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My i7 2011 Macbook Air doesn't work in clamshell mode anymore

M

macbook123

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
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Well, it works but doesn't put it's own display to sleep, which means that open windows are scattered between the external display and internal (closed, invisible) display, rendering clamshell mode effectively useless.

Does nobody else have this problem? I've had it for about a month now.
 
macbook123 said:
Well, it works but doesn't put it's own display to sleep, which means that open windows are scattered between the external display and internal (closed, invisible) display, rendering clamshell mode effectively useless.

Does nobody else have this problem? I've had it for about a month now.
Click to expand...
You may find some useful ideas here:

Mac OS X: Why your Mac might not sleep or stay in sleep mode
Determine why your Mac wakes up from sleep
One sleep problem caused by printers - solved ... and another

Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
 
Thanks, but all that doesn't help.

I'd like to know if anybody with an i7 Air and the latest firmware and OS X updates does NOT experience this issue?
 
I have an i5 (1.6GHz) Air that I use in clamshell mode most of the time. Never really switch it off. I just plug and unplug the display. Works fine.
 
iDemiurge said:
I have an i5 (1.6GHz) Air that I use in clamshell mode most of the time. Never really switch it off. I just plug and unplug the display. Works fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks. And your sure that the internal Air display switches off while you use it in clamshell mode? I.e., when you hit the display in the menubar on the top of the display it only shows one display, your external one?

Thanks again.
 
macbook123 said:
Thanks. And your sure that the internal Air display switches off while you use it in clamshell mode? I.e., when you hit the display in the menubar on the top of the display it only shows one display, your external one?
Click to expand...

Yes, if I open it only a crack I can see that the display is off. Opening and closing get me those temporary blue screens and the expected rearrangement. Menubar icon also only reports the external display when in clamshell. Running 10.7.3 with latest updates.

If the links posted above don't help I don't know what might be wrong. Might be worth a visit to a genius bar?
 
macbook123 said:
Thanks, but all that doesn't help.

I'd like to know if anybody with an i7 Air and the latest firmware and OS X updates does NOT experience this issue?
Click to expand...

I have no issues using clamshell with my TBD. Just the one display is available when I close the lid. 2011 Air, 256GB, i7
 
This is a known problem with Lion, there are a number of threads on it scattered throughout this site and the Apple support forum. When you plug in the external display and wake from sleep the laptop LCD also becomes active. You can make things work properly if you restart the laptop while in clamshell mode... but not just waking from sleep.

I just open the laptop LCD up and move hidden windows over to the external display and then close it.

Do you happen to have a DisplayLink USB adapter at all now or in the past? Some reported the issue disappeared when removing the DisplayLink drivers, in my case it didn't make any difference.

Otherwise it is confirmed this is fixed in Mountain Lion.
 
Thank you! I only just now saw this very interesting post.

Things like this are the reason I have all but given up on Apple. I mean come on, this is a known issue, and it is a huge issue affecting work flow and productivity, so one of their engineers should fix it! Or do they not have engineers anymore and only hire a couple of temps once every few years? I (and apparently many others) have had this problem for several months. You really have to wonder where all the Apple money goes...apparently the execs cars and yachts...

philxor said:
This is a known problem with Lion, there are a number of threads on it scattered throughout this site and the Apple support forum. When you plug in the external display and wake from sleep the laptop LCD also becomes active. You can make things work properly if you restart the laptop while in clamshell mode... but not just waking from sleep.

I just open the laptop LCD up and move hidden windows over to the external display and then close it.

Do you happen to have a DisplayLink USB adapter at all now or in the past? Some reported the issue disappeared when removing the DisplayLink drivers, in my case it didn't make any difference.

Otherwise it is confirmed this is fixed in Mountain Lion.
Click to expand...
 
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