Late 2009 iMac 27" as display for gaming desktop?

I'm looking at buying a gaming desktop with a high end graphics card. I know that the late 2009 imac can use the "mini-displayport" to be used as a monitor for the pc, but the graphics card on my desktop will only have a "displayport." The card comes with a DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort cable, which would allow them to connect, but will it be compatible for Target Display mode? Some people have reported success online, but i could be missing information.

Hello CDeuschel,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924
Can I use the iMac in TDM as a display for my gaming console, DVD player, or other device?
The Mini DisplayPort port on a supported iMac can receive DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals. Converters not made by Apple may provide options to convert other electrical, video, and audio protocols to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt compliant signals.
Best of luck,
Mario

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Late 2009 imac as second display for new (late 2012) imac. How to?

I have a late 2009 imac 27 that I would like to use as a second display for my late 2012 imac 27. Has anybody connected them successfully? I am getting very mixed information on the topic.

Thank you. Here's where my confusion comes in
"iMac (Mid 2011) and later: target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable"
Symptoms
When you attempt to connect an iMac (21.5-inch or 27-inch, Mid 2011) and later to another computer with a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, the screen of the target iMac will not become an external display when you press Command-F2 to activate Target Display Mode.
Resolution
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) and later computers support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2 m) when the source is another Thunderbolt-equipped computer.
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computers do not support Target Display Mode via Mini DisplayPort cables.

HT3924 Can I use my 27"iMac late 2009 as an external display for a non apple product such as a cable box?

Can I use my 27"iMac late 2009 as an external display for a non apple product such as a cable box?

To get TV on your iMac off the cable box you would need to use an external TV tuner device such as the company ElGato is highly regarded for. I have used one of their EyeTV products for many years with my iMac to watch television shows from my Comcasst cable TV box. You can look at the models here:
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products.en.html

Can I use a 2009 iMac as external display for 2007 macbook pro with DVI port only

I have a late 2009 imac with minidisplay port and a 2007 macbook pro with DVI port. I connected a mini diaplay port to DVI cable but all I get on the imac is a blank screen when I press F2. Can I use the imac this way?

I'm not sure if it works with DVI but your late 2009 must be a 27". Try Command-F2 or Copmmand-Fn-F2

Can I use my early 2009 iMac as a display for a 2012 Mac Mini

If I buy a new 2012 Mac Mini, 2.6Ghz can I use my existing iMac (early 2009 - 24inch) as a display or do I have to go and purchase separate display ?
If the answer is yes, can someone explain what leads I would need to buy and if there are any disadvantages to doing this.

The short answer is no. If it was a late 2009 you could.
The long answer is you could possibly use it via Screen Sharing,
Apple Remoter Desktop, or other VPN type of network display mirroring.
Redraws depending on the software being run won't be all that great
but could suffice for general purpose use.
You will however have to have a monitor to do at least the initial
setup of the Mini.

Using 2009 iMac as second display for 2012 iMac

I am using my 2009 iMac as a second display using a mini display plugged into the 2012 iMac Thunderbolt port. When I plug it in, it works fine, but if I need to restart my 2012 iMac, it won't recognize the second display on reboot.
How do I make my 2012 iMac automatically recognize the second display? The only way I seem to make it work is by unplugging the cable, and then plugging it back in. When I do, it immediately recognizes the second display.

Thank you. Here's where my confusion comes in
"iMac (Mid 2011) and later: target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable"
Symptoms
When you attempt to connect an iMac (21.5-inch or 27-inch, Mid 2011) and later to another computer with a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, the screen of the target iMac will not become an external display when you press Command-F2 to activate Target Display Mode.
Resolution
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) and later computers support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2 m) when the source is another Thunderbolt-equipped computer.
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computers do not support Target Display Mode via Mini DisplayPort cables.

