Mikey2k
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: What steps and stuff required to add 2cd monitor to iMac

Hi,

 

I have a 27' iMac with 2.4 GHz Intel Core - (I don't even know what all of that means - but thought ahead that someone may need to know that!!)

Anyway, I've recently relocated some equipment from my office at work to home.  One of the items being a 27' Dell monitor.  I would like to add the Dell as a second screen monitor to iMac - the Dell has several ports, I'm thinking the blue 15 is where on the Dell a connection would be established; if thats the case - where and with what do I connect on the Mac? There is one port of the iMac that looks suspiciously like it is the place - but I don't know for sure.  It is set to the left of the modem in-port (blue cable in the photo that still has the bar code tag attached).  Any help would be appreciated. 

 

Thanks everyone!!

 

Mike

 

photo 9.JPGThis is on the Dell - but I don't think needed for today's purposes - inlcuded only so I didn't leave anything out in case there might have been additional questions about what else is there.

 

Next, below is the iMac - that little pin plug in - or whatever they are called - looks like computer hieroglyph for "plug a video monitor in here stupid" - but since I am not Indiana Jones - I'm looking to those with actual wisdom about such things.  If that's the crime scene, what is it called???

photo 8.JPG

 

photo 10.JPGDell - I'm thinking the blue 15 pin is the place to plug in  (right????)  (no???)

 

The follow up question, in case I didn't already make this very clear, what is the cable or adapter or whatever is needed actually called - so when I go to Apple or Best Buy or where-ever I don't have to then convince someone else how little I know what I'm talking about by reinventing this conversation for them too - which usually leads to them confusing me further once I have already made my mind up that I really know what I want/need and learned from the people (here) that I trust the most about such matters.  In other words - I don't want anyone to confuse me with the facts once I leave this conversation!!

Posted on May 4, 2014 9:16 AM

by Mikey2k,Solvedanswer
Mikey2k Mikey2k
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops
A:

Lyssa, et al,

 

Thank you friends for sharing your diagnosis, knowledge, insight, and patience.  My mission today was to close the loop on this entire subject with a successful result so I could at least let you all know - it worked. 

 

Just thought everyone should be able to see every scene all the way to the finale; so you and others know what becomes of a case after the last word is given.

 

Ciao!!

 

Mikey

Posted on May 6, 2014 5:54 PM

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Q: What steps and stuff required to add 2cd monitor to iMac

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  • by Gnomish8,

    Gnomish8 Gnomish8 May 4, 2014 9:31 AM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 2 (350 points)
    May 4, 2014 9:31 AM in response to Mikey2k

    Hey there Mikey, looks like a nice find! Either the blue port (VGA) or the white one next to it (DVI) can be used. You'll need to get a cable for one of them (either VGA or DVI) and an adapter to minidisplay to plug that into your mac.

    Here's a couple links for you:

    VGA adapter

    DVI adapter

    VGA Cable

    DVI Cable

     

     

    Keep in mind, you don't need all 4 of these, only 1 set. So either the VGA Cable/Adapter or the DVI Cable/Adapter. This will plug into the MiniDisplay port on your mac (the one to the right of the blue ethernet cable) and voila, you're good to go!

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed May 4, 2014 9:51 AM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 7 (27,755 points)
    May 4, 2014 9:51 AM in response to Mikey2k

    You can use either the blue (VGA) or the white (DVI) inputs on the monitor.

     

    photo+10.JPG

     

    Personally I prefer using (digital) DVI instead of (analog) VGA if both inputs are offered.

     

    To use the DVI connection, you need a > Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter and a good DVI-D cable.

     

    To use the VGA connection, you need a > Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter and a good VGA cable.

     

    Both of the adapters above, plus some after market adapters plug into the Mini DisplayPort of your iMac.

