Using External Display WITHOUT mirroring or extended desktop

I asked this question about a month ago and it seems to have been deleted for some reason.
I have a broken screen on my Intel iMac G5 for reasons I don't wanna get into here, but trust me, it's not covered under the warranty. I have a great Sony LCD HD Monitor plugged in by VGA and mirroring displays. I have noticed that the computer is a LOT slower since connecting the alternate display, and I think it's because processing the smae information on both displays at once is using up too much system resources. I DON'T want an extended desktop either, since the iMac screen is broken.
Is there a way to turn off the iMac screen completely and ONLY use the external monitor WITHOUT mirroring or extended desktop?
If not, how can I improve my machine's performance while mirroring displays? Is more RAM the answer?

Hello howoriginal
Let me see
1) OK sounds like the Sony is working for you in mirroring.
2) Which iMac do you have Intel or G-5? (Intel's are not G-5s)
3) Don't think you'll be able to turn off the iMac display. (you know I want to ask)
4) Mirroring should not realy affect your performance. Keeping everything "gathered" up to Sony display might help you from misplacing windows and folders.
5) If it's an early Intel Core Duo with 512MB then "yes" more ram to 1, 1.5 or 2GB will boost your performance.
6) Other thing to help performance are OnyX maintenance and quitting App's from menu, not just closing App's with red button that you are not using.
That's all I have for now!
Dennis
17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8) Maxtor 300GB FireWire 2G Nano

Similar Messages

Stop sending signal to external display without unplugging the cable

Stupid question: if I toggle through the display settings (F7), it doesn't seem as if any go to shutting off the external display (like maybe I want to make a change I don't want my audience to see, I would like to shut it off without unplugging, then turn it back on when I'm done). Did I just not toggle through enough? Or is there a different mechanism to accomplish this?
(I also looked in System Preferences --> Display, but see no command for shutting off the external display once it is connected/detected.)
Thanks!

Hi, Phlaug. There is no such setting. But if you use Extended Desktop mode instead of Display Mirroring mode, nothing that appears on your MBP's screen needs to appear on the external display (or projector) that your audience is seeing.
Instructions from Mac Help, under the Help menu:
*Setting up multiple displays as an extended desktop*
If your computer is connected to more than one display or to a TV or projector, you can set them up as a continuous display for your desktop.
To set up multiple displays as an extended desktop:
Connect the displays to your computer.
Connecting multiple displays or a projector
Open System Preferences, click Displays, and then click Arrangement.
Open the Display arrangement pane of Displays preferences
Follow the onscreen instructions.
You can also show the same image on all the displays connected to your computer. This is called “video mirroring.”
Setting up multiple displays to show the same image
If your computer is connected to more than two displays, you can specify that some are mirrored displays and others show the extended desktop. For example, if you have three displays, you can have two displays showing the same information and the third display showing the extended desktop. To set up a combination of displays showing mirrored and extended desktop images, set up the three displays as an extended desktop, and then Option-drag a display icon onto another display icon to mirror the two displays.
If you are playing a DVD on a television connected to your computer, click the Arrangement button in Displays preferences and move the menu bar to the television. If you don’t see an Arrangement button, your computer is only capable of mirroring (showing the same image on all screens). For more information, see the manual that came with your computer.

How can i use my old iMac as a extended desktop display for my new iMac?

I recently purchased a 21.5 in iMac and wanted to use my old iMac as a extended desktop. My new iMac has thunderbolt and USB 3.0 connections while my old iMac has firewire (400 and 800), USB 2.0 and mini-DVI. Is this posible?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
If your iMac has got Mini-DVI, you have a 17, 20 or 24-inch iMac that doesn't support Target Display. Late 2009 and Mid 2010 27-inch iMacs, and iMacs with Thunderbolt can be used as external displays. Read > http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11302?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
If your old iMac doesn't support Target Display mode, you can use ScreenRecycler to use your old iMac as an extended display for the new iMac. The only thing you need is that both Macs are connected to the same network

24"iMac....adding second monitor...... mirror or extended desktop?

