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Archives => 2008 => Topic started by: MamaMoose on May 20, 2008, 03:41:31 AM

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: MamaMoose on May 20, 2008, 03:41:31 AM

I use my MacBook Pro as my main system at home but with an outboard monitor. I would like to cause the internal screen to sleep while the external monitor is active. If I close the MacBook lid everything goes to sleep. I just want the MacBook's screen to sleep.

How can I do that? Thanks,

MamaMoose

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: antony on May 20, 2008, 08:11:49 AM

If you have external keyboard and mouse connected (as well as an external monitor), you can operate MacBook Pro while the lid is closed.
Simply plug mouse, keyboard and external monitor to the MacBook Pro, close the lid (let it sleep). Then wake up the MacBook Pro from external keyboard or mouse.


(Edited, corrected a few stupid spelling mistakes)

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: MamaMoose on May 21, 2008, 02:16:14 AM

Thanks Antony. Worked like a charm.

MamaMoose

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: jwboyd on May 21, 2008, 05:10:46 AM

I, too, use my MacBookPro like a desktop (external monitor, keyboard, and mouse) except when traveling.

I have been in the habit of leaving the lid open about an inch because I want to reduce heat buildup. Is that anything to be concerned about?

Joe

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: Gregg on May 21, 2008, 07:25:00 AM

Joe, I'll let Antony or someone else weigh in on that, but I have a question.

Tom, when you follow the procedure Antony recommends, does the external monitor go to sleep also?

Hmmm. Is there a way to set the external monitor to stay awake longer??? (Not that it matters.)

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: daryl66 on May 21, 2008, 11:42:29 AM

QUOTE(Gregg @ May 21 2008, 07:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Joe, I'll let Antony or someone else weigh in on that, but I have a question.

 does the external monitor go to sleep also?

Hmmm. Is there a way to set the external monitor to stay awake longer??? (Not that it matters.)

I have been using this technique with a 12"G4PB for about 3 years, and Yes the monitor does go to sleep.(OSX 10.4.11)  When you wake up the monitor with the lid closed you are actually waking up the computer. I guess my question would be is: why would you want the monitor awake and the computer to sleep???

Daryl

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: Gregg on May 21, 2008, 12:15:09 PM

...so the computer doesn't get tired?

Of course, it's the laptop's display that stays "asleep"

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: MamaMoose on May 21, 2008, 06:07:21 PM

The laptop display goes to sleep and the external monitor stays on! When I select "Sleep" in the Apple menu, the Monitor, laptop CPU , external drives, and the laptop display all sleep. When I want to start up again, I just hit the space bar (or any key), and the system shows up on the monitor but the display says off.

I think you have to pay attention to the Energy Saver settings. In my case  for the Power Adaptor (Custom), I have both the computer and display sliders set to NEVER. For the battery settings (Custom), The computer slider is set 15 min while the display slider is set to 2.5 min.

MamaMoose

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: antony on May 22, 2008, 05:05:51 AM

QUOTE(jwboyd @ May 21 2008, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have been in the habit of leaving the lid open about an inch because I want to reduce heat buildup. Is that anything to be concerned about?

I am no expert on the heat issue, but one thing for sure, don't put a piece of clothes above the keyboard when use the MacBook Pro/PowerBook in closed-lid mode.

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: jwboyd on May 22, 2008, 08:34:35 AM

Another advantage of leaving the cover open a bit:

The sloping surface doesn't allow me to pile stuff on top of it. All the other flat surfaces on my desk tend to get piled pretty high (or deep)!

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 22, 2008, 08:59:54 AM

Antony, I've seen reports lately that suggest using a 'cutting board' under any laptop. Some have suggested using certain laptops to fry an egg, so a cutting board should not be far away! The kitchen seems to be the place to keep laptops!

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: antony on May 22, 2008, 09:49:15 AM

Xairbusdriver, Cutting board? that's new (to me).

If people are really worried about the heat issue, you can always get a cooling stand underneath the MacBook Pro/PowerBook. There are reports said current model of MacBook Pro is cooler than previous ones.

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: Paddy on May 22, 2008, 11:44:18 AM

I don't seem to have heat issues with my MBP, unlike my old Powerbook. The Powerbook's fans go like mad sometimes - we've got a RoadTools Traveller CoolPad for it, which helps.

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: daryl66 on May 22, 2008, 04:49:10 PM

QUOTE(Paddy @ May 22 2008, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't seem to have heat issues with my MBP, unlike my old Powerbook. The Powerbook's fans go like mad sometimes - we've got a RoadTools Traveller CoolPad for it, which helps.

Interesting.  I stayed away from the MBP heat discussion due to complete lack of knowledge and experience, however my G4PB 12" does not even get warm to the touch with the lid down, and the only time the fan(s) run is when it is REALLY working hard. Great little program herewill tell you realtime everything you ever wanted to know about the  temp of your laptop.

Daryl

Title: Want to shut down internal laptop screen
Post by: Paddy on May 22, 2008, 06:33:25 PM

Daryl, I wasn't referring to the Powerbook when its lid was closed - if the fans ran like mad when it was asleep, I'd be a bit worried! It does run generally warmer than the MBP, though from my experience. Guess its little processor has to work a little harder!!