Screen detection in clamshell mode problems

I have a weird issue with clamshell mode in Lion 10.7.2
Hardware: MacBook Air 13" i5 1.7, Apple Cinema Display 30" connected with Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter.
Normally I use the computer in clamshell mode, with the laptop lid closed. It only sees the main 30" display, which is the desired behaviour—all good so far.
When I put the computer to sleep, then wake it up, it suddenly sees two displays—despite the lid being closed all along.
The laptop screen is on (even though it is closed). I open the lid, then close it—the screen backlight gets switched off but the laptop LCD is still active in OS settings, I can move mouse cursor and windows to it and so on.
There is no way to get rid of laptop display unless I restart the computer—then it only sees the active 30" screen again.
In the end, I have to restart the computer every time I wake it up.
Did anyone experience something like that? Any ideas what is going on? Thanks.

I have the same problem with a brand-new Late 2011 13" MBP with all updates,
clamshell only works correctly if I restart in clamshell with power supply and all externals
plugged in, then it works great and you can even open and close the lid and the lcd will
activate and de-activate but if you unplug the monitors and/or the power supply then the
lcd will always be active even with the lid closed and the backlight off - it's great opening
a window on a closed display that you can't see. Then the only fix seems to be a reboot
with everything plugged in as above.
I'm wondering if I should "upgrade" to Snow Leopard?? I don't really have any files on this
machine yet...

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Clamshell mode problem please help

I connect my macbook to external display, then I sleep my mac by closing the lid.
I've got a usb mouse connected before this sleep.
After it goes to sleep I use the mouse to walk it up in clamshell mode and the computer wakes up in external display and in about 3 seconds it again goes to sleep and no response after it.
I did everything to wake it. But it didn't.
So I opened the lid to wake it up display comes in external display.
How to make this clamshell work please help...
Thanks in advance...:)

I solved this problem this way --
Shut down your computer.
Be sure everything is plugged in (external displays, etc.).
Press the power-on button and immediately close the lid all the way shut.
As your Mac reboots, your external displays will go live.
Log in, if necessary, and you're good to go.
(I use a wired keyboard & a wireless mouse.)

Can running Macbook Pro in Clamshell Mode cause problems for Macbook Display?

Hi,
I recently got a new monitor (Dell U2711) and it is stunning when running at full resolution through a mini displayport to displayport adapter. However, i ran my MBP in Clamshell Mode and after rebooting (without the display this time) i had horrible lines across my screen. It was like a grid, but they were tiny, it was like i could see the individual pixels or groups of about 4. I turned it off straight away and when i came back to it (about an hour or 2 later) it was as normal.
I just want to know what is the regular behaviour of running in Clamshell? Is that to be expected? I know that Macbooks dissipate heat through the keyboard, so i wonder if it could be a heat related problem, and if that's something i should be worried about in relation to causing long term damage to my mac's display, or will it always sort itself out?
Sadly, i can't recreate the problem as i have a faulty monitor and it needs to be sent back (i will be getting the same model as a replacement though).
Does anyone have anything to say on this matter?
Thanks in advance
mrmeister

Shootist007 wrote:
Is this a brand new, less then a year old, MBP? If it is then take it to a Apple care center and have them look at it.
It's a refurb late 2008 that i bought in late 2009, but i do have apple care until september 2012 i think, i guess if the problem happens again i can take it in and they can sort me out.
eww wrote:
MBPs don't dissipate any significant amount of heat through the keyboard. No matter how often that misconception is posted, it's still a misconception.
Ok, so it shouldn't be anything to do with heat then, i know the top left corner (closest to the screen) gets pretty hot too, just above the speaker, but from Shootist007's post, it would appear that heat doesn't have anything to do with it. I mean, i wasn't running intensive tasks, i was only browsing the internet.

Silverlight (Lovefilm / Netflix) MBP 13" Early 2011, Heating and Exhaust Problems, Clamshell mode with TB Display

Hi all
I was hoping if someone can help me out...
I have a:
Mac Book Pro 13" (Early 2011) (i5, Crucial 8GB RAM, 120 OWC 6G SSD)
Apple Thunderbolt Display
I run my MBP in clamshell mode always.
Whenever i run Netflix or Lovefilm video in full screen using either Firefox, Chrome or Safari. The Silverlight plug-in is hogging the CPU.
My exhaust (CPU fan) goes crazy, its soo loud its annoying while your trying to watch a movie on your Thunderbolt Display.
Temperature reaches: 83 Celsius
Fan (Exhaust): 5620 - 6200 RPM (immediately jumps from 2001 to 5620 / 6200)
If i watch a movie full screen on my 13" MBP with my Thunderbolt display disconnected:
Temperature reaches: 81 Celsius
Fan (Exhaust): 3198 RPM (it slowly crawls up form 1998 to 3193)
Now i changed my resolution on my Thunderbolt disply to 1420x720 and it helps with the fans going crazy, they slow down slightly...
I've tried a PRAM and SMC Reset, all my firmware is up to date.
My Macbook Pro is slightly raised at the back so air can flow through the vents.
My FANS are just going crazy!! something is ridicously heating up internally in my machine causing them to go mental.
You just cannot watch a movie on netflix or lovefilm on your thunderbolt display comfortably if your fans go beyound 2800RPM.
I even installed Windows 7 on Virtual Box and tried running lovefilm / silverlight and it did not help my problem.
PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP! how can i keep my fans below 2800 RPM while running silverlight?!?!

