Using external HD Cinema display and USB keyboard/mouse with "closed" MBP

I have an early 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro and a ~2007 HD Cinema Display. I routinely hook up my cinema display and an external USB keyboard/mouse when I am at my desk, and I close the lid on the MacBook to just use the external display. When I leave the office (I do about 50% of my work away from my desk) I use the MacBook on its own, often just putting it to sleep while I connect or disconnect the monitor and keyboard.
My problem comes more often when I have used my computer on its own, and I try to plug it back into my cinema display. I have the computer set to ask for a password on coming out of sleep or screen saver, and every so often the computer just hangs when I wake it up--usually when I plug in the external keyboard. When I am able to login, sometimes I am not able to use any of the icons on my desktop--it's almost as if they are not there or recognized by the finder. My solution has been to go into the view options and choose to re-arrange the desktop in some way, and then I can select them again as normal. This is a frustrating solution as 1. it takes extra time, and 2. I loose my desktop arrangement, which makes it hard to easily find what I'm looking for.
Is there a "better" way (order of plugging things in, settings, etc. besides shutting down and restarting) to connect and disconnect my MacBook from my external monitor and keyboard to assure an easy login and use of my desktop icons?

I'm not sure if this is germane, but Apple specifically warns about plugging or unplugging USB or FireWire devices from the laptops while they are sleeping. Doing so can result in kernel panics, crashes, inability to wake up the computer, etc. So specifically they recommend you only connect or disconnect such devices before putting the computer to sleep and after waking it up.

Similar Messages

Want Mac mini and G4 to share Display and USB keyboard and mouse

I bought a KVM switch at a local electronics store. I got the only one that claimed Mac compatibility (PPA Int'l). I can't plug the switch into the G4 Cube. No such ports. With the adapter that accompanied my brand new Mac Mini, I can plug the KVM monitor port into the mini's monitor port, BUT that port is currently being used by the Apple DVI-to-ADC adapter I bought so I can connect my Cinema Display to the Mac mini.
The KVM switch wants 3 ports on each computer: a VGA (monitor) port, the keyboard port, and the mouse port; but the keyboard/mouse connectors are not USB.
As things stand--without the switch--I can shut down whatever computer I'm working on (mini or Cube), unplug the display from one, connect it to the other, power up and everything's fine. I suppose the only advantage with the KVM switch is being able to power off, switch, then power on without having to move the display plug.
My QUESTION is, does anybody manufacture a KVM switch I can use between two Macintosh computers to share use of my USB keyboard powered from a USB port on the display, and my USB mouse powered from a USB port on the keyboard?
Or is the answer NOT to go for the convenience of a KVM switch?
Does it matter that the mini OS is Leopard, and the Cube OS is Tiger?
I am heartily impressed with the mini. Setup was over in 5 minutes, and I must say it's fast. Appreciate any help from the experts. --Spot

I had the same problem, and finally came up with two other alternative solutions.
First, if you have a recent LCD monitor, it is fairly simple and cheap. The Mini has a digital connection for the monitor. My G4 400 MHz has both digital and analog connections. I have a Samsung 19 inch widescreen monitor that has both a digital and an analog input. I connected the G4 to the monitor using the analog input with my old cable, and connected the Mini using the digital input. The Samsung has a switch that will use either the digital or analog input - very easy.
Now the keyboard and mouse. I got a 6 foot USB cable with the A plug on one end and B plug on the other, plugged the A plug end into the G4, and ran the cable with the B plug up near the Mini. It helps to keep it close. You already have the keyboard/mouse plugged into the Mini. You simply unplug the keyboard cable from the Mini, and plug it into the B plug from the G4. Switch the monitor from digital to analog, and you have the G4 (remember to start it up). Once you have run the cables, it takes about 10 seconds to make the switch.
Second, and I use both ways, is to get an inexpensive wired router. I bought a Belkin 4 port router (about $30, I think), got a couple Cat 5 cables, hooked both the Mini and G4 up to the router, along with my internet connection, and have both computers available on one monitor with no physical switching involved. You will need to go to System Preferences/Sharing and turn on Personal File Sharing (there may be another change, but I can't remember it right now).
When all is hooked up, you go to GO in the Finder Menu Bar (make sure the G4 is booted before doing this) click on either NETWORK or CONNECT TO SERVER, find your G4 and connect. It may be confusing the first few times, but it works great because you have access to both computers at once, along with your internet connection - the best of both worlds!
I did this in January of this year, so please forgive me if I have forgotten a step somewhere. Ask me and I'll be glad to try to walk you through it. The first solution is the simplest to do, and the second in the most versatile. It's your choice.
Hope this helps. Just don't be intimidated by it - if I can figure it out, we can get you connected. Good luck!

