How do I connect my 2008 macBook Pro to my new iMac?

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have an early 2008 MacBook Pro ( model 1261 ), and I want to use my iMac as an external monitor. The laptop has a DVI output, but no thunderbolt port, and I have tried connecting the two computers via the DVI on the laptop, and the thunderbolt port on the iMac with the appropriate cable. Unfortunately, this didn't work, ( unless I did something wrong ). I went into system preferences, but it wasn't telling me that there another screen to prioritise. Am I using the wrong cable/ports, or doing something wrong in the set-up?
Any help will be much appreciated
Many thanks....Nick

Thanks for the reply, the iMac model is iMac12,1. late 2011. I should add that I'm not a "techy", so try and keep it simple please .
Thanks again

Similar Messages

How can I connect an old macbook pro...

How can I connect an old macbook pro with that does NOT have a Thunderbolt connection to a new 27 inch iMac? I only need to do this for one specific purpose, to be able to see the work I'm doing on the laptop in InDesign on the iMac's larger screen (at a larger size as it were, so I can see a double page spread (or even a whole page would be an improvement) in one go)? I gather it might be possible to get an adaptor but note that Apple don't seem to sell one. I know I could do this with the cinema screen but would rather do it with a new imac as that will have more use to me overall. It's a work laptop which I don't own so I don't own the Indesign to just be able to use that on an iMac. I have tried to connect monitors to the laptop in the past, but with no success at all. I hope someone can help . Thank you.

Im pretty sure you are talking about the M8536 which has an ADC Adapter.
you will have to daisy chain a thunderbolt to DVI adapter with an DVI to ADC Adapter.
the first adapter:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/B/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter
The second adapter is old so you may find used ones on ebay like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M8661LL-B-Used-Genuine-Apple-DVI-ADC-Display-Adapter-Mod el-A1006-WORKS-/160901961703?pt=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item25768117e7

For how much longer can a 2008 MacBook Pro?

For how much longer can a 2008 MacBook Pro run? I'm still on Snow Leopard but just have updated HDD and RAM. Now the graphic card went down and the repair costs half of a new computer. What to do? If I can get three more years out of it I'd go for it, but it's a gamble. Can you guess the risks?

DONT PAY FOR A REPAIR! its not worth it anymore, as most companies dont replace the gpu because the part isnt made any more. They don't repair it and it isnt permanent, but your still paying!! its crazy! fortunately there is a way to do the exact thing that they do without dissassembling your computer! just follow these steps:
1. Plug in your macbook pro (make sure that its off)
2. Turn on the computer, and hwen it chimes, close the lid and turn it updside down.
3. Wrap the macbook in a heavy quilt.
4. Let the computer sit for about an hour.
5. Take it out of the quilt, unplug it and let it cool for 20 minutes.
6. Turn on the computer.
I can say that this works as I had the same problem, and after this method, the computer is up and running, I'm typing this on it now!

What adapter do I need to connect my 2009 Macbook Pro to my 2007 iMac?

What adapter do I need to connect my 2009 Macbook Pro to my 2007 iMac? I get really confused with all of the different cables out there an I want to make sure I get the correct one.
Macbook Pro Model is: Late 2009, 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, OS X 10.9.4 (13E28)
iMac Model: Late 2007, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB 667 MHZ DDR2 SDRAM, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)
Thanks!

The 2007 iMac does not support cabled input. see > Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Like Niel suggest's, your only option is to use a network based connection like > ScreenRecycler

HT3224 What cable can I use to transfer data from a 2008 MacBook Pro to a new MacBook Pro with thunderbolt?

What cable can I use to transfer data from a 2008 MacBook Pro to a new MacBook Pro with thunderbolt?

You should also ask this in the MacBook Pro forum. This is the forum for the 13” white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro

I transferred about 400 gigs of data from my MacBook Pro to my new iMac using Migration Assistant, but it doesn't show on Finder. How can I locate my data?