     

    photo+8-1.JPG

  • by Mikey2k,

    Mikey2k Mikey2k May 5, 2014 2:08 PM in response to den.thed
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2014 2:08 PM in response to den.thed

    Thank you both very much - your help is appreciated.  On paper, your guidance was very straight forward.  In implementing this I think I've taken a wrong turn or two, or more.  So, here is what is happening.  I got the DVI cable actually name for this one is Dynex DVI-D; so far, so good (I think); the next piece is where I'm maybe off track - I showed Best Buy copies of our forum notes and your instructions - I ended up with what is called a Rocketfish Thunderbolt/Mini Displayport to DVI adapter - which says right on the box "connects an Apple computer to a DVI input.  So, I thought all was good.  My first hint at something not being right was that the Rocketfish does not fit the input slot located as shown above; instead it only fits available slot that sits 4th from the right.  So, there's that!  Then, the Dell does light up when you plug it in; got it all connected - even though the port thing still has me spinning - the kicker is that the Dell screen is not doing anything - i.e. behaving like a second monitor.  I tried rebooting, and also looking for it in Preferences "displays" - it's not showing up.  Any ideas, hardware issues, procedures that you can suggest to resolve this?  Thanks so much!!

     

    Mikey

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 May 5, 2014 2:30 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 5, 2014 2:30 PM in response to Mikey2k

    You will need 2 cables, a DVI cable and a Mini Display Port to DVI adapter cable. The display should have had the DVI cable, if it did not Best Buy should care one. the adapter cable should be bought from Apple, the one I'd recommend is:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/B/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter?fnode =51

     

    A DVI cable will look similar to:

     

    http://www.amazon.com/DVI-LCD-Monitor-Cable-Foot/dp/B0041BT21M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF 8&qid=1399325386&sr=8-1&keywords=dvi+cable

  • by Mikey2k,

    Mikey2k Mikey2k May 5, 2014 2:48 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2014 2:48 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    Those are both appear to be exactly what I have - I examined the pins on the DVI you showed and they are the same as the Dynex; also examined the DVI adapter cable you showed against what I've got - they're the same, except I didn't get the Rocketfish from Apple - the pinouts match up, which does not fit the suggested port at all - only the fourth from left. If I'm not plugged into the mini-display port on the iMac, and can only go into the Thunderbolt port - which would also be the case with the adapter you showed - then should the video work? Looks like a trip to the Apple store is next!!

     

    Mike

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 May 5, 2014 3:59 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 5, 2014 3:59 PM in response to Mikey2k

    Then your connections should be correct. Did you use

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5019 to then set it up. OS X doesn't know how you intend to use the display, in other words it doesn't know if you want to mirror your internal display or to extend your desktop and what orientation you want so you need to use System Preferences - Displays to do that. Carefully read the advice letter and try it, I am sure you will figure it out.

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed May 5, 2014 4:22 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 7 (27,755 points)
    May 5, 2014 4:22 PM in response to Mikey2k

    What is the part # on that Rocketfish cable that BestBuy sold you...?

     

    Because it sounds like they gave you some kind of FireWire adapter instead of a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.

     

    If it is not the correct > Rocketfish™ - Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI Adapter, then you need to return it and get the Apple adapter. Then again maybe Rocketfish is building and selling bum cables.

     

    If BestBuy does not have a real Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, then go to your local Apple Store or order one on line.

  • by Mikey2k,

    Mikey2k Mikey2k May 5, 2014 4:41 PM in response to den.thed
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2014 4:41 PM in response to den.thed

    Rocketfish RF-AP306 Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

     

    http://www.amazon.com/Rocketfish-RF-AP306-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B005JPJLW4 /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399331924&sr=8-1&keywords=rf-ap306

     

    It does "say" thunderbolt/mini displayport to dvi adapter; but I'm likely going to head in to Apple Store to get this resolved.  Also, interestingly, the support page you sent show the System Preferences, Displays differently in my system for some reason.  It does not appear and therefore does not follow the support directions - I'm running OS X 10.9.2.  Display screenshot.png

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed May 5, 2014 4:56 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 7 (27,755 points)
    May 5, 2014 4:56 PM in response to Mikey2k

    You will not have an Arrangement tab in the Display Preferences until you actually have a second monitor connected to your Mac. Additionally you will also have a second Display Preference panel for adjusting the external monitor. 

