MBP dual monitor set up

[inthamixxx]

i'm trying to set up my MBP (with thunderbolt) to be the primary monitor and have my iMac (only mini display port, no thunderbolt) as the secondary. i used an HDMI to mini display adapter and it didn't work. My Display Settings didn't change and couldn't get the iMac to detect. i tried out Air Display to see if i can set up dual monitors. so the issue with using Air Display is my iMac can detect my MBP but my MBP cannot detect the iMac.

does anyone have their dual monitor set up with an iMac and a MBP and if so what are you using and how did get these two to detect each other?

 

[fortysomegeek]

does anyone have their dual monitor set up with an iMac and a MBP and if so what are you using and how did get these two to detect each other?

Did you hit the short-cut key? I think it is command-F2 to enable the target display mode on the iMac. You might need a direct mini-dp to mini-dp cable and not use any adapters in between. I run target display mode all the time without hassle.

 

[omgitscro]

The iMac isn't capable of detecting on its own. You need to force it into Target Display Mode.

 

[inthamixxx]

i didn't know about the Command F2 so thank you.
well i connected everything again and of course the iMac is not detecting.

does anyone know if i can use a Thunderbolt cable from my MBP and plug the other end into the iMac's mini display port .. will that work?

 

[omgitscro]

i didn't know about the Command F2 so thank you.
well i connected everything again and of course the iMac is not detecting.

does anyone know if i can use a Thunderbolt cable from my MBP and plug the other end into the iMac's mini display port .. will that work?

No. You will need a regular Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable. A Thunderbolt cable, unfortunately, will not work.

Please read the link I provided in my last post. Here it is again.

Two things are necessary for this to work:
1. iMac is in Target Display Mode
2. You have a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable between your MacBook and iMac. A Thunderbolt cable will not work, according to Apple's own documentation.

 

[inthamixxx]

okay what am i doing wrong again .. ?
bought the cable ..

Cable Matters Gold Plated Premium Mini DisplayPort Male to Male Cable in White 6 ft

connected it to both computers.

hit Command F2
tried Command F2 while holding function key

both won't trigger the target display mode ..

what am i missing ?

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the cable is connected to the mini display port on the imac and the thunderbolt display port on the mbp.

on the imac hit command F2 and then tried command function F2 .. nothing
opened display preferences. no target display options.

???