I transferred about 400 gigs of data from my MacBook Pro to my new iMac using Migration Assistant, but can't find any of my data on Finder. I'm thinking that the data got transferred but not cataloged. Finder shows about 400 gigs of my hard drive being used, but the files it shows don't come anywhere close to 400 gigs. How can I find out what is really on the hard drive and how can I access my MacBook files I transferred?

I suggest that you start over, boot into Internet recovery mode, launch Disk Utility, erase and reformat the HD with one partition and GUID option, quit Disk Utility, restore the OS, and on first boot, use the Setup Assistant to migrate from the MacBook, following the steps in Pondini's Setup New Mac guide. If that doesn't solve your problem, contact Apple's Support. If they recommend the same steps, I'd opt to return the machine and get another (you can do that the first 14 days you own it, no questions asked).
27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10.1), Mavs, ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 & 9.2.2

What is the best way to migrate my MacBook Pro to my new Imac desk top, both seem to be running OS X version 10.9.5

What is the best way to migrate my MacBook Pro to my new Imac desk top, both seem to be running OS X version 10.9.5

OS X: How to migrate data from another Mac using Mavericks

Using time machine backup from my Macbook pro to my new IMAC 27

Hi just tried to do a system restore of my time machine back up from my macbook pro to my new Imac 27, and the imac won't boot. Can I use a time machine back up to restore all of my data to my new Imac 27? Any help would be great thanks.
Antonio Medina

It sounds like you've overwritten the new computer's installation of OS X with one that is an earlier and incompatible version. You need to erase the new computer's hard drive then reinstall OS X using the original installation discs that came with the new computer. After you complete the installation you will have the opportunity to use Migration Assistant to migrate your Home folder, third-party applications and support files, and network preferences from an external drive, another connected computer, or an attached Time Machine backup drive.
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID, then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. After the above process has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Complete your OS X installation.
5. When the installation is completed the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. When you arrive at the point of setting up an initial admin account DO NOT use the same user (short) name that you have been using on your old system. Choose a temporary name to use such as Test or Temp, for example. At the end of the setup you will have an opportunity to migrate data from your TM backup. You can then migrate the Home folder, applications, network preferences, etc. Just do not do a full system restore, again.
6. When the migration has completed open Accounts preferences. Click on the lock and authenticate. Click on the Account Options button (bottom of the sidebar with account listing.) Change the Automatic Login preferences to use your migrated account. Click on the OK button and restart the computer.
7. Your computer should restart into your old Home folder with all your data. Open Accounts preferences, click on the lock icon and authenticate, select the temporary account you created then click on the Delete [-] button to remove it. Select the last option (immediate removal) and click on the OK button.

How Can i connect using Thunderbolt a Macbook Pro with the New iMac

I bought the new Macbook Pro with Thunderbolt and instead of buying a new external monitor, i am thinking that the new iMac with Thunderbolt is a great idea.
Is there a cable to connect the Macbook Pro and use as iMac as external monitor, using Thunderbolt.
thanks

I understood your question perfectly and the answer is absolutely yes. When you change the iMac into target display mode you underlying operating system continues to run all existing applications. For example in my case if I finished editing some video and am about to enter a lengthy render process or something which may draw lots of resources like hand real, I set it to start on the iMac and then switch it to target display mode to use it as a monitor with my MacBook air in the meantime.
Only one small caveat in your case though. Since the target display mode is a feature of OSX (eg the OS interprets the special key stroke and changes the iMac into target display mode) you should make sure Lion server supports the target display mode feature. I don't see a reason why it wouldn't but that's the only thing currently crossing my mind. Keep in mind the compatibilities between ports as noted in my blog. If any of your machines have mini display port and you intend to connect the new iMac in target display mode you will run into issues. In that special scenario, I recommend buying a refurb iMac from 2010 which urtilize the displayport allowing you to use it as a display for all your macs -- those with thunderbolt as well as those with displayport. If you have thunderbolts then definitely go with the thunderbolt iMac.

How do I connect my 2013 macbook pro to apple tv

How do I connect my 2013 Retina Macbook Pro (OSX 10.9.5) to my new Apple TV? When I try, I keep getting a "Cannot connect" message.

