Target Display Mode help

I've been looking into this for awhile, and no discussion web sites answers it thoroughly. At school this fall, I want to connect my MacBook Pro late 2011 to a 2009 iMac. These iMac don't have Thunderbolt, and I was wondering if I can still use my MacBook Pro to target these iMacs for my graphics class so I have more area to work with.

I solved my own question, I feel 'special' now. Yes I can, I just have to use a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable instead of a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable.

Similar Messages

How can I use my 27" iMac (2010) as an additional display to my Windows 7 PC (target display mode)?

So I have purchased a windows machines so that I can play all my favourite games on, and it's not so much a problem rather I have a 27" iMac that I would like to use as an additional monitor for said games.
I have had a look at this article on using the iMac as a display for another computer and things looked promising. I think I need a bit of help getting there though as I can't find definitively anything online to tell me exactly what I need. Most stuff talks about connecting other Apple computers that have mini display ports.
My PC's video card is an nVidia Geforce GTX 650 Ti that sports 2 DVI ports and a mini HDMI port (adaptor to full HDMI was included). The iMac has a mini display port. I went out and got a HDMI cable and Moshi Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (with audio) to try to use the iMac as the additional display. I connected the PC with [a generic] HDMI cable to the adaptor which ran to the iMac and went through the appropriate steps (ie. pressing CMD + F2) to initiate target display mode. Nothing happened.
I have read that other people with different situations tried an SMC reset, but this didn't work for me either.
At this stage I wanted to see if the DVI port would do anything, or perhaps looking at a particular kind of HDMI cable, but wanted to see what the community can offer up as advice.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Hi,
have a read here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924
Regards
Stefan

IMac 27" Target DIsplay Mode + Answer to Windows 7 Boot Camp Install

First, I'd like to address the handful of complaints I've come across about installing Windows 7 via Boot Camp on the new 27"iMac.
The issue of the screen going blank when almost done has an easy albeit annoying answer. Simply connect the iMac to an external display, I used a small vga lcd with the Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter. When the iMac's screen goes black the external lcd will continue, and when Windows 7 starts up it will download the updated ATI drivers. From there alls well.
Second, my problem.
Target Display Mode is a great feature. It worked great when I first used it, and it works great now except for the fact that the Command+F2 button combination stopped working. I have to manually unplug my MacBook Pro in order to get my iMac's original screen up. At first Command+F2 would allow me to switch back and forth, and now it does nothing.
Any suggestions?

Well, the usual first things to try for a display-related issue are
Reset PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
and of that does not help, reset SMC
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543
which is basically unplugging the iMac from power and reconnecting it following the precise procedure.
Note: After resetting PRAM, you should go to System Preferences +Startup Disk+ pane to make sure your internal drive is selected (highlighted) as the startup disk.

Target Display Mode on late 2013 27" iMac to mid 2010 27" Imac

Hey guy's real strugling to make my 2010 imac become a display, When i connect my 2010 cinema display 23" everything works fine but the minute i try to enable the tdm function on the 2010 imac nothing happen. Like nothing I got the mini display to thunderbolt adapter but nothing happen with the imac.
Any help or suggestion is very welcome.

Target Display Mode 2009 & 2010 iMacs
Target Display Mode And Thunderbolt
iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display
iMac (Mid 2011)- Target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable

Mid 2010 27" IMac Target Display Mode has stopped working

I have a 27" mid 2010 IMac, NOT the thunderbolt version, and have been using it in target display mode for my Mac Pro and 2010 Mac Mini with no problems. I have used the Belkin cables, and routinely would switch between internal and external machines using Command-F2. Worked like a champ for about 7 months.
Today, with no obvious change, I cannot get the IMac to enter TDM. This is true whether I use the Mac Mini or the Mac Pro, and is true using either of two Belkin Cables.
I reset the PRAM and NVRAM on the IMac, but this made no difference. I changed keyboards from my Bluetooth IMac keyboard to an Apple USB keyboard. Again, no improvement. I have rebooted the machine without benefit. The IMac seems to function just fine in every other respect.
Since I have no other monitor that supports the mini DisplayPort on the two other machines, I am dead in the water at this point.
The machine is a mid 2010 27" IMac, OSX 10.6.7, 2.93Ghz I7 CPU, 16 Gb RAM, 480Gb SSD and has worked well for quite a few months.
Any help will be appreciated.

