Start up from a shutdown MacBook with closed lid

[MamaMoose]

I am running my 17" MacBook Pro with lid closed and using a new DVI 23" Cinema Display. I normally Shut Down using Control+Eject. After ShutDown, the Display is blank and I assume the laptop is also ShutDown. Now, when i strat again, I have to open the laptop lid (inconvenient!) and hit the ON button.

Is there another way to strat up after shut down so that I don't have to open the lid as the lap top is in an inconvenient location. I was hoping there was abutton on the display that would do this or on the keyboard but I am afraid they do not exist.

Any suggestions? Thanks,

MamaMoose

[FLASH1296]

You are advised to NEVER run a MacBookPro with the lid closed.
The heat buildup will cost you your main logic board.
I will not scare you by telling you what that cost of repair is.

[Xairbusdriver]

Not sure I understand the exact question/problem.

If the laptop is in an incovenient location, why? Do you put it there after the shutdown? Do you normall use it in that same location?

I'm not familiar with the control-eject method of shutdown, but since that does the job, I don't understand why you seem surprised that the screen would be dark or that the machine is actually "Shutdown." And I am also unaware of any way to start up a Shutdown machine without using the power button.

But perhaps you simply want to put the machine into a sleep mode that will allow you to start working again with the opening of the lid. There should be some help from MBP users about the various sleep states that it is capable of, one of which should solve the problem.

While I can see a problem with carrying a laptop inside a pouch/case while still on for too long a time could cause heat problems, I don't understand how leaving one in any sleep state would be cause for concern when it is sitting in the open on a cart/desk. I stand (sit?) ready for correction on that front, however. My only real experience has been with an older iBook which is hardly ever Shutdown while on my wife's desk. And that may be much different for a MBP model.

[MamaMoose]

My bad! I am sorry that my description of the problem wasn't clearer. Let me try again. My latest configuration is my 17" MacBook Pro is connected to an external 23" Studio Display via DVI cable and uses an external keyboard. is simple. Select the keys, Control+Eject. The display is self-powered. The laptop is in a space where it is very difficult to open the lid sufficiently to access the power button.

Shut Down from the keyboard is simple. Select the keys Control+Option and a window appears giving one the choice of Cancel, Shut Down, Restart, or etc. Selecting Shut Down shuts the computer off as well as the display. My question is can I start up without using the On button on the laptop? In "olden" times, Apple displays had an On button located on the display. So, by selecting that button, one could turn on display plus computer.

The computer display has an On/Off button but the Display Preferences has the following options: Turn display on or off, Put the system to sleep or wakes it, or Do nothing. I guess putting the system to sleep is my best option and I will select it.

If the system is asleep can I keep the lid closed without destroying the laptop? By the way what is active during sleep? Is the laptop consuming power?

Sorry for confusion you all,

MamaMoose

[Xairbusdriver]

I'm very easily confused! I guess I can understand your setup now; external keyboard and extra monitor. Thus no real need to have the screen up/open. But I'm not sure you really need to shutdown, either. I just have never heard of a recent Mac that could be started up without using the power button.

Here are some links to disscussions on the Apple Forums:
<Closing the screen to sleep. Is that bad?>
<Start up with external keyboard - almost>
<Keeping the lid closed - good discussion with links to Apple docs and a way to defeat Sleep.>
<More info on running with lid closed>
<Apple Document Article: 86286>

There are more where these came from!

[daryl66]

QUOTE(MamaMoose @ Jan 16 2008, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the system is asleep can I keep the lid closed without destroying the laptop? By the way what is active during sleep? Is the laptop consuming power?

MamaMoose

I do exactly that with a G4 12" Powerbook and an external lcd monitor. Very rare is the time when I "shutdown"  I have read many pros and cons as to sleep vs shutdown and cannot say I have an opinion one way or the other, except this guy has been sleeping during idle time for going on 3 years.  There is NO heat emanating from the pb when it is asleep.FWIW

Daryl

[sandbox]

Tom, it's OK to use your MacBook in the CLAM SHELL MODE according to Apple. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86286

I use my iBook the same way on a Samsung wide screen.

here's some additional data.
http://home.earthlink.net/~mrob/pub/ibook.html


Note: I do use Temperox to closely monitor the heat.
you may need to use your own heat utility on a MacBook.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/17027

[FLASH1296]

I'd use fn+F1(repeated taps) to blank the desktop display [or use "shades"]
Then semi-close the lid. Place a small soft object where it will keep the lid open by a half inch to release heat.

ALSO, I strongly suggest that you use hibernation instead of sleep. It uses almost NO power at all - as it does not hold info in RAM. It uses HD space.
The only drawback is that it takes from 5 - 15 seconds to awaken.
I use a great free preference pane called "Hibernate" v. 1.0  works perfectly and gives you several options to access.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/19988/hibernate