Hello all,
I usually just scout the forum when I need some help and can find a previous post that answers my question. I personally dont have much computer advice to offer, so I have never registered here. However, I cant seem to find out whats going on between my MBP and this Samsung P2250 monitor that I got recently. I cant get it to consistently display at full capacity. I have read multiple articles/posts regarding this topic with no luck. I apologize if this is lengthy but Im just trying to include all of the info I have.
My mac is connected to the monitor via DVI. The monitor works, it displays the screen, but it is of relatively poor, grainy quality (and not widescreen). I know the monitor has much greater potential than what is showing. I have tried plugging in the monitor before starting the mac, and with it already started, and I get the same result. At this point, the mac itself is still open and displaying the screen as well.
Now when I close the mac, the monitor goes black too, as would be expected. But SOMETIMES, the monitor flickers and re-appears with a stunning, full HD looking display of beautifulness. The font appears a little smaller but much clearer, and there appears to be more desktop space. Lets say I had a fully maximized itunes or safari window beforehand, that window is now surrounded by extra desktop space, and everything looks HD if you will. THIS is why I got the display!
I can then open the mac and use the keyboard/trackpad with a fully functional great looking display. The mac screen itself is black (only the external monitor shows the desktop), but I can still type/click on the MBP. I believe this is called clamshell mode, however I am not using any external keyboard/mouse to wake the computer. It just appears to randomly enter this mode on its own.
The reason I say randomly is because this doesnt happen a lot of the time. Sometimes Ill have the mac connected to the display, it will be doing the poor quality thing, and when I close the macbook, nothing happens. I open it again, and I get the same poor quality showing on the display, and the mac display is on as well. No matter what I do, that widescreen high quality display wont appear.
Keep in mind I have messed with every setting on the monitor (from resolution, to screen size and widescreen settings, to PC/AV mode, etc) and every appearance/display setting on the mac with no luck. It appears there is no way to MAKE this happen. Is it possible to force mac into clamshell mode? Or where the mac can be open, but the only display running is the external one?
Whats frustrating is that I have seen this setup work perfectly a number of times, so I know it can happen. There are times where I take my computer around the house and am not using the monitor, but why cant I just plug in the monitor, and get that perfect display every time? The discs that came with the monitor dont open on mac, windows only. But the Samsung website says the display is mac-compatable.
I would really appreciate any help with this. Thanks for reading.
I usually just scout the forum when I need some help and can find a previous post that answers my question. I personally dont have much computer advice to offer, so I have never registered here. However, I cant seem to find out whats going on between my MBP and this Samsung P2250 monitor that I got recently. I cant get it to consistently display at full capacity. I have read multiple articles/posts regarding this topic with no luck. I apologize if this is lengthy but Im just trying to include all of the info I have.
My mac is connected to the monitor via DVI. The monitor works, it displays the screen, but it is of relatively poor, grainy quality (and not widescreen). I know the monitor has much greater potential than what is showing. I have tried plugging in the monitor before starting the mac, and with it already started, and I get the same result. At this point, the mac itself is still open and displaying the screen as well.
Now when I close the mac, the monitor goes black too, as would be expected. But SOMETIMES, the monitor flickers and re-appears with a stunning, full HD looking display of beautifulness. The font appears a little smaller but much clearer, and there appears to be more desktop space. Lets say I had a fully maximized itunes or safari window beforehand, that window is now surrounded by extra desktop space, and everything looks HD if you will. THIS is why I got the display!
I can then open the mac and use the keyboard/trackpad with a fully functional great looking display. The mac screen itself is black (only the external monitor shows the desktop), but I can still type/click on the MBP. I believe this is called clamshell mode, however I am not using any external keyboard/mouse to wake the computer. It just appears to randomly enter this mode on its own.
The reason I say randomly is because this doesnt happen a lot of the time. Sometimes Ill have the mac connected to the display, it will be doing the poor quality thing, and when I close the macbook, nothing happens. I open it again, and I get the same poor quality showing on the display, and the mac display is on as well. No matter what I do, that widescreen high quality display wont appear.
Keep in mind I have messed with every setting on the monitor (from resolution, to screen size and widescreen settings, to PC/AV mode, etc) and every appearance/display setting on the mac with no luck. It appears there is no way to MAKE this happen. Is it possible to force mac into clamshell mode? Or where the mac can be open, but the only display running is the external one?
Whats frustrating is that I have seen this setup work perfectly a number of times, so I know it can happen. There are times where I take my computer around the house and am not using the monitor, but why cant I just plug in the monitor, and get that perfect display every time? The discs that came with the monitor dont open on mac, windows only. But the Samsung website says the display is mac-compatable.
I would really appreciate any help with this. Thanks for reading.