When the display only shows the background, it's working in extended desktop mode. That's a logical extension of your desktop to the right of the MBP. Drag an application off the MBP to the right and it will appear on the iMac. When you close the lid of your MBP the iMac becomes the primary monitor in Clamshell mode.
If you want to mirror the MBP to the iMac then press CMD F1, press again for extended desktop mode. These settings are in System Preferences > Display > Arrangement tab.
When the iMac is in Target display mode, you don't use the keyboard on the iMac. Use the keyboard on the MBPro.

MacBook Air to iMac Target Display Mode not working

I would like to connect my MacBook Air (13") with my iMac (27") to use the latter as an external display with Target Display Mode.
I followed instructions from a number of posts (http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14264), and connected the two with thunderbolt cable and hit Command-F2 -- the iMac goes black and MacBook stays the same. One post suggested dragging windows over to the iMac as an extended display, and I was able to drag Safari totally off-screen, presumably onto the other display, but the iMac still appeared black
Other issue is that hitting Command-F2 again doesn't do anything. I could only get the iMac out of TDM when I unplugged the thunderbolt cord.
I have a brand new Macbook Air and iMac along with new thunderbolt cable (all purchased at Apple Store in 2014). Would appreciate any help, thanks!

Additional twist to this...
Tried to troubleshoot and reset the System Management Controller (SMC) per http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
When I hit Command-F2, one window from my MacBook will display on the iMac (it was Safari a few times, Outlook once), but neither keyboard/mouse can DO anything in that screen. That window also disappears from the MacBook. And I can only return after unplugging thunderbolt (not command-F2).
Help please

Use iMac in Target Display Mode with a Power Mac G4

I would like to connect my Power Mac G4 MDD (Model = http://support.apple.com/kb/SP63) to the new iMac (27 inch, Mid 2010) in Target Display Mode. That is, I want the new iMac to be the display for my Power Mac G4. Has anybody done this (including using the iMac 27 inch, Late 2009, which can also do this)? In a general sort of way, this sort of thing is described on this support page: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924.
The problem: The iMac requires a Mini Displayport connection. The PowerMac has ADC and DVI-I display connections and also came with an adapter for converting DVI-I to VGA. How can I convert/adapt to get the appropriate Mini Displayport connection?
Gefen makes a converter (http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=8913) that will convert DVI-D to Mini Displayport, but the description explicitly says that it will work with DVI-D only while my PowerMac has DVI-I. I know that these are two different, incompatible connections.
Is there another converter that works with DVI-I? Or is there a way to adapt from DVI-I to DVI-D? Or how about a VGA or ADC to Mini Displayport converter?
Thanks.

japamac-
Thanks so much for your reply. You're right on target for what I'm looking for and that article is VERY helpful! If you don't mind, I do have a couple more questions/clarifications.
1) First, I think that I didn't read the Wikipedia reference concerning DVI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DigitalVisualInterface) closely enough. It includes the following paragraph. If I understand it and what you said, it shouldn't be a problem to connect the male DVI-D of the converter into the female DVI-I socket of my Power Mac. Right?
+The long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector, so it is not possible to connect a male DVI-I to a female DVI-D by removing the 4 analog pins. It is possible, however, to connect a male DVI-D cable to a female DVI-I connector. Many flat panel LCD monitors have only the DVI-D connection so that a DVI-D male to DVI-D male cable will suffice when connecting the monitor to a computer's DVI-I female connector.+
2) I'm not clear on the difference between the Altona AT-DP200 and the Gefen converter. The Gefen converter is somewhat less expensive, so I'm trying to figure out what the downside is. The article you mentioned says that the ATP-DP200 "doesn't scale images", but that seems to only be an issue if I'm trying to connect other devices (PS3, Blu-ray), not if I just want to connect my Power Mac.
The description of the Gefen converter includes the following drawbacks:
+The only major drawback to Gefen's solution is no support for VGA devices or HDCP. A minor gripe would be the fact that the Gefen device only accepts one input resolution and only outputs one resolution (1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz). These limited options aside, the Gefen device looks like it could do the basic trick of transforming a DVI signal to Mini DisplayPort so that you could use your 27" iMac for a few more purposes, provided that the input signal carries the required 1920 x 1200 resolution.+
I'm not clear on what the practical impact of those limitations would be. I don't think the the lack of support for VGA devices or HDCP is an issue for my application. But I'm wondering about the statement that it only accepts one input resolution and outputs only one resolution (1920 x 1200) and the need for the input signal to carry 1920 x 1200. I take it, first of all, that the Power Mac can supply that input resolution. And, what is the impact of the device only having that resolution output to the iMac screen? That is, how would that look on the screen, ugly or okay? Finally, would the Altona device provide a better looking output on the iMac screen because it can apparently handle different resolutions? The manufacturer's description says, "Resolutions: all resolutions up to 1920x1200 (It is Important to select one of the resolutions that display
is capable of displaying, refer to your display’s users manual)."
Thanks again.

