Imac won't detect display

I plugged in a second monitor to my iMac with a VGA video adapter converter. When I try to detect it, using monitor preferences, it doesn't show up. I tried it on my MacBook Pro and it worked fine.

Try resetting the SMC and PRAM:
SMC RESET
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
Release the power button.
Attach the computers power cable.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
PRAM RESET
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

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My mid-2010 10.8.2 iMac won't detect external displays.

My mid-2010 10.8.2 iMac won't detect external displays. I've tried using a third-party minidisplay port to DVI adapter, as well as an Apple-brand minidisplay port to VGA adapter. The monitor I'm using is a Dell SP2008WFPt. It is a functional monitor. I've tried resetting the PRAM, repairing my disk permissions, rebooting, and doing all sorts of wacky stuff with the order I plug things in. Is there a solution? It seems like lots of folks are having the same problem.
Thanks! This is really starting to make me angry.

If 10.7.0 or later...
Bootup holding CMD+r, or the Option/alt key to boot from the Restore partition & use Disk Utility from there to Repair the Disk, then Repair Permissions.
If that doesn't help Reinstall the OS.

IMac won't detect SD card

My iMac won't detect any SD card's. It doesn't seem to matter the size (2GB-16GB) or brand, it is just like I haven't inserted one. I have never used one with it before so it isn't from failing to "safetly remove hardware" and I have tried cleaning the slot (with air can)

Have you checked to see if the SD card reader is listed in system profiler? (apple menu, about this mac, more info button) it should be listed under Hardware, under USB, it would be labeled some thing like "Internal Memory Card Reader".
If the card reader isn't listed:
Have you tried a NVRAM Reset?
Have you tried a SMC Reset?
If the card reader is listed, but your not seeing the inserted cards:
Have you checked to see if the cards are reconised in Disk Utility? (go to the dock, click on finder, go to the menu bar, click on the go menu, chose Utilties, double click on disk utility) Do you see the sd card listed?

IMac won't detect 27" cinema display?

I have a new iMac (as of June 1, 2011). I am trying to connect an Apple 27" display to use as dual monitors, but the iMac does not detect it. What am I doing wrong?

I have an old ADC Cinema Display which has been working fine with my new MBP 17" until I fired it up one morning and no display. There were no new software installs, etc. since lthe night when it worked and the morning when it didn't. The display and ADC/DVI adapter work fine on my tower so it's not the CD or cable. And another monitor works fine on the MBP so it's not the video card or the DVI jack. Also the USB functions on the back of the CD still work with the MBP and there is power - just no PIX. I've plugged and unplugged everything - power cycled - no results. Tried another MBP and no display. Still it powers the tower. Any ideas would be most appreciated.
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Dual Display - help with Cinema Display for MacBook Pro where MB won't detect displays.

I just got a Cinema Display (a1081 20") ("CD") off eBay to use as a dual screen with my Macbook Pro OS X 10.6.8 ("MB"). However, I can't get MB to recognize CD! I've tried power cycling both the MB and the CD with and without USB cord connected. MB won't recognize CD display in any situation. However, it is recognized in some capacity although I can't use dual display because the CD power button triggers MB to ask me if I want to restart, shutdown, or cancel.
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Have you tried smc and pram resets?
Try Detect Displays in the Displays preference pane.
Does the Displays preference pane Arrangement show two screens? If so do click gather windows and check the resolution setting of the new screen.

Imac won't detect external harddrives

i have never had this problem before. my iMac used to pick up on my WD passport and other HDDs. but for the past two days it won't detect anything. not even a thumb drive. help!?

Is it just storage devices, or all USB peripherals?
Try shutting down and disconnecting all of your USB peripherals, except for your standard keyboard and mouse. Disconnect any USB hubs. Restart the Mac and only connect one USB storage device directly to your iMac. Does that one device work? Try it on all the ports, if one does not work.
You can also try starting up in Safe Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
in case there is some non-Apple system extension that is interfering with USB storage devices.

IMac won't detect my Firewave

I just bought a Griffin firewave, and after following the instructions very carefully, my system won't detect it. The manual says to set it as my audio output using the Audio Midi Setup utility but it is nowhere in the list of devices. Has anybody had a similar problem?

