Displays - gather windows from 2nd monitor? OR - turn off detected display?

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Level 2

175 points

Displays - gather windows from 2nd monitor? OR - turn off detected display?

I use my Sony HDTV (960XBR) via HDMI as a 2nd monitor sometimes (also use a 17" LCD sometimes). When not using the Sony for the Mac (like actually watching TV!), the Mac still detects it as a display and allows any program windows I'd placed there to remain on that display, even though it's not actually displaying the Mac signal.
Question: is there any way to "gather" all program windows onto the primary display? Or "turn off" a detected display from the Mac?
Thanks!

DP G5 2.0, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Jun 13, 2006 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2006 5:44 PM in response to Bob Woodhead

Most applications support the following: under the Window menu, you'll see a "Bring All to Front" command. If you hold down the Option key, that changes to "Arrange in Front". Choose that to have all windows arranged in front. That should probably force all windows to the main screen.

Hope this helps.....

Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 w/ 2.5 GB RAM; 17" MacBook Pro w/ 2 GB RAM - Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 2

Bob Woodhead Author

Level 2

175 points

Jun 16, 2006 2:05 PM in response to PatMan

Mirroring forces my 23" cinema display to the same rez as the Sony, which is screwy. And I was hoping for a more "elegant" approach than dangling wires... But thanks for the thoughts!

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Answer 3

PatMan

Level 3

610 points

Jun 16, 2006 1:36 PM in response to Bob Woodhead

You could go to the monitor control panel, drag the sony disply onto the mac display (which turns on mirroring) and then when you want to use it as an additional display just drag it back to where you had it. Or you could unplug the DVI connector from the back of your computer when you are not using it.

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Answer 4

Bob Woodhead Author

Level 2

175 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:05 PM in response to MarkDouma®

As soon as I finish watching this movie, I'll give your suggestion a go. Really posting to mention something for others viewing this thread - I was surprised and elated upon connecting HDMI from my G5 to the Sony 960XBR - Mac Displays offered numerous options, with a mix of resolutions both interlaced (expected) and progressive (totally unexpected). So my CRT HDTV makes a good progressive scan computer monitor as well!

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