HT3924 2009 Imac as screen display for MBP retina dosnt work

I got an Imac 2009 - but when i try to connect it with my brand new 15" retina MBP - i dosnt detect the monitor. I use a HDMI cable with adaptors in both ends. Anyone know what to do?
Krogh

HDMI won't work.
Here's how it's supposed to work...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924

How can I use my Late 2009 iMac as an external monitor with my new MacBook Pro 15" Retina

I want to use my iMac (Late 2009) as an external Display for my new 15" MacBook Pro Retina, I need to know what Cables to use so I can go buy them the Apple Store, I already tried a thunderbolt cable between the two and that doesn't work, but I think this might
iMAC MBP 15" Retina
Mini display Port to VGA adaptor -> VGA Cable -> Mini Display Cable to VGA adaptor
or maybe
Mini Display port to HDMI adaptor -> HDMI Cable -> HDMI Port on MBP
Pleae help I can't seem to figure it out online.
Thanks!

Hello, All-
I too am very interested in the answer to this query. Same set up, same fail w/the Thunderbolt cable. The Genius Bar at the Apple Store was no help & recommended I bring my 27" iMac into the store...seriously? Their ultimate answer was that I needed a plain old male-male mini display port cable....that the Thunderbolt cable was the problem. Bloody unlikely, I say. Another guy in the store agreed with me this morning, so swapped out the cable. I was hoping upon hope it was a bad cable, but no such luck—still nothing. Next I tried a mini-display-port-to-DVI adapter—DVI cable—mini-display-port-to-DVI adapter. This also did not work. Is there a chance that the iMac running Snow Leopard and the MacBook running Mountain Lion is the problem???

My late 2009 iMac 27 inch hard drive just failed and is being replaced. It did not qualify for call back but I am wondering if there is others with similar issue

As I stated my late 2009 iMac 27 inch hard drive failed and is being replaced.. I am being charged as machine does not qualify for the call back program..call backs are on 2011 machines.. However i am in shock that my segate internal iMac hard drive failed in less than two years.. are there others with similar issue? Also when I get machine back will new hard drive be stable .. How do I make sure my working environment is reliable.. I have all my data and work backed up and will be able to rebuild my system but I really do not want to have to go through this down the line again.

Just to update everyone and maybe help people down the road .... It has been a week of **** .... I may have finally solved a problem that I have seen a ton of people in all different types of discussions around the world having trouble with ...... I am going to upload some pictures of what I was getting in the beginning and it came out of no where .... I had the random pixel problem with my display and to make a long story short I came across an article two days ago regarding internal temperatures and fan speed ...... I kept reading about apples approach which is not the point ..... More importantly I dug deeper into temperature control and fan settings .... I discovered all kinds of software and there is only one in my eyes that can help anyone dealing with this display problem .... I will be honest, I do not have the money right now for anything extra and am barely getting by and that is why I kept at it ... I figured keep trying different things because a repair is out of the question ... http://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control - This program has solved my problem - I get to adjust three internal temperatures inside my Imac and slowly but surely as the temperatures remained constant the display is fine .... Like new again .... I cant believe it ..... Turns out the ATI Radeon HD 4850 512 MB graphics card gets very hot causing it to not do what it is supposed to ..... Anyone that has any questions do not hesitate to contact me ...... I am going to upload some pics .... They are not that clear but if you are going through this you will recognize the images for sure - There was so many more variations but this should help out - Thanks to everyone that takes the time out to help people on this support site .... I want to send a shout out to The Art Of Sound .... He is the most knowledgeable Apple person I have ever come across and I am an Apple user for 20+ years
a to

I have a late 2009 iMac, with a Nvidia 9400 Graphics card. I was wondering what my options are for upgrading. I use Windows 7 via Bootcamp, so I need a card that is compatible.

I have a late 2009 iMac, with the default Nvidia 9400 Graphics card.
I was wondering what my options are for upgrading. I use Windows 7 via Bootcamp, so I need a card that is compatible/has available drivers.
This is for gaming. On the lowest settings of "Call of Duty 4", I get about 100 FPS... Was hoping to be able to play on higher resolution w/o the fps lag.
I'm not good with the hardware part of computers at all, but know how to get around the OS.

