Macbook External Display

I've replied to a similar problem to this in one of the other catagories, but I thought I'd make a new thread in the display catagory.
I've been reading about people having issues with external displays not showing up on macbooks, for no apparent reason in some cases. That seems to be my issue as well but I have two points that people may find interesting.
Point 2 in particular I think should get some attention! Something "just works" in XP but not OS X?
Firstly the issue is with a Macbook black c2d late 2006, and a 19" xerox monitor connected using a mini-dvi connection into a vga apapter to the monitor's integrated dvi connection (the vga adapter is there because the mini-dvi to dvi adapter doesn't fit. The monitor has a dvi-i connection - it has extra pins and doesn't fit into the apple mini-dvi to dvi connection (this is dvi-d), which I discovered after I had already bought the useless connection!)
1. When I did initially connect the monitor the screen did show up, but while I was arranging the monitor and macbook around the desk I knocked out the mini-dvi adapter. I could never get the screen back after that, but it still does show up in the Display Preferences Panel. (no it's not damaged, see point 2.) No amount of pressing F7, rebooting, switching resolutions, or changing Display profiles seem to bring it back.
2. I'm a switcher (Macbook black c2d - really impressed by the way, just this one issue) so to smooth the process I used bootcamp to put xp on a small partition. The screen works perfectly in XP, in various different resolutions. Which is very annoying - I didn't buy a macbook to use xp!
I think that I have addressed all the obvious ways to pick up the display, and I have gone through the suggestions from other posts, but nothing. Not even a flicker. I don't have another Mac to test the screen on, but I do have another XP laptop, and again that works fine.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Macbook Black c2d, early 2007 Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Update: Well unfortunately my credit card has taken enough of a hammering lately (I'm only home from my honeymoon a few weeks), so not having an apple care plan on the Macbook I didn't get too far with Apple support.
The new plan of action is... give up. I have to assume that the issue is just something to do with OSX not liking the mini-dvi -> vga adapter -> dvi adapter that I had to use, and MS just doesn't have a problem with it. A pain, but it is a nice monitor so I don't think I will have a problem giving/selling it to one of my MS using mates.
I'll mark this one answered - kinda
Macbook Black C2D (late 2006) Mac OS X (10.4.10)

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MacBook external display problem with Panasonic projector

MacBook (September 2006, Intel 945) with Boot Camp and XP Pro won't display externally from Boot Camp to a Panasonic PT-DW5000U projector using VGA (via the MiniDVI-to-VGA adapter/dongle). I tried 640x480x8-bit and 800x600x16-bit and 1024x768x16-bit. I tried unplugging and replugging the adapter. I tried shutting down and restarting into Win XP while all video cabling was connected. I tried pressing F7, Fn+F7, Shift+F7, FnShiftF7, as well as other key combinations involving F7. I tried checking the checkbox called "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor." I installed Apple Software Update 2.1. None of these troubleshooting attempts worked. It works fine in OS X to the same projector (using the same VGA dongle). And, while Win XP starts in Boot Camp, the projector displays the Windows XP startup screen (black background and blue progress indicator), but after about a minute that disappears, I get a login dialog on the laptop screen, and the projector then displays only a blank blue screen.
Other displays: It works fine with Boot Camp to a Samsung SyncMaster 940T monitor using DVI (via the MiniDVI-to-DVI adapter/dongle). It works fine with Boot Camp to a Panasonic LC50 monitor using VGA (via the MiniDVI-to-VGA adapter/dongle).
We also have Panasonic PT-D5500 projectors, but I haven't tried them yet.
1. Is this a problem in the Intel drivers supplied with Boot Camp?
2. Are there settings on the projector that need to be set to make it work?
3. I'm also now missing the Intel system tray icon that looks like a slanted computer screen -- how do I get it back?
Any suggestions? Thanks!

Based on the substantial research I've done regarding this issue, here's what the problem could be (without me knowing more):
If your working with an integrated graphics card (Intel 945?), chances are that it doesn't support the "resolution" of the projector - which is information embedded in to your other devices. Furthermore, the "refresh rate" is another piece of information usually "embedded" in to the device your connecting to, and the projector may not have either piece of information accessible to your card, or, vice versa.
Additionally, the drivers required by XP to make it all happen while using your particular video card, may not be installed. Basically, it could be a driver issue as well.
I wish I had a solution for you, however, everything I've read seems to conclude that XP within boot camp has little or no support for external displays (especially when talking about larger resolutions).
Humorously, when I addressed the "Mac Genius" at the Apple Store regarding this question, he told me to go buy a PC - so I did. Already have a Mac Pro, needed a laptop...

