Monday, June 7, 2010

So you smashed your macbook screen and want to use an external monitor as primary

After destroying the screen on my macbook I got to thinking the machine should work fine with an external monitor. The system would boot fine and display an exciting kaleidoscope of colors but aside from the monitor problem it appeared to be working. On connecting an external monitor I found that it does indeed start using that monitor. Now the only problem was that everything likes to start on the main monitor and when you can't see that monitor it is challenging to move things onto the secondary display.

Searches for keyboard shortcuts to move things between screens or ways to disable the primary monitor on startup didn't turn up much. Simply searching for the actual problem "macbook monitor broken" turned up a thread titled "Macbook screen broken, help w/ external monitor" (here). This proposed use of "clamshell mode" to get around the problem. This sounded perfect. Unfortunately, after getting a keyboard and mouse from IT the Macbook just went to sleep every time I closed it. Imperfect clamshell.

More googling revealed (eventually) that the Macbook only works in clamshell mode when connected to power; no battery powered clamshells, as described on both Forever For Now (here) and an Apple support page regarding clamshell (here).

Luckily next time I smash a Macbook screen I will remember that it happened to me before and I wrote down how to deal with it!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Cara Daftar Sbobet Dengan Mudah Dan Cepat
Bagaimana Cara Bermain Taruhan Bola Sbobet Dengan Benar
Memperoleh Kemenangan di Idn Poker Dengan Cara Jitu
Kehadiran Sbobet Membawa Keberuntungan Bagi Pecinta Taruhan Judi Online
Kemenangan Yang Selalu Di Harapkan Para Pemain Sbobet

Digital said...

Great guide for those dealing with a broken MacBook screen! Your step-by-step instructions on setting up an external monitor as the primary display are incredibly helpful. It’s a lifesaver for anyone trying to continue their work without the hassle of getting a screen replacement right away. I appreciate the tips on adjusting display settings and making the most out of the external monitor. It would be great to include some troubleshooting tips for common issues users might encounter during the setup. Thanks for sharing this practical advice—it's a valuable resource for anyone in a pinch!

Digital Marketing Course In Hyderabad

Gouse said...

"Great article! I’ve been in a similar situation where my MacBook screen cracked, and using an external monitor was a lifesaver. Your step-by-step guide on setting it up as the primary display in macOS is super clear and helpful. The tip about adjusting display preferences to avoid any resolution issues was a game changer for me. Looking forward to more practical tips like this!"
Digital Marketing Course In Ameerpet

Post a Comment