  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa May 5, 2014 6:39 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    May 5, 2014 6:39 PM in response to Mikey2k

    That slot fourth from the right is a Firewire 800 port.

     

    Let's make sure we know which iMac you have because I have a sneaking suspicion you actually have a Mini-DVI connection on there, not mini-Displayport.

     

    From the Apple menu in the upper-left hand corner, choose About This Mac. Then, click on More Info.

     

    If you're running Lion or newer, I think you'll see the specifics about your machine (ie: 27-inch, Late 2012).

     

    If you see that information, please post it here.

     

    If you do not, you may be taken to the System Profiler application instead. In this case, please locate the text Model Identifier in the right-hand column and post what you see there.

     

    ~Lyssa

  • by Mikey2k,

    Mikey2k Mikey2k May 5, 2014 6:46 PM in response to Lyssa
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2014 6:46 PM in response to Lyssa

    OK, here we go - screen shot of what you described I needed to find.iMac System.png

  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa May 5, 2014 6:53 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    May 5, 2014 6:53 PM in response to Mikey2k

    Aha, that's what I suspected!

     

    You need a mini-DVI to DVI adapter, rather than a mini-Displayport one. Also, there is no Thunderbolt port on there; that wasn't introduced until 2011.

     

    As far as connections go, yours has 1 x mini-DVI connection, along with 3 USB, 1 x Firewire 400 (that one is shaped like a oval that got chopped in half), 1 x Firewire 800 (that one's a square), and the Ethernet port.

     

    I personally prefer to buy Mac accessories through Other World Computing, but you can buy elsewhere if you wish.

     

    Here's the item you need through OWC.

     

    Return the one you have, if you can, and get a min-DVI to DVI adapter and you should be in business!

     

    ~Lyssa

     

    PS - how does Mavericks run on that machine? I've kept my own older iMac on Mountain Lion since it only has 4GB of RAM so I'm curious to know if yours is performing well enough to suit your needs!

  • by Mikey2k,

    Mikey2k Mikey2k May 5, 2014 7:17 PM in response to Lyssa
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2014 7:17 PM in response to Lyssa

    Awesome analysis; wow - this is just one reason I am so in love with Apple!!

     

    Hmmm...you brought something up that I forgot about, I thought I had additional RAM installed on this machine a while back during a hard drive crash - which was replaced under warranty, but my computer's memory is better than mine as we can see.  Anyway, I use itunes, iphoto, and garage band - a lot; the only one that I have trouble with is iphoto.  It seems to mess things up, move them around, duplicate, lose or misplace.  I figured it's behaving that way because I just have not taken the time to catch up to all the changes and updates made to iphoto over the years, and I'll need to dedicate serious time that I don't have to learn to properly master a large collection of photos Other than that, no performance issues, and speed of operations is good - it could be better, but it's very acceptable for me.

     

    I'll follow your guidance on the adapter and report back to you.  Thanks again!

     

    Mikey

  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa May 5, 2014 7:33 PM in response to Mikey2k
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    May 5, 2014 7:33 PM in response to Mikey2k

    You can check the RAM for yourself - it's really easy in the iMacs. Just click here, pick your iMac, and follow the steps to locate the little "door" that covers the RAM and pop them out. RAM usually has its capacity on a sticker so you can take a look at what the sticker says and compare it to what the system "sees."

     

    As for iPhoto, I, unfortunately, haven't really used it in many years so can't offer too much help there. It may be worth posting over in the iPhoto forum to ask for advice, though!

     

    ~Lyssa

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