I also just bought and installed a FireWave. The printed quick install instructions, which tell you to make all the physical connections and then install the included software, contradicted instructions on a sticker covering the Firewire ports on the back of the FireWave, which advise you to install the software before doing anything else. An e-mail to Griffin confirmed that the software must be installed prior to doing anything else.
My FireWave is up and running nicely, and I'm enjoying 5.1 surround sound on my iMac using the less expensive speakers I transferred from my PC.
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Help, 27" iMac won't detect Epson projector

Hello,
I'm trying to connect a 27" to Epson projector via Mini Display to VGA adapter connected through VGA cable to the projector (that works fine with other pc)...the iMac doesn't detect it....
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This has been a big pain. I got the machine back, started it at the shop and it "seemed" ok. When I got it home, after 30 minutes or so, the same problems came back. Another call to applecare, and a new case number was issued to replace the hard drive. New HD in, got the machine home, and the mouse wouldn't work! I could move the cursor, but not select anything. Sometimes during the restarts I could select things, the next time I couldn't, sometimes I could on one user account and not on another. New call to applecare, new case number, many things tried, but ended up re-installing the OS. So far it seems to work okay, BUT there is something weird going on with Mail.
As soon as it is started it basically consumes all the system memory. I can watch the available memory disappear in activity monitor where it says Mail is using nearly 100% of the CPU. If I go in to preferences-advanced in Mail and disable the account, it stops eating up resources.
Any clues to what is going on??
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Message was edited by: Scott Fairbairn

Macbook pro thunderbolt 2011 won't detect display

I am working on a Macbook Pro, October, 2011 model with a thunderbolt port. I have now gone through two thunderbolt to HDMI cables and neither was able to detect my display, which is a Sony Bravia. Should I throw in the towel and buy a $50 (rip-off) cable from Apple, or could it possibly be that my port is faulty? Anyone with a similiar problem?

No, don't buy expensive cables. Do you have a url (link) to the cable you are using?
On what basis do you think that your computer doesn't detect your TV?
If you opened Displays system preferences, click Detect Displays. Is there an Arrangement tab and an does it show two monitors? If not, then there is indeed a physical problem Make sure the cable is fully seated in the HDMI on the TV and the TB socket on the computer and also make sure your TV is set to take input from the HDMI input port you connected the cable to.
If the Arrangement tab is there and shows two screens click Gather Windows. This should bring the Displays preference window for the TV on to your main screen. Then set the resolution (probably 720p, 1080i, or 1080p) and refresh rate (probably 60Hz). At this point you should see a picture on your TV.
You may have to play the underscan/overscan settings on your TV and the displays prefs for the TV if the picture is too small or larger for the TV screen. If Sony's haven't changed they may call it "full pixel".

My iMac won't detect an external display

I'm using a mini display-port to hdmi lead and it worked once. I unplugged the hdmi cable when it was still connected to the mac and now it wont find it. Please can anyone help? Thank you in a advance

You can try restarting in Safe Mode. To do that restart the computer, when you hear the startup tone hold down the Shift key until you see a progress bar. A Safe Mode restart will clear some caches, it is possible one has become corrupt. After it has fully restarted in Safe Mode restart normally and test. If that doesn't work then can reset both the SMC and PRAM by doing the following:
SMC RESET
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord and ALL peripherals.
Wait 15 seconds.
Attach the computers power cable.
Wait another 5 seconds and press the power button to turn on the computer.
PRAM RESET
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Xfce won't detect display after unplugging

Ok, I have 2 monitors at home, unfortunately 1 of the ports in my graphic card won't work.
For certain reasons, I need to use 1st display during the day, and the 2nd during the night.
But, if I just unplugg the cable from 1st display and plug it in the 2nd the screen just won't come on.
When this happens, I can access to tty2 and tty2 detects screen and displays image, restarting lightdm also displays image in display (but somehow this breaks pulseaudio leaving me with no sound :S ).
Any idea?
PS. Of course I have selected the option "Detect new screenwhen plugged" on Xfce Display Settings.
Thank you

