How to only use your external monitor.

I just recently bought a cable to connect, using thunderbolt, to my external display. I need to know how to make my screen only appear on my external display NOT my built-in Macbook Air screen. Does anyone know how to do this?

You might not be able to disable the internal display but you can place it logically out of the way and darken it.
System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement
Drag the menu bar to the external display.
Drag the image of the internal display down so it is not next to the external display.
Put all of your desktop icons on the external display.
Adjust the brightness on the internal display to full dark.
When you disconnect the external display, Mac OS X will rearrange your desktop onto the the internal display and vice versa.
Think you will find that is less functional than using the internal display as a logical extension of the external one with your most used windows on the external display and others on the internal display.
I assume you have a separate keyboard and mouse for the external display.

Similar Messages

How do I use an external monitor with my MacBook??

Hi,
I recently purchased my MacBook, but when I am at home, I want to be able to use my MacBook like a normal computer, by plugging a keyboard, mouse and my existing LCD monitor to it.
What do I need to purchase to enable this and what system settings do I need to adjust to get my monitor to work?
Could I have my laptop closed while i am using my external monitor? How do I do this? I don't want my MacBook open, while I am using my monitor!! Can someone please give me a simple step by step guide on how to turn on and use my laptop which my external monitor plugged in.
Thank you very much for your help.

Can you read it ? http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3510076&#3510076
Shortly,yes,if your Display connected,just close it and than click the mouse it'll wake up in external display.

How do you connect your external monitor(s)?

More frequently I'm using an external monitor when working on Arch Linux, so I made this script, which works ok for now. This is a simple approach for this kind of stuff I think, so I'm wondering what you people out there are using to connect your external monitors. I guess there's a bunch of people in this community that are using two (or more) monitors? Please post your beloved script or name the package you are using. I would also be happy with some feedback or tips on my script.
#!/bin/bash
#~/scripts/vga
case $1 in
-r|--right) xrandr --output VGA1 --auto --right-of LVDS1 ;;
-l|--left) xrandr --output VGA1 --auto --left-of LVDS1 ;;
-o|--off) xrandr --output VGA1 --off ;;
*) xrandr --output VGA1 --auto ;;
esac
Last edited by roygbiv (2011-08-24 18:15:54)

When I'm at home I connect my laptop to my TV and use that as the only screen. I have mapped the screen fn-key to this script:
#!/bin/bash
if xrandr -q | grep "HDMI1 connected" > /dev/null ; then
# xrandr --newmode "1920x1080" 138.500 1920 1968 2000 2080 1080 1083 1088 1111 +hsync -vsync
# xrandr --addmode HDMI1 1920x1080
xrandr --output HDMI1 --mode 1360x768
xrandr --output LVDS1 --off
else
xrandr --output LVDS1 --mode 1366x768
xrandr --output HDMI1 --off
fi
Works perfectly.

How do I use two external monitors with my laptop?

I have a new Pavilion dm4-301 d cl Entertainment PC. My OS is Windows 7. I am used to using two external monitors with a docking station. This new laptop does not have a docking station. What do I need to get to use two external monitors?
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View Solution.

Certainly not without a dock but even with, HP laptop docks pretty well limit you to one of the external monitor ports, even if there are two on the dock. We have used a device called an Atlona AT-HDPIX2 which is a usb to hdmi adapter. It provides a third monitor capability for a laptop....use the native external monitor port and the internal laptop display and then this device gives a third monitor which is full configurable from the Windows 7 display interface...clone, extend, etc. It allows full HD resolution and is responsive enough for even light gaming. HP makes no true docking station for your laptop.

How do I use an external monitor as my only display?

I have a MBP early 2011 with a thunderbolt to HDMI connector for a samsung LED monitor. I want to use the samsung as my only monitor when I am at my desk at home. I have an external keyboard/trackpad and would like a bigger workspace. As we all know Lion and full screen apps take a lot of usefulness out of extra monitors, but I just want one larger external display.
The display will work as a mirror, or an additional display, however it wont work by it self with the MBP closed. It just stays on as a secondary display.
Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thanks

yeh you need at least an external mouse or keyboard connected to the mac when the lid is closed and mac is sleeping, then use it to wake the mac up. At this point it should use only the samsung monitor. So for example in the pic below im using bluetooth mouse and keyboard paired with my mac pro 17", i dont really need to let it sleep either, can just connect the monitor while the mac is on, then close the lid and the samsung will change from external monitor to primary monitor.
hope this helps.

