Annoying mini-DVI to video adapter...

Question

Annoying mini-DVI to video adapter...

I've been using a mini-DVI to video adapter, mostly to watch DVD's since my PS2 broke, for about a month. However, tonight when I tried to set it up, it didn't work.

I plugged in the cable and the adaptor and the only thing that would show up on the screen is my wallpaper-- not my cursor, or the dock, or the icons on the desktop. Just the desktop wallpaper. And nothing else is showing up.

Is the port fried? Or is it the adaptor? Which is more likely/how can I tell/how can I fix it? Thanks in advance!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Jul 10, 2008 7:03 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Glen Doggett

Level 4

2,741 points

Jul 10, 2008 7:24 PM in response to CompletelyFrustrated

The desktop background is visible, so it is working, but in extended desktop mode, if you move the mouse or drag a window far enough it will show up on that display.

options:

-close the lid, when the internal display shuts off the external will become the primary display, do you have an external keyboard/mouse to wake up the computer when the lid is closed?

-Use System Preferences: Displays: Arrangement to drag the white menu bar (and Dock) to the other monitor.

-Also, in System Preferences: Displays, check the Mirror displays to force both the laptop and the external display to show the same thing.

I'm not sure how your settings got changed or what you did before, but it's possible that something reverted to a default setting if you did some software update or something.

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Answer 2

Sep 18, 2008 12:23 PM in response to CompletelyFrustrated

i just purchased this adapter for my macbook so that i could watch movies on my HD TV and when i plug it in all i see is one of my desktop pictures... how do i get it to display other things, such as movies?

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Answer 3

Sep 18, 2008 1:05 PM in response to CompletelyFrustrated

Press F7. It will toggle the display between that static background screen and your live actual desktop screen. This allows you to do things on the computer without that screen being projected to the external display.

Message was edited by: UWFAuburn

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Answer 4

rowan57

Level 2

332 points

Sep 18, 2008 1:40 PM in response to jaysap187

Both OP and Second Poster simply need to drag programs across to the 2nd screen.

Try this:

Open iTunes or such. Click the top bar and drag the iTunes window across to the new screen: Dah Dah!

Regards
Rowan

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Answer 5

Sep 18, 2008 4:11 PM in response to UWFAuburn

thanx very much for the tip... was upset that i bought the wrong part!!! appreciate the help

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Answer 6

njseo

Level 1

10 points

Sep 19, 2008 1:39 PM in response to CompletelyFrustrated

I'm really lightin' up the board here because I think this problem is X.5.5 update related, and I would like to draw the attention of someone who's qualified to clear it up.

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