Switching MacBook Pro on without opening lid connected to external display

Hi all,
Simple question: I have external monitor, keyboard and mouse connected to my MacBook Pro and I wish to turn it on without having to open up my laptop.
I did find a resource over at Mac OS X Hints, but unlike other articles it is very lame. http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080908013535674&query=keyboard. I do want a proper legit way of doing it!
For example, on PCs you can go in to your boot ram setup and make it so any key press can switch the PC on. Is this possible with my Mac Book Pro? I haven't been able to find a clean solution yet.
Any help would be appreciated!

Sorry, but it's not been possible to power up any Mac from turned-off state from an external device for a number of years (with the sole exception of the current Xserve). So you will have to open the screen on your MacBook, power it up, close the screen which will put the unit to sleep, then wake it from the external keyboard/mouse. Or attempt the trick on the site you posted for remotely pressing the power switch.
For this reason, most people who use their MacBook like you do just put it to sleep rather than powering it off.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

Similar Messages

  • Macbook Pro Late 2012 Lagging when connected to external display (1GB Graphics Card)

    I have a brand new Macbook Pro 15'' running 10.8.3 with 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Graphics Card. I've been using the laptop conected to my Panasonic 720p TV for a while now and suddenly everything started lagging, the dock lagged, the lauchpad also. I have erased programs, music and everything left in my computer. Im running normally on 27% of the RAM memory (8gb) and have a capacity of 500+ GB left in the HDD. Please Advise...

    Hi there Chiefinho,
    You may find the troubleshooting steps toward the bottom of the article below helpful. Please keep in mind, diagnosing a recurring kernel panic can be difficult. If you would like to avoid this process, or do not know how to perform any of the following steps, consider bringing the Mac to a Genius at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for assistance. Be sure to ask that, if the drive needs reformatting or replacing, they contact you about escalating your case to a special data recovery service. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar using http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ (available in some countries only).
    OS X: About kernel panics
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3742
    -Griff W. 

  • I've connected my macbook pro (os 10.6.8) to an external display, but it will not go into clam shell mode!  When I close the lid the laptop goes to sleep, and I am unable to wake it using the external keyboard or mouse.

    A rundown of what I've tried:
    Adjusting energy settings to try to prevent sleep
    Pluging the USB keyboard and wacom tablet directly into the laptop (as opposed to a usb hub)
    My laptop's power cable is connected
    My display (a Vizio TV) is recognized in the System Preferences panel
    I'd been using this TV for about a year with my older Macbook Pro (OS 10.5.8), though using a different wireless keyboard and mouse
    ***Update:  The issue seems to lie with the keyboard and wacom tablet.  I am trying to use a wireless Case Logic keyboard (with dongal) and wired wacom tablet to wake the Macbook Pro in clamshell mode.  To experiment, I tried using my Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse set (also dongal) that I had been using before and it wakes the computer without any problems!  However, I really need to be able to use my wacom tablet.  If I switch to the tablet after waking the computer using the Logitech keyboard & mouse it works, but once the computer sleeps it won't work anymore.  I could keep switching back and forth I suppose, but it's sort of a pain.  There has to be an easier way!  Any ideas why the wired wacom tablet is unable to wake the computer in clamshell mode?
    Thanks!

    So your keyboard or mouse won't wake the Mac when you close the lid correct? Try resetting the SMC and pram
    Shut down the computer.
    Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
    Remove the battery.
    Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
    Release the power button.
    Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
    Press the power button to turn on the computer.
    Resetting NVRAM / PRAM
    Shut down your Mac.
    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 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.

  • Is there anyway to solve Wifi problem on Macbook while using it closed and connected to external display?

    Hello,
    I'm using my Macbook connected to external LCD while the screen of the Macbook is closed. So I can use the full screen resoluiton of my LCD. When not closed but connected the mirroring reduces the resolution and not useful.
    But recently I recognized that when the Macbook screen is closed my fiber internet speed is down almost %50. When I test my fiber speed, when the macbook screen is open it's around 20mb/s, when the screen is closed and connected to LCD it's around 10 mb/s. I guess the wifi antenna is located at the screen I don't know. Is there any way to solve this probem? I want to use the lid closed without any sacrifice from my internet speed.
    Thanks for any answers in advance

    I have this same issue but what's strange is that it's only recently occurred since upgrading to FiOS's 50MB/s service.  I was seeing 20MB/s WiFi speeds with my previous 25MB/s service.  Frustrating!!

  • Retina Macbook Pro, Photoshop CS6, canvas turns black on external display

    I have a problem. The entire canvas turns black and cant be edited when I drag the app from the main display (hi-dpi retina Macbook Pro) to the external (normal dpi) display.
    I have noticed that I can get around this by opening some psd-files and then deleting all their layers. But hey, I should be able to create a new document for editing on my external display right.
    When I drag Photoshop back to the retina display, it turns white again, and is editable.

