Hello,
For the second time the graphic card of my iMac 27" mid-2011 has failed. This time I would not want to replace it. Thus I wonder whether it is possible to connect the iMac to an external (standard) display (not needing the iMac's graphic card) until I change the computer altogether? I have seen no documentation about it. Any idea? Thanks.
Pierre
iMac 27″, macOS 10.13
You need a working graphics card to display to anything.
+1 without a GPU you have a non working computer. Considering the age of the 2011, have you considered replacing it?
You're welcome.
There is no way to turn off the internal display.
If the external display is working, then you must disconnect the internal display.
If the external display is not working, then it is time to recycle and replace the iMac.
A Mini DisplayPort to (VGA, DVI or HDMI) adapter might work, depending on what part of the graphic's system has failed.
The graphic card is known to fail on this iMac ... wrong design acknowledged by Apple in 2014. The card is vertical and the solders are sagging with heat.
Thanks. When I HDMI it I see same white screen (with every minute reboot) as on iMac. I thought there would be a way to turn off the iMac display and only have the HDMI ... even with a not-so-working graphic card.
I have considered it but ...
... I just bought an iPad Pro to act as a terminal for this iMac as long as it could function somewhat normally for this remote connect.
I would go for a mew computer. Usually I wouldn't say this but a GPU replacement is pretty advanced and takes time, clearly your mac seems to be unreliable
I have changed it in 2017 with a card I bought new from China (about $150). It worked until now. Yes it is an old iMac ... I'll check if I can turn it in for a new hardware.
iMac 2011 graphic card failure - external display