I have a new 24 inch aluminum iMac.
I also have a year old 23 inch Apple Cinema display that I was thinking of adding as a second display.
If I did, would that mirror my existing display, or would it allow me to extend the desktop that I already have?
I would like to extend the desktop. If I could do that, what connector would I need to get to make that happen?
Thanks for the help and advice.

You will be able to choose mirroring or extended desktop in the "Arrangement" tab of "Displays" system preference.
You will need a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter
<http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=E5 EF5328&fnode=home/shopmac/macaccessories/displays&nplm=M9321G/B>
If the display is the old 23" with the plastic case and ADC, you will also need a DVI to ADC adapter
<http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=64 1148B1&fnode=home/shopmac/macaccessories/displays&nplm=M8661LL/B>

Mirror and Extended Desktop - Panasonic 42" 720 image cropped

I have my 15.4 macbook pro connected to a Panasonic 42" 720 HDTV via the mini displayport. In both mirror and extended desktop mode, the Panasonic image is cropped off on all four sides. I fooled around with all the resolution settings and nothing changes.
No matter what I do, the menu bar and dock get cropped off by a few pixels. How can I fix this?
thanks

Right, your TV is overscanning. That's very common. Overscan has been part of what TVs have done for decades.
If your TV is meant to be compatible with computer output, there should be a way to set the screen size using the TV's remote and/or menu system so that computer output just fills the screen. So check you TV's user manual about making a connection to a PC for information about how to get rid of overscan on the TV.

I have a 17" Macbook pro with flickering red and cyan(blue) lines across the screen. The issue disappears temporarily when I tap on the computer, and the problem does not occur when I use external display or try to screen capture the problem.

I purchased my Macbook (17") through a certified apple tecnition in August 2012, it was refurbished and the motherboard was completely replaced. I do a lot of photo editing, but I have been unable to do so because of the red vibrating lines that interrupt my screen. The issue disappears temporarily when I tap on the computer, and the problem does not occur when I use external display or try to screen capture the problem. I brought the computer back to the technition I purchased it from and he said that it was a problem with my fan, so I have two new fans but the issue is still occuring. He says he doesnt know whats wrong. Does anyone have any information on this issue?
Here is an image of the issue
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67839707@N08/8884847081/

I recommend having your Mac serviced by someone competent. A force sufficient to "blow apart" the fans was clearly excessive and may have damaged the display cable, as well as any number of other problems.
Dust is properly cleaned with a vacuum, preferably one designed for computer service, and they are not cheap.
Compressed air should never be used. It just blows dust everywhere, often into places where it can no longer be removed.

S430 - deactive nvidia GPU and still use external displays?

Hi,
I'm interessted in buying an Edge S430. Is it possible to deactive the dedicated nvidia gpu in the bios?
Furthermore, is the intel GPU cabable of using external displays?
Thank you.
Best,
harnz

S430 with Nvidia discrete gpu can be disabled in the BIOS by selecting the integrated GPU option.
I think the DP still work, but not sure whether the Thinkpad HDMI do too.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

Use external display only - without mirroring?

I've seen some folks using a Mac mini as a media center. I have a 12" PB and I was wondering if there's some hack for convincing the PB that there's -only- the external display (let's say 1366x768 or something similar in a wide-screen LCD) so that all video appears there and I wouldn't have the PB's internal 1024x768 even seen by the Display System Prefs.
Basically I'm trying to use the PB as if it didn't have any built-in display.
Advice and suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry

Well, you can use an external display and not even worry about what's on your PowerBook's screen, if you know what I mean.
Is there a reason why you want everything only shown on the external?
Again, if you have an external widescreen, you can make things appear there by choosing that as your main screen, and let your PowerBook screen be your secondary.
I just don't get, no offense, why you wouldn't want your PowerBook's LCD to function. I mean, if it was broken, then that would be a reason. And even then, your PowerBook will work with a broken screen if connected to an external where then it would definitely be forced to adhere to the resolution of the monitor.
For choosing which is your primary and which screen is your secondary when doing an extended desktop mode, go to system preferences and displays, and then there is a screen where it shows two boxes representing your two monitors. An option to drag the menu bar left or right will determine which is your main and which is your secondary. When dragging, it will "light up" with 1 or 2 on the box.

