i can see my desktop background on the TV but nothing else...

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i can see my desktop background on the TV but nothing else...

I have a basic MacBook and I wanted to connect it to my TV. I am using a mini-DVI to DVI adapter, then a DVI-HDMI cable to my TV. My desktop background shows up but none of my desktop icons, dock, apps, or anything else shows up. I'm not sure if i have to set it to a certain setting. I have played with it a little but have come up with noting. I have a Hannspree TV, I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Somewhat stuck, don't feel like going out and getting VGA setup just to have that do the same thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 4:14 PM

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Answer 1

k3n

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50 points

Apr 17, 2008 4:25 PM in response to J.McKeown

Sounds like you haven't got your displays set to 'mirror' mode, so it's only going to show your desktop wallpaper on your TV and nothing else (no dock, desktop icons, windows etc). It's extending the display on your MacBook. Change the display settings to mirror if you want to see on your tv exactly what you see on your macbook display.

Or u can just drag windows onto your tv screen by dragging them off the edges of your macbook screen, depending on which direction you've got set to extend the screen (left, right, top bottom)- that make sense? 🙂

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Answer 2

J.McKeown Author

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Apr 18, 2008 8:38 AM in response to k3n

Thanks, i set my my display to "mirror" and it worked. another question, what is the best way to run audio to a TV?

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Answer 3

k3n

Level 1

50 points

Apr 18, 2008 10:31 AM in response to J.McKeown

Using a cable with a 3.5mm stereo jack on one end, and 2 phono plugs on the other.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=31700

I'd suggest searching on eBay, i only posted the above to show u the cable 🙂 If your tv doesnt have the two phono sockets (red and white) by a phono to scart adapter.

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Answer 4

J.McKeown Author

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Apr 18, 2008 3:45 PM in response to k3n

I tried that, for whatever reason no sound comes thru to the tv, I checked the sounds settings and everything appears to be ok. Do you have any idea what could be happening?

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