Clamshell mode thinks internal display is running

I use my MBP with an external display. Unfortunately, it always thinks that the internal display is still running even after I detect displays. The MBP is closed and I use a USB mouse and keyboard. The pointer can easily get "lost" off the screen. I've reset and restarted but the problem always comes back.

I just open my MBP before plugging up the TB display. Then after the TB comes on, I close the MBP back into clamshell mode. Works better for me that way.
Does that work for you as well?
-Brad

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Silverlight (Lovefilm / Netflix) MBP 13" Early 2011, Heating and Exhaust Problems, Clamshell mode with TB Display

Hi all
I was hoping if someone can help me out...
I have a:
Mac Book Pro 13" (Early 2011) (i5, Crucial 8GB RAM, 120 OWC 6G SSD)
Apple Thunderbolt Display
I run my MBP in clamshell mode always.
Whenever i run Netflix or Lovefilm video in full screen using either Firefox, Chrome or Safari. The Silverlight plug-in is hogging the CPU.
My exhaust (CPU fan) goes crazy, its soo loud its annoying while your trying to watch a movie on your Thunderbolt Display.
Temperature reaches: 83 Celsius
Fan (Exhaust): 5620 - 6200 RPM (immediately jumps from 2001 to 5620 / 6200)
If i watch a movie full screen on my 13" MBP with my Thunderbolt display disconnected:
Temperature reaches: 81 Celsius
Fan (Exhaust): 3198 RPM (it slowly crawls up form 1998 to 3193)
Now i changed my resolution on my Thunderbolt disply to 1420x720 and it helps with the fans going crazy, they slow down slightly...
I've tried a PRAM and SMC Reset, all my firmware is up to date.
My Macbook Pro is slightly raised at the back so air can flow through the vents.
My FANS are just going crazy!! something is ridicously heating up internally in my machine causing them to go mental.
You just cannot watch a movie on netflix or lovefilm on your thunderbolt display comfortably if your fans go beyound 2800RPM.
I even installed Windows 7 on Virtual Box and tried running lovefilm / silverlight and it did not help my problem.
PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP! how can i keep my fans below 2800 RPM while running silverlight?!?!

Flash like Silverlight are CPU heavy applications.
The MacBook Pro can be run in clamshell mode but only when not running extremely CPU intensive tasks
like what you are doing.
If you keep the mac book running this way for too long you might stress the materials and run into danger of getting thermal damages.
Chrome is actually in recent time getting very slow and I noticed in a comparision test that Firefox provides me up to 30 to 40% more free CPU time.
If running netflix I would suggest currently NOT using Chrome.
Windows 7 virtualized inside virtual box and then on top netflix is uhm a pretty bad idea because all those three things together are already CPU hogs.

HT3131 Operating MBP in closed clamshell mode with external display

I have a new MBP retina display. Trying to operate in a closed clamshell mode. I connect a USB keyboard and a wireless mouse. My external display is a Dell 2007FP display screen connected via a VGA adapter. Whenever I close the computer lid to operate in clamshell mode the screen goes to sleep/power save mode. Have tried various combinations of attaching keyboard and mouse first then screen, switching computer off on etc. The external display states there is "no signal coming from computer"...any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciate

Congratulations on taking one more step in becoming more self sufficient in tech stuff.
But I have to wonder why you spent so much on a Retina display only to have it cooking uselessly there.

10.5.3: Clamshell mode and 1080p display issues fixed?

Has the clamshell mode issue and 1080p display issue been fixed in 10.5.3? Are you able to shut your laptop and use 1080p on an external monitor without the **** thing freaking out?

Me and hundreds like had the issue when we upgraded to 10.5.2. It is a known but bug that when you start up the system an external display wouldn't be recognized in calibrated profiles (only at 1440x900). A work around was to start up then close the door immediately or boot up without external display connected and connect when completed booted.
I was told by support in Jan that there would be a fix in the next release (10.5.3 I presumed), but after installing it I have the same problem and the release notes don't mention it as repaired.

Can running Macbook Pro in Clamshell Mode cause problems for Macbook Display?