Only use the extern monitor??

Hee,
i have my macbook (black) connected to my HD tv with HDMI. Is it possible to use only the tv screen? so that the screen of my macbook goes to sleep?
thnx (H)

The only way to use the external display only is to use your MacBook with the lid closed (aka Closed ClamShell). Any other way (Mirrored or Extended) and you would be using both displays however you may turn down the brightness to lowest on your MacBook if you wish.
Does this answer your question?
Here's how to do Closed ClamShell: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

How do I use an external Monitor to access files on my iMac with a broken screen?

I have an 20 inch desktop iMac with a broken screen. It is the files on the computer that I wish to recover, after that, I can be on my merry way. Unfortunately, VileVault was on (Not my choice), and for some reason, when I target the disc image of the broken mac with a new one, ONE of the accounts "appears" to be completely empty. All of the accouts were running FileVault, but only one (mine) failed to be transferred because it is "empty". I refuse to believe that my files are actually all gone, because theoretically there should be nothing wrong with the CPU itself, just the screen.
Thus my goal is to use a monitor on my broken screen iMac and simply log in and access my files normally, and perhaps pull them out with a USB or something. I have a DELL monitor, and a DVI (The big hairy plug with screws I think) converter that works with my old iMac, along with the male/male DVI cord. However, when I hook it up, nothing happens. I have tried booting the old CPU while holding F7, and option as I read on a forum, and neither produced results.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to 1. Get the monitor to simply show what's going on on the mac? or 2. Pull out my files through some other means?
Thank you.

If you have a second Mac computer, you may want to try to copy over as many files you can. One way is to use target disk mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0710.html
You need to follow this procedure to recovering a filevault id. Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: FileVault - How to verify or repair a home directory image ... http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2631?viewlocale=en_US
Robert

How do I use an external monitor on my MacBook. v.NoLCD

I have a MacBook with no LCD (was removed) but when I hook an external up to install an OS on, all I get is the Leopard default background. I can't figure out how to make the external the primary.

F7 use to be the keyboard shortcut to switch between mirrored or extended desktop. You are stuck in extended desktop. Try pressing F7 or maybe fn-F7 to put it into mirrored mode, then you can go to preferences and set up the primary.
If the F7 key doesn't work, try using your Mac Pros' keyboard and mouse hooked to the Macbook then close the lid on the Macbook and wiggly the mouse or press some keys and maybe it will go into Clam shell mode.

How do I use two external monitors with my MacBook Pro?

I have a 21" monitor and a 20" TV capable of VGA connection, and my MacBooks model is 5,4 (late 2009), so it only has one mini display port. I have a VGA to mini display connector and use it lots. I work on multiple projects at once, and I'd like to be able to use three screens at once... any suggestions?

Just buy the proper adapter cord, such as MiniDisplay port to HDMI for example. Plug it in and it will be automatically recognized. Use System Preferences > Displays to set options.
The display can Mirror your primary desktop or Extend the Desktop.
Regards,
Captfred

How do I use an external monitor with 21.5 inch iMac?

I have a brand new 21.5 inch iMac and am trying to hook it up with an older 20 inch Mac cinema via Thunderport. Do I need a special cable. I saw none at my local Apple store. or will it work at all?

Use a Mini DisplayPort adapter for that monitor type.
(59966)

How do i run an external monitor with my macbook and change settings so that when i close the lid the signal to the monitor is not lost and i can continue using the mac with a mouse and a wireless keyboard?

How do i run an external monitor with my macbook and change settings so that when i close the lid the signal to the monitor is not lost and i can continue using the mac with a mouse and a wireless keyboard?

