
    *If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

  • How do i perform a complete system restore on my macbook pro

    How do I restore my 2009 Macbook Pro to factory settings?

    Insert its first original DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a new OS.
    (94325)

Maybe you are looking for

  • Changing time layout in the storyboard possible?

    Can I change the time in the story board from e.g. 1.6 minutes to 1 minute 36 seconds?I want to have the exact time in minutes and seconds... So I dont always have to calculate the seconds. I'm using iMovie 10.0.1 Thanks in advance

  • 2 MobileMe accounts desire 1 EDITABLE calendar

    My wife and I have a family MobileMe account with our own usernames and computers. How can we use ONE calendar that BOTH of us can EDIT? Publishing a calendar does not allow the other user to edit. And if my wife logs in to her computer with her Mobi

  • Form Hangs in Oracle applications 11i

    Hi, I have just installed Vision Demo of Oracle Apps 11.5.5 on Windows 2000 server. when I try to open the form People/Enter and Maintain in the HRMS application, the system shows busy and I am not able to perform any operations. pls help Thanks

  • Screen Share issue!

    Screen share works when i connect from my mac mini to my macbook, but the other way around, i can only access my file on my mac mini from my macbook, there is no option for screen share, even though i have screen share activated on both machines. vnc

  • Doubt regarding Restoring ORACLE_HOME after applying patch

    While going through this doc: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B16240_01/doc/em.102/e15294/recovery.htm I encountered a doubt and I wanted to get it cleared: Under the heading Restoring ORACLE_HOME they have mentioned we can remove any changes made to the i