How to Disable MacBook Pro screen

Question

How to Disable MacBook Pro screen

I have a MacBook Pro 17", and I routinely connect it to an additional Apple 20" screen when at home.

However, I have 1 program that does not like dual screens. In fact, it is a known problem with the program that it will not work correctly with more than 1 screen and it is listed as not something that is going to be corrected any time soon.

Is there a way that I can turn off the internal screen of the MacBook Pro and have just the external running? I have looked, but I don't see anything about how to do that.

I am also scheduled to do a demonstration of this program and would need to use a projector which will also make the program think it is dual screen, so I really need to know if I can turn off the built in screen of the MacBook Pro.

Thanks!

Mac Book Pro Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Jun 25, 2007 1:34 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jun 25, 2007 1:46 PM in response to William C. Pegues FCSI CCS

You can disable the internal monitor by running with the lid closed, but you need to have an external keyboard and mouse connected (either wired or via bluetooth).

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Answer 2

Jun 25, 2007 2:31 PM in response to William C. Pegues FCSI CCS

• Lid-closed operation. You can also opt to use MacBook Pro with its full video
memory applied to an external display. To activate this feature, put the computer to
sleep by closing the lid and wake it through an external keyboard, such as the Apple
Wireless Keyboard. Lid-closed operation is ideal when you want to achieve maximum
performance on a high-quality external display or to keep your workspace neat and
organized.

I found this in the user manual. I hope it helps.

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Answer 3

Jun 29, 2007 9:27 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Great, thanks!

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Answer 4

Jun 29, 2007 9:28 AM in response to invisionz

Thanks for quoting the user manual, this will be just fine.

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Answer 5

DamienM3

Level 1

25 points

Jun 29, 2007 12:13 PM in response to invisionz

I have heard that it will get to hot this way. Can the lid be reopened after this? I use external for my games all of the 2 I own for mac! But COD2 performance increase would be great!

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Answer 6

Jun 29, 2007 12:19 PM in response to DamienM3

Yes, you can reopen the lid afterwards. The display will stay off. If it helps significantly with the heat I can't say. I've played quite some time with my MBP's lid closed and the fans were on most of the time, but I had no overheating yet.

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Answer 7

Jun 29, 2007 2:23 PM in response to invisionz

• Lid-closed operation. You can also opt to use
MacBook Pro with its full video
memory applied to an external display. To activate
this feature, put the computer to
sleep by closing the lid and wake it through an
external keyboard, such as the Apple
Wireless Keyboard. Lid-closed operation is ideal when
you want to achieve maximum
performance on a high-quality external display or to
keep your workspace neat and
organized.

I found this in the user manual. I hope it helps.

Thank you so much this was what i was looking for. I brought a kvm usb and this worked great.

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Answer 8

andoru

Level 1

65 points

Jun 29, 2007 10:14 PM in response to Fredotech

heat issues may not be a problem with it closed, as that will allow the rear vents to work very efficiently.

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