dlgibbons
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I have a MacBook Pro 17 inch and I just destroyed the screen.  Can anyone tell me the keystrokes to turn on the external display as primary?

I have a 17-inch MacBook Pro with a destroyed screen.  (My son put it on the top of his car and drove off and it fell off.)  Can anyone tell me the keystrokes to make an external monitor the primary monitor?  I can see only the upper left side of the laptop screen so I CAN select system preferences.  I can then arrow over to system preferences and down to make selections I cannot see.  I don't know then what to do or IF I can make the choices needed to make the external monitor primary when all I can do is make keystrokes on items I cannot see.  It's an older (about 2008) MacBook Pro and I would like to use the external monitor to see to connect an external hard drive and download files to install on a new MacBook.  My son might know the iOS but I don't.

MacBook Pro, keystroke controls

Posted on Apr 4, 2013 6:19 AM

by andyBall_uk,Solvedanswer
andyBall_uk andyBall_uk
Level 7 (20,495 points)
A:

don't know if these help any: mirroring may allow you to view what you need.

Quick key commands for video controls:

  • Push Command-F1 to toggle between video mirroring and extended desktop
  • Push Command-F2 to detect displays 

Posted on Apr 4, 2013 8:25 AM

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dlgibbons

Q: I have a MacBook Pro 17 inch and I just destroyed the screen.  Can anyone tell me the keystrokes to turn on the external disp ... more

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Shootist007,

    Shootist007 Shootist007 Apr 4, 2013 6:22 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 6 (16,660 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 6:22 AM in response to dlgibbons

    There isn't any keystroke to do that on a Mac without looking at the Sys Prefs Display applet.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 4, 2013 6:52 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 9 (52,172 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2013 6:52 AM in response to dlgibbons

    Your best course of action is to take the MBP to an Apple genius bar and have them evaluate the problems.  The diagnosis will be free and they will give you your repair options.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Apr 4, 2013 7:19 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 7:19 AM in response to dlgibbons

    • I don't know then what to do or IF I can make the choices needed to make the external monitor primary

     

    This is the left side of System Preferences in OS 10.8.3. (if that is not what the MBP is running post back). By the way, if you can grab the top of that pane you could move it over to the top far left. - Same for any pane.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-04-04 at 10.01.20 AM.png

     

    Do this with the external monitor connected and powered on.

     

    You need to click on Displays., and then grope for Arrangement and click there.

    Screen Shot 2013-04-04 at 10.06.12 AM.png

     

    When you get there, the two screens are shown.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-04-04 at 10.01.38 AM.png

     

    The trick is to grab the white stripe (on the left in this image) and move it to the other rectangle. You do not have to position it exactly, it snaps into place when it gets close.

  • by andyBall_uk,

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Apr 4, 2013 8:02 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 8:02 AM in response to dlgibbons

    if you have a usb mouse/keyb to use :

     

    Using your portable computer with the display closed

    With some portable computers, you can use your computer with the display closed. For example, you might want to close your computer’s display when using it to give a presentation on an external monitor connected to your computer.

     

    To use the computer with the display closed, you must connect it to an external display, keyboard, and mouse. The power adapter must be plugged into the computer and into a power outlet.

     

    You can also use a wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse. Make sure to select “Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer” in Bluetooth preferences. Click the Advanced button in the lower-right corner to access this option.

     

    To operate your portable computer with an external monitor attached and the display closed:

     

    Connect a Universal Serial Bus (USB) keyboard and mouse to your computer.

     

    Connect the power adapter to the computer and a power outlet.

     

    Close the portable display to put the computer to sleep.

     

    Connect your computer to an external display.

     

    Wait a few seconds and then press any key on the external keyboard to wake the computer.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Apr 4, 2013 8:12 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 8:12 AM in response to dlgibbons

    dlgibbons:

     

    andyBall_UK's solution is far better and easier than the groping around that I posted. Hope it works.

     

    Good luck.

  • by andyBall_uk,Solvedanswer

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Apr 4, 2013 8:25 AM in response to andyBall_uk
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 8:25 AM in response to andyBall_uk

    don't know if these help any: mirroring may allow you to view what you need.

    Quick key commands for video controls:

    • Push Command-F1 to toggle between video mirroring and extended desktop
    • Push Command-F2 to detect displays 

  • by dlgibbons,

    dlgibbons dlgibbons Apr 4, 2013 8:23 AM in response to andyBall_uk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 8:23 AM in response to andyBall_uk

    Thank you andyBall_uk,

     

    The external monitor is now displaying everything the laptop screen is TRYING to display.  This is all I need.  Thank you very,very much.  (As you might have guessed, it's my son's computer and I'm not an Apple person.) dlgibbons

  • by Shootist007,

    Shootist007 Shootist007 Apr 4, 2013 8:41 AM in response to dlgibbons
    Level 6 (16,660 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 8:41 AM in response to dlgibbons

    Glad you got it figured out. I'll remember this work around.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Apr 4, 2013 10:08 AM in response to andyBall_uk
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Apr 4, 2013 10:08 AM in response to andyBall_uk

    andyBall_uk

     

    I have taken the liberty of referring to your solution - in a different situation:

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/21698011#21698011