NO
This is what want:
1. Startup computer using Monitor A
2. Unplugg HDMI cord from Monitor A and connect it in Monitor B
(After this, Monitor B goes black on tty1 (used by lightdm) and I can only have tty2, tty3 and all others available)
3. Keep picture in Monitor B when plugged, without the need of restarting lightdm or the whole computer
Until now the only workaround is this:
1. Startuo using Monitor A
2. Suspend system
3. Plugg Monitor B
4. Resume system
THanks and sorry for not being that active

IMac won't offer display mirroring option when connecting to HDTV with Thunderbolt to HDMI cable

I have an iMac, and am trying to connect to my HDTV to use as a second display (mirror). I am using a cable with a Thunderbolt connector at one end, and an HDMI on the other. I know the cable works because I have used it with my MacBook on other TVs. When I use this on my MacBook, I simply open displays, and between the tabs marked "Display" and "Color" there is always an "Arrangement" tab to select. When I try this same setup on my iMac, the only two tabs I can see are "Display" and "Color" - the option to mirror disdplay (or recognize the HDTV in any way) simply doesn't exist.
I would welcome any help. Thanks much, Doug.

OK, yes your Mid 2011 has a Thunderbolt port.
Reset > the System Management Controller
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Wait fifteen seconds.
4. Attach the computer's power cord.
5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
and the > NVRAM and PRAM
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
Then try connecting the TV to the iMac.

My macbook air won't detect display when trying to hook up with mini port and hdmi cable

The screen turns blue and all it just won't show arrangments and then mirro display.. help!

Try it, a complete power off/on!
MacBook Air using Sony TV as monitor via Thunderbolt and HDMI.
I could not get my 32inch Sony Bravia to "see" my 2102 MBAir using the Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter and a known good HDMI cable.
So I took my MBAir to my local Apple Store,Encinitas California, along with the TBolt Adapter and a known good HDMI cable.
The salesman tried the same connection from my Air to their 40inch Sony Bravia using my cables. It worked perfectly. The Apple salesman advised I return home and make the same connections to my 32" Sony, turning it off and back on. I realized I had already done that test several times. Then, it occurred to me that _Sony "off "using the Sony Remote Control is not the same as _Sony off completely. So I returned home and disconnected the AC power from the 32" for over 30 seconds then turned it back on with the Air &Sony connected via the Thunderbolt-to-HDMI connection and with the MBA turned on. The image came right up on screen and is still working. So, is this yet another case of " when in doubt re-boot" ?

IMac won't detect airport extreme card

i just bought an airport extreme card for my 1.25 GHz G4 iMac. i have installed the card in my computer, but for some reason my computer hasn't detected the card.
i read some suggestions in other discussions, and have tried almost everything. i have reset my PRAM and run the apple hardware test. the card still has not been detected. i have also installed the latest software update for airport. still nothing. someone also suggested resetting the PMU, but i read up on that and don't see how that would help with an airport extreme card.
i'm wondering if maybe i didn't do a good job of installing the card. it seems easy enough, but after i inserted the card and attached the antennae, the card felt sort of loose in the slot. i don't know if it's supposed to be a tight fit or not. i pushed the card in until it go any father, but i didn't want to push it too hard for fear of breaking something.
any suggestions?
thanks.
iMac G4 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)
iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

i figured it out. my card wasn't pushed in all the way. DOH!

Mac Pro suddenly won't detect display anymore!

Hi - I have a 2008 Mac Pro (two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors) and I believe it came with a ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT stock video card. I have been connecting it to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (DVI connection) with no problems and suddenly when I went to start up my Mac a few days ago the display remained black. I never had flickering or any issues before that. The display is clearly powered on and I hear the Mac chime and drive spin, but see no video connection.
I hooked up my laptop to the Apple display to make sure it was okay, and sure enough my laptop desktop immediately appeared. I disconnected all peripherals from the Mac, connected the display to the second DVI port, then rebooted the Mac - still no video. I tried rebooting from the original OSX CD and I also reset the PRAM, nothing helped!
Is my video card fried? Or could it be the slot the card is in? How can I troubleshoot further? I want to be sure it's the video card before I go buy a new one...any suggestions? Thanks!

Hi-
Try a Safe mode boot (hold Shift while starting).
Try to boot to the Apple Hardware Test Disc. Run the test.
Remove and reseat the graphics card.
If all these fail to restore or show video, replace the graphics card.

Imac won't detect display

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