    I am also experiencing this problem. Has anyone solved it yet?
    Thanks!
    Here are my specs:
    Model Name:          MacBook Pro
      Model Identifier:          MacBookPro10,1
      Processor Name:          Intel Core i7
      Processor Speed:          2.6 GHz
      Number of Processors:          1
      Total Number of Cores:          4
      L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB
      L3 Cache:          6 MB
      Memory:          16 GB
      Boot ROM Version:          MBP101.00EE.B02
      SMC Version (system):          2.3f35

  • Have Macbook Pro & 4th gen iPod Touch. Downloaded & installed iOS 4.3.2 yesterday. Upgrade went without a hitch, but now iTunes on My Macbook Pro will not open. I get an error that says "iTunes" Data too new to be used with this version of iTunes.

    Have a Macbook Pro and a 4th gen iPod Touch. Downloaded and install iOS 4.3.2 yesterday. Upgrade went without a hitch, but now iTunes on My Macbook Pro will not open. I get an error that says --The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes--. I am running iTunes 10.1.  I searched for Updates to my MacBook Pro (running 10.6.7), but comes back saying no updates available. WHAT IS GOING ON??

    Is your computer still authorized in the Store menu in iTunes?
    iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization
    When I changed to my new MacBookPro I had to authorize it although I used TimeMachine to transfer my settings and data.
    Did you try to deselect Wi-Fi syncing and enable it again after that?
    iTunes 10.5 and later: Troubleshooting iTunes Wi-Fi syncing
    Did you already transfer your purchases and manually started a backup?

  • My MacBook Pro will not open any application or program that requires internet, even though I am connected to the web.

    My MacBook Pro will not open any app or program that requires Internet, even though I am connected to the web. I recently installed Norton AntiVirus and think it may have changed a setting that I couldn't find. I uninstalled Norton and it didn't help. Every time I open Safari, iTunes or any other program that tries to connect to the Internet, it crashes. Strangely enough, Skype still works, but nothing else.
    I have OSx 10.6.8.
    I have tried erasing plists, and all the standard troubleshooting, ie resetting modem, restarting computer, reloading Safari from disk.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    Change your router channel.  Sometimes this is all you will have to do.
    Power cycling the router.  Read the router's user manual or contact their tech support for instructions.
    System Preferences/Internet & Network/Network
    Unlock the padlock
    Locations:  Automatic
    Highlight Airport
    Click the Assist Me button
    In the popup window click the Diagnostic button.
    System Preferences/Network- Unlock padlock.  Highlight Airport.  Network Name-select your name.  Click on the Advanced button.  Airport/Preferred Networks-delete all that is not your network.
    Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined."  Click the OK button and lock the padlock.  Restart your computer.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1920 Mac OS: How to release and renew a DHCP lease
    No internet connection (wireless)
    Check to see if an extra entry is present in the DNS Tab for your wireless connection (System Preferences/Network/Airport/Advanced/DNS).
    Delete all extra entries that you find.
    Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined."
    Other resources to check into:
    Troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues in OS X Lion and Mac OS X v10.6
    Netspot
    How to diagnose and resolve Wi-Fi slow-downs
    Pv6 troubleshooting
    Mac OS X 10.6 Help:  Solving problems with connecting to the Internet
    What Affects Wireless Internet?
    Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting
    I uninstalled Norton and it didn't help.
    To properly uninstall Norton software follow these instructions - Locate Symantic Solutions folder inside the Applications folder at the root level of your HD, launch the Symantec Uninstaller application, select the Symantec AntiVirus Corporate, Norton AntiVirus & Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect entries and click the Uninstall button. 
    Confirm your decision when prompted and then enter your administrator password in the space provided.
    Retart your computer & Norton should be gone for good.
    If the above does not work, download a copy of Symantec’s RemoveSymantecMacFiles removal utility.  This utility will launch Terminal & remove the Norton components.

  • MacBook Pro: Minutes to open CD in iTunes

    Hey guys,
    Just last night my girlfriend informed me that suddenly her MacBook Pro (15" 1.83 stock) machine is going really REALLY slow when she puts a music CD in. Not just 1 CD, but many.
    It takes literally minutes from when she puts in the CD, to when it opens up iTunes. OS X recognises the CD as it is displayed on the desktop, however iTunes takes minutes to open up so she can import.
    We just updated the software (software update - not yet the firmware) and it happened about 4 days after that. Now I'm no tech person so the only thing thats I can think of are repairing permissions, checking the CD-DVD settings in System-Preferences.
    But I thought I'd put this out there incase there was actually a problem with the update, and if anyone else is experiencing/experienced/fixed it. This is her first Mac (a convert thanks to myself), and it ain't good hearing that 'I might as well have gotten a normal PC'.
    Thanks,
    - leighton

    Ahh, that could be a possibility actually. I had never thought of that
    You see, she just moved into a new house. Just got the phone like started yesterday and they are having problems setting up their router. They had the wireless network going on at their old house, and since the router is turned on I'm guessing the MacBook Pro is finding the network connection, and trying SOOO HARD to connect to the store to retrieve the information from the database They havn't got the internet working yet - but I think the connection is found for the network.
    Thanks for that I'll be telling her tonight!
    - leighton

  • I'm having trouble opening a word document on my new Macbook Pro. I opened it with no problems on my iPhone5. I tried using TextEdit and OpenOffice. Thanks!

