davidfromwest greenwich
Level 1 (11 points)
Apple Watch

Q: connecting two displays to Mac Mini

This is one of many stupid questions.  I do know how to connect and use two displays on a Mac Mini.  I am running into a problem if I shut off the secondary monitor and try to work from just the primary.  I am using two 32" HDTV's.  The problem I am running into is "with both HDTV's connected to the Mac Mini but only having one turned on, the Bluetooth mouse is erratic".  Everything else seems to be fine.  Would there be a setting I have wrong?  I have the display settings set to "Use as separate displays".  I was hoping I could turn on the second display only when I have a need for it.  Am I going to have to turn on both displays under these conditions?  It was also curious that when I did turn on my Mac Mini the login was on the secondary display and there was no signal going to the primary display.  Once turn on the second display and log in, both worked fine.  I told you it was a stupid question

Mac mini, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 10:20 AM

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davidfromwest greenwich

Q: connecting two displays to Mac Mini

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  • by davidfromwest greenwich,Helpful

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Oct 14, 2016 12:08 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 14, 2016 12:08 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    I just like to add to my original question.  I was wondering what would happen when I let the Mac Mini go into stand by mode and the display would sleep and eventually shut themselves off.  I did not use my Mac Mini for an hour and both my HDTV displays timed out and shut off.  So when I turn the primary display back on and did not turn on the secondary display, the bluetooth mouse working perfectly.  Much to my surprise.  I could then turn on the secondary HDTV display and the mouse continued to work perfectly.  So this would be one solution to my problem.  I am just trying to not have both HDTV displays on when I don't need two.  If I were to shut the other display off while I using the Mac Mini, I would expect to again have the original problem with the erratic behavior of the bluetooth mouse.  I guess that will be my next test. 

  • by davidfromwest greenwich,Helpful

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Oct 14, 2016 12:07 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 14, 2016 12:07 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    So just to continue.  I did shut down the secondary display and the bluetooth mouse would not work properly at that point.  So I guess I will need to start with both on and if they shut themselves off due to inactivity, I can then just turn on the primary display and the mouse seemed to have worked well under that scenario. 

     

    Just FYI

  • by davidfromwest greenwich,

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Oct 15, 2016 1:47 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 15, 2016 1:47 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    So bottom line is:  All the scenarios work like I mentioned on my original and subsequent posts, but.  Being that I have two HDTVs connected to the Mac Mini and set up as "separate displays" and they do work with the both receiving a signal from the Mac even if I did not turn the second on after they timed out.  With both on and working fine, and I switch the input to my cable TV so I can watch TV on one and work on the computer on the other, the mouse goes back to being erratic.  I have tried different settings with no luck.  So I'm back at the original problem.  It would be nice if I could use both HDTVs for computing when the need arises and also be able to use them for TV & computing.  I just don't know why the bluetooth mouse goes crazy, and make the Mac Mini unusable.  Stick a fork in me I'm done:)

     

    Unless someone knows a solution for this scenario, I will leave the community alone:) 

     

    Thanks for letting me vent.