Flash like Silverlight are CPU heavy applications.
The MacBook Pro can be run in clamshell mode but only when not running extremely CPU intensive tasks
like what you are doing.
If you keep the mac book running this way for too long you might stress the materials and run into danger of getting thermal damages.
Chrome is actually in recent time getting very slow and I noticed in a comparision test that Firefox provides me up to 30 to 40% more free CPU time.
If running netflix I would suggest currently NOT using Chrome.
Windows 7 virtualized inside virtual box and then on top netflix is uhm a pretty bad idea because all those three things together are already CPU hogs.

Not auto detecting wifi out of clamshell mode

I have a MacBook Air and when opening my laptop out of clamshell mode my wifi will not auto detect the closest connection point. The current work around is to right click and select the appropriate connection. While this is ok, I would really like the auto detect to work properly.
I do have the automatic find selected in Network Preferences.
Looking for any solutions.
Thanks.

noelani72 wrote:
I'd be curious to go buy an old Linksys WRT54G Wifi Router and see how the iPads work on it....but my lord, I have already spent so much time on this issue as it is.
Message was edited by: noelani72
Unless you get that WRT54G for free or next to free, pass on it and pick up an old apple WAP off eBay or similar site. Like you my iPad has a connectivity problem with the WRVS4400N running iOS 4.2.1, where it didn't have trouble with iOS 3.2.2 and ran fine for five months.
My solution at the office was to spur a second router off my DSL router just for the iPad. The first was a WRT54G that had to be set to only one 802.11 protocol to keep the iPad reliably connected, but swapped it out for an old airport extreme that I kept on after testing it to be good. With a home network like you describe, I would run a subnet off the WRVS4400N just for iPad using an apple WAP (the configuration app for Windows is easy to use).
Good luck.

Problem running in closed-lid (clamshell) mode?

New 2.4 glassbook, upgraded to 4Gb Crucial ram, using bluetooth mouse and keyboard, with external Dell 2007FP monitor.
With my old MBP in sleep mode, I could connect the monitor, ethernet, and power, and when I plugged in usb with the lid still closed, the laptop would turn on and everything worked in lid-closed mode.
Now with new glassbook, do the same thing (using display port to DVI adapter), the machine whirrs up, the display turns on (without top menu), and then the laptop goes to sleep. Tried it on a different monitor, same problem.
Am I the only one with this problem of the glassbook not wanting to operate in lid-closed mode?
Thanks in advance.

Yes, same problem. Swapped memory chips back to Apple, same problem. Reset SMU and zapped pram, same problem. It's gonna suck if I have to exchange the laptop because I've spent a day migrating over. I'm hoping it's just a defective DP-DVI adapter. I've also noticed external display flashing (losing signal) as detailed in this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1756755&tstart=0 This makes me worry it's not just the adapter but a problem (driver or hardware) with the 9400M. Can someone else confirm they can operate in clamshell mode without problems?

Problem using clamshell mode with 2010 Macbook Pro

I'm trying to use my mid 2010 Macbook Pro in clamshell mode with my Sanyo TV as a monitor. I have an external keyboard and mouse and I keep it plugged in when trying to do this. I have tried with mirrored and seperate displays, both with the TV as secondary and primary display, and whenever I close the lid the TV suddenly says that the input resolution has changed and is out of the range of the TV. I have tried changing the resolution on both the TV and computer when both displays are active and it has made no difference. Is there a way to make this work or a way to keep the computer from changing the output resolution when I close the lid?

I have discovered that the issue is that the computer won't wake from sleep mode. I still have no idea what the problem is but it also occurs if I put the computer to sleep with the display open.

Clamshell Mode source resolution problem

I own a Macbook Pro with Mountain Lion, and I have used my laptop in clamshell mode once. After i changed the resolution to see which would work better with my Philips tv, I have never been able to use CS Mode again. I am unsure if it is a computer issue or the tv.
I'm able to mirror displays and everything works great, but once I close the laptop to use CS Mode the tv says "Change source resolution". I have tried every resolution available in the scaled tab, and none seem to work.
HELP please!

I was having the same problem. I figured out that when I closed the lid my macbook was changing the resolution for the external to something that the monitor couldn't handle. I used VNC to remote into my computer and change the display manually - after that all was well. The monitor displays fine in clamshell mode now.