Hi,
I recently got a new monitor (Dell U2711) and it is stunning when running at full resolution through a mini displayport to displayport adapter. However, i ran my MBP in Clamshell Mode and after rebooting (without the display this time) i had horrible lines across my screen. It was like a grid, but they were tiny, it was like i could see the individual pixels or groups of about 4. I turned it off straight away and when i came back to it (about an hour or 2 later) it was as normal.
I just want to know what is the regular behaviour of running in Clamshell? Is that to be expected? I know that Macbooks dissipate heat through the keyboard, so i wonder if it could be a heat related problem, and if that's something i should be worried about in relation to causing long term damage to my mac's display, or will it always sort itself out?
Sadly, i can't recreate the problem as i have a faulty monitor and it needs to be sent back (i will be getting the same model as a replacement though).
Does anyone have anything to say on this matter?
Thanks in advance
mrmeister

Shootist007 wrote:
Is this a brand new, less then a year old, MBP? If it is then take it to a Apple care center and have them look at it.
It's a refurb late 2008 that i bought in late 2009, but i do have apple care until september 2012 i think, i guess if the problem happens again i can take it in and they can sort me out.
eww wrote:
MBPs don't dissipate any significant amount of heat through the keyboard. No matter how often that misconception is posted, it's still a misconception.
Ok, so it shouldn't be anything to do with heat then, i know the top left corner (closest to the screen) gets pretty hot too, just above the speaker, but from Shootist007's post, it would appear that heat doesn't have anything to do with it. I mean, i wasn't running intensive tasks, i was only browsing the internet.

HT3131 Display on to apple tv in closed clamshell mode?

Hi Can anyone help me?
When I AirPlay my MacBook pro display to my apple tv, all is fine.
However when I close the lid, (clamshell ) with mains connected, my display drops out and turns off AirPlay on my MacBook pro?
Any ideas please

Yup. I have no issues using an external display in clamshell mode. It's only when I try to airplay to my apple tv while in this clamshell mode that I run into problems. So to clarify, there are 3 devices in my situation: my macbook, my external monitor, and my apple tv (which is connected to my hdtv of course, so 4 devices). Usually I just use my external monitor with my macbook closed. That works fine. But when I occasionally want to airplay to my apple tv as additional mirrored/extended monitor, I have to open up the macbook first to exit clamshell mode. Otherwise if I just go straight into airplay while still in clamshell mode, my hdtv shows a frozen image, my external monitor goes black and I have no choice but to manually turn off my macbook. Hope that makes sense. I think it would be easier if I could draw a diagram haha.

HT3131 can i turn my computer on and off in clamshell mode will useing with a thurderbolt display?

I have an early 2011 mackbook pro 17inch and love using it in clamshell mode with my thunderbolt display. Is there a way to turn power on and off with a thunderbolt display?
regards,
floyd.

I have my Power Nap enabled but my sleep is still an option along with restart or shutdown when I click on the little Apple.
When I click sleep it puts everything to sleep as if turned off except it activates when I touch my keyboard and comes on again with everything up.
My external Lacie SSD does everything the same as the computer and monitors.
Except it shuts all the way off and on.
Not good I don't think.
If it's not good for internal SSD to be turned on and off, I expect it to be not good for external SSD either.

Radeon 6490M stalling MBP on internal display, running fine on ext. monitor

Hi,
my early 2011 MBP (2,0 Ghz i7 - running OSX 10.8.2) started acting strangly a few days ago.
When I use the internal display at home, the machine will crash whenever tasks are handed over from the
Intel HD G 3000 to the Radeon 6490. However, when i plug the the MBP into it's external dispaly ( NEC EA 190M)
at work where is use it as a desktop in clamshell-mode, the MBP is working just fine.
I already thought i might be a problem with overheating or loose contacts between the GPU and the logicboard.
But then, why does it stall in desktop-mode but not in clamshell-mode?
Any ideas?
Greetz
MatKo

Hi Clinton,
I can tell from the systemreport, that the Radeon is driving the ext. display ( see screenshot):
That gives me a little hope, that the GPU isn't shot altogether.
No, I don't have the Apple Care Plan. Here in Europe we enjoy a two year manufacturer's liabilty by law. So unless you want a thrid year of warranty Apple Care doesn't makes that much sense here. I got my MBP in May 2011, so i'm good.

Trying to get to app "off" the desktop, clamshell to internal display probl

I'm only seeing this problem with one application but it's a problem.
For a while now I've been running in clamshell mode with my external display at a fairly high resolution. I had an application window in the far right hand corner of my screen where I could use it as needed. I shut down and am now working from the internal display which has a lot lower resolution.
When I invoke almost all the applications, they are smart enough to realize the reduced desktop resolution and open somewhere on the desktop. However there is on application that is trying to position in the same absolute position which means I don't get any access to that application. I know the app is there because if I scroll from one panel to another in Spaces, I see the application window go by.
Is there any way to "scroll off" the desktop to that position and drag the app window back to the current desktop? The only solution I found was to remember to move the application to some other place on the desktop before I stop using clamshell mode.
Thanks

Just hold the app down until the all start to 'wiggle', then drag the app or apps you don't want from your home page to a new page.
You can't delete it, or any of the standard iPhone apps, but this gets them out of your way.

HT3131 Are there any ventilation issues with running a macbook air in clamshell mode?

Are there any ventilation issues with running a macbook air in clamshell mode?