In most cases the graphics cards in iMacs are Not upgradeable. They are usually soldered to the logic board. RAM is considered, along with harddrives, the only component that is upgradeable in an iMac, unlike in PC's. So basically you would need to sell your unit and purchase an iMac with a more powerful graphics card.
Hope this helps

Boot Camp for Windows 7 64 bit on 21.5" late 2009 iMac

I've read much about installing Windows 7 64 bit on my 21.5" late 2009 iMacs -
- nevertheless there is some lack of clarity about how to do it right.
First I read "http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Boot_Camp_Install-Setup10.6.pdf".
That's all well and good, but nowhere in this document is that "USB storage device trick"
(see "http://support.apple.com/kb/DL995") mentioned! On the other hand, in that DL995
description there's nowhere mentioned that there are additional steps to do afterwards!
OK - first I prepared my USB storage device according to DL995, made a 201GB partition,
inserted the 64 bit Windows 7 DVD and ran the installation without any problems.
Windows works, but brightness and volume controls for example don't work.
(When I press F1 I get Windows help etc.)
I can't find Boot Camp installed under Windows anywhere!
After the same installation on my second 21.5" iMac everything looks identical
with the exception that under "Bluetooth Devices" on one machine there's
"Apple Wireless Keyboard" and "Apple Wireless Mouse" installed - on the other
machine NOT, even tough I've NEVER used Bluetooth devices any of both
machines (just used wired Apple keyboard and USB Trackball).
How can this be? What's wrong?
Before I continue (OS X disc, 3.1 update... if required at all?),
how can I verify that the USB storage device had been used at all?/
How would it look if it wouldn't have been used?
Thanks for your help!

Thanks for your reply.
You inserted and ran Apple setup off your OS X DVD once W7 was updated and running?
That adds a bunch of devices and services, OSSwitcher, TimeServices, the Boot Camp
control panel, and would show Boot Camp version 3.0 in Programs control panel.
Yes, I know, but I haven't installed it yet. First I want to make sure that the first
step of the installation (DL995) worked well. on both Macs. Do you know how this
could be verified? What should have been installed from the USB device?
It puzzles me that on my 2nd iMac under "Bluetooth Devices"
"Apple Wireless Keyboard" and "Apple Wireless Mouse"haven't been installed.
Maybe this is a clue, that on that iMac the USB device had been ignored
during windows installation? Or could that have another reason?
This is my problem at the moment.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini with a thunderbolt cable. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

Hi there,
The simplest way is to drag it across wirelessly using the 'Airdrop' application once both computers are near one another. 'Airdrop' can be found near the top, on the left hand side menu, within 'Finder'.
AJ

Where can I buy a new 3.5" SATA HDD with the extra thermal sensor port for my late 2009 imac?

where can I buy a new 3.5" SATA HDD with the extra thermal sensor port for my late 2009 imac?

Depends on the original drive. According to OWC, at least last time I checked some months ago, any current WD drive they sell (up to 2 TB?) will be able to be swapped directly. I am unable to confirm this personally. But, even so, that was a while back. You should check with them again on this. As for Seagates, that might not be so simple.
This is the original article on this from them.
http://blog.macsales.com/2751-proprietary-cable-can-put-the-brakes-on-upgrading- late-09-imacs
If you find a drive that OWC sells and is certain will swap in directly, you can see if newegg.com has it for less.
This one that OWC sells will swap in directly, according to them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339

RAM issues after installation (Late 2009 iMac)

