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.

Similar Messages

Using mission control/spaces on extended displays

Is there a way to assign spaces and use mission control on an extended display (i.e. LCD TV) on 10.7.1? I have connected an LCD TV as an external display to my MBP. When switching spaces on my MBP (primary) display, the external monitor transitions as well. I have been unsuccessful utilizing multiple spaces strictly on my external display or having a static dispaly when switching spaces. I would like to be able to switch spaces independently on each display or make a static desktop on my extended display. Thanks
Macbook Pro 13" Mid 2009
2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo
4GB DDR3 | NVIDIA GEFORCE 9400M 256 MB

When I'm working with any other apps on my system, I can take advantage of Mission Control, but have forego these advantages when using the Creative Suite. Isn't it really about time that Adobe put some effort into supporting these OS-level features. Whether you favour Mac OS or Windows, you should be able to take advantages of the system you prefer to work on.
Is there any word on whether CS6 will support these features? (I'm not exactly holding my breath).
There is no word on anything about InDesign CS6 yet. (Those who know can't say, and I'm not aware of any substantive leaked information.)
I think that Spaces/Mission Control support is probably predicated on the Carbon to Cocoa conversion. So until InDesign is a Cocoa app, this is unlikely to improve. Personally I manage to avoid using Spaces to any significant degree, so I don't really notice these things. Have you tried Photoshop, which is a Cocoa app? Does it behave better?
I don't know to what extent these issues are specific to the app, or all tied up in libraries that are common to all the Adobe apps.

No Wireless Internet with External Display, Other Issues

Hello,
When I connect an external monitor to my MBA, I lose my connection to the Internet. The wi-fi signal remains strong, but pages will not load (I tried many) and I cannot retrieve email. The connection times out when I try to ping as well. This occurs whether I have the MBA open or closed. The loss of Internet happens immediately when I connect an external display using the supplied dongle, and returns the moment I disconnect it. It is clearly an issue with external displays.
On the advice of an Apple Genius, I also tried disabling bluetooth. I did so, and turned off all my bluetooth devices (Apple keyboard and mouse, iPhone), but the problems persist.
The other trouble I am having is difficulty connecting to a network for the first time in a session. In other words, I was connected all day yesterday, take the MBA home, and return to the office the next day. MBA takes a long time to see the network, then fails to accept the password. If I carry the MBA closer to the wireless router, it finds and connects automatically as I'd saved my password. When I return to my desk, I remain connected with full signal strength. This has happened in two locations, one with an Airport Extreme, the other with a Netopia 802.11g router. When my Macbook Pro is sitting right next to the MBA, it recognizes and connects to the same networks almost instantaneously.
Anyone have any suggestions? Much appreciated.

Just a quick update... I was on the phone with Apple Support on Saturday morning and I thought we were making progress. The basic idea behind the proposed solution was that there was some "Preferences" that were causing the problem. We started over with a clean Preferences folder and tried connecting up the external monitor. At first, this approach was showing progress. The suggestion was to copy over my original Preferences (I had made a backup copy) just a few at a time until we figured out which ones caused the problem. The problem with this approach is that immediately after I got off the phone, the internet started not to work again. So, even with a clean Preferences folder, the internet would quit working after connecting up the external monitor.
So, I'm back to the drawing board. I have since restored my Preferences folder and I don't have my external monitor and internet working at the same time. BTW, I also upgraded to 10.5.3 and it didn't help.
Still bummed,
Kevin

Help with external displays

Just installed Lion and afterward I noticed that things work differently with external displays. In the past I could have my laptop open to mirror but now it must be shut and the mirrior button or selection isn't available within the display preferences. So my question is, 1. does any one know how to better manage displays? and 2. does anyone know how to mirror while having the laptop screen open?
I know trhis sounds petty but where I work it is very hot and it seems like with the screen shut the computer syncs heat away a lot less efficiently.
Thanks

Thanks,
I now know how to turn on and off mirrioring with command/F1 (didn't know that yet), but would you know how I can use my external display in mirror mode with the laptop display completely turned off, not dimmed till black, but off?
Before lion I was able to do this by shutting the laptop screen which would put the machine into sleep mode and then by clicking the mouse or hitting a key on the keyboard it would wake it. Once the external display came on then I would open the laptop and the laptop display would remain off while using the external display. Hope that makes sense. Any suggestions?