Macbook - External Display - Closed Lid

Hi there,
I know full well that the powerbooks and the macbook pro run monitors in lid closed mode... but does the Macbook?
I would only do this without a hack as I do not want to destroy warranty.
If it doesn't, it may be time for me to look into a 12" powerbook G4.
I had to sell my iBook and I want something for presentations and to travel with. If I sell my iMac, I'll need a big display as I am not going to just look at a laptop display all day.
Thanks, Martin

"it'll run in closed book mode with the external display. it may overheat however, so i'd be careful."
I don't want to sell my iMac and then break a macbook...
I used to have an iBook G4. Then I bought an iMac. Now I want a laptop, but know that if I get one, I'll want a desktop again...
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I am looking at a system upgrade and am tempted by the new MacBook. However, it is not immediately evident whether (as per the MacBook Pro) you can use the MB with the lid shut and connected to an external (larger) keyboard and larger display. Does anyone know what the answer is?
I would like to combine the portability of the MB with the ability to hook it up to a larger VGA/DVI screen. Any views on the merits of the more expensive DVI monitors?
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Hello
Glad to help.
First up, if you take a look at the main specification page, it confirms the MacBook will drive an external display, either as the main display (with MacBook closed) or as an extended display (with MacBook open).
It will work at these resolutions:
Extended desktop and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours.
You will need to also purchase a Mini DVI-DVI cable or a Mini DVI-VGA cable depending on what external monitor you plan to use.
I have tried a lot of monitors;
Apple Cinema - superb, but you pay for it.
NEC 20WGX2 - looks nice, horrible display.
CTX - I forget the model number, but nice.
Belinea 10 20 35W - absolutely superb and stunning value.
Link:
http://www.jigsaw24.com/proddesc.asp?ITEM=X670AKA
hope this helps.

Early 2011 Macbook external display issues after firmware update

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EFI Driver Version: 01.00.521

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Start both MacBook & External Display simultaneously?

Hi there,
Was wondering if someone could provide some advice. I have a 13.3 MacBook connected to a very old non-widescreen display (plan to update soon!) - The problem I have is that while I can connect the display to my MacBook once the MacBook is booted etc. - this can prove to be a frustrating process! Even if I start my MacBook with the DisplayPort/VGA Cable connected, I have to remove the cable and plug it back in (sometimes repeatedly) to get a connection...
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Many Thanks!

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How do i use an external display with my macbook pro?

How do I use an external display with a macbook pro?

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.
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Regards,
Captfred

Connecting a MacBook to an external display or projector

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Greetings from Hong Kong-
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How can I disable the internal display on my MacBook Pro with connected external display?

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Thanks!

I have the same problem: not able to work with my external display mirroring the internal one - while shutting the internal display off.
I believe there is an issue with Mac OS X Lion 7.5 that Apple needs to solve, since apparently it does not happen with this version of the OS only...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4315808?start=45&tstart=0
Or any other way to solve it?
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Thank you!

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I want to be able to sleep the external display and at the same time do things in the MacBook.( This feature is useful for me so that I can prepare some things and so that my audience will not see what I am about to show them.)
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How can i drive 2 external displays with my macbook pro?

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Cinema Displays simultaeously. (Set up so displays operate as 1)?

I believe the TripleHead2GO requires all three external displays to be identical. Verify this with a call to Matrox. There is also a maximum resolution limit for the three displays together, which you'll want to be sure is acceptable to you and will look OK on your monitors. Ideally, the maximum resolution the TH2Go supports for each display will be the maximum resolution each display is capable of when used alone, because the displays will be sharpest at their maximum resolutions. If used at any lower resolution setting, they will be noticeably blurry.
I'm not aware of any other three-display options for the Mac that enable the monitors to operate with normal responsiveness (USB video adapters are slow). Yes, the TH2Go is expensive, and that's probably because it's the only game in town.

How do I get my Macbook Pro to detect an external display?

Hi there.
I just bought a new MacBook Pro today.
Everything about it is wonderful, except: When I plug an external display into the Thunderbolt port using a Minidisplay port to VGA adapter, it doesn't send a signal to the external monitor. The screen on my Macbook will go blue for a second, and then the windows freeze. The mouse will be movable for a bit (up to a minute), but nothing is clickable. Strangely, it seems as though it's functioning as if there were a second monitor (I can move the mouse off-screen as though it's going over to another display). But then the spinning rainbow wheel starts and never stops. If I unplug the Minidisplay port to VGA adapter, the Macbook will snap back into professional mode and everything works again.
If I try to boot the computer up with the Minidisplay port to VGA adapter already pluged in, it simply won't boot up (I get a gray screen with an apple and nothing more).
I tried using gfxCardStatus set to "discreet only" and I still have this problem. I tried to run a firmware update, but my comp seems to be entirely up-to-date already (just set it up today).
The monitor and adapter seem to be working fine, and function as an external display when pluged into the Mini-DVI port on my 2009 Macbook running Snow Leopard.
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Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro9,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.9 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 8 GB
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The only thing that I can suggest is trying a different adapter - such as this one from Monoprice.
I don't know if that's the root of your problem, though. Does the external monitor have DVI? You could get a Thunderbolt to DVI adapter from Monoprice - here - and give that a shot.
Clinton

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I've managed to get it to detect the display only after either restarting the Macbook completely or by going into energy saver and switching to dedicated graphics then going back to detect display.
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I thought it was intermittent to begin with until i started looking into it. By leaving programs open, like aperture, before i put the machine to sleep it appears to wake the external monitor up without a problem. If i shut all programs or leave basic things open like safari and mail which don't require the dedicated graphics, then upon wake it wont register an external screen is connected.
Manually detecting displays in settings doesn't work.
Disconnecting and reconnecting mini display port doesn't work.
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Macbook External Display

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