Target display mode doesn't work

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C00P3R1991 Author

Level 1

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Target display mode doesn't work

Hi all,

I have a late 2012 27" iMac and an Mid 2010 27" iMac Im trying to use both machines as target displays for each other (not at the same time).

The main 2012 machine happily takes the mid 2010 machine as a target display via mini display however the 2010 iMac doesn't seem to accept the 2012 machine, both are running OS X 10.10.1.

My thoughts are that the 2012 machine will only go into TDM via a thunderbolt cable but the 2010 machine is to old for this?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Danny

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Feb 13, 2015 1:54 AM

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Answer 1

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Feb 13, 2015 3:49 AM in response to C00P3R1991

Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support

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Answer 2

C00P3R1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 16, 2015 8:34 AM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks for the comment, I had looked at that page but still don't understand as to why the 2012 machine doesn't work as a second display?

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Answer 3

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Feb 16, 2015 9:44 AM in response to C00P3R1991

If the port on the source computer is Thunderbolt the port on the target computer must also be thunderbolt.

iMac Model	Cable Supported	Port on Source Computer
iMac (27-inch Late 2009)	Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort	Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010)	Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort	Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2011)	Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2012 and later)	Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,418 points

Feb 16, 2015 9:47 AM in response to C00P3R1991

C00P3R1991 wrote:

Thanks for the comment, I had looked at that page but still don't understand as to why the 2012 machine doesn't work as a second display?

It is VERY simple, the 2010 machine does not have a Thunderbolt port.

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