terminal command to change display resolution?

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Level 1

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terminal command to change display resolution?

Hi there, is there a terminal utility command that will let me change the display resolution on my mac mini?

I have my mac mini plugged into an LCD TV, and getting "display not supported". Have been back and forth to the mac station to have them help me reset the resolution as I only have a BT keyboard and no other monitors at my disposal, but still having this issue. I thought maybe I could try different settings by booting from install CD then using the Terminal Utility to change the resolution rather than driving back and forth all night.

Thank you!

mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 25, 2010 3:48 PM

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Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Mar 26, 2010 10:33 PM in response to eKasia

It might be easier to start in Safe mode to try and get the picture to come back.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

I don't know of a way to set resolution through Terminal.app but that would be slick.

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Answer 2

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Mar 27, 2010 3:00 PM in response to eKasia

Wait a minute, I just remembered, but I don't think a Mac can be started in Safe mode from a BT wireless keyboard. I think you need a USB keyboard. So disregard my original advice.

Something else occurred to me; if you are seeing a "display not supported" message on your TV screen, then I presume you aren't seeing the Mac desktop. In that case, how would having a terminal command do you any good if you can't see the screen to use Terminal? Now that I think about it, that's confusing to me.

Have you ever had this TV running correctly from the mini? If so, what resolution is active when you have a usable screen? What keeps causing the mini to change away from that resolution? Maybe I am completely misunderstanding the problem.

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