MBP Retina low performance with external displays

Hi everyone!
I have a very bad performance with my MBP 15´´ retina display when it comes to ad an external display. I have a FUL HD LG monitor that looks very bad when i connect the HDMI or the thunderbot port with the proper adapter (as bad as you can´t even read). I want to know if this may ba a hardware problem just with my computer or if it is a software problem, any ideas? does anyone have the same issue?
How can i update my NVIDIA card???
Thanks a lot!

Topic seems to come up here often. Apple has a tendency to dismiss the issue.
Its a pretty well known problem that Mac font smoothing doesn't seem to work well on high resolution third party external displays, making text hard to read. In addition, I think the Mac HDMI resolution support is limited to 1080p, so you must use DP or DVI video interfaces to see full monitor resolution.
The OS default is no font smoothing on external displays (except perhaps the apple display). There is a terminal command that will enable font smoothing for any external monitor, but it often doesn't work well enough. I found that using the OS zoom feature magnifies text to the point to be easily readable. You can set zoom parameters in the accessibility systems preference panel.
For some reason, sometimes the Mac OS thinks some monitors are TVs and use YCbCr instead of RGB. You can open the color sync utility and brouse the settings to see what is being used. There are scripts available that can fix that but are more complicated to install than an app.
It seems that PCs are way ahead of Macs with external display implementation. Most folks having monitor problems with a Mac do not see the same issue with PCs or Unix/Linux OSs.
Oh as far as updating the video card, can't. The monitor "drivers" are built into the OS. When a new display is connected, the OS finds the profile for it.

Help with external display/broken macbook screen

I have an old MacBook that has a screen which broke a while ago, since then I have been using it hooked up to an external display through the mini-dv port.
However yesterday the system froze and I had to do a hard reboot. When it came back on, the external display was no longer set up properly. Being that the screen is broken as well, I can't figured out how to fix this.
How do I force my macbook to use the external display at startup?
Thanks.

I have the same problem too, but when I try, nothing shows up on my external. I cant see my screen at all, and the laptop just keeps humming as if its still starting up. I just had the hard drive replaced a couple weeks before my screen "magically" shattered.. any advice?

Mission Control messing with Lion's default background

Strange and frustrating Mission Control behaviour in the attached picture. Lion's default background pops-up to block most of the desktops. This happens atleast with my external Acer display (with Apple's display port to dvi adapter) but it has sometimes occurred with the native display too. Then there is this another annoying feature when I shutdown my computer and the OS asks do I want to open up the same windows on the start-up. Lion surely opens up everything but every app window is on the same desktop so I have to re-arrange them. Changing Mission Control preferences does not help, the apps are cluttered on the same desktop on startup.

Please read this: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Blocklisting/Blocked_Graphics_Drivers

Update to 10.6.8 colour problems with external display

I have a mid-2010 13" macbook pro. I use a mini DVI to HDMI adaptor to connect to my Philips LCD TV. It has always worked perfectly including audio. Since update to 10.6.8 (yesterday) there is a colour-cast on the external display that makes it unusable. I have tried a hard reset of the mac with no effect except that the colour cast changed from green to red (strange!).
Anyone had a similar problem or have any ideas how I could solve it? (no time machine so I can't downgrade unfortunately)

Though I am using and iMac 27 and not a macbook, I have the similar issues since the 10.6.8 update.
I too am using the adapter to connect to a Philips 42' LCD.
You can see my post here: (has a pic of what my TV image now looks like since update.)
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15488605#15488605
I ended up going back to 10.6.7, not a fix, but no other alternative..
I used to have this problem a year ago on a PC that happened to have the same ATi Graphics card. I just used the ATI control center and changed a setting to YBR component or something like that in some color settings. But unfortunately we don't have the ATI control panel for mac, least I don't think we have any kind of alternative, but would prolly fix it..

Unable to install OS X 10.4 with external display

My display died quite awhile ago (broken hinges, broken cables, etc etc) but since then I've used an external LCD display without problems. Once I set the display to mirror, everything has been working great.
However, I tried to install OS X 10.4 and discovered that, after booting up from the disc, the install program wants to display everything only on the nonexistent original monitor. If I keep moving the mouse to the right, it eventually appears on my external monitor. But pressing F7 won't toggle back to mirror mode -- the toggle capability seems to be disabled or something.
Any suggestions? Is there some way (hardware-based or maybe command line?) to tell the machine that the original display no longer exists and to only use the external display?
Thanks for any help!