15 inch early 2011 Macbook Pro to Mid 2010 27 inch Imac Target Display Mode

Hi Guys
I have a early 2011 15" Macbook Pro with thunderpolt port aswell
as a Mid 2010 27" iMac with MiniDisplay port.
I am trying to use the iMac as a second screen for my Macbook.
Both has Mountain Lion on them.
I have both Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt aswell as miniDisplay to MiniDisplay
cables.
I can't get target display mode to work.
The thunderbolt cable doesn't work at all.
The MiniDisplay does seeem to work to an extend but not completeley.
When i plug in the MiniDisplayPort cable to both machines then
the Macbook pro screen becomes blue which means secondary monitor detected.
iMac screen becomes blank. Sometimes i have enough time to see in system preferences that
the Macbook pro actually has a secondary monitor.
But just as it turned blue on the Macbook pro and black on the iMac. It turns blue again
and the iMac returns to it's Desktop.
The exact same happens when i Press Command + F2 on iMac keyboard.
Any help or ideas?

I have a 13"macbook air and a Dec. 2012 iMac 27". Out of the blue it stopped working in Target Display Mode. Switching cables doesn't help, and the iMac and MBair are connect to power. I can see the iMac screen in Share Screen mode on the MB air.
This seems to be an issue, I have encountered eg. in MacRumours:
Jan 11, 2013, 10:17 AM
#5
martinm0
macrumors 6502
Join Date: Feb 2010
I have the same issue with my 2012 27" iMac (3.4, 680MX). When I initiate Target Display mode the iMac goes black and never comes back up. On the laptop I can see the display in Display Preferences, but its as if the backlight doesn't come on in TD mode. (I even did screen sharing into the laptop and can see both displays there.
Anyway, called Apple and they determined its an issue and I have to send in for a replacement.
Anyone else with a 2012 iMac (21.5 or 27), can you please test out Target Display mode and let us know if things are working or not?

How do I get Windows 7 to display in Target Display Mode on IMac

I am increasingly frustrated by my inbability to get my Mac Mini running Windows 7 to display on my late 2013 27" IMac using Target Display mode.
My setup:
1. IMac 27" Late 2013 running OSX 10.9.2 with all the latest drivers as of Mar 7, 2014.
2. Mac Mini Server Mid 2011 running Windows 7 SP1, 64bit, all the latest Windows drivers as of 3/7/14, using the latest BootCamp Drivers for this machine, ver 5.1 downloaded 3/5/14 to this machine using Boot Camp utilities in its OSX mode.
3. Connected via Apple Thunderbolt cable.
My process is as follows:
a. Turn on the IMac, boot up in the normal manner, preparing it to run in Target Disk Mode in OSX.
b. Turn on the MacMini boot up via BootCamp, in the normal manner in to Windows 7.
c. When Both machines are on and connected via their Thunderbolt ports, I enter cmd-F2 on the IMac keyboard to enter Target Disk Mode.
Nothing happens.
I use this IMac to display my MacBook Pro in OSX, so I know it is working, but I can't see where the problem is.
I have reviewed all of the Apple support information and followed it explicitly, to no avail.
When I have called the Apple support team, I get little help, they assert that they can't troubleshoot because it is not all Apple hardware/software (everything including the Thunderbolt cable is Apple except for the Windows OS)
Any suggestions will be welcome...
Thanks!