I was trying to upgrade a late 2009 iMac computer from its original RAM of 4GB. I purchased 8GB of memory from Corsair off Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Channel-204-Pin-SO-DIMM-CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7/dp/B0050 5EZYW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1403201294&sr=8-6&keywords=mac+memory+notebook+8+gb), which, despite saying is "Notebook Memory" in the description, there are numerous reviews stating that it works in late 2009 iMacs and the packaging itself says it will work with iMacs. I've installed memory before on two other Macs, including another late 2009 iMac (from 4GB to 8GB), but have had issues with this most recent installation. Like I said before, the computer originally had 4GB of memory, with 2x2GB cards in their original slots (the two slots closest to the stand). So, I installed the 2x4GB cards in the bottom two slots (slots closest to the display).
Upon rebooting the computer, I get a single loud tone, repeated every 5 seconds, which, according to other support articles, means that there is no RAM installed. I took out the RAM cards and tried various installations, and can't even get the original two cards, by themselves and in their original slots, to work. I'm pretty sure I am installing them correctly - I don't hear a loud click when I slide them into place, but the fit definitely feels snug and can hear them shift into place, plus I get a nice click when I've popped them out with the tabs.
Other things to note - there seems to have been a fair amount of dust when I first removed the plate where the memory is held, but that was easily blown away, but I could have possibly lodged dust further into the slot. But I highly doubt that is the issue. I installed it on a carpeted floor to protect the screen, which looking back could mean there was a slight static charge, but am not sure if this would result in damaging the cards to the point where the computer does not recognize them anymore. I didn't realize this till after the first failed installation, but there was a refrigerator-type calendar magnet (very, very weak) on the front of the computer that I am wondering might also have something to do with the issues.
I could try installing the RAM on the other late 2009 iMac but don't want to risk ruining another computer...
Please let me know if there's any additional information I can supply. I wanted to include any possible sources of issues so I can pinpoint exactly what caused this to occur, or if there's something I am simply not doing correctly.

Not sure if it's a permanent solution, but found something that works. Not sure exactly how the locking mechanism for the cards work, but I had an idea that possibly one side was seated poorly, causing the issue to occur. I therefore tried two cards on the left side, found that didn't work, and tried two cards on the right side, and that did work. I tried two cards on the right side, with one card either in the top left corner or top bottom corner, and the top left corner worked, but caused the computer to start beeping again shortly after turning on. Took out that card, restarted the computer, and now it works fine, albeit with less memory than I originally wanted. It did once run into an issue shortly after turning on when it did 3 short beeps, 3 long beeps, and 3 short beeps. I saw an error online with the inverse (3 long, 3 short, 3 long), but couldn't find a definitive answer for what my particular pattern meant (someone said it was a logic board error). Anyway, I left it by itself as I looked for an answer, and in the meantime it restarted again and ended up fixing itself.
Not exactly sure if this will start another series of issues, but that seems to work in the meantime.

Installing Windows 7 on a late 2009 iMac running Mavericks

I'm running a perfectly good late-2009 iMac running Mavericks and had a bootcamp partition that worked until I needed to replace my hard drive.
Now I want to install Windows 7 (via bootcamp) for gaming. Bootcamp 5 won't download the software or allow a USB/ISO Windows 7 load due to my model/ROM version, which is:
Model Name:               iMac
Model Identifier:          iMac10,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          3.33 GHz
Number of Processors:          1
Total Number of Cores:         2
L2 Cache:                      6 MB
Memory:                       8 GB
Bus Speed:                    1.33 GHz
Boot ROM Version:        IM101.00CC.B00
I've read quite a few threads about the apple software download server issues, creating an ISO, adjusting the BootCamp package, using virtualbox, etc. to bypass this. But can't find anything addressing my specific situation where I'm running mavericks AND have an older ROM version that won't allow USB install for some stupid reason.
I've made an ISO boot disk (and USB), tried adjusting my BootCamp package strings, and have virtualbox, winclone, Daemon tools, etc. but can't get to the point where I can upload the bootcamp software and Win7. Has anyone solved this problem?

No one has done this before?

Late 2009 iMac 27" as display for gaming desktop?

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