System hangs after using external display with lid closed

I often use my MBP with the lid closed with an external display and Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. When done in this mode, I put the system to sleep using the apple menu, then disconnect the monitor. I found some info on the apple site explaining that this was the recommended procedure for exiting the lid-closed mode.
However, sometimes the system doesn't go to sleep. Opening the lid, the LED goes out, but the display remains off. If I then try reconnecting the external monitor, nothing happens. It appears that it has gone into some mode where it is active, but no displays are enabled. My only resource at this point is to power the system off and back on, at which point everything is ok.
I'm wondering if turning off my bluetooth devices after selecting the sleep menu item is causing the system to reawaken at a bad time, causing this state to occur.
I have also run into problems when connecting an external projection monitor. On several occassions I have connected the external display adapter before turning on the projector, or before connecting it to the adapter, and the system locked-up hard (no mouse movement, etc). My only recourse was hard power off.
Any ideas? Is this a broken system or are these known OSX or MBP issues?

Try SleepLess…
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/17893
… or InsomniaX…
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/30315

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External display with lid closed wont work

I have a PB G4 Ti and have connected it to a second display. I have followed the articles on this site but nothing will wake the PB when the lid is still closed. has anyone got any ideas as to why this might be?
Thanks

I'm not sure what the articles say, but here's what I do to make mine work:
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2) Start it up - both displays should be working
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Audio & video via HDMI to an external monitor with lid closed.

I would like to run a Macbook Pro Retina (2014) with the lid closed and all video and audio via HDMI routed to an external monitor (Samsung Syncmaster from 2010). Is this possible? When I try this, no sound is transferred to the external monitor and I cannot operate the Macbook Pro with the lid closed. As soon as I close the lid, it cuts the signal to the external screen.
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Seems like there may be two separate questions here. Audio working in either configuration and video from HDMI when lid closed. First, you are doing this with the Mac running off of AC, not battery, right?
Audio:
Is the HCMI cable you are using able to carry the audio? Some cables don't.
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HDMI video output
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So have you tried varying the screen res to determine the results? I can find no specs regarding what ports remain operational in clamshell. Like you, I would have assumed all of them.
I suspect only the thunderbolt port would support your desired config -- try a thunderbolt/hdmi adapter.
Finally, clamshell mode doesn't allow the MBP to cool efficiently. Heat kills electronics, so if it's too warm or the fans really kick in, you might want to reconsider this setup.

Is there anyway to have an 11 inch mac air connected to an external monitor with lid closed and still be able to see content. I have a wireless ketboard and mouse and have tried everything. Only works when plugged in.

Is there anyway to have an 11 inch mac air connected to an external monitor with lid closed and still be able to see content. I have a wireless ketboard and mouse and have tried everything. Only works when plugged in.

You are referring to a feature called Clamshell Mode, please read Clamshell Mode setup for instructions.
BTW when posting when you use generalities such as "have tried everything" this tells us nothing. When posting please be specific and try to paint a complete picture. It just makes things easier for those trying to help you.

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I'm figuring out how to get an external display connected to my MacBook
So far, so good. I'm sitting at a big 20" wide-screen display as I type this.
Now, I want to be able to close the lid on the MacBook when I'm working on this big display... But, as currently configured, when I close the lid, the display on the MacBook goes dark and takes the external display with it.
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--PS

When you close the screen, the MacBook will go to sleep. That's as designed and there's no way to prevent it that I know of. But you should be able to just press a key on your external keyboard and wake the system back up again.
That's working. Is the screen "on" when the lid is closed this way and I'm working from an external monitor? Seems to me that might not be such good thing.
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External display with MAcbook closed?

Trying to set up an external display with my macbook. Is there some way to use the Macbook closed? I want to be able to use the external monitor as my main display and don't need the built in screen. Thought this was possible. Thanks for any insights.

Yes, it is. Connect an external USB keyboard and external monitor. If you don't have the keyboard then you can use third-party software that will allow the lid to be closed without putting the computer to sleep. Try InsomniaX, for example - VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

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Time Machine does a pseudo-archival backup.
It will until space prohibits it:
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http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
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http://www.macmaps.com/diskfull.html
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- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Hi,
I don't have the exact set up as you, but I do use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard with an external monitor.
Here's what I do:
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i can use the extetrnal display with my recently purchased MB Pro - lid is closed and external display works.
but the moment i try to do this with the power not connected to the MB Pro - MB Pro goes to sleep. i can wake it up with the external keyboard but it goes back to sleep in a minute or two. and this problem goes away if power is connected.
anybody else face this? has a solution?

where do i find that option - this is what i have on my machine.
http://img.skitch.com/20090922-cpmepik2kewnsbm1g851drwryq.jpg
http://img.skitch.com/20090922-p4s3grein7kgxi3sqbsbm25kfm.jpg
Message was edited by: msim20

How to work on external monitor with lid closed?

I have an external monitor connected to my MB Pro and would like to work with the lid closed. When I shut it, the monitor also goes to sleep. Yesterday I did something right and the monitor woke but I was able to keep the computer closed. Today it's not working. I use a wireless keyboard that also goes to sleep when the lid closes.
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System 10.6.8

Yes, I have done that and tried it over and over and it still won't work. The monitor went on for a few seconds and then went black again.
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Hi Csjohn,
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9:15 PM Saturday; April 28, 2007

How to run an external monitor with lid closed

how to use an external monitor with the "lid" closed

You can use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

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Two monitor questions:
1. How do you go about closing the lid of a powerbook when it's hooked up to a 22" display. --> meaing I want to use my notebook closed with an external monitor & keyboard...I have it hooked up now as an extra monitor, curious if it can be done?
2. Also, can I assign the 22" as the main monitor and the powerbook 12" as the extra monitor?

1. How do you go about closing the lid of a powerbook
when it's hooked up to a 22" display. --> meaing I
want to use my notebook closed with an external
monitor & keyboard...I have it hooked up now as an
extra monitor, curious if it can be done?
Attach the power supply, plugin the keyboard and mouse, close the lid, an press a key on the keyboard.
2. Also, can I assign the 22" as the main monitor and
the powerbook 12" as the extra monitor?
In the "Arrangements" pane of "Displays" System Preferences unclick "Mirror" and drag the menu bar in the picture to the picture of the external monitor.

MacBook Pro screen does not turn on after using external display?

Hello,
I am using a 15 inch MacBook pro from mid 2012. At work I connect it via mini-display port to an eternal monitor. Recently however, sometimes after I go home and try to turn the laptop back on, it turns on, but the screen does not. If I connect it to another external monitor, it uses that as the default display. Sometimes I can just restart the laptop and everything is fine, other times I have to turn it back on while holding the shift key in order for the laptops built in display to be used.
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Try a smc reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
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ATB

Desktop order after using external display

i switched to mac for a year now and pretty happy about my decision in many ways.
still struggling at some points, though:
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thanks in advance for any help.

I don't have an answer to the issue you have, but it is not advised to store a large number of files on the desktop. Excessive desktop items can results in a slowdown in system performance.
~Lyssa

System hangs after using external display with lid closed

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