Display broken - set external display as default

my powerbook g4 screen is kaput. the computer is working fine otherwise and detects the external display i plugged in, but i'm not sure how to set the external display to be the primary display without being able to see the 'system preferences' menu on the powerbook display. any ideas? thanks

Hi, woody02, and welcome to Apple Discussions. Try pressing the F7 key on your keyboard to toggle between extended-desktop mode, which I presume your Powerbook is in now, and display-mirroring mode. In mirror mode, you'll have the menu bar and desktop items on your external display, and you'll be able to set your monitor preferences from there. If this doesn't work, post back for other ideas.

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Set External Display as Default?

I have a 15" Powerbook with OS X 10.4 installed. I have hooked up an external monitor to the Powerbook's external DVI output.
Is there any way I can set the external monitor to be the default (ie primary) one? I'd like to have the main menu bar, the dock, and all the desktop icons display on it, and have new applications open on that display.
Thanks,
Doug.

In the "Arrangements" pane of "Displays" System Preferences, drag the menu bar from the picture of the laptop display to the picture of the external display.

Unable to set external display as primary/main monitor on Macbook Boot Camp

I have an LG Flatron W1942TQ monitor hooked up to my Macbook right now. I am able to extend the desktop to this monitor and use it dual display style, but the Start menu remains on the Macbook display.
I want the monitor to be the primary monitor. So I go to check off "Set as Primary Monitor" in the control panel, but when I do that it suddenly reverts back to having the Macbook monitor as the only display, shutting off the LG Flatron.
Just wondering if there is a driver issue or something I am overlooking as to how to have my external display as the main monitor.

I think that works for Mac OS but in Boot Camp Windows XP OS does not have that option. I did try to drag the XP system bar at the bottom onto my external display but no luck. I am having the same issue as Jack Ryan and Philtones. I am a mild timpered guy and love my MBP but this agrivation just about has me ready to throw it.
I hooked it up at a LAN party & the display wouldn't come on at first. It finally just started working & I played several games in mirror mode. Then, I decided to correct the resolution and couldn't get mirroring back on no matter what I tryed. I also can't switch primary monitor.
Please, someone, has anyone found the solution?
Windows is a very bad 7-letter word.

PBG4 12" - Setting external display to something other than 4:3?

Hello,
I've been using a 12" PBG4 as a basic media center for watching movies via mini-DVI to composite out, hooked up to an old 4:3 TV. Recently I've purchased an HDTV and am still using the 12" PBG4 as a media center. Obviously, the quality of the video isn't HD (as I'm going out via composite), but honestly, it's good enough (for me anyway).
But, my one problem is, the 12" PBG4 doesn't allow me to output the video (either when mirroring the displays or when mirroring is off) at an aspect ratio other than 4:3. Thus, on the HDTV, everything is stretched. To compensate, I have manually distort the aspect ratio of the video I'm watching (through the video software) to make it look the way it's supposed to. This works great for video, but when I do anything else on the HDTV, it's stretched.
So, I'm wondering if anyone knows how I'd go about setting an external display to an aspect ration other than 4:3? In the display preferences, all available options are 4:3?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank

If it is stretched on the HD-TV set the HD-TV to have a 4:3 resolution. Remember widescreen aspect ratios aren't always 16:9. If you read DVD specs on their back they have varied possibilities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widescreen
You can always reduce the video window to fit the onscreen resolution.

Is Mission Control broken with external display?

With mountain lion on macbook pro and an externel monitor attached to it, (and I close the macbook pro display to use only the external display), when I invoke the mission control, I dont see the preview of all the spaces (at the top) and I dont see the "add desktop" button at the top right corner as well.
Once I open the macbook display (such that I am working with both external and laptop display), I see these (add desktop button as well as preview of spaces), on the macbook display where as the big window at the bottom of the screen which shows each application is in the external monitor.
Because of this, I cant use multiple spaces with external monitor only.
Am I missing something or this is a bug??

Posted on the wrong thread.

How do I turn off display when using external display

Using HDMI cable via thunderbolt port to show movies on 50" Panasonic TV. How do I turn off MBAir display?