Hi, llkohler. The limited-purpose OS on the installer disc that underlies the installer application and boots the computer probably doesn't expect to have its life complicated by a second monitor, and doesn't contain the code that would allow you to toggle the display mode. If I were you, I'd look to connnect the Powerbook to another Mac in Firewire Target Disk Mode (with the PB as the Target) and perform the installation on it from the host Mac. Once you get Tiger installed, you should be able to toggle the display mode on it in the usual way.

Kernel panic when trying to use spotlight with external display attached

Having an issue with my fairly new MacBook Pro (purchased in April). When it's connected to an external display, I will get a kernel panic 100% of the time if I click on the Spotlight icon. The same also happens sometimes when clicking Documents or Downloads in the dock, but that is infrequent. This only happens with an external display attached and I have tried multiple external displays and cables. Following is the kernel panic report. I don't really know how to read it, so if anyone has suggestions they would be much appreciated.
Mon Nov 15 19:13:33 2010
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xa7cbfa): NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xc0000000 0x7fc71000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P2/4
Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x5516a188 : 0x21b50c (0x5d42fc 0x5516a1bc 0x223974 0x0)
0x5516a1d8 : 0xa7cbfa (0xc922bc 0xd02940 0xca1424 0x0)
0x5516a278 : 0xb97640 (0x95db004 0x9875004 0x100 0xe3d7a00)
0x5516a2c8 : 0xb8e639 (0x9875004 0x100 0x5516a2f8 0xa6c6d7)
0x5516a2f8 : 0x170d9ce (0x9875004 0x100 0x438004ee 0x1)
0x5516a438 : 0xbb62bd (0x9875004 0x9865004 0x0 0x0)
0x5516a478 : 0xa85e63 (0x9875004 0x9865004 0x0 0x0)
0x5516a518 : 0xa8246f (0x0 0x9 0x0 0x0)
0x5516a6c8 : 0xa844a3 (0x0 0x600d600d 0x702b 0x5516a6f8)
0x5516a798 : 0xd47652 (0xc1d00041 0xbfef0033 0xbfee0034 0x857c)
0x5516a808 : 0xd56e38 (0xa09d000 0xa051d00 0x8 0x1)
0x5516a828 : 0xd7ba20 (0xa051d00 0xb 0x5516a848 0x3)
0x5516a858 : 0xd7c23b (0xa054000 0x1 0x5516a87c 0x0)
0x5516a888 : 0xd5c485 (0xa054000 0x7d3ef080 0x1 0x0)
0x5516a8d8 : 0xd1e68e (0x46559000 0x1 0x0 0x3)
0x5516a948 : 0xd1dd99 (0x46559000 0x1 0x2 0x3)
0x5516a978 : 0xd13ca7 (0x46559000 0x1 0x2 0x4654b000)
0x5516aab8 : 0xd4ccfe (0x4654b000 0x0 0x5516abcc 0x5516abc8)
0x5516ab68 : 0xd0fc93 (0x4654b000 0x0 0x5516abcc 0x5516abc8)
0x5516abe8 : 0x5659b8 (0x4654b000 0x0 0x5516ae3c 0x5516ac74)
0x5516ac38 : 0x566257 (0xd9de20 0x4654b000 0x97edf88 0x1)
0x5516ac88 : 0x566b0b (0x4654b000 0x10 0x5516acd0 0x0)
0x5516ada8 : 0x285bce (0x4654b000 0x10 0x97edf88 0x1)
0x5516be58 : 0x21d8ba (0x97edf60 0xa0d05a0 0x1fd7e8 0x5e43)
0x5516be98 : 0x210a3a (0x97edf00 0x0 0x9d4ba40 0xa0e9b60)
0x5516bef8 : 0x216c9d (0x97edf00 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x5516bf78 : 0x295156 (0x9245328 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x5516bfc8 : 0x2a148d (0x9245324 0x7fff 0x10 0x9245324)
Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.GeForce(6.2.4)@0xd04000->0xdb9fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(6.2.4)@0xa16000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.2)@0xa09000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x908000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.2)@0x9e7000
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(6.2.4)@0x15d7000->0x19ebfff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(6.2.4)@0xa16000
com.apple.NVDAResman(6.2.4)@0xa16000->0xd03fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x908000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.2)@0xa09000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.2)@0x9e7000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WindowServer
Mac OS version:
10H574
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.5.0: Fri Nov 5 23:20:39 PDT 2010; root:xnu-1504.9.17~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 254626597586
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 4.1.5 (addr 0x1454000, size 0x65536) - last unloaded 196223967832
loaded kexts:
com.cisco.nke.ipsec 2.0.1 - last loaded 42574053426
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 5.0 9370.589435
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 5.0 9370.589435
com.parallels.kext.prlusbconnect 5.0 9370.589435
com.parallels.kext.prlhidhook 5.0 9370.589435
com.jft.driver.PdaNetDrv 1.0.64
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 5.0 9370.589435
com.Logitech.Unifying.HID Driver 1.1.0
com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver 3.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.3d0
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothSCOAudioDriver 2.3.8f7
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothBNEPDriver 2.3.8f7
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.19
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.9.9f12
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.13
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.4.5
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.17
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 1.9.9f12
com.apple.DontSteal_Mac_OSX 7.0.0
com.apple.iokit.CHUDUtils 364
com.apple.iokit.CHUDProf 364
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphics 6.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphicsFB 6.2.4
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.5.0d3
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 2.8.68
com.apple.GeForce 6.2.4
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.0d4
com.apple.driver.ACPISMCPlatformPlugin 4.5.0d5
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.4.12
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 200.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 2.5.8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 200.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 303.8
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.6.5
com.apple.BootCache 31
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.6.3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 4.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.7.1
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43224 426.36.1
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 2.3.9b6
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 160.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 4.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 105.13.0
com.apple.security.sandbox 1
com.apple.security.quarantine 0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 2.1.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 105.13.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.9.9f12
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 20
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 74.2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.CHUDKernLib 365
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.7.9fc4
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.9.9f12
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.9.9f12
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.8d0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.0d3
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.5.0d5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.8d0
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 6.2.4
com.apple.NVDAResman 6.2.4
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.2
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.2
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.3.8f7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 2.6.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 206.6
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 4.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 4.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.9.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 1.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 4.1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 312
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 4.1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.4
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.4.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 289
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.6.2
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.3.5
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.3.0