...that makes sense to me.
but, why do so many MBA users (on this forum and others) claim that ventilation occurs through the keyboard? Is this claim based on an old macbook design?
for example, here's a related discussion (although fairly old):
11-08-2010, 12:16 PM
#6 (permalink)
SP Forsythe
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Re: Is it safe to use MBP with screen lid closed? Leave charge on always?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tHE j0KER
Actually I you shouldn't close the lid while running on an external screen. The keyboard of the Macbook is an air intake for the fan. Close the lid, and it could overheat.
A common misconception of unknown origin. The intake and the exhaust for the cooling fan on the 13" MB and MBP are both located on the rear slot at the base of the hinge. In fact, you can actually see the divider that separates the intake flow from the output flow. If it were through the keyboard crevices, then an awful lot of overheats would result from people using impermeable keyboard covers, as well as Apple's warranty department would be flipping out over the Apple store carrying such covers. iSkin ProTouch FX Keyboard Cover for all MacBooks - Black Printed Keys on White - Apple Store (U.S.)
Does one think that Apple sells these only for use when the Notebook is off??? http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW...co=MTM3OTUwMDE Closing the lid, whilst operating the unit actually results in cooler operation due to reduction in power consumed by operating the display, which in supporting the on-board display generates heat far greater than simply powering the video port..
Does one think that Apple sells these for use only when the MacBook is off? http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW...co=MTM3OTUwMDEApples direction for use is specifically for when using with an external display.
Currently using:
Apple MacBook Air 13" mid 2011 1.8GHz Core i7 4GB 256 GB SSD Lion & Ubuntu Linux via Fusion
MacBook Air 11.6" late 2010 1.6 GHZ, 320M, 4GB 180 GB SSD Upgraded OWC), OS X Lion
11-08-2010, 02:34 PM
#7 (permalink)
ajreynol
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Re: Is it safe to use MBP with screen lid closed? Leave charge on always?
once again, I've tried a few of these keyboard covers. the Moshi keyboard cover is the ONLY one I can recommend. the others are too thick or change the keyboard experience too much.
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11-08-2010, 03:34 PM
#8 (permalink)
doh123
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Re: Is it safe to use MBP with screen lid closed? Leave charge on always?
1. Closing the cover will cause more heat. This is not because of covering the keyboard very much (though it does help some heat be retained). It's mainly because of the shape of the hinge and the fact when closed it covers up the back vent a lot more. For the best cooling, it is best to have the screen open. Just run it as a dual monitor, but make the external the Primary monitor, and if you don't want to use the built in, just turn its backlight off and don't use it.
2. The thing you plug into the wall is not a battery charger. The actual "charger" is built into the computer. It knows when to charge and when not to. If the little light on the power plug is amber, then its charging your battery. When its green, its just powering the laptop and NOT charging your battery at all.
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11-08-2010, 03:38 PM
#9 (permalink)
Wolfpup
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Re: Is it safe to use MBP with screen lid closed? Leave charge on always?
I'd leave the lid open, at least partially...yes it may be fine not doing that, but you are making heat dissipate worse, of course could even theoretically hurt the screen.
As for the battery...well there's really only two choices, have it plugged in or not. As others mentioned, you can't overcharge the battery. It can be damaged a bit from heat, but of course the number one thing that's going to damage it is discharging it...so it's a no brainer-use it plugged in whenever possible, and try to charge it whenever possible when it's not plugged in.
11-08-2010, 03:45 PM
#10 (permalink)
SP Forsythe
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Re: Is it safe to use MBP with screen lid closed? Leave charge on always?
Quote:
Originally Posted by doh123
1. Closing the cover will cause more heat. This is not because of covering the keyboard very much (though it does help some heat be retained). It's mainly because of the shape of the hinge and the fact when closed it covers up the back vent a lot more. For the best cooling, it is best to have the screen open. Just run it as a dual monitor, but make the external the Primary monitor, and if you don't want to use the built in, just turn its backlight off and don't use it.
Nope. Apple would disagree with you on that one. Any "closure", which is, when compared to the amount of CFM, is insignificant. In fact, the opening size remains the same. it is only deflected at a slight angle when the lid is closed. Tilt your MBP and see. As well, shutting down the display lowers the heat being generated, even in the lower case. As I said, if it were a problem, Apple would not be selling stands designed to operate your unit in the closed position as the original poster of this thread proposes to do.
Currently using:
Apple MacBook Air 13" mid 2011 1.8GHz Core i7 4GB 256 GB SSD Lion & Ubuntu Linux via Fusion
MacBook Air 11.6" late 2010 1.6 GHZ, 320M, 4GB 180 GB SSD Upgraded OWC), OS X Lion

Does Clamshell mode run slower for you?

