In clamshell mode, must I connect to a monitor?

I just got a keyboard, and I was told that when attached, if I closed my macbook, it would either just go into clamshell mode, or ask. I connected to a TV via the DVI adaptor and when I closed the macbook, it just said, no signal. Keyboard & mouse do work when macbook is open. Thanks for your help.
Terrie

Wake the computer up by pressing a key on the keyboard or a button on the mouse.
(61717)

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How does clamshell mode work when connected to monitor?

I have connected my MacBook via the external port to an HD TV and can 'mirror' the screen image. I want to close the lid and continue to use the TV monitor but the MacBook insists in going to sleep... What can I do or is this not possible? Ideas anyone?

Also has to be plugged into a power source. Read here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

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.

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.

Using macbook air in clamshell mode

I have a MBA running Lion, and when I try to use it in clamshell mode, the screen on the external monitor doesn't do anything. There is a Logitech USB keyboard and mouse plugged in, but nothing happens when I move the mouse or type on the keyboard when the MBA is closed. I've read that this SHOULD work, but I'm not having any luck. Ideas?

Hi
This is a low-tech solution and way out of the time-frame, but, because this is the discussion that surfaced when I went looking for a solution to the problem, I'm going to add to the discussion.
I'm a low-tech but persistent person so when all the instructions and advice didn't work and my external monitor screen went black 10 seconds after closing MacBook air cover, I looked again at the instruction which said, with computer turned on, connect external monitor and then close lid on MBA. Humh, what it should say is with POWER SOURCE CONNECTED and computers turned on, connect external monitor and then close lid.
Happy person

Clamshell mode messed up...

I use my macbook pro running Lion in closed lid clamshell mode with external keyboard, mouse and monitor all the time. There was a recent change in my logic board with a similar config one cause of problems with the USB.
When I open the lid it takes a lot of time for it to redetect the internal led display. they keyboard and the trackpad also dont function. when i unplugg the mini displayport it almost always doesn't detect the internal display again. keyboard and trackpad are also left non functioning.
when i unplug everything and reboot, it tends to power on the display, but as soon as the login window appears it goes blank. the internal keyboard and trackpad are unable to bring it up again. if at this point i connect my external diplay it works fine!
can someone tell me if this is some bug in lion or if this is my new logic board. incidently i started using an external configuration from the day my new logic board was fitted in. so i'm not sure of this was the same problem with the older one, thus am not sure if this is a logic board problem at all.
kindly advice.
Neerav

You need to have it looked at.
Whether or not you have an external display, keyboard or mouse connected when you open the lid all part of the MBP should work. Displat should come on (that is why there is clamshell mode. The only way to turn off the internal display) and the internal keyboard and touchpad should aways work even if the lid is closed (if you could get to them with the lid closed).
I believe it works on a magnetic switching system. Basically the same switching system used to put the unit into sleep mode when there is no external keyboard or display attached even if you have a mouse attached and it is running on battery or AC power. When you close the lid the unit goes into sleep mode. That same switch is used to set the system into clamshell mode when there are all those other prerequisites attached.

Clamshell mode does not appear to work with Mountain Lion installed

Installed Mountain Lion on an 11" MacBook Air last Friday night. Now the MBA does not work in clamshell mode at work with an external monitor. It does not appear to wake or connect to the monitor.

sjrlexlibris wrote:
I was having the same problem. Then I happened to plug in my external power supply and the problem went away. In other words, I only have the problem if I am running my Macbook Pro on battery power.
Mac notebooks: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
Requirements for closed display mode:
Power adapter
External keyboard, mouse, or trackpad
External display
Use these steps to enable closed clamshell (display closed) mode:
Make sure the computer is plugged in to an outlet using the AC power adapter.

Hi - How do I connect an HDTV as a second monitor to Thunderbolt display with macbook pro in clamshell mode?

I have a Late 2011 Macbook Pro in clamshell mode connected to a Thunderbolt Display with the built in Thunderbolt cable. I want to then connect an HDTV via the Thunderbolt port at the back of the Thunderbolt display. I already had a cable that I thought would work which turns out to be a MiniDisplay port to HDMI cable and therefore not compatible with Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort not being the same technology although it uses the same port - although I'm not an expert !!) So far a web search has provided me with the only solution being using a Thunderbolt dock or storage that has multiple Thunderbolt ports and then using that to daisychain inbetween the Thunderbolt Diplay and the HDTV. The cheapest solution I can find for this would be about £250. Surely not ??!!!!
Many thanks for any comments - Nik

You could also use aThunderbolt dock with HDMI, such as:
<http://www.belkin.com/uk/F4U055-Belkin/p/P-F4U055/>
<http://www.caldigit.com/thunderboltstation/>
<http://www.elgato.com/en/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-dock>

How do I connect a camera to my macbook pro when using the computer with an external monitor in clamshell mode?

How do I connect a camera to the Macbook Pro when using the computer in clamshell mode with an exrternal monitor?

same as it ever was
do it like nothing is different.
be sure to have an external trackpad keyboard or mouse as you will loose them on the computer once it is closed.