Using External Monitor as display, and laptop for keyboard and track pad

Hi,
I have an aluminum Powerboook that is about two years old and I have it attached to a Samsung Syncmaster 203B external monitor. I have been looking for a set of instructions so that I can set the displays (I have been scouting around the preferences window and display options) to have the highest quality. At the present the words on my external monitor are a little fuzzy and I bet could be improved. Also, I've got the monitor and the computer set to be mirrored, but I really don't need the laptop window to be active. I'm just using it for it's keyboard and trackpad and it's sitting on my lap.
Thanks so much,
Rob Collins

Turn off mirroring if you don't need it. Set each display to it's native resolution. Your Powerbook is likely 1280x854, your Samsung is 1400x1050. Use the DVI interface.
Personally, I just dim my laptop when using the external display, although technically it's still active. Confuses the heck outta me sometimes when an app throws a window onto the laptop.

HT3131 I would like to darken my Mac Air screen, so I can use may external display and the keyboard on the notebook--it is possible on a PC-does it work on a Mac?

I would like to darken my Mac Air screen, so I can use may external display and the keyboard on the notebook--it is possible on a PC-does it work on a Mac?

Sure it's possible.
Go to System Preferences (under the Apple logo on the top left of the menu).
Choose "Display". There's a slider bar for the screen brightness. Adjust it and you're all set.

Apple Aluminum Keyboard and 23" cinema Display and MacBook Pro??

Hello there
I have just purchased an Apple Aluminum Keyboard and have and MacBook Pro with and 23" cinema display, and if i try to connect the keyboard to my cinema display via USB the keyboard don't work.
i have an Apple mighty mouse that works fine wen connected to the USB port on the display...
why is it not working...

have you tried a different USB port on the ACD? Maybe the one you used was defective? I run a 7-port bus off one of the USB ports for all my hardware. OTOH, I do use bluetooth mouse and keyboard!

FireWire (and USB?) problems with 23" Cinema display

Hello.
Whenever my G5 wakes from sleep, I seem to have problems with FireWire devices attached to the Cinema Display (and, possibly, the USB ports also). Somehow, it seems that the "wake" signal is not transmitted to them.
Specifically:
a FireWire hard drive does not spin up (a USB drive connected to the back port does, as does a FW 800 drive also connected to my PowerMac). When I try to access it, then it finally spins up.
An EyeTV 200 device fails to connect (i.e., display TV or record shows) unless the Fi cable is unplugged and reattached.
This happens WHENEVER the Mac sleeps. However, if I attach those two devices directly to my PowerMac, they function just fine, using the same port the Cinema Display is attached to.
I don't have other comparable devices attached to the USB port of the Cinema Display, except (previously) for a Plextor ConvertX DVR (a USB 2 device), which exhibted the same problems as the EyeTV 200, which is why I tried swapping it with the FireWire-based EyeTV (unsuccessfully). So I have some evidence that the USB port has similar problems, but nothing conclusive.

Hey Scott
You are not alone. I'm beginning to think there is an issue with the power supplies of the 23" displays.
In my case, my computer is set to never sleep, while the display is set to sleep atfter 30 mins or so.
It appears that the computer won't wake up in these cases, but in fact what is happening is that the display won't wake up.
Multiple re-starts are sometimes necessary to get the display up and running again.
While your problem seems slightly different, I think that the two are related in that there is not enough power being delivered from the power supply for the monitor to both your USB and Firewire devices connected to your display.
I don't really have a solution as of yet.... aside from purchasing a new power supply from Apple... But, you are not exactly alone in your misery. Should I run across a fix for this aside from the power supply, I'll be glad to let you know.
Generally after HD's spin down, they usually don't spin up unless they are accessed. If you have any open files on your FW800, that may explain why it does spin up when you wake up your system.
One thing you can try, in the System Prefs, under Energy Saver, uncheck "Put HD's to sleep". This may cause all of them to spin up when you wake your system up.

Using my macbook alternately with cinema display and without makes all my screens shift and change in size ?!