Though it doesn't look like one of them is clearly responsible, it may be due to the presence of one or more of these kernel extensions:
com.cisco.nke.ipsec 2.0.1
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 5.0
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 5.0
com.parallels.kext.prlusbconnect 5.0
com.parallels.kext.prlhidhook 5.0
com.jft.driver.PdaNetDrv 1.0.64
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 5.0
com.Logitech.Unifying.HID Driver 1.1.0
com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver 3.2.0
As a first debugging step, try rebooting in safe mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
and see if the panics occur then, though quite frankly it appears it may be an issue with your video card and/or drivers.

Macbook pro retina quit working with external displays

Just got a new external display, and can't get it to work with my MBP. I tried it via the mini display port and also via the HDMI connection. Then I tried to use my flatscreen tv just to test things out via HDMI and now that doesn't work either, I've done that quite a bit in the past. The only thing thats changed is I updated to Yosemite. I even tried different cables.
Thoughts?
Txs,
Jeff

When I unplug the cable from the mac, the monitor does display this message:
"No Display Port Cable"
So it does seem like the display knows that its connected to a mac, just nothing shows up. Don't get anything in System Prefs > Displays either.

MacBook Pro with external display sometimes

I want to use my MacBook Pro with my external display (Apple 23 inch Cinema) when I'm at my office, and to have Spaces set up and optimized for that. When I'm at home or on the road, I want Spaces set up differently, optimized for the MacBook Pro display only (no external display). Can I do this? Do I need to set up separate accounts on the MBP to do this, or can I do it some other way? Can you have sets, or multiple instances of Spaces? Otherwise, I want both options -- at work with MBP display plus Apple 23 inch Cinema or MBP display only -- to be able to access all of my files and software. The only real difference in the two setups would be the amount of screen real estate and where/how Spaces works within these different screen "landscapes."

