HT202079: About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

Learn about About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters
nahan

Q: HDMI cable and Display

I have my laptop connected to the hdmi cable and adaptor to my Vizio tv. Right now it is only displaying my (old) background and not the new one and it also does not show anything on my desktop. The only time I see anything on the tv is when I have the display box up when I was trying to adjust the resolution.

 

How do I get it to display anything else besides the background.

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 10:04 AM

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Q: HDMI cable and Display

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  • by frederic1943,

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Mar 24, 2012 1:35 PM in response to nahan
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Mar 24, 2012 1:35 PM in response to nahan

    You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode. In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.

     

    You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.


    Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.

  • by dramaguru,

    dramaguru dramaguru Jun 4, 2012 7:39 PM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 4, 2012 7:39 PM in response to frederic1943

    Just want to thank you so much. You solved an issue I've had for a few months now!