How to switch displays with keystroke

I'm not entirely sure what category this belongs in, but hopefully this works.
So, the screen on my Macbook Pro managed to get broken (I won't go into detail) and it costs $250 for a new one. That's gonna be a little while. So I have a monitor that I can use for the time being, it's connecting and my computer is reading it. But, it's not the primary display - all I see is my wallpaper, no icons, menus, dock, or anything useful. And all I can see on the busted screen is about 10 pixels on the left side. Please, please tell me there's a keystroke to switch the external monitor to primary display! Because otherwise my computer is going to be a paperweight for the foreseeable future.

Macbook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.5.3), Intel Core Duo 2.16 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB HDD

Posted on May 29, 2008 6:23 PM

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5 replies

May 29, 2008 9:36 PM in response to zebradreams07

Hi, I found a better solution: With the external monitor connected, go to Displays Preferences, Arrangement and deselect Mirror Display if it is checked, then drag the white rectangle (the menu) to the external display box to make it the primary monitor, then if you want the laptop monitor off just low the brightness (with F1) to minimum or off.

May 29, 2008 7:26 PM in response to zebradreams07

zebradreams07,

According to Mac OS X Hints, you can actually do this:
1. With your Macbook or Macbook Pro sleeping with the lid closed, plug in the external monitor (make sure external monitor is on).
2. Make sure your Macbook or Macbook Pro is connected to its power supply
plug in a USB device.
3. Your machine is now using the external monitor. At this time you can open the lid and it won't activate.

If that is not successful, use this link for more information.

;~)

User uploaded file

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How to switch displays with keystroke

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