You will always have to use the power button to turn it on, and you'll have to open the display for that.
Apple supports using the machine with its display closed, provided you follow the instructions in this article. As long as you do that, it shouldn't cause any harm. But I wouldn't recommend seeing how hot you can get the MBP with the display closed.

Won't boot with external display connected

My MacBook Pro (circa 1997) won't boot with the external display connected. I can connect the external display (20in flat planel) after it has started, and it works just fine.
I have tried two different DVI cables (one of which I think is a DVI-A cable) and the DVI-to-VGA cable. The result is the same.
During the boot phase I get the tone, the apple logo and the progress wheel. After 30 seconds to one minute those disappear to be replaced by an empty blue screen.

In case anyone wonders, my "solution" was to change to a WB Elements Desktop 3TB (only USB 2.0 is currently available for this model). I miss the speed of USB 3.0, but it's much nicer to not have to remember to unplug and plug in the hard drive each time I boot.
Still hoping to see a proper solution to this (since I don't have the WB My Book anymore, I can't test adaher's suggestion).

How to stop sleep/hibernation with external display & lid down

What is the proper way to get my MBA to not sleep, hibernate, etc. when I have an external display attached and lid closed while watching a movie or webcast. In such a case I am not touching the mouse, trackpad, or keyboard.
I have bluetooth keyboard and usb wireless mouse attached.
I also disabled the sleep/poweroff options in the energy settings while watching.
The MBA still would go to sleep or something after 10 or 15 minutes of no agitation.
Also, the Monitor goes blank since their is not signal coming through to it.
Was this just not a use case that was thought through: Watch video stream with external monitor and lid closed? Make sure the MBA knows this scenario invalidates the powersave options????? And yes, the power was plugged.
Thanks

Caffeine puts a little coffee cup icon at the top bar. Click to turn it off and on - it is on when the cup is dark, ie has coffee in it. However, this won't solve your problem - the MBA will still sleep with the lid closed. There are settings to allow use of an external monitor but what I did was download InsomniaX. This little free app keeps your computer from going to sleep when you close the lid. That way you can close the lid, walk down a hall or do something, then open the lid and keep working. Just don't forget it is on and leave the Mac too long or it will run out of battery.
Insomnia isn't in the App store, had to download it at http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/22211/insomniax