Hello Wallclock,
The article linked below details how to go about using your MacBook Pro in closed-clamshell mode (i.e. only utilizing your external display).
How to use your Mac notebook computer in closed-clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834
Sincerely,
Allen

Incorrect resolution displayed on mavericks external display 1080p

hi. i am running mavericks on imac (intel, amd radeon HD6970 1024mb) and have just added an external display (asus VN279) which i've tried connecting through both mini displayport to displayport and then mini displayport to hdmi. when i select the resolution i have an option for 1080p which is the native resolution of the monitor (and the one that i want to run), however, the resolution that actually comes on the screen is terrible and a totally different and lower one. any ideas on what could be wrong?
thanks
bruno

Hi,
Try to change the HDMI cable. I did display (X1 Carbon 20A7) 4K (3840 x 2160) on TCL (U49S7606DS) using very old but original Panasonic Viera HDMI 1.3a cable. I know it is strange and should not work but it works.
BTW: Here is what Lenovo officially says for the second generation of X1:
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4400 or 5000 in processor,
external digital monitor support via Mini DisplayPort or HDMI (supports VGA analog monitor via Mini DisplayPort to VGA Monitor Cable); supports three independent displays;
Max external resolution:
3840x2160 (Mini DisplayPort)@30Hz;
2880x1620 (HDMI)@60Hz
Cheers,
a

Can I use the Retina Display as an external display?

Hi. I know it's not a huge issue- the graphics are amazing on the retina macbook pro.
But I was wondering if I could use the screen on the laptop as an external display, say, for a desktop computer that would have a huge, power thirsty, heat sink, graphics exploading graphics card?
Would this be possible through thunderbolt at all?
Thanks!

Well, I don't know if this could provide input at the full native resolution of the macbook pro- but it does seem like it might do the trick. It's the "eye tv" that allows you to input a video stream into your mac.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUXy2tgOP4

HT3131 Why doesn't Apple mention using the Display control panel's "Arrange" feature to move the menu from the Macbook's display to the EXTERNAL display? THAT'S the real answer to make Clamshell mode work, but it's not mentioned in any Apple documentation

After a recent OS update, Clamshell mode quit working. I couldn't find any Apple documentation
that would help. So many people were stabbing around in the dark, until I finally found the following information
that is lacking from any Apple documentation that I've been able to find.
Here's what I found to be the most helpful:
Forcing a MacBook to use the External Monitor:
I tried about everything: Rebooting, switching off completely, removing and inserting the Thunderbolt->HDMI adapter etc.
The only thing that finally worked was the following:
1. Take it out of the dock and connect to Power and HDMI to the TV.
Shut down the Mac. Turn it on and close the lid. It will now boot up on the external screen.
Log onto the Mac, and put it in sleep mode (Option-Command-Eject).
Put it back into the dock and wake it up with the spacebar.
It should be OK now... until the next update...
Note: One indication that you’re going to have extreme trouble with this is when (occasionally and without reason) the Mirroring Options icon shows up on the top icon bar.
Other useful commands:
“Command + F1” puts PC in Two-Screen MIRROR mode.
If it’s REALLY being stubborn, do the following (Clamshell Must be open
to see the arrangement tab.):
In System Preferences > Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor (Yes, I know, it’s hard to grab ahold of it...) That will make your EXTERNAL monitor your main screen.
You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV, make sure it’s asleep (Option+Command+Eject buttons) or your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

After a recent OS update, Clamshell mode quit working. I couldn't find any Apple documentation
that would help. So many people were stabbing around in the dark, until I finally found the following information
that is lacking from any Apple documentation that I've been able to find.
Here's what I found to be the most helpful:
Forcing a MacBook to use the External Monitor:
I tried about everything: Rebooting, switching off completely, removing and inserting the Thunderbolt->HDMI adapter etc.
The only thing that finally worked was the following:
1. Take it out of the dock and connect to Power and HDMI to the TV.
Shut down the Mac. Turn it on and close the lid. It will now boot up on the external screen.
Log onto the Mac, and put it in sleep mode (Option-Command-Eject).
Put it back into the dock and wake it up with the spacebar.
It should be OK now... until the next update...
Note: One indication that you’re going to have extreme trouble with this is when (occasionally and without reason) the Mirroring Options icon shows up on the top icon bar.
Other useful commands:
“Command + F1” puts PC in Two-Screen MIRROR mode.
If it’s REALLY being stubborn, do the following (Clamshell Must be open
to see the arrangement tab.):
In System Preferences > Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor (Yes, I know, it’s hard to grab ahold of it...) That will make your EXTERNAL monitor your main screen.
You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV, make sure it’s asleep (Option+Command+Eject buttons) or your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Need to run a PowerBook with NO INTERNAL display on an External display

So basically I have a TiBook that has had the display removed. I plan to run the machine using my lcd tv. Well, after hooking everything up, all I get is a blue screen. I'm assuming that the computer is looking for the original display. How can I have the computer ignore the internal and run off the external only?
Message was edited by: kipiscool

Easiest way would be to place a small magnet over the spot in the TiBook where the magnet sensor is that detects when the lid is down. Do you still have the display? You can fish for where the magnet is located behind the display by putting it face-up on a table and using a paper clip at the end of a thread or piece of dental floss. Wherever the magnet is, the sensor would be located opposite of it.