Using HD plasma as external display, black border around mac desktop

Hey all, I'm having some difficulty setting up my Panasonic plasma tv as an external display for my Macbook. Whenever I hook up the display I am faced with thick black borders around the mac desktop on the external display. I have messed with the resolution setting for probably 2 hours with no success and the borders persist. I have it hooked up via an hdmi to dvi cable connected to a mini dvi cable. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get it to display full screen on my plasma display without the borders? The displays native resolution is 1024x768, I believe. Any help would be appreciated!

The problem isn't with your mac, it's the settings on the Plasma.
Make sure you are outputting the correct resolution (1024x768 you said), although are you sure the display doesn't want 1366 x 768? That's what mine wants through it's DVI board.
Once that's set, if you have boarder alignment problems then you need to adjust the overscan settings for that input.
If you have a commercial version of the Panasonic it's easy, just use the Picture Pos/Size button on the remote to get to the menu to adjust it. If you have a consumer version Plasma, then ?.. It might be buried in the service menu? I don't know, but once you figure that out you can adjust it. Do a search in avsforum.com for your model number + overscan and you'll find the info you need.

Activate External Display as mirror using Fn keys only

My Macbook display is kaput.
So i connected the external TV as display, but i need to activate the mirror display function. My HDD also kaput, so when booting from the install disc, it doesnt seem to recognose F2 or F7 or Shift F2 to activate the external display.
But when i move my mouse far over to the right... i can see it an extended display mode.
Any clues?
Thanks
eJ

Not sure what happened, but the command F1 or command F2 had no action.
i jimmied around with the external video cable... and after a few tries... the mirror suddenly appeared.
not sure if luck or what...

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:
i am fond of using the desktop full of items (mostly documents) as organized in categories. however, each time i connect the non-apple 23" display to my mbp, the desktop becomes a mess -icons spread all around with no particular order. all i'm being offered is to re-align them according to date etc, which doesn't help of course.
any advice on keeping my desktop 'untouched' when switching between displays?
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

Unable to use external display native resolution

Dear all,
Here is the current setup I'm using :
MacbookPro 15", hi res, Mid 2010 with Mac OS 10.6.6, software up-to-date
Apple MiniDisplayPort to VGA Adapter Firmware 1.03
IIYAMA Prolite E2607WSD, a 26" monitor with native resolution of 1920x1200 @ 60Hz
When connecting the MiniDisplayPort to VGA adapter to the VGA cable, the MBP doesn't enable me to set the external native monitor resolution of 1920x1200 with extended desktop. The maximum available resolution the macbookpro is able to diaply is 1920x1080.
What I tried :
-using high performance graphics in the energy saver settings
-using clamshell mode
-using mirroring mode
-reset PRAM
-reset SCM
-delete com.windowserver.plist
-use SwitchResX.app and DisplayConfigX.app to force the native resolution
To make sure that the monitor was correctly behaving, I tried with a PC with WinXP, and I was able to get max resolution of 1920x1200 without an issue. I also tried with a Macbook 2008 with 10.5.6, and with it's own DisplayPort to VGA adapter (the "normal size" one, not the "mini" one I'm using with the MBP), and it worked as well with the native resolution of 1920x1200.
I 'm coming to the conclusion that either the minidisplayport to vga adapter doesn't accept any resolution higher than 1920x1080 or that the one I bought from Apple is not properly working, or that I should use the minidisplay port to DVI adapter (no HDMI here as an input for the monitor)...
I also browsed the forum and found a lot of similar issues, so I guess it's pretty common, but no workaround seems possible.
Does anybody in the community had the same issue and know how to solve it ?
Thanks in advance.
PolCls