HT4623 e while updating iOS. When connected to PC & iTunes get the message in recovery mode, must restore. I have followed the steps to restore and still have the iTunes screen showing and iTunes still does not recognize device.

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Sorry if we didn't get to your question fast enough; we are all volunteers doing this in our spare time. Try the steps in this article. If you're unsuccessful, you'll need to take your device to the Genius Bar for an evaluation.
http://osxdaily.com/2010/12/04/ipad-dfu-mode/

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.

How can I get my MBA in Clamshell Mode working again?

Hi, I bought the latest MacBook Air about four months ago pre-installed with Lion. About two months ago I bought the VGA adapter so I can use my MBA in clamshell mode. I plugged in my mouse and keyboard to the usb ports and everything worked great until I started messing with the display settings to try and improve the resolution. Now, I can't get my MBA to wake up from sleep on the external display when I close the lid. When I open my MBA, my external display acts as a secondary monitor. I've read other people's responses and they suggest InsomniaX or Caffeine or something. I DO NOT want to install these programs! It was working when I first bought it and that's how I want it. Help?

Your phone is in recovery mode. All data on it are already lost. You must connect your phone to your computer and restore through iTunes.

Mid-2010 MacBook Pro stuck in clamshell mode?

I asked a similar question to this earlier, but now the problem has been more consistent. I have a mid-2010 MacBook Pro that I often use with an external display, plugged in via mini-DVI to HDMI adapter. The problem is, after I've unplugged my macbook to "go mobile" and am away from my display, if I ever have to restart my computer or boot into Windows 7, my computer will think it's still in clamshell mode. The screen will stay dark, and if the lid is closed, the white light will stay on steadily, not pulsing. However, if I plug into my external display when this is happening, the external display works fine and I have a display again. When I look up my displays while connected to an external display while this is happening, my internal display isn't even listed in the system report; it's like it doesn't exist! And this is especially a problem now as I am away on a 3 week school related trip.
I have not been able to consistently reproduce this problem. Sometimes it restarts normally, sometimes I restart it and get the gray + apple logo screen that then goes dark, and sometimes the internal display just never turns on. The problem doesn't seem to be related to an OS, as it happens when booting into Windows 7 OR mountain lion 10.8.5. I've tried resetting PRAM mutliple times as well as performing an SMC reset multiple times, and neither has helped. This even happened when I was booting into a mountain lion install USB, as I thought maybe a fresh install would help. I've seen many other forums discussing a similar issue, but none described quite like mine.
What gives?? How can I get my macbook to restart normally? I really don't want to have to make a repair, even though it's looking like a hardware problem. My computer is one month after Apple Care has expired, and I can't afford a pricey repair as I'm a very in debt student who only has a MacBook because his school gave it to him in the first place. I would be very appreciative for any suggestions and/or help! Thanks!

Hello thedoctor8706
Reset your NVRAM and test to see if that resolves your issues. Typically that will resolve video, volume, startup disk selection, and kernel panic issues.
About NVRAM and PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
-Norm G.

MacBook late 2008 - stuck in clamshell mode

This laptop was recently attached to an external display and all was fine - running in either mirror or non-mirror mode. When I last saw it it was set to mirror mode and the lid closed to effect "clamshell" mode.
Recently however it has got into a state where the built-in screen display is not recognised. The external display is OK. If the external display is disconnected the MacBook will go to sleep regardless of the lid being open or pressing keys etc.
On a reboot the laptop screen will show everything OK up until a few seconds after completeing the login phase - then it goes black.
There is a lot of chatter in various forums about sleep issues but I can't see much about this particular variation. I've spent several hours scanning through these discussions and general Google searches.
As I say in the title - the symptoms appear to be that the firmware believes the lid is closed and hence the OS X software, such as display preferences, gets locked out from accessing the display after startup is complete. If the OS decides there is no display present it puts the MacBook to sleep.
I have reset the PRAM and SMC, rebooted in Safe Mode, deleted the display preferences plist file, run the Apple Hardware Test - all with no change to the symptoms.
Hass anybody reading this observed the same symptom and noted a method to fix it?
Thanks,
Graham

I had a similar issue where my Late 2008 Macbook would get stuck in closed clamshell mode after connecting and disconnecting an external display, or just closing the lid. Only rebooting the machine would bring back internal video.
External video continued working via the mini displayport, but the internal display would stay black no matter if the external display was connected or not. I was also unable to adjust the display brightness from the internal keyboard, pressing the F1 and F2 keys had no effect (even while holding fn key). Resetting PRAM and SMC had no effect.
I resolved all aforementioned issues by replacing the HDD Bracket with IR/Sleep Cable. This can likely be done fairly cheaply at a local Apple Store.
I might suggest first having the HDD Cable and or IR/Sleep Cable reseated on the main logic board, before replacing anything.

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!

In clamshell mode, must I connect to a monitor?

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