Macbook Pro 2011 clamshell mode broken by latest software update?

This is so frustrating. I have a brand spankin' new 2011 Macbook Pro 17". I have a nice 24" LG monitor on my desk and wanted to use my new Macbook as a desktop replacement. So, I order a Twelve South BookArc, a new Apple Wireless Keyboard and a Magic Trackpad and even a Twelve South Magic Wand to keep them all organized and clean. I get a Moshi mini-DP to HDMI adapter and eagerly hook it all up. Yes. I do ALL updates on my Mac and yes I know I have to have the MagSafe adapter plugged in. I follow all directions outlined by Apple.

Bluetooth keyboard is paired, trackpad paired and "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake computer" is checked.

Everything works, plug in the external monitor works perfect. Close the lid. and that is it. nothing. Computer seems to want to wake up for a second but then doesn't. Sometimes it seems like the MBP does wake up, the light isn't blinking like in 'sleep' mode. But the display never comes on. Disconnect, reconnect, nothing. Open the lid - nothing. Can never get it to respond at all. I have to hold the power button down for 10 seconds and then turn back on.

The ONLY way I can get this to work is by turning on the Macbook and then quickly closing the lid, it then boots fine and external display is on. BUT if it goes to sleep - that is it. Display NEVER comes back, I have to hold down the power button to hard reset and then repeat.

VERY VERY FRUSTRATING. I just spent a LOT of money on this setup and it is not working at all like it is suppose to be.

Yes, does anyone know if Apple is planning to fix this? I can't use my Hengedock normally and I hate it.

The Genius at the Apple Store told me to wait to see if Apple pushes a fix, otherwise they will replace my logic board and see if that fixes it.

Well I don't think this is a hardware issue (your logic board). My wife also has a new 2011 Macbook Pro 17" as well. I just tried this with hers (what I described above) and I get exactly the same results. Unless its a problem with the Apple recommended Moshi mini-dp to hdmi adapter... It seems there are many others out there having this exact same problem though. I really do hope Apple comes out with a fix for this, because this is really frustrating.

the clam thingy dont work not working dead nailed to the perch dead dead dead

Hi leoya,

Apple needs to hear when something doesn't work properly. You may get that message to them "officially" by using the product feedback:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

tjk is correct, I just reported the clamshell defect as a type 'Bug Report' and give tjk the 10 points. Thanks tjk you are the best!

leoya wrote:

Hi tjk,

Thank you for pointing me to the bug report form. Apple already knows about this problem - I've filed a support ticket for this issue about three weeks ago and pointed the support engineer to this Communities thread as well. So far, there is no resolution. I will file a bug report for this as well just to make the issue more visible.

The more the merrier! Here's luck to us. 😉

My Macbook Pro (5.5) is running really slow using wifi when in clamshell-mode. When its either mirrored with the external display or the external display is not connected at all it works fine. It also operates normally if you dont transfer large amounts of data on wifi. Really strange, and it really *****! I hope there is a fix soon! I wonder if reinstalling os x would help any? Will I lose something during the process? I've never needed to reinstall OS X, its something windows machines need done. *sigh*. Unhappy is an understatement for the situation.

First there was issues getting the external monitor showing at all or being able to select if its mirrored or not. That was fixed by resetting the PRAM/SMC. But now this, just when I got a faster 801n router to enjoy fast wireless transfers to my NAS.. Apple fix this soon!

I can attest to the wifi problems since the update. I am experiencing the EXACT same issue, wifi hangs on connection, ethernet works fine. Speedtest.net reports my usual up and down speeds but it will often hang when I go to connect to a new webpage.

Thanks tjk for the feedback form, I will fill this out as well now🙂

I have a similar problem, my Macbook Pro 15 (1GB Video) 2011 does notwake up in shell mode, I have to open the laptop with the external monitor (andall the other things) plug in, wake it up with the built in keyboard, and closeit again, after that the external monitor start working, but sometimes when Icome from clam shell to regular notebook (open with anything plug in) the screenkeeps black and I have to turn in off and on again. This is very weird my previousMacbook Por 2009 use to work like I charm even if changing from Clam Shell tojust plain notebook 4 times a day, and No I do not want to restart my laptop 4times every day, Apple have to fix this.

I already delete com.apple.windowserver.plist preferences located at/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist and~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.xxxx.plist/
And reset the PRAM

I have everything update to June 2 2011 with SL 10.6.7.

BTW I was wondering if any one in Apple is reading this things?, or just buyers?

I will be very thanks full to any help.

I'm having similar problems. If my 15 inch 2011 MBPro is connected to my Cinema Display while sleeping it will intermittently fail to fully wake up. Light stops blinking nut display never comes up. I am forced to do a hard reset. Fully updated as of 2 June 2011.

does Macbook Pro 2010 affected too? cause mine is having same issue, when I use it on clamshell mode it goes to deep sleep and had to hard reset because when I open the lid it won't wake up no matter what key I press... anybody has answer for that?? its fully updated... 2010 mbp i5 15"

Currently on the phone with Apple, and according to them, this is "expected behavior"

Essentially, they are saying that this is what it is supposed to be doing, and they sent me the following link, as "instructions" on how to "properly" use clamshell mode...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131?viewlocale=en_US

Expected behavior?

The problems I am having are with the last 2 steps:

• Once your computer's Desktop appears on the external display, close the computer's lid.
• Once the lid is closed, wake the computer up by either clicking your mouse button or by pressing a key on your external keyboard.

It does not ever wake back up at this point. I've tried so many times I've given up. See my posts above for detailed information. I've also tried with my wife's MacBook Pro. Same results. I've followed all the directions properly outlined by Apple.

Also when I discovered this I did the "bug report". Have never heard anything from Apple, nor have I seen any updates to fix this. I am surprised this still has not been fixed. Very frustrating...