Welcome to the Apple Community Mary Ann.
AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, OS X 10.8 or better and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer). You can see which Mac you have and which operating system you are using by selecting 'About this Mac' from the Apple menu in the top left corner of your Mac and selecting the 'More Info' button.

How do I connect my defunct MacBook Pro (monitor's dead, HD works fine) to another computer to transfer files?

I have an old MacBook Pro whose monitor recently died. I took it to the genius bar to get assessed and ended up buying a MacBook Air to replace it. The genius hooked up my external hard drive to the MacBook Pro and did something with the way she started up the MacBook Pro so that I could get my files off of it and onto the external hard drive while it was plugged into another computer so I could see the files there. However, I failed to transfer some files that I really want. Now I'm trying to figure out how to transfer them on my own. And I can't make it work.
Here's what I have to work with:
- The monitor-less MacBook Pro, which still turns on.
- The new MacBook Air.
- The external hard drive, which I connect to the old MacBook Pro via 6-pin FireWire and the new MacBook Air via a thurnderbolt-to-9-pin-FireWire-to-6-pinFireWire converter.
Would love to hear your ideas so I can avoid another genius bar appointment if possible (as they take forever).

"Target Disk Mode"
FireWire or ThunderBolt, whichever you can make work in common.
OS X Mountain Lion: Transfer files between two computers using target disk mode

How do you connect picopix to MacBook Pro, How do you connect picopix to MacBook Pro

How do you connect a MacBook Pro to a picopix projector??

Does your new MacBook Pro have the retina display? if so you can get a HDMI to VGA adapter here- http://store.apple.com/us/product/HB416ZM/A/belkin-hdmi-to-vga-projector-adapter ?fnode=51
It's a bit pricey but should do the trick.

How to wirelessly connect MG3120 to macbook pro

How to wirelessly connect canon MG3120 to macbook pro OSX?

If the printer is Wi-Fi capable, you have to get it on your home Network.
It needs to know the network_name and Wi-Fi password, and these need to be entered directly into the control panel on the Printer.
Once it has joined your network, it will show up under Add-a-Printer.

How to connect a Macbook Pro to the new iMacs?

I have an older model of Macbook Pro with a mini display port. Now i have bought a new iMac with thunderbolt and want to use it as an external display! is this completely impossible? Because i bought an MDP to MDP-cable but it didn't work.. i made a lot of research and found out that they've removed target display mode for MDP-ports.. is there another way around this problem? other cables? adapters?

Hello,
You can use a mobile phone as a modem. This can be done manually by yourself or automatic by a commercial third party software:
Manual: you need the right scripts and connection settings and enter them manually in your network configurations. You find the right scripts and configuration hints here: http://www.taniwha.org.uk
Automatic: try the demo of launch2net at http://www.launch2net.com which features a powerful configuration assistant which already includes all necessary network settings and scripts.
The other option would be to use the XU 870 ExpressCard modem from Novatel at http://www.novatelwireless.com. If you are living in the USA and use Cingular, Apple has released a so called WWAN update with all settings. So you can use this ExpressCard in Cingular networks immediatly.
Thank you
Jan Fuellemann | nova media

How do I connect a 2013 Macbook Pro Retina to an Epson Power Lite 61p LCD Projector?

I am trying to attach an Epson PowerLite 61p LCD Projector to my 2013 Macbook Pro Retina, but I cannot find which type of adapter I need. I would assume whichever adapter is required it must connect via thunderbolt. However, I do not know if the required adapter is a "Mini Display Port to VGA Adapter," "Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adapter," or a "Thunderbolt to VGA Adapter." I would deeply appreciate your help and guidance. Thanks!

It does not matter whether you get an Apple adapter or a third pary one. What you have there is a Mini Displayport to VGA adapter, but as you know, your new MacBook no longer has an MDP port!
Thunderbolt to VGA adapters do not exist but there are plenty of HDMI to VGA adapters out there:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812400359

How do I connect my 2008 macBook Pro to my new iMac?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for