iMac 27" like monitor for Pc

Another confirmation: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3189887?start=15&tstart=0

Did not yet get to the Apple Store - but called and the person I spoke to told me that the Thunderbolt display will indeed work with a MBP with Mini Display Port connected it - but that only the "display" pipe will be active

However, this is theory. Tomorrow I will practice to make this work in machine with Windows 7 x64 equipped with ATI HD 6870 and iMac 27'' built in October 2011.

Apple is not that user friendly in the end of the days. Sigh.

That is correct, to some extent. It's a complete coincidence that I was talking to a Genius just yesterday explaining that it's frustrating being stuck with my 2009 iMac just because the new ones won't work with this set up. He stated that, yes, the new Thunderbolt iMacs will ONLY work with Thunderbolt devices (Like the new MacBook Pros etc.) as they are not backwards compatible. By all means conduct the experiment though. I hope you're right and the new iMacs do work with a non-thunderbot input in Target Display Mode. Post back with the results.

Regards,

Mike

It did not work. So much time & money wasted. Hate Apple.

Well we've said all along that only the 2009/10 iMacs work with this set up. The new Thunderbolt inputs ONLY work with thunderbolt outputs. A quick google search shows this.

Ive got mine working...

And enjoying every second of it! I love my iMac, but I also love my work and what I do in Visual Studio 2010 + gaming... Gaming on this resolution is plane sick!

My problem was in graphic card. 6770 isnt supported card, and that was the problem. I simply returned my 6770 video card, and bought 6850 hd wich works like a charm.

And yes, i have mid 2010 iMac.

And I guess i am gonna keep this iMac, simply coz I want best from windows world, and from macos as well. All in one place. Simply glorius!

I;ve got a GeForce 7950 GT and bought a DVI-D to mini display port adaptor. Connected the PC and iMac but when hitting Command + F2 it just never hits the target display. Nothing happens at all. The iMac is a mid 2010 so it should be able to use the PC and be the display monitor.

Is it because the video card isn't the right one? can't seem to figure it out.

The card is fine, it's the link that you're using which is ruining it! You cannot use a DVI-D to mDP, simply due to the unidirectional nature of the cable. However, don't fret! I have a Sapphire 7970 and use the iMac 27" mid 2010 with Mini-displayport to Mini-displayport, this combination works like a charm. Here is a place to buy the cable: http://www.techbuy.com.au/product.asp?prodId=149536&catId=CABLES&parentId=CABLES _VIDEO_DISPLAY_PORT

Hope you have more luck now!

Sorry to interrupt, i bought today miniDP to DVI and connected my PC with it , and aperantly it doesnt work (im reading now that cant work as this combo).

Anyhow my PC gfx card have Display port and my iMac have mini display port , quesiton is (before i trash more money) will it work with this cable (f.e http://eu.startech.com/Cables/Audio-Video/DisplayPort/6-ft-Mini-DisplayPort-to-D isplayPort-Adapter-Cable-Male-to-Male~MDP2DPMM6 ) or i need some other cable?

iMac is mid 2010 and have minidisplay port.

Thank you very much for your kindness

I ended up buying this: http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-Dual-Link-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-USB-Pow ered.html + a miniDP cable, got it from Tiger Direct and it was on sale for very cheap, but out of stock currently 😟 . I have the same iMac as you, and a DVI output on my PC. Worked like a charm.

Well i ended up buying something like this ( http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/60/19/003124/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter .png ) then connected PC with and iMac with DVI cable + this adapter , and seems not working!

I dont know if have to do something in setup after turning both ON? I tought it auto recognize, no?

Also my question still remains , so if you can confirm me this:

"

Anyhow my PC gfx card have Display port and my iMac have mini display port , quesiton is (before i trash more money) will it work with this cable (f.ehttp://eu.startech.com/Cables/Audio-Video/DisplayPort/6-ft-Mini-DisplayPort-to-D isplayPort-Adapter-Cable-Male-to-Male~MDP2DPMM6 ) or i need some other cable? "

Thanks guys

I bought that exact device as well: http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/60/19/003124/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter .png

that DOES NOT work, I tried everything, every cable setup, every possible sub-adaptor connection option, etc.. and it failed. That adaptor won't work. you need that Atlona or similar adaptor unless as the original post says your video card has a mini-display port out - mine didnt and sounds like your's doesn't neither.

Okey mikey seems you know the most of all of us here, at least ive got that impression after reading all 6 pages like 10x or more. But even the orhers who know something about my issue PLEASE!! give me some help here:

so here is what im getting crzy for past 3 days:

I dont have space on my work table so since ive got imac i wanna make it (also) to be my monitor of my PC.

PC spec (that matters for this case): i5 processor , and GFX card Saphire ATI RADEON HB 5850 1gb link of the card:

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?psn=000101&pid=286&lid=1

Mac specs are:

Processor 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5

Graphics ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB

Memory 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Software OS X 10.8.1

27-inch, Mid 2010

Okey now the problem, after i tried with DVI to miniDP adapter (FAIL!!), ive readed that this setup is not compatibile, and that only way to make this work is DP to miniDP cable . In my country i couldnt find miniDP-DP cable only some sort of addapter , pic of it: http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/images/items/mini_displayport_to_displayport.JPG

So now my setup is like this a display port cable is inserted into GFX card on pc then other end of cable is into montioned "adapter" then that adapter is inserted into miniDP in iMac.

NOTICE: On previous setup i had with DVI-miniDP when i pressed cmd+f2 , nothing happened!

Now after all is pluged in everything i start pc and imac (*pc is also connected in the same time with dell monitor with hdmi cable) , after they are both loaded in their OS , when i press cmd+f2 screen goes black on imac and on PC for few seconds (15) working something they return to native OS, i even noticed on windows screen in ati catalyst center (before it goes black) that it appear 2nd screen as untiteled or something and then both go black :@:@:(:(

This is my nightmares 😟😟

So now my questions are, what im doing wrong?

a) Do i need setup something in catalyst?

b) Maybe my ATI 5850 is not compatibile with imac 27?

c) Maybe is an issue in adapter that cant support so high res or anything related to this "adapter"?

(*notice on the box of the adapter (made in china ofc unknown) is only written: support display port connector, supports 8 and 10 bit deep color, support the videon and audio bandwith up to 10.8gbps,support the 1mbps bidirectinoal auxiliary channel,supports 1 lane, 1 direction,four line connection)

d) Maybe i need to do some setup on iMac that im not familiar with?

So can anyone here please write me back to help me solve this issue , of course if is cable issue i can order corect cable thats no problem but i have to know that is the issue, also if issue is gfx card i might change it to working one (which??), but then again would be nice to know if some1 can help me before i invest into this "repair"

THank you everyone for your time and needed help :/

Had a quick skim through your post. Your problem is, you cannot use an adapter. Even though it actually converts the physical shape of the inputs, the signal will be incorrect. Target Display Mode (TDM) only works with a DP signal. You are going to have to find a DP to MiniDP cable I'm afraid. You don't have to do anything with software. You'll know your setup is correct as when you turn on the PC the Mac should instantly switch to TDM.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Hey Mackey,

its look like you are the only one that maybe know something.

Is there any sulotion for ppl with new IMAC?

I have the 2009 mac that this thread is about, however it is updated to 10.10.5, I am about to drop $20 on OS X mountain lion so that I can use it as a monitor, as oppose to buying a $100 monitor. Am I correct in assuming this trick doesn't work because I am running Yosemite? Or is it another problem besides that? I understand if you don't respond to this being that nobody has asked a question on this threat for 4 years.