jarred stedman
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: imac 27 inch 2013 connect to mac pro target display, black screen

Im trying to connect my brand new 2013 MacPro (3.5 GHz 6 core) to my imac 27 inch 2013 (os x yosemite version 10.10.5) using a thunderbolt cable - but when i press command -F2, it just goes to a black screen. after a while the MacPro asked is I want to set up the new mac but then my esc key and command F5 keys dont work so i just sit on a black screen.. Then when I get out of Target Display it comes back to my normal screen with the brightness at 1 bar.

 

Any suggestions? iv been trying to figure this out for 2 days now.

Posted on Oct 4, 2016 12:45 AM

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jarred stedman

Q: imac 27 inch 2013 connect to mac pro target display, black screen

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Oct 4, 2016 1:39 AM in response to jarred stedman
    Level 10 (190,692 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 1:39 AM in response to jarred stedman

    Have you tried:

    If Command-F2 doesn't work

    If your iMac doesn't switch to Target Display Mode when you press Command-F2, check these things:

    • Make sure the iMac you're trying to use as a display supports Target Display Mode.
    • Make sure you're pressing Command-F2 on the keyboard that's connected to the iMac you want to use as a display.
    • 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.
    • Make sure your Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable is connected to both computers.
    • If you're currently logged in on the iMac you want to use as a display, try logging out to return to the login window. Then press Command-F2 again.
    • Some older Apple keyboards and third-party keyboards might not allow Command-F2 to toggle display modes. If this happens, use the keyboard that came with your iMac to toggle Target Display Mode on and off.
    • If your iMac is currently started up in Windows, it won't enter Target Display Mode. Target Display Mode isn't supported in Boot Camp.

    You are using a Thunderbolt cable, right?

    A mini displayport cable will plug into a Thunderbolt port since they look the same. Does your cable plug have a lighting bolt icon n the plug ends?

  • by jarred stedman,

    jarred stedman jarred stedman Oct 4, 2016 2:50 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 4, 2016 2:50 AM in response to lllaass

    Hi Illaass

    thanks for writing.. I have read the info page a few times now so I have checked off and double checked off all of those options above a few times.

    And yelp, i bough a new thunderbolt cable from the mac store today - but still no good.

    The Imac is kicking into Target Display Mode, but then the MacPro isn't sending the signal to the display or something.. And each time I turn on TDM, the MacPro starts talking about how to enable voiceover mode.

     

    Any other ideas ? 

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Oct 4, 2016 6:48 AM in response to jarred stedman
    Level 10 (190,692 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 6:48 AM in response to jarred stedman

    For the Mac Pro:

    - Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM

    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

    About NVRAM and PRAM

    For the iMac only reset the SMC