MBP randomly crashes when in clamshell with external display

Hi Mac people.
As described in the "subject field" i have been encountering some random crashes after i startet using my MBP in clamshell with my newly pruchased 24" 16:10 NEC display .
typically it occurs after about 10-20 minutes of playing world of warcraft.
-the screen goes black, saying no signal, and the MBP doesn't react to anything else but holding down the on/off button.
i have tried using the key combination alt-cmd-eject to see if i could make the computer sleep and then turn it on by opening the lid.-getting it out of clamshell to get the built-in display active again.
but none of that worked.
i also checked the dvi<->mini-displayport adapter for lose connections but i didn't find any
i have had my NEC display for about a month, and the problem has occured about 8 times now.
befor i started using my MBP in clamshell with an external display, i had no problems.
Interval Since Last Panic Report: 73505 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 3
Anonymous UUID: C8DD4168-ECC7-4842-9EF5-233F8D9763C9
Fri Jan 7 11:41:39 2011
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x00C566A4): NVRM[0]: Read Error 0x00009410: BAR0 0xa4000000 0x3f92e000 0x096380c1 D0 P3/4
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x304fad98 : 0x12b4c6 (0x45f91c 0x304fadcc 0x13355c 0x0)
0x304fade8 : 0xc566a4 (0xe86e80 0xe86e80 0xe4b6d4 0x0)
0x304fae48 : 0xf0fdf0 (0x539a004 0x533c804 0x9410 0xc92d06)
0x304fae88 : 0xf3a57d (0x533c804 0x9410 0x5c00 0x9)
0x304faec8 : 0xd5814f (0x533c804 0x46eb004 0x0 0x0)
0x304faee8 : 0xc983f1 (0x46eb004 0x304faf74 0x0 0x0)
0x304faf28 : 0xeabdb8 (0x533c804 0x3d0900 0x304faf74 0x0)
0x304fafa8 : 0xee10e4 (0x533c804 0x54a1804 0x1 0x1)
0x304fb138 : 0xee5479 (0x533c804 0x54a2004 0x4bc6a44 0x0)
0x304fb298 : 0xca227b (0x533c804 0x54a2004 0x0 0x8b46184)
0x304fb348 : 0xc63a19 (0xc1d00041 0xbeef0003 0xcafe1691 0x8b46300)
0x304fb3b8 : 0xc547ed (0x304fb548 0x6 0x0 0x0)
0x304fb518 : 0xc462d4 (0x0 0x600d600d 0x7057 0x304fb548)
0x304fb5d8 : 0x114c77b (0xc1d00041 0xbeef0003 0xcafe1691 0x8b46300)
0x304fb658 : 0x114ca53 (0x20552000 0x8b46300 0x8b48404 0x0)
0x304fb698 : 0x11136e7 (0x20552000 0x8b48400 0x304fb6a8 0x20555068)
Backtrace continues...
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.GeForce(5.4.8)@0x10f9000->0x1190fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(5.4.8)@0xc3d000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.7.3)@0xc2f000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x63e000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.7.3)@0x791000
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(5.4.8)@0xe9c000->0x10effff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(5.4.8)@0xc3d000
com.apple.NVDAResman(5.4.8)@0xc3d000->0xe9bfff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.7.3)@0xc2f000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x63e000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.7.3)@0x791000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: World of Warcraf
Mac OS version:
9L30
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.8.0: Wed Jul 15 16:55:01 PDT 2009; root:xnu-1228.15.4~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro5,1 (Mac-F42D86C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 565038856165
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.InternalModemSupport 2.4.0 - last unloaded 149627740291
loaded kexts:
com.apple.filesystems.cddafs 2.3.0 - last loaded 171968100440
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9d0
com.apple.filesystems.ntfs 2.1
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 1.7.4f1
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 1.0.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 2.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.8.7
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.7.1a2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.1.9f10
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 2.1.1d2
com.apple.DontSteal_Mac_OSX 6.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 1.7.7
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 113
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.0.6
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.4.5d1
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 2.8.15
com.apple.driver.ACPISMCPlatformPlugin 3.4.0a17
com.apple.driver.NVSMU 1.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.1d1
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.3.1
com.apple.GeForce 5.4.8
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 5.4.8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 189.35
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 1.7.4f1
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 1.0.9b4
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.9f10
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 3.5.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.1.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 2.7.91
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 1.1.2
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.2.3
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 1.7.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 3.5.2
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 365.91.19
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 3.9.7
com.apple.nvenet 1.0.54
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 158.10.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.2.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPCI 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.security.seatbelt 107.12
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 1.8.77
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 3
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 76.2.0
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 199
com.apple.BootCache 30.4
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.1d1
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.7.1a2
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 9.4
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.6.9fc5
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.1
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 3.4.0a17
com.apple.NVDAResman 5.4.8
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 1.7.3
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 1.7.3
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 2.3.1d1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.9f10
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.1.9f10
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 1.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 216.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 3.5.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.5.6
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.5.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.2.0
Any help would be much appreciated

Lets give it a try. 1st of all post your s/n (so I can run a check on your specific model) or check with system profiler if your machine has the NVidia Geforce 8600 M GT. Or see for yourself: http://www.chipmunk.nl/cgi-fast/applemodel.cgi
IF SO:
Surely, you've heard about the generic problems with this specific video chip: sooner or later most of them will fail due to chip packaging/bonding issues. If yours has not failed before, it may be doing so now because you're driving it harder with a larger external monitor attached, thus probably running the affected videochip hotter. Very useful link: http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/MacBookProvideofailure.html#novideotip , loads of other useful links on the subject therein.
To solve this, Apple has instigated an extended warranty, so do not tread on the tail of your machine's capabilities any more. Once it will not boot (which may eventually happen), it gets really hard to run diagnostics. Have it checked by at least 1, preferably more ASPs (see link), and kindly ask them to reiterate the test 2 or 3 times. Often, the problem will not show up on the 1st try.
I am reading increasing numbers of questions and complaints about this on the Flemish/Belgian Apple forum "Intermactivity", most users seem to be unaware of the problem (though this has been common knowledge for years), and moreover, most ASPs are reluctant to acknowledge it.
So if your machine is one of the affected, you will really have to stand your case. Especially in Europe!

Is Mission Control broken with external display?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for