I've seen people asking questions regarding mighty mice in clamshell mode and then noticing a difference in mouse performance when in open display mode, but thats not my issue. I have a 2011 13" 2.3ghz i5 MBP and using it in clamshell mode. i have a small app running in the background called ifreemem that shows how much ram is being used and right now with only itunes and safari (to write this) open, I'm showing 75% of ram usage of my stock 4gb. Granted, I'll soon be updating to 8gb, but I'm just wondering if this is normal. I'm using a mini dvi adapter to connect to my 19" LG LCD TV/Monitor. Any comments are appreciated.

To help with heating, place the MBP in the bookarc upside down, so that the fan vents (at the display's hinge) are facing up. This will help to avoid internal heat buildup towards the battery and HDD. Sure, the exterior apple logo will also be upside down as it stands, but it's also not light up and small price to pay for peace of mind.
Most of the heat from CPU intensive apps should be at the bottom case, towards the top side (hinge), and at the vents along the screen's hinge (from the fans), so less heat on the display itself through the keyboard. The heat will also go right out from the top of the MBP in this case, and not out from the bottom (if MBP is placed with apple logo right side up), which will help to keep the MBP cool in general.

MacBook Pro Retina 15" mid-2012 won't boot in clamshell mode with an external display attached

I have a 15" MBPr mid-2012 running OS X 10.10.1. The system won't boot in clamshell mode (power is connected, lid shut) with an external display attached via an Apple Thunderbolt->DVI adapter. it boots fine if the lid is open. It isn't the adapter or the display since my 15" MBPr mid-2014 boots up just fine connected to the same adapter and monitor. And this system used to boot like this just fine some while ago (probably before it was upgraded to Yosemite). I've reset the NVRAM (twice) to no avail.
Has anyone encounter this? Anyone have a solution? Should I try an SMC reset (always a bit nervous about that)? Might it be a driver issue in Yosemite?
Thanks.

I have a 15" MBPr mid-2012 running OS X 10.10.1. The system won't boot in clamshell mode (power is connected, lid shut) with an external display attached via an Apple Thunderbolt->DVI adapter. it boots fine if the lid is open. It isn't the adapter or the display since my 15" MBPr mid-2014 boots up just fine connected to the same adapter and monitor. And this system used to boot like this just fine some while ago (probably before it was upgraded to Yosemite). I've reset the NVRAM (twice) to no avail.
Has anyone encounter this? Anyone have a solution? Should I try an SMC reset (always a bit nervous about that)? Might it be a driver issue in Yosemite?
Thanks.

How to keep display on Macbook Pro instead of Clamshell Mode

I have an extended desktop through a Mini-Display Port-to-VGA connection from my Macbook Pro (OSX Mountain Lion) to an external monitor. I have the Macbook Pro screen set up as the "main screen" (with the display bar on top). But everytime I close my macbook pro, the computer goes into clamshell mode and sets the extended desktop as my "main screen" which switches my display bar. Is there anyway to tell OSX ML to always keep the Macbook Pro screen as the default and not go into clamshell mode?
This also creates a problem when I want to physically close my computer to allow to sleep, but instead goes into clamshell mode and extends the desktop to my external display. Any ideas?

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!

HDMI Closed Clamshell mode display wake crash with Mavericks.

Hi!
Macbook Pro 2.8 GHz Intel i7, 16GB DDR3 RAM, OS X 10.9.3
So, I am running a macbook pro with an external HD display through the HDMI out on the computer, and the comptuer itself running in closed clamshell mode. Sometimes when the display sleeps I can not wake it up again, to the extent that I have to unplug everything and do a hard reset of my macbook. If music is playing it begins to skip. The display attempts to turn back on but then the screen goes blank. This seems to only happen when the display sleeps, not the computer itself.
I was just wondering if a) Anyone else was having this problem and b) if Apple were aware of it?
I have done my research and I use closed clamshell mode properly (Restart my comptuer when plugging in to the monitor, sleep before disconnecting etc.) and so far I have not lost any data, however I am concerned that having to manually restart my computer 3-4 times a week may at some point severely affect a document I am working on, particularly with Apple's latest software such as Mavericks and Logic X seemingly being so volatile at the moment.
Any help you could provide would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

Hello bambambam8am,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
What troubleshooting have you done so far? Have you reset the SMC and PRAM? If not, follow the articles below for instructions:
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
About NVRAM and PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
Take care,
Alex H.

Clamshell Mode With 30" Apple Cinema HD Display

Hello,
How can I use my 17" MacBook Pro with my 30" Apple Cimema HD Display in clamshell mode (with lid closed). I can only use it in clamshell mode when the AC adapter is plugged in. When I try to wake the computer from battery, it turns on but then goes right back to sleep mode.
Thanks in advance,
Edwin

That's normal behaviour… clamshell mode will not work when your MBP is running without AC power.

Clamshell mode thinks internal display is running

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