Can no longer use an external display in closed clamshell mode

Hi,
I have this weird problem that just started couple days ago. 
I own a MacBook Pro Early 2011 since March. 
It's always hooked up to an external display and the MacBook Pro's LCD is turned off (closed clamshell mode).
Lately, if the MacBook Pro's LCD is turned off, the external display won't show anything.
But as soon as I open the lid, the external display will then mirror the MacBook Pro LCD.
If I close back the lid, the external display will get blank.
I also tried to change the display settings with no luck.
In other words, I can no longer use my external display with the MacBook Pro in closed clamshell mode.
I'm wondering if someone experienced this problem before.  Thanks for help.

Hello sebastieng
Open both, your MBP connected to the external screen. Open Preferences click here on "Displays" and then make the external Window to the main window by dragging the bar (line?) on top of the laptop window to the external window, which makes the second window the main window.
If this does not help you may read this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131
Hope this helps
marek

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