    I'm having trouble opening a word document on my new Macbook Pro. I opened it with no problems on my iPhone5. I tried using TextEdit and OpenOffice. Thanks!

    I open Word documents on my Mac using Pages and textedit without any problems.
    I also have a copy of OpenOffice and it can also open Word documents without any problems.
    Could you please provide more details on exactly what you mean when you say you having troubles opening Word documents? What kind of troubles?
    Allan

  • I have a problem with using MacBook Pro as wifi router when connected to ethernet

    I have a problem with using MacBook Pro as wifi router when connected to ethernet. The Airport icon changes to show a laptop inside, my iPad shows connected (I think) but Safari will not operate. I tried pinging my iPad, it seems to see the iPad, but no connection to Safari or to other apps such as Good on the iPad. I have read many posting and tried repeatedly via Sharing in Systems Preferences, but no luck. Suggestions to fix, or is this a Lion problem?

    Usually this is a problem related to the domain name server address. If you open Network preferences, select your Ethernet port then click on the Advanced button then on the DNS tab. You will likely see an entry like 10.0.1.1 already listed. Click on the Add [-] button and enter 208.67.222.222 then click on the OK button and then on the Apply button.  See if this helps.
    if it does not help then repeat the above but with the Airport port.

  • I have a HP wireless printer, and im trying to connected to my macbook pro. But will not connect..

    I have a HP wireless printer, and im trying to connected to my macbook pro. But will not connect..

    Isaaura - what printer model do you use?
    While opening Safari click the Bookmarks icon and select Bonjour.. can you see the printer listed there?
    (If Bonjour is not listed click Safari > Preferences > Bookmarks and check Bonjour within the Collections section)
    Can you access the printer by typing its IP from Safari?
    If the printer not available only thoguh Bonjour but an be reached by its IP, what router brand and model are you using?
    Templeton Peck - correct me if I'm wrong, the different OS X forums have a dedicated forum for printing and scanning.. as Apple no longer produce printers about the last 2 decades I would assume those forums meant to deal with other manufactures over OS X..
    john galt - Am I spelling OS X correctly?

  • MacBook Pro keeps shutting down unless connected to mains power

    My MacBook Pro keeps shutting down unless connected to mains power, even when fully charged. I took it into Apple store, Leicester, UK - battery diagnostic shows good condition so they updated the system but that hasn't worked. I'm running OS X 10.6.8

    Thanks! I've followed your suggestion and so far my MacBook has been behaving for the past few hours without being plugged into mains power! Fingers crossed...
    Carolyn Samit wrote:
    Try Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

  • How do I uinstall Yosemite? It's not compatible with my older MacBook Pro, and I can't connect to my printer or use safari

    How do I uninstall Yosemite? It's not compatible with my older MacBook Pro and I can't connect to my printer or access Safari

    How to Downgrade OS X Yosemite Back to OS X Mavericks

  • I have a 16GB iPhone 3GS. Tried synching my phone through iTunes (11.0.1 I think... on a 2009 Macbook Pro). Now when I connect to iTunes, it says it does not recognise the content on my phone. Is this because my phone (and laptop) are too old?

    I have a 16GB iPhone 3GS. Tried synching my phone through iTunes (11.0.1 I think... on a 2009 Macbook Pro). Now when I connect to iTunes, it says it does not recognise the content on my phone. Is this because my phone (and laptop) are too old?
    Also, when I tried to Restore the settings, an Error Message pops up that says " The iPhone software update server could not be contacted. The requested resource was not found.
    I'm trying to free up space on my phone by removing [literally] thousands of old photos which were originally synched to the phone, because I had forgotten to uncheck the photos button when I synched it ages ago.
    I have also tried synching it on my 24" iMac (running OSX Snow Leopard). But again, when I try restoring the phone through itunes, it says the file is corrupted. It sggests unplugging the device, and then plugging it in again. I have done this numerous times with no success.
    I'm guessing it must be because my phone (and versions of iTunes, and OSX) are all too old.
    Please can anybody help.
    Cheers,
    Dan_nz.

    There are multiple reasons that lead to issue. You should read the troubleshooting guide to get the right solution to solve the issue: iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch not recognized in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support

  • MacBook Pro(Mid 2012) Can't connect to my Dynex TV with mini display port to VGA adapter

    I have a MacBook Pro(Mid 2012, running  OS X 10.9.4) and I recently just bought a mini display port to VGA adapter so I could hook it up to my dynex TV but when I connect everything my TV says no signal.  Do I need to do something in settings?

    Hi psikalis,
    If you are having issues connecting an external display to your MacBook Pro, you may find the information and troubleshooting steps in the following articles helpful:
    OS X Mavericks: Connect multiple displays to your Mac
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13814
    Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573
    Regards,
    - Brenden

Maybe you are looking for