Hello BSteely,
I actually tried to get the EDID information and to replicate them as much as possible but everytime I tried a custom resolution, after reboot, SRX will say " the system didn't accept this setup"... and the proper resolution is not available..
See below the data :
DDC block report generated by SwitchResX version 4.2 for display
PLE2607WSD
------------------- RAW DATA ------------------------
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
0 | 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF 00 26 CD 03 66 21 02 00 00
1 | 0C 14 01 03 68 37 22 78 2A 7B 65 A5 55 48 99 26
2 | 12 50 54 BD EF 80 71 4F 81 80 81 8F 95 00 95 0F
3 | A9 40 B3 00 D1 C0 7D 4B 80 A0 72 B0 2D 40 88 C8
4 | 36 00 26 58 21 00 00 1C 00 00 00 FF 00 31 31 30
5 | 35 36 30 31 32 30 30 35 34 35 00 00 00 FD 00 37
6 | 4C 1D 51 14 00 0A 20 20 20 20 20 20 00 00 00 FC
7 | 00 50 4C 45 32 36 30 37 57 53 44 0A 20 20 00 11
< 00FFFFFF FFFFFF00 26CD0366 21020000 0C140103 68372278 2A7B65A5 55489926 125054BD EF80714F 8180818F 9500950F A940B300 D1C07D4B 80A072B0 2D4088C8 36002658 2100001C 000000FF 00313130 35363031 32303035 34350000 00FD0037 4C1D5114 000A2020 20202020 000000FC 00504C45 32363037 5753440A 20200011 >
{ 0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x26, 0xCD, 0x03, 0x66, 0x21, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0C, 0x14, 0x01, 0x03, 0x68, 0x37, 0x22, 0x78, 0x2A, 0x7B, 0x65, 0xA5, 0x55, 0x48, 0x99, 0x26, 0x12, 0x50, 0x54, 0xBD, 0xEF, 0x80, 0x71, 0x4F, 0x81, 0x80, 0x81, 0x8F, 0x95, 0x00, 0x95, 0x0F, 0xA9, 0x40, 0xB3, 0x00, 0xD1, 0xC0, 0x7D, 0x4B, 0x80, 0xA0, 0x72, 0xB0, 0x2D, 0x40, 0x88, 0xC8, 0x36, 0x00, 0x26, 0x58, 0x21, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x31, 0x31, 0x30, 0x35, 0x36, 0x30, 0x31, 0x32, 0x30, 0x30, 0x35, 0x34, 0x35, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFD, 0x00, 0x37, 0x4C, 0x1D, 0x51, 0x14, 0x00, 0x0A, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFC, 0x00, 0x50, 0x4C, 0x45, 0x32, 0x36, 0x30, 0x37, 0x57, 0x53, 0x44, 0x0A, 0x20, 0x20, 0x00, 0x11, }
Valid EDID block: checksum passed
------------------- MAIN EDID BLOCK -----------------
EDID Version........1.3
Manufacturer........IVM
Product Code........870 (0366) (6603)
Serial Number.......00000221
Manufactured........Week 12 of year 2010
Max H Size..........55 cm
Max V Size..........34 cm
Gamma...............2,20
Display Supported Features:
Power Management: Active off
Display type:
RGB color display
Display is non continuous frequency
Default color space is not sRGB standard
Preferred timing mode includes Native Pixel Format
Input signal & sync:
Analog input with: 0.700V / 0.000V
Composite Sync
Color info:
Red x = 0,646 Green x = 0,283 Blue x = 0,149 White x = 0,313
Red y = 0,335 Green y = 0,601 Blue y = 0,072 White y = 0,329
Established Timings:
720 x 400 @ 70Hz
640 x 480 @ 60Hz
640 x 480 @ 67Hz
640 x 480 @ 72Hz
640 x 480 @ 75Hz
800 x 600 @ 60Hz
800 x 600 @ 72Hz
800 x 600 @ 75Hz
832 x 624 @ 75Hz
1024 x 768 @ 60Hz
1024 x 768 @ 70Hz
1024 x 768 @ 75Hz
1280 x 1024 @ 75Hz
Manufacturer Reserved Timings:
1152 x 870 @ 75Hz
Standard Timing Identification:
#0: 1152 x 864 @ 75Hz (714F)
#1: 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz (8180)
#2: 1280 x 1024 @ 75Hz (818F)
#3: 1440 x 900 @ 60Hz (9500)
#4: 1440 x 900 @ 75Hz (950F)
#5: 1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz (A940)
#6: 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz (B300)
#7: 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz (D1C0)
Monitor Description blocks:
Descriptor #0 - Timing definition:
Mode = 1920 x 1200 @ 59,885Hz
Pixel Clock............. 193,25 MHz Non-Interlaced
Horizontal Vertical
Active.................. 1920 pixels 1200 lines
Front Porch............. 136 pixels 3 lines
Sync Width.............. 200 pixels 6 lines
Back Porch.............. 336 pixels 36 lines
Blanking................ 672 pixels 45 lines
Total................... 2592 pixels 1245 lines
Scan Rate............... 74,556 kHz 59,885 Hz
Image Size.............. 550 mm 344 mm
Border.................. 0 pixels 0 lines
Sync: Digital separate with
* Positive vertical polarity
* Negative horizontal polarity
Descriptor #1 - Serial number:
1105601200545
Descriptor #2 - Monitor limits:
Horizontal frequency range.......29-81 kHz
Vertical frequency range.........55-76 Hz
Maximum bandwidth unspecified
Descriptor #3 - Monitor name:
PLE2607WSD
What do you think are the parameters I should use ?
Thanks in advance;
Paul