No, nothing will prevent the computer from going to sleep when you close its display except third-party hacks that are designed to do exactly that. I strongly advise against using any of those, as they may interfere with successful entry into clamshell mode (and they carry other downside risks as well). Just wait until the computer is asleep (with its sleep light pulsing), then press any key on the keyboard. It sounds as though your setup is working as it's designed to do.

HT3131 how can i connect 2 external monitors(VGA) to my 2007 macbook pro

I would like to use 2 external monitors simultaneously with my clamshell closed. I have external keyboard and mouse but need to know how to and what to buy in order to achieve this.....havent found anything straight forward on apple site, like a vga dual monitor splitter, so am in need of some advice on how to do this please!

Thanks for the reply. Haven't gotten anything as yet. Just that I burned out my older PowerBook using it as a primary screen w/ a secondary 20" monitor. Would be nice if the MacBooks could be used as a CPU only, connect 2 different monitors, and use the LCD screen when portability is needed. But I suppose that is why Apple makes different types of computers. I know I can rig the video SCSI cable to bypass to LCD screen and use the other built-in monitor. But there goes the warentee and any kind of AppleCare... not that I have ever used it, (until a day after it has expired!)
But thanks for the feedback. Your reply is what I expected. Being that I am a mercenary graphic designer and need to be able to work whenever, and where-ever I need to, the MacPro is not my hardware of choice. As well, I don't have $4000 in my budget. But man do those machines rock! Just think of what NASA could have done with one of those in 1969 when we were going to the moon! But now that the U.S. has decided that manned space travel and even scientific space exploration is not worthy of having a budget, the MacPros are religated to creating new episodes of Jersey Shores!
Thanks again for your feedback!

How do I use an external hard drive with iMovie 10.0.1? I have run out of disk space on my Macbook Air.

How do I use an external drive with iMovie 10.0.1? It is not obvious and I have run out of space.

If you want to move a complete iMovie 10 library (file with .imovielibrary extension) click on the library in the libraries pane and select File - Consolidate Library Media. This ensures that all media is copied to the library. You can then move the library onto your external drive using Finder. The first time to want to access it from iMovie you will have to tell it where it is by choosing File - Open Library -Other and navigating to it.
If you only want to transfer part of a library to another drive, create a new library a at the desired location File - Open Library - New and copy projects and events to it from within iMovie.
Its all described in iMovie help - "Work with multiple libraries".
Geoff.

Use two external monitors

Hi Guys!
I am using a MacBook Pro early (2011), i also use an external Monitor. (Works fine -> mini displayport dvi adapter) !
Yesterday, i tried to connect an older (VGA, i did not want to throw it away) monitor too, in order to use 2 Monitors + MacBookPro-Monitor!
Is there a way to use these two external monitors?
Thanx guys for your help, if this topic was discussed in the past, i apologize for this extra entry (May you can show its link)
Greetings from Austria
theFlow

Hi MarcusL,
Welcome to the HP Community, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I saw your post regarding using the two external monitors. You should be able to connect both. I have included two documents below depending on your operating system that will show you how to do it.
Connecting a Monitor, Projector or TV (Windows 7)
Connecting a Monitor, Projector or TV (Windows 8)
Thank you,
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue.
Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Thank you,
BHK6
I work on behalf of HP

HP Laptop+Dock - Need to use 2 external Monitors

Setup: HP HDX 18t with HP xb4 docking station.
Issue: with the computer docked and the lid closed, how can I get dual external monitors to function in extended mode? The problem lies in the cable that attaches the dock is too close to the laptop's vga port so I cant use both, the vga port on the laptop + the one on the dock. I tried a StarTech USB2DVI but it wasnt stable, and died after only 2 days. I am willing to replace the docking stations if need be for one that supports dual monitors directly, but hp consumer products doesnt have one. How about using HDMI to DVI cable/adapter plus the video out on the dock? What would happen to the external speaker jacks if I did this? Anyone have a solution that has been verified? HELP!

I think you might need a VGA adapter that splits the connections into two. Not sure where they can be bought, however.
*******DISCLAIMER********
I am not an employee of BBY in any shape or form. All information presented in my replies or postings is my own opinion. It is up to you , the end user to determine the ultimate validity of any information presented on these forums.

How to only use your external monitor.

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