Why does my projector suddenly show only a blank Apple desktop background

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Level 1

8 points

Why does my projector suddenly show only a blank Apple desktop background

Self-inflicted wound #36: Have used MiniDVI-to-VGA adapter with great success to project images onto classroom screen. Suddenly, only the blank desktop image projects. Bought new Apple adapter, no improvement. Have messed with display settings, Keynote presentation settings and cruised through relevant discussion settings. Suspect either I or one of handy students have toggled some weird key combo and made my machine incommunicado. Thanks in advance for the help!!! (Projector works fine with student G3's and the older adapters.)

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 23, 2008 5:02 PM

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Answer 1

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Mar 24, 2008 1:01 AM in response to fentible

fentible wrote:
Suspect either I or one of handy students have toggled some weird key combo and made my machine incommunicado.

You haven't mentioned which model, but if it is a laptop, a possible accidental key press is F7, which has the Mirroring icon imprinted on it. If this key is pressed, it will toggle Mirroring on and off. If the Mac usually displays in Mirrored mode (same image on Mac and projector) and this key was pressed, it will switch to Extended Desktop mode, which will probably give you the Apple desktop if you have not dragged anything to the extended area or changed the background of the extended screen.

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Answer 2

fentible Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 25, 2008 9:16 AM in response to Network 23

Thank you very very much! I tried the function keys but used the technique I learned on PC's: hold the 'fn' key whilst activating the function keys themselves. Your suggestion worked perfectly and I am now back in business! THIS IS A GREAT SITE!

"I hope to be of help to someone else as you have been to me", said the lion to the mouse after the mouse had kindly pulled the thorn from the lion's aching paw.

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Answer 3

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Mar 26, 2008 3:15 PM in response to fentible

fentible wrote:
I tried the function keys but used the technique I learned on PC's: hold the 'fn' key whilst activating the function keys themselves.

You can control whether or not you have to press that Fn key. It depends on whether you have turned on or off the option "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" preference, in your Keyboard and Mouse preferences, Keyboard tab.

"I hope to be of help to someone else as you have been to me"

Yup, much of what I "know" was given to me by someone else before, gotta give back. 🙂

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Answer 4

Mar 23, 2008 5:09 PM in response to fentible

See if mirroring has been turned off in the "Arrangement" tab of Displays" system preference.

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Answer 5

smithrj

Level 4

1,541 points

Mar 24, 2008 5:09 AM in response to fentible

Hello, did you try using the remote. Sometimes hitting the menu will return your screen settings.

Ray

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