Display not working, external display does, but blue screen when windows loads

Hi folks, wondering if anyone can help.
My DV6's display is no longer working. An external VGA display works, but when it gets to the "welcome" screen as it loads into windows, I get a blue screen. I was able to load into safe mode previously, but I foolishly reformatted and reinstalled windows thinking it might solve the problem. Now I can't even get into safe mode because it won't allow a first time setup of Windows in safe mode.
I suspect this may be the death of my loyal notebook, but was hoping someone could propose a solution.
Thanks!

HI @Mikep037,
Thank you for your query, I am happy to assist you!
I understand that you are having an issue with your display.
You have reformatted and reinstalled Windows but are unable to complete the setup.
Did you do a recovery or did you reinstall Windows from a retail disk?
First I would try a hard reset. HP Notebook PCs - Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues. Please be sure to remove any CD/DVD from tray and disconnect all externals devices or USB's.
HP Notebook PCs - Overview of How to Troubleshoot Problems When a Computer Does Not Start Up or Boot...
Here links to aid with the recovery process.
HP PCs - Performing an HP system recovery (Windows 7)
HP Notebook PCs - System Recovery May Fail or Display Error Message (Windows 7, or Vista)
Best of Luck!
Sparkles1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

How to Set External Speakers as Default output

Everytime I reboot my Mac Pro, the computer defaults to the built in monitor speakers. I have a nice set of Altec Lansing powered external speakers that I would like to use. I have to go into system preferences and change my audio out to "Line Out" every time I want to use them. Does anyone have a permanent solution?

Dunno, Brian but you could try this
Fire up Audio MIDI, choose the default 2 channel however many bits, then Line out, then go to speakers, then test them, then click on Apply, then done. Hopefully that should fix you problem.....
John B

Turning off Macbook Air Display when using External Display on Lion

I had been searching the web and the community forums here for a few hours and finally figured out how to turn off the display on my Macbook Air 2011 running lion and using an external monitor.
With Snow Leopard all you had to do was plug in the external monitor to your MBA then close the lid and wake up the MBA while it was closed. Then you could open up the lid and it would stay off so it would have better air flow and wouldn't get too hot and run the fan all the time.
But ever since Lion, they screwed that up for us.
But after all my searching I finally found someone here give the fix on a MBA.
All you need to do is use a little magnet and put it where the MBA
Special thanks to ronaldfromjakarta and wv636 for giving the answers and workaround until Apple fixes this oversight
"I found a solution for this.. my solution is to put a fridge magnet directly right to the return key (about 2 cm away from the right usb port)... so the laptop thinks the lid is closed and so the display is off.. lol.. try it.. it works.."
You can read more about others using this here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3192733?start=0&tstart=0
In this example I used a big yellow magnet just to test it out, but I will be using a small thin magnet for regular use so that it wont mess up my screen if I accidentally close the lid on it.
Also I put a small piece of paper between the magnet and my MBA so that I wont scratch my MBA.
Some will also ask if it is safe to use a magnet on your MBA etc. You are only placing a magnet where the magnet from the lid would go anyway's. Just make sure you don't use a super magnet or something and you should be all good ;-)
Here are the image examples:
MBA is powered on
MBA is now asleep
Just place the magnet right next to the "Enter/ Return" key
(Note: I used a small piece of paper under the magnet to protect from scratching my MBA)

I also made a video

Help MacBook Pro (2011) doesn't recognise internal display but only external display

Screen has been replaced but that didn't solve anything. MacBook connects fine to any of my TVs but doesn't display anything on its own screen. Have seeked professional help to no avail. Someone please help.

Start your mac up by holding the alt key. That is boot from function.
If its empty then you might have a hard drive issue. Due to your hard drive being picked up but not the partition on the drive. This will most probably be a OS X reinstall.
Erase the drive and reinstall the OS X or run a recovery mode.
Good luck

Is there any chance to use the iMac additionally to the Cinema Display as an external display for the MacBook,

I do have a MacBook 13" connected to the Cinema Display and this works fine. As I do also an old iMac which I do not use any more, is there any chance to use this iMac as an additional monitor next to the Cinema Display. I would be great to have both of them running in parallel and bring the iMac to an use again.

Use a product such as ScreenRecycler.
(64540)

Display broken - set external display as default

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