Can I use a late 2009 iMac as a second monitor for a 5k imac

Question

Level 1

11 points

Can I use a late 2009 iMac as a second monitor for a 5k imac

i have just purchased a 5k iMac and have a late 2009 iMac. I have connected them with a thunderbolt to thunderbolt cable, started the older mac in target mode but only get a FireWire symbol moving about on the screen. Any ideas? I have a 30" Cinema Display that acted as my second monitor to the 2009 iMac. I was hoping to enact a similar set up with the two iMacs.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Mar 15, 2015 3:24 PM

Reply

Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,568 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:27 PM in response to bpsArch

The is answered in Apple's Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Reply

Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

726,935 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:28 PM in response to bpsArch

If your older Mac is a 21-inch model, only with a product such as ScreenRecycler.

If your older Mac is a 27-inch model, click here. Target Display mode isn't the same as Target Disk mode.

(124212)

Reply

Answer 3

bpsArch Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:36 PM in response to bpsArch

thank you both for your quick reply. What the FAQs state is that the 5k iMac does not support Target Mode. Do you know why? Is that something that might change in the future (firmware update). A bit of a bummer.

Reply

Answer 4

Niel

Level 10

726,935 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:38 PM in response to bpsArch

It can't itself go into Target Display mode, but can connect to other iMacs that are in Target Display mode; this limitation is probably due to the computer's hardware and is unlikely to change.

(124213)

Reply

Answer 5

bpsArch Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:50 PM in response to Niel

Neil, understood, thank you. So, per my original question - can I use the 2009 iMac as a second monitor?

Reply

Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

726,935 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:51 PM in response to bpsArch

See my first post above.

(124215)

Reply

Answer 7

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Mar 15, 2015 3:58 PM in response to bpsArch

The 2009 imac must be a 27" model and the Thunderbolt cable won't work. You need a mini dispay port to mini display port cable.

Reply

Answer 8

bpsArch Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 15, 2015 4:56 PM in response to bpsArch

Thanks to all of you for your help. I was told that the thunderbolt cable would work with the mini-display port but apparently not the case.

Reply

Answer 9

bpsArch Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 19, 2015 4:47 PM in response to bpsArch

I received a mini display to mini display in the mail today. Connected it and started the late 2009 iMac in Target Display mode and all that I get is a fire wire symbol floating around screen. Any ideas on a fix.

Reply

Answer 10

Niel

Level 10

726,935 points

Mar 19, 2015 4:49 PM in response to bpsArch

You need to use Target Display mode as explained in the article linked to above, not Target Disk mode.

(124449)

Reply

Answer 11

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Mar 19, 2015 4:50 PM in response to bpsArch

You're starting in Target Disk Mode not Target Display Mode. Follow these instructions:

Make sure both computers are turned on and awake. (This is where you're going wrong)
Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort or ThunderBolt cable to each computer.
Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac being used as a display to enable TDM.
Note: In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys," the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2.

Reply

Answer 12

bpsArch Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 19, 2015 4:59 PM in response to SeaPapp

Niel and Mike, thank you so much and putting up with my density on this. It works fine, I just have to figure out to not have iTunes play on the target computer.

Reply

Answer 13

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Mar 19, 2015 6:47 PM in response to bpsArch

Glad you've finally got it working! Enjoy that extra screen real estate.

Reply