2009 iMac 21" as an external display

I have a 21" iMac (the late 2009 model, 3.06GHz core duo, running 10.6.8) that I'd like to use as an external display for a MacBook Pro 15" Retina (running 10.8.2). I purchased a Monoprice Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable and connected the computers via one of the Thunderbolt Ports on the MacBook and the Mini DisplayPort on the back of the iMac. Pressing Command-F2 on the iMac doesn't appear to work, though.
I found several references to the 27" iMac, including this KB: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924 ... but no specific mentions of the 21" iMac. In theory, it should be the same bi-directional port on both iMac models. So either it isn't and it will never work, or the $10 cable is sub-par. Has anyone connected the 21" iMac as an external monitor successfully?

Thanks! Guess I'm stuck with a cheap DisplayPort cable I'll give ScreenRecycler a look. Hopefully, it's reasonably fast over wired Ethernet.

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I'm wondering if boting from it's drive on the oother Mac didn't write some of the other Mac's Monitor info to it?
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http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-1318625.html

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[IMG]http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/PharaohSam/Speakersetup_zps94899a5c.jpg[/IMG]
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Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
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Right, it shoulld work if Mid 2011 & up, might it be a bad TB cable?
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924
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http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

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Welcome to Apple Support Communities
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2009 iMac 21" as an external display

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