I have finally achieved some clarity on how Target Display Mode works, or rather doesn't work.
And I have been mistaken in some of my prior comments.
Target Display Mode is a function of the host machine, at this point only the IMacs. And it is only available when the host machine is running OSX.
But the most recent Thunderbolt versions of the IMac have been significantly dumbed down in this functionality.
The prior generation of IMacs whose video was supported through the Mini Display Port supported almost any input from a Mini Display Port compliant Computer through the use of various mechanical adapters, and certainly from any Mac Hardware or software combination. It was a very versatile setup, and the IMac in this manner could serve as an absoloutely beautiful monitor for a wide variety of hardware/software combinations.
When the current version of the IMac was deployed using the Thunderbolt ports for input for external video, we apparently left a world of standards based video input and entered the world of Apple proprietary video.
The current model of IMacs with thunderbolt video have a very limited functionality in Target Display Mode compared to those of us who have used it previously. and it only functions when the client machine is running OSX.
No other video input from any source will display.
I am not quite clear on the reasons one would want to display OSX on an OSX native machine, but you can do it. I guess MacBook Pro or Air running OSX will now display on the IMac if that is your need.
Likely the most likely need for Target Display Mode for the rest of us is to run Windows on an external machine and display the video on the IMac, as we have been able to do with the prior generations of IMacs for several years now.
Apple has been unwilling to distribute the technical specifications of its video input requirements in Target Display Mode, (other than to assert it requires OSX), and these technical specifications appear to be proprietary.
I have personally unsuccessfully tried to display the output from both Windows 7 and a Windows 8 machines running from a Windows thunderbolt port into a thunderbolt port on a current model IMac using Target Display Mode.
Unfortunately, there are still a few applications that won't work in Mac world and require a native Windows machine. My current need is to run Dragon Naturally Speaking via Citrix to a remote Citrix server and a Windows app. Parallels and VMWare Fusion do not work, nor does the OSX version of Dragon Dictate function via Citrix. So I am stuck.
I hope that Apple, so long a leader in technology, will restore the functionality it abandoned when it embraced thunderbolt as its only video iniput in Target Display Mode.
Thanks!

Unable to adjust backlight in target display mode

Hi. I am using my 27" iMac as a display on my windows computer and i can nolonger change the display brightness with F1/F2 on the imac keyboard.
After a bit of reading ive discovered that its a fault introduced in 10.6.8 that seems to not be addressed.
Does anyone know if a work around.
The imac is also getting rediculosly hot (unable to touch top of it) as the cpu is running 100% and the speakers do not work when in target display mode. as soon as i switch back with command+F2 cpu usage drops.
The imac is a 1st gen early 2010 model core 2 duo, 3.06ghz

I've tried rebooting, using a USB keyboard plugged into the iMac, every suggestion I can find on the forums, and every option I can think of and nothing works. Like merve0o0's, my iMac is also running very hot, but the brightness is the bigger problem for me. It was giving me a headache after a while. I even tried sunglasses.
I have found one workaround to what is pretty clearly a bug: a free app available in the Mac store called Dimmer than Dim. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dimmer-than-dim/id418816854?mt=12
It's a software solution, not a hardware solution, and it does compromise resolution a little because it dims the image, not the screen, but it works and makes the screen usable, at least for my needs (mostly Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint), until Apple gets around to fixing the bug.
I hope this helps.
MBA mid 2012 OSX 10.8.2, iMac 27" mid 2010 OSX 10.8.2

Blurry fonts in iMac in Target Display Mode

When I connect Macbook Pro retina with iMac using Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable, and use iMac in Target Display Mode the text and fonts are really blurry.
It is the same text in Macbook:
Text in iMac:
The resolution of iMac display is "Best for display", however, I have tried to change it without any success.
Does anyone has similar problem or anyone knows how to fix it? Thanks in advance!

I have found an interesting regularity. If I open window (let's say PDF file) in Macbook Pro and drag it to iMac, then everything is okey. Unless I resize it. Once I resize it, it becomes blurry/smooth again.
Why had this problem and how to fix it?
Changing the resolution in Macbook Pro can help, but 1) I need to change the resolution in Macbook every time when I connect external monitor 2) I cannot resize windows in iMac 3) if I change resolution in Macbook Pro items become really small, so it is hard to see something.
Please help!
OS: OS X Yosemite 10.10
Macbook: MacBook Pro (Retina, late 2013)

HT3924 Target display mode connects but only displays desktop background, no files or command lines

I have connected my early 2014 MacBook to a late 2012 imac and connected them via Thunderbolt cable. Pressing Command F2 causes the screen on teh iMac to change to teh MacBook background screen, but does not display any desktop files or command lines. Any ideas how to fix this?

