How do I tell Lion to disable the LCD screen even when the lid is open?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How do I tell Lion to disable the LCD screen even when the lid is open?

Hello,

A known issue with MacBook Pro's is that the WiFi reception is poor when running in clamshell mode. A workaround for this issue when using an external monitor only has been to close the MacBook, wake it with a USB device and monitor attached, and then re-open the lid.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work in OS X Lion. That's because as soon as you open the lid, Lion re-detects all the displays and re-enables the LCD monitor. I'm sure in some circumstance, that's very helpful. But not in mine.

Does anybody know of a way to keep Lion from re-enabling the monitor whenever the lid is opened?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 12:44 PM

Reply

Answer 1

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Jul 20, 2011 1:16 PM in response to ehdonhon

Hi e,

I always leave my MBP's display open when using an external monitor. I simply turn the brightness on the built in display all the way down. Only takes a few seconds.

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Answer 2

mkedge

Level 1

0 points

Jul 20, 2011 1:26 PM in response to ehdonhon

I need an answer for that, too.

I must use the macbooks keyboard and I need to completely turn off macbooks display.

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Answer 3

Jul 20, 2011 1:59 PM in response to ehdonhon

Yes, I need an answer to this too. Why remove features? I mean, does Microsoft have a patent on individual screen control? Windows 7 does that perfectly. Why wouldn't OS X? I just starting to regret my "early adopter" status (I've just upgraded today, day of Lion's launch)...

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Answer 4

Jul 20, 2011 2:00 PM in response to tjk

Yes but OS X uses more resources managing two screens. The point for most people is to use only one screen and really turn off the other.

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Answer 5

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:04 PM in response to ehdonhon

Have any of you tried this?

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20060607121656766

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Answer 6

mkedge

Level 1

0 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:18 PM in response to tjk

it worked for snow leopard.

now, in Lion, when you open the lid, it automatically detects that you opened and it turns on macbooks display

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Answer 7

Jul 20, 2011 2:19 PM in response to tjk

Just tried it. Doesn't work. In fact, unlike before, Lion detects closed clamshell and just leaves main display on. When clamshell is opened, its screen turns back on after a few seconds.

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Answer 8

Jul 20, 2011 2:20 PM in response to sherby_paladin

What I meant by "main display" is "external display".

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Answer 9

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:20 PM in response to mkedge

mkedge wrote:

it worked for snow leopard.

now, in Lion, when you open the lid, it automatically detects that you opened and it turns on macbooks display

That's called progress!

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Answer 10

mkedge

Level 1

0 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:21 PM in response to tjk

i agree, but I want settings for that 🙂

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Answer 11

hamer313

Level 1

10 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:24 PM in response to ehdonhon

Same issue here.

This could be a serious issue, I really hope that Apple fixes this or I will have little choice but to revert back to SL...

I am sure it would not be hard to fix this?

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Answer 12

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:27 PM in response to ehdonhon

Apple wants to hear your suggestions:

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

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Answer 13

hamer313

Level 1

10 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:37 PM in response to tjk

Yet they don't even let you report anything for Lion yet ....

I submitted feedback anyway but still slightly annoying....

Other than this bug I am totally pleased with Lion, definitely some great improvements...

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Answer 14

hamer313

Level 1

10 points

Jul 20, 2011 2:39 PM in response to tjk

It would be progress if there were an option in displays to allow us to switch it off in the first place.

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Answer 15

Jul 20, 2011 2:51 PM in response to hamer313

YES. I mean Windows 7 has the ability to change displays so easily, If I even recall correctly, this feature has been around since Windows 98 SE (or Win2K)!

It shouldn't be too difficult to add that option in the Displays bit of System Preferences.

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