Using external Display via Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter does'nt work

Hey Guys,
i recently bought a mini-dvi-to-vga adapter.
When I plug it into my macbook and connect it to my 19" external TFT, the MB recognizes the TFT as [Medion] MD30219PH but the display stays blank (no matter if i choose mirroring mode or extended desktop)...
Already changed the Hz-Rate between 59.9, 60 and 75 Hertz and the Resolution also... but nothing happens.
In extended Desktop mode i can even slide the cursor into the area where the display is supposed to be...
Hope u can help me
thx

From what I've been told, using the computer's video output isn't outputting a true NTSC picture. I was told when talking about how the Macbook Pros dropped the S-vdieo port that I shouldn't use that anyways, but rather to go the firewire route. THat was actually converts the video source to true NTSC instead of taking a computer output to a TV. While I have no doubt that it works, I'm willing to bet that you'll see a noticeable difference between the G5 S-video and your MB using firewire. Most consumer camcorders from the past several years do digital (firewire) to analogue (NTSC) conversion, so you probably don't even need a new box.
-Brian

What's the keyboard shortcut for switching betwen video mirroring and extended desktop screens in a imac intel?

I've a iMac with broken display that i can used by external monitor, but... this display shows only background image (no menus, no finder icons). How can turn the display options from System preferences without acces it?

CMD F1 is the shortcut to toggle between Mirror and extended.
Regards,
Captfred

Using external display (tv) as different workspace

I just got a minidisplay(thunderbolt) to hdmi cord so I could plug my macbook into my t.v. My question is, how if possible, can I setup my tv display to be playing a movie for example, while I use the actual macbook/computer to work on something else. I have tried and maybe I just don't understand or somethings not working right.
When I plug my external(tv) display in, it displays like a total different background, w/ no icons, anything at all to click on, just a blank desktop w/desktop picture/background. If this is correct (if not wanting to just 'mirror' what is on my compter screen itself), I am not understanding how to open an app specifically on just the tv screen( like just opening up my app to watch a movie with on there).
I've played around w/ the moving of the screens in the display settings, spaces, etc, but maybe I just don't understand it all.
Thanks to any advice/help.

Your external display is working as an extended display. In this mode, you can have an app opened in one display and another app opened in the other display.
To put an app in the external drive, simply open the app and move it to the right part of your MacBook Pro's display. You will see how the window will show up on the TV

Using External Display WITHOUT mirroring or extended desktop

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for