originale
Level 1 (2 points)

Q: TV display shows system preferences & desktop photo but nothing else

I upgraded to Apple Maverick and ever since, all I can get on my TV when connected to laptop is the photo on my desktop and if I click system preferences, I can see the dialogue box.  But I can't see my desktop icons. If I click on google, I can't see any of that. Very odd. I connected via HDMI cable .  I am using a product called Rocketfish.  Does this make any sense?

mac pro

Posted on Oct 21, 2014 7:02 AM

by norm123,Solvedanswer
norm123 norm123
Community Specialists
A:

Hello originale,

 

It sounds like you are using your Mac with your TV to extend your desktop. If you want to see exactly what your display is, then enable mirroring in System Preferences > Displays. If you want to keep the current setup, then just drag the app to the display by dragging the window to the right or left off the screen to move it. Check out the article below for more information about using multiple displays in Mavericks.

 

OS X: Using multiple displays in Mavericks

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5891

 

Regards,

-Norm G. 

Posted on Oct 24, 2014 7:10 AM

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originale

Q: TV display shows system preferences & desktop photo but nothing else

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  • by norm123,Solvedanswer

    norm123 norm123 Oct 24, 2014 7:10 AM in response to originale
    Community Specialists
    Oct 24, 2014 7:10 AM in response to originale

    Hello originale,

     

    It sounds like you are using your Mac with your TV to extend your desktop. If you want to see exactly what your display is, then enable mirroring in System Preferences > Displays. If you want to keep the current setup, then just drag the app to the display by dragging the window to the right or left off the screen to move it. Check out the article below for more information about using multiple displays in Mavericks.

     

    OS X: Using multiple displays in Mavericks

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5891

     

    Regards,

    -Norm G. 

  • by originale,

    originale originale Oct 24, 2014 7:40 AM in response to norm123
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Oct 24, 2014 7:40 AM in response to norm123

    Thanks Norm.  One thing that was tough to understand for Mavericks is that I had to click mirror displays in arrangement. In Snow Leopard, you dragged the two blue windows together but that doesn't work for Mavericks.  To be honest, I didn't understand the explanation in the article. They use language and assume you know what they mean. For example,  move your pointed to the edge of the screen. Which screen? The one on my laptop that I'm seeing. The visual they showed didn't look like mine. I only had my background displayed no icons. I couldn't figure out how to have my desktop displayed. They should have preceded the explanation by telling people to tick the mirror displays box.  When I first did this, I didn't know what mirror display meant.

     

    So thanks so much. I went to the Genius Bar and they could display there but I didn't know how to do it once I got home. Your explanation was straightforward and clear!  Months of frustration now ended!

  • by norm123,

    norm123 norm123 Oct 25, 2014 2:57 PM in response to originale
    Community Specialists
    Oct 25, 2014 2:57 PM in response to originale

    Hey originale,

     

    Glad to hear that everything is working for you and also utilizing the Genius Bar for help. If you have any other questions, just post a new one for assistance.

     

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

     

    -Norm G.