After I disconnect from the cinema display and than a few minutes later open up the macbook without the display connected, things are fine. But re-connecting to the display, all the screens are moved and/or changed in size. Anybody any ideas ?

I'm currently sitting in my office using my MBP and looking at a 24" Samsung display. At home I replaced my 4 year old iMac with a 2 year old 13" MBP which is connected to a similar display. That should be tell you all you need to know!

Using MacBook Pro as display and keyboard

Morning.
I have an Mac mini Server 2,53 10.6.4 without display and without keyboard. How can I use my MacBook Pro as display and keyboard to configure the server?

If you are setting up a server you can use Server Admin tools to set up a new server remotely. You would need to install the Server Admin tools on your MacBook Pro and then do the remote install procedure.
You need to collect the serial number and the Mac Address of the Mac Mini Server to enter in as the information in the Remote Install during the installation process you will be prompted to chose Remote Management and SSH for options that way you will be able to connect to the Server Remotely at anytime when configuring or afterwards.

Share Cinema Display and peripherals with MBP and PC

Share Cinema Display and peripherals with MBP and PC
I am about to be forced to use a business network connected PC in my office, but I will continue to bring my personal MacBook Pro to work for my personal e-mail, calendar, internet, etc. (it will be connected to a seperate open DSL network). I am thinking about getting an Apple Cinema display and trying to use this one display for both computers. I would like a way to "switch back and forth" between the two systems, all the while using the same mouse, keyboard, printer and Cinema display.
Does anyone have any experience setting up what I am wanting to do?
Also, how does connecting an external display effect a MBP? Can you close the screen on the MBP, turning off the MBP's display but keeping the computer running? I'd like to be able to tuck the MBP out of the way to save deskspace but still be using it via the Cinema display and peripherals...
Thanks so much!

You can use synergy (link: http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) to link the mouse and keyboard across the two platforms.
If you want to use only one display, you'll need a KVM switch.
You can run the MBP either with it's own screen open, or shut it and use only the external screen.
Hopefully this helps a little...

External monitor = cinema display problem

Hi All - new to the iMac, looooong time Mac user. So I had a 20" cinema display plugged in to my G4 before getting the iMac and now I am using it as a 2nd monitor (extended desktop). Love the added real estate!
My problem is this - if I plug my keyboard into the USB ports on the cinema, the iMac doesn't 'see' it. Yet if I plug my iPod cable into the FW400 ports it shows up fine and syncs with iTunes. Also, the keyboard WAS working plugged into the cinema display for a few days, but I had to unplug it and when I plugged it back in, no joy. I have restarted with it plugged and unplugged, repaired permissions (not like that'd help) and zapped the PRAM. Under System Profiler, the iPod will show up under the Firewire tab (as does the cinema display) but the keyboard does not show up under the USB tab.
So, can I 'force' the iMac to 'see' the keyboard? Any help will be appreciated and rewarded!

So the end that plugs into the Cinema Display splits a couple inches from the end into FW, USB, and DVI. What about the end that plugs into the iMac DVI out? Are there 3 ends to that as well? If so can you just unplug the USB portion of that cable from both the iMac and the Cinema Display and use a completely seperate cable to hook up the USB?

How to use old 2005 cinema display (20'') with MacBook Air (mid-2009)

My old 20'' cinema display (2005) has three ports coming out of its power box (single-port dvi, usb, firewire). Is it possible to use this display with my newer MacBook Air (mid-2009) ? If so, what kind of connector do I need? Thank you very much for your help.

To use my old Cinema display (2005) with my old PowerMac G5 (2005) I had to plug in all three ports (DVI, usb and firewire) into the desktop. Can I really use the display just with the DVI output plugged into my MacBook Air mini-Display Port ?

Four monitor setup on 2013 mac pro using old 23" Cinema Displays

My current monitor setup on a 2009 mac pro is four monitors. Three 23" Apple Cinema Displays (aluminum, mid 2000's) and one large Sony HDTV mounted to the wall as a fourth monitor.
I achieve this via 2 Geforce 120 video cards, each with a mini display port and a Dvi port each.
My question is, can I retain this same exact monitor setup on a new 2013 Mac pro cylinder? If so, what adapters will be needed, and do they all plug into the thunderbolt ports?
Hearing all kinds of nightmares about multiple monitor problems with the new MP so want to be sure this will work before I drop big bucks.
Thanks!