Hi tdmone,
Welcome to the Support Communities! The resource below may help you with the Target Display Mode options for connecting your Macbook and iMac:
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT3924
The table below shows iMac computers that support TDM, the required cables, and the port of the computer to which you are connecting the iMac.
iMac Model
Cable Supported
Port on Source Computer
iMac (27-inch Late 2009)
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010)
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2011)
Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2012 and later)
Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
Are you connecting via the Thunderbolt ports on both computers?
How do I enable TDM?
Make sure both computers are turned on and awake.
Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort or ThunderBolt cable to each computer.
Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac being used as a display to enable TDM.
Note: In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys," the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2.
Can I use a third-party keyboard or older Apple keyboard to enable TDM?
Some older Apple keyboards and keyboards not made by Apple may not allow Command-F2 to toggle display modes. You should use an aluminum wired or wireless Apple keyboard to toggle TDM on and off.
I hope this information helps ....
- Judy

Broken Graphics card Target Display mode

I have a 2009 iMac that now has a faulty graphics card, the computer crashes once photoshop runs.
I don't have the mac at the moment to test, but could I still get target display mode to work?
How well does the mac need to run before TDM can work?. If I power it up, sometimes it won't get any further than the apple logo, can it work then?
Thanks
Matt

I purchased a Belkin AV360 and it did not work with Target Display Mode on my new mid 2011 iMac.
After a bit of searching on why it didn't work I've found all sorts of articles on this issue with older display port devices not working with target display mode on the new Thunderbolt macs. I sure hope this can be resolved with a firmware update, or by someone (Belkin/Kanex) making a new Thunderbolt compatible adapter.
And I don't know if anyone has confirmed it yet since the feature is so hard to take advantage of now, but I'm hoping this years iMac at least accepts 1080P signals in addition to 720P and the native panel resolution. It would be worth the wait for an adapter if it accepts 1080P as well, which would make it at least more future proof since everything has gone to 1080P so rapidly.
I was really counting on my new iMac doubling as a TV/Console display in my room - it was part of what justified the high price of the investment and the convenience of the all-in-one design. I would be very pleased if Apple can help resolve this.

Two i3 iMacs won't work in Target Display Mode

I do have Belkin Mini DP to Mini DP cable. Command + F2 doesn't help either. Please help

24. Can I use Target Display Mode or Target Disk Mode with Boot Camp and Windows 7 or 8 using a Thunderbolt-capable iMac?
No. Target Display Mode and Target Disk mode are not supported using Boot Camp and Windows 7 on a Thunderbolt-capable iMac.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219?viewlocale=en_US#17

Dec 2012 iMac using bluetooth keyboard will not exit Target Display Mode

Hi! I have a new 27" iMac that I would like to use as a second monitor for my work laptop a late 2011 15" MBP. iMac is on 10.8.3 and Mac Book Pro on 10.7.5. Connected via a thunderbolt cable.
I can toggle on Target Display Mode using the command-F2 keys on my bluetooth keyboard connected to the iMac. If I understand directions correctly, I should use the same keys and keyboard to toggle off – but it doesn't work. I'm able to work around by putting MBP to sleep, which exits the iMac out of TDM.
I can use the work around, but...
1) it's annoying.
2) If I can't use the bluetooth keyboard to toggle, it would be nice to connect it to the MBP for use while in TMD. Unfortunately, the bluetooth keyboard is undiscoverable, presumably because it's still connected to the iMac.
I wonder:
Am I doing something wrong trying to toggle out of TMD using bluetooth keyboard?
or
Is there a way to enter iMac into TMD without using keyboard command? Maybe System Preferences?
Thanks for your help in advance!

Here's the solution: I had the same problem using my 27" iMac as an external display. The issue is, when you go to Target Display mode, your target computer, the iMac 27" locks the screen with your password.
To switch off TDM, type your password in on the iMac keyboard and press the enter key.
Now press COMMAND - F2 and the displays with switch back to two separate displays. :-)
I had to think like a computer to figure that out but it makes sense.
I also have the disappearing mouse pointer and have not figured that one out. I did all the software updates and I did not have this problem until I upgraded to Lion. It is definitely a software issue. I might have to open a case with Apple support. Not happy.
Derrick

Target Display Mode help

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