need some help with using external monitor with my MBP

[stefankr]

Hello, I just got my MBP yesterday and now I'd like to hook it up to an external Eizo monitor. I am using a minidisplay port to DVI adapter, a USB mouse and USB keyboard.

I want to use the external monitor only, with the MBP screen switched off. But somehow I can only get the dual monitor mode to work, with both screens working side by side.

Here is what I do:
I plug in the USB keyboard and mouse to the MBP while it is running. Then I plug in the monitor and close the MBP. It goes to sleep and so does the external monitor. No way to wake it up. So I unplug everything, open the lid, waking the MBP. I close it again to make it fall asleep and then plug in the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Again, no way to wake it up by pressing a key or moving the mouse.

What am I doing wrong? Does this work at all with a USB keyboard and mouse or do I need Bluetooth?

 

[2056]

After the monitor goes to sleep and you move the external mouse around then the external monitor should come on. Sounds silly, but have you tried that?

 

[stefankr]

No, the monitor doesn't come on when I move the mouse. This is the first thing I tried, together with pressing the keys on the external keyboard.

 

[TXBDan]

the laptop must be on AC power

 

[stefankr]

the laptop must be on AC power

It worked !! Thank you, TXBDan !

 

[stefankr]

Hi everyone, I hoped I wouldn't have to dig out this thread again... But I am still having problems with my external monitor.

Now I cannot make my MBP detect the external display, except when I reboot it. Whether I plug the monitor in while the MBP is asleep not doesn't make any difference, the monitor simply doesn't come on. Yes I tried the "detect display" button, to no avail.

When I started this thread I tried connecting the display for the first time, and the MBP recognized it immediately! Now it just stays black unless I reboot the machine. What am I doing wrong now ?

Please help me, as I really like my new system, but I don't want to have to reboot it everytime I connect it to my extrernal screen. Thanks in advance !

 

[JediMeister]

Here's how to use your Mac in closed clamshell mode.

 

[stefankr]

Here's how to use your Mac in closed clamshell mode.

Thanks for the link, JediMeister. I followed the instructions on the apple support page and my problem seems to be gone. It didn't work for me before because I unplugged the external screen while the computer was running. This probably confused OSX and as a result it didn't recognize the screen unless I rebooted. I am glad that everything is working smoothly now