Using old iMac as second screen.

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Using old iMac as second screen.

I have an old iMac from around 2010-ish that can't really keep up with the work I'm doing. I recently bought a new Macbook Pro (retina) with the hope that I could use the old iMac as a dual screen. It (iMac) has two thunderbolt outputs so I bought an adapter from tech link that said "Mini display (thunderbolt post march 2011) port to HDMI" (http://www.techlink.uk.com/products/wires_cables/wiresmedia/wiresmedia_media/wir esmedia_mini_displayport_plug_to_hdmi_adaptor). I plugged it into the HDMI port on my Macbook Pro and pressed cmd + fn + F2 on the iMac but nothing happened.

Could anyone help me figure this out?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Jan 3, 2015 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Jan 3, 2015 8:30 AM in response to Grubbe

You need to use a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable, not an HDMI one, and not all iMacs support this. Click here for more information.

Alternatively, network the computers and use a product such as ScreenRecycler.

(119414)

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Answer 2

Grubbe Author

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Jan 3, 2015 9:52 AM in response to Niel

I've already been through everything on that site and didn't really get anywhere - why can't I use HDMI? I was told in the store it shouldn't be a problem and how about connecting at as a second screen to a PC then? It makes no sense that I can't use HDMI, that's how I've always connected second screens...

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Answer 3

Grubbe Author

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Jan 3, 2015 10:42 AM in response to Grubbe

Also I just tried setting up an old LG display with the HDMI and adapter and it works just fine, I get that it has something to do with the iMac but is there really not any way I can use this adapter after spending that much money on it?

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Answer 4

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Jan 3, 2015 10:48 AM in response to Grubbe

1. Because the technology doesn't support that.

2. A standalone display is designed to support video-in. For a computer's display port to do so, additional circuits are needed, and Apple only associated it with some Mini DisplayPorts and Thunderbolt ports.

(119423)

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Answer 5

OmArWLM

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Aug 4, 2015 8:26 PM in response to Grubbe

Im having the same exact problem. Im trying to use my mid 2010 iMac 27" as an extra display for my new 2015 Retina iMac.

I bought the same mini-displayport to HDMI adapter, but when everything is connected the older iMac won't go into Target Display Mode.

Please, If you figure this out let me know.

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