Thanks for the quick reply!
For the Tv I'm currently going VGA out of that to a Dvi adapter into the old Mac Pro. The 3 Cinema Displays are all ether direct Dvi to the video card and two I have to use a Dvi to mini display port adapter.
So for the new Mac Pro, assuming I don't use the HDMI port, I would need Dvi to minidisplayport adapters for each of the 3 cinema displays and a VGA to minidisplayport for the TV?
EDIT: And the mini display ports may as well all be active I guess, and they need to plug into the usb bus for power?
Thanks

Original 22" Cinema Display and G5 Dual-Core Machine

Good Morning, All!
Is there a special adapter or converter I need to run my old 22" Cinema Display on my G5? I had to go back to the Dr. Bot I had when I had the monitor on a G4 450. With the arrival of the G4 933, I was happily able to do away with the Dr. Bot "octopus" and take full advantage of all the display on-board stuff (power switch, USB ports, etc.) However, the new dual-core has forced me back to that friggin' Dr. Bot, even though the G5 books says it's ready for ALL Cinema displays. Well, obviously not mine.
A part number and a place to purchase would be most appreciated!!! I got spoiled to the power switch on the monitor. It was really rather dumb for Apple to put a metal start-up button on the front panel of the G5. With the air as dry as it is right now, the static is horrible and I don't like giving the machine a jolt when I started up in the morning. I find myself having to ground to something before I ever touch the machine these days.

Hi,
Well I have just bought a Quad G5 that I was gonna
use with my old DVI equipped 22in Cinema Display and
now discover that the connector on the display has
more pins than the connector on the video card. How
am I supposed to get around that?!
Are you sure the display is DVI (screw knobs), and not ADC (clips)?
If it is DVI and has six round pins (2 X 3) in the middle that are not on the video card connector, the extra pins are for dual link, which is only used on the 30" display. Depending on which video card you have, one or both connectors may be dual link, but you don't need the extra pins for the 22" display.

Help! Strange Problem with 23" Apple Cinema Display and Wireless Internet

For some reason, Safari runs much much slower on my housemates new 23" Apple Cinema Display than just on his new Macbook. He is running Tiger. We use Airport Extreme for house-wide wireless, and he has an Airport Express to connect to his printer. Here is what he wrote:
"Last night, I was watching videos on ABC.com --- not a problem to watch on my laptop screen (new Macbook) - very fast. Then, after dinner, I plugged in my external screen (Apple Cinema Display), and it was so slow and wouldn't load. I unplugged the screen, and it was lighting fast again, so I watched the videos on my laptop screen. This morning, I was plugged into the external monitor and the Internet was slow to check my email. I unplugged the screen, and it's lightning fast now on my laptop screen.
Does this make any sense??? Why would my external monitor affect the Internet speed? "

I am having a similar problem as well. When I attach my 23" cinema display to my MacBook core 2 duo, my connection to the internet immediately stops working. I have tested this several times and it happens every time I connect the Cinema Display to my MacBook. When I disconnect the Cinema Display, my internet connection works perfectly again. I'm stumped as to why this happens.
I have tried several different searches on the forums, but have found no other threads besides this one. I'm I won't have to suck it up and pay the $50 for the call to AppleCare support.

How to connect a 23" Cinema display and mac mini to an AV Receiver?

I am trying to get my 23" Cinema display and Mac Mini to a Yamaha RX-2700 AV Receiver. I am on first name terms with the guy in Maplins because I tried to get an Xbox 360 working with this display before and gave up in the end. The AV receiver has upscaling capability so I thought I'd try again. I tried connecting a HDMI - DVI adapter to the HDMI Out on the receiver and a HMDI to DVI cable from the Mac Mini to the HDMI in with a optical cable for the sound. The sound works fine but I get no display - the LED on the monitor flashes three times with a blank screen so it can't read the signal. Another option suggested was to use a VGA Converter connected to a VGA - HDMI cable but I would like to find out if that would work before going down that route?
I am looking for some advice about whether this type of configuation is possible with the 23" ACD and if so what do I need to buy to make it work? I love the quality of my ACD to avoid having to replace it with a TV to get my multi media life in order.
Many thanks

The fifth and sixth item on this page are DisplayPort male to Mini DisplayPort female "Extension cables". Under US$6 plus shipping from a reputable seller:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246#1024602

Using external HD Cinema display and USB keyboard/mouse with "closed" MBP

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for