I m updated my phone but some problems occured, so i connect it to itunes and it said "your iphone is detected in recovery mode" so i tried restore it but was unsuccessful and it shows different unknown errors such as 14, 2009,1611. Please help

i m updated my phone but some problems occured, so i connect it to itunes and it said "your iphone is detected in recovery mode" so i tried restore it but was unsuccessful and it shows different unknown errors such as 14, 2009,1611. Please help

Hello Mubashir surf google and try pressing power and home button at the same time untill apple sign shows up and then leave it .
Otherwise surf google you mite have to edit you host file in windows , system32
Let me know if it works

Sleep not working with external screen in clamshell mode

I have my macbook with Lion operating in clamshell mode with an external display connected as the main screen.
Although I have set the computer to sleep after 10mins, this never happens and I have to sleep the computer manually every time.
If I disconnect the external display, or open my Mac and work with both screens, the computer does sleep properly after the set time.
I can't seem to find the fix anywhere, and the people in the mac store couldn't help me either.
Can anyone help please?
Thx,

How to disable the closed-clamshell mode?
I think, this is what you're looking for ... maybe you want to uproot that question.

Clamshell mode thinks internal display is running

I use my MBP with an external display. Unfortunately, it always thinks that the internal display is still running even after I detect displays. The MBP is closed and I use a USB mouse and keyboard. The pointer can easily get "lost" off the screen. I've reset and restarted but the problem always comes back.

I just open my MBP before plugging up the TB display. Then after the TB comes on, I close the MBP back into clamshell mode. Works better for me that way.
Does that work for you as well?
-Brad

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.

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!

Can I use an external monitor/clamshell mode PERMANTENTLY?

What I'm trying to do is take my old TiBook 550 with its malfunctioning screen and busted hinges (grrrr) and effectively turn it into a low-budget version of a Mac Mini i.e. hook up a USB keyboard and LCD monitor to it and use it as if it were a desktop.
Now I have successfully attached the monitor and keyboard, turned on video mirroring etc. and it's all working fine. No problems with getting the thing to work. The only problem is I am having to keep the PB screen open slightly so that I can shut down and boot up for each session (for various reasons I don't want to leave it in sleep mode). Even though I bought a keyboard that has a USB power button on it, I am still unable to use it to boot up (I can shut down though).
As I understand it 'clamshell' mode only allows you to put the computer to sleep, so is there any way I can permanently tell the PB to ignore the on board LCD and only use the external display? My ultimate goal is to just have the PB sitting out of the way, lid closed (or lid removed??), whilst I use the keyboard and external display PLUS be able to shut down and reboot without having to prise open the screen, which is now quite damaged. Any ideas? TIA.
Powerbook G4 15 1.5Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.8)

Hi there,
I think you're right - Shutting down works via the keyboard but not Boot Up. It's weird because I'm sure I remember being able to do this once in the dim and distant past but maybe I'm wrong.
Anyway I've now hooked up my old laptop so that the screen is held ajar so I can reach the power button. After some research, I found out that the laptop should not be used with the screen closed for long periods anyway because of heat issues so this inelegant solution is probably the best in terms of keeping the temperature down.
Now what I need is some safe way of permanently disabling the display so that ONLY the external monitor works. If there was some way of doing that, at least I would not be wasting energy powering the original LCD. So far I have been able to disconnect the cable on the back of the screen that sends the 'data' to the LCD, but I've not yet been able to disable the back light.

Clamshell mode w/external monitor broken in 10.8.2

Ever since I made the .2 upgrade in mountain lion clamshell mode does not work with my MBPro 8,2. Previously in Lion and Mountain Lion clamshell mode worked fine, I even executed the following terminal command so I could open the lid without the internal display turning on (sudo nvram -d boot-args). Now when I wake the computer from sleep with the lid closed, mouse and external monitor plugged in, I get to the login screen, the desktop will flash and then it will go back to sleep again. The only rememdy is to open the lid, but then my terminal command isn't working and the internal display turns on. This is most frustrating. Any help is appreciated.
Curt

Thanks for the snarky reply. I know how to do a search, you'd assume if I'm smart enough to try a terminal hack I knew how to use a web page search box.
It looks like every discussion on the clamshell issue gets mysterious "closed," "helped" or "answered" when indeed there is no real solution, including the thread you linked, hence my new topic. So I appreciate the help. </sarcasm>
This is a real problem and I wish I could be shocked at Apple's response. I use Win7 in bootcamp for work, it is so trivial to turn off my internal laptop display or work in clamshell mode. In the rush to get out Facebook integration and shared photo streams Apple really let this bug through in the update?
Back to my issue, it doesn't matter what monitor port I use (VGA or DVI) clamshell mode doesn't work. Turning off the internal display obviously doesn't work when connected to an external monitor. Contrary to your link (and many other threads) this problem (clamshell mode or turning off the internal display when an external is attached) still exists. It worked in 10.8.1, it doesn't in 10.8.2.

Screen detection in clamshell mode problems

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