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Monkei · Apr 27, 2007, 06:22 PM

How can I turn off the function that shuts down my MacBook when I close the lid? I want to use my external monitor, keyboard, and mouse with the lid down (if possible).

Thanks.

kick52 · Apr 27, 2007, 06:28 PM

not really, but you can use magnets to fool it, or you can sleep it, and plug in a usb device to wake it up.

peeb · Apr 27, 2007, 07:00 PM

I think you can do this by powering it up, and closing the lid before it is powered on fully.

ibook_steve · Apr 27, 2007, 07:58 PM

Closed lid mode. Discussed countless times here and in your user's manual.

Steve

Monkei · Apr 27, 2007, 08:18 PM

Thanks for being a bundle of help there for the new guy ... maybe someday I can be an elitist and not ever have to ask a question but merely wait for some new guy to come along and ask a question to point out my own self proclaimed elitisim.

disposable · 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Monkei

Thanks for being a bundle of help there for the new guy ... maybe someday I can be an elitist and not ever have to ask a question but merely wait for some new guy to come along and ask a question to point out my own self proclaimed elitisim.

Haha, very well said! On the contrary, I'm trying to help over here. I think I remember a program that would allow you to close your lid and still work on your notebook. I can't remember yet, but if I remember I'll post it!

P.S. -
probably not a good idea, since it can get very hot and can damage your screen.

disposable · Apr 27, 2007, 10:22 PM

FOUND IT!

It's called InsomniaX.

you can get it here InsomniaX

good luck!

markalan · Apr 27, 2007, 10:45 PM

Hook up the external monitor, keyboard and mouse. close the lid of the macbook. when the unit goes to sleep press any key and it should wake up and ONLY drive the external display. Then adjust the resolution of the external monitor if it supports a higher resoulution then the standard 13.1 built in screen. I use a MBP with a 22" widescreen and keep the lid/built-in screen off.

Simon · Apr 28, 2007, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by markalan

Hook up the external monitor, keyboard and mouse. close the lid of the macbook. when the unit goes to sleep press any key and it should wake up and ONLY drive the external display.

That is almost correct. Many people forget to add that for closed-lid mode to work the MB must be connected to power. If you disconnect power while in closed-lid mode it will go to sleep.

markalan · Apr 28, 2007, 08:53 AM

Simon. Thanks. I forgot that.

ibook_steve · Apr 28, 2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Monkei

Thanks for being a bundle of help there for the new guy ... maybe someday I can be an elitist and not ever have to ask a question but merely wait for some new guy to come along and ask a question to point out my own self proclaimed elitisim.

Not trying to be rude. It's just that this question gets asked just about every other day, and a simple search for "closed lide mode" or something similar (or checking the Help menu) would have gotten you the answer faster than waiting for people to reply. There's tons of great info here. All you have to do is search for it.

Steve

dagamer34 · Apr 29, 2007, 11:05 PM

Like other people have said, running your notebook with the lid closed is likely to damage the screen, especially if it gets rather hot.

peeb · Apr 29, 2007, 11:29 PM

No, it isn't.

Simon · Apr 30, 2007, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by dagamer34

Like other people have said, running your notebook with the lid closed is likely to damage the screen, especially if it gets rather hot.

Complete and utter 100% grade-A misinformation.

Closed-lid mode is advertised in every portable Mac user manual by Apple. It is being used by countless Ti PB, PB G4, iB G4, MBP, and MB users. There is absolutely no reason to believe Apple would endorse this mode if it meant they had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on warranty repair.

I have no idea why people keep spreading this bullshit.

iREZ · Apr 30, 2007, 02:31 AM

seconded^

disposable · May 1, 2007, 02:27 PM

Here's the definitive answer to this question!

• You are chatting with Renee, an Apple Expert
• Hi, my name is Renee. How may I help you today?
• Renee: Good afternoon
• Renee: Would you like help with your shopping?
• You: I have a question about the MBP.
• Renee: I'm happy to assist with that.
• You: I have an HDTV that I hooked up to my MBP. I want to buy a wireless mouse and keyboard and close the lid on my MBP.
• You: Is it possible to do that without it going to sleep?
• Renee: Unfortunately, you would need to have both wired in order to keep the MacBook Pro from going to sleep.
• Renee: When you close the lid, it stops wireless communications
• You: If I find a way to do it, is it safe to keep the lid closed and keep it on?
• Renee: The only way it works, is by keeping both accessories wired.
• Renee: Yes it’s safe to keep it on with the lid closed.
• You: It won't damage my screen?
• Renee: Not at all, the screen will turn off, when closed
• You: Okay, what about the heat coming from the hard drive, keyboard, etc.?
• Renee: The fans are located in the rear of the MacBook pro, so it blows the heat away from it. It will be fine, it’s done a lot. I get this question a lot as well!

wingdo · May 1, 2007, 03:07 PM

Renee is misinformed about one item. I close the lid on my MBP all the time and wake it back up with my BT Keyboard.

Simon · May 1, 2007, 04:09 PM

Renee doesn't know what she's talking about. "Apple expert" my ass.

Closed-lid mode works just fine with BT keyboards and mice. I do it all the time with an Apple BT keyboard and a Logitech MX900 BT mouse.

Again the only thing to keep in mind is to connect power. It doesn't matter if the video device is a monitor or TV. As long as it's connected to the DVI port closed-lid mode will work just fine.

markalan · May 1, 2007, 05:50 PM

Gee, I guess I should send my MBP C2D to Apple for repair. I use a BT keyboard and a usb mouse with my external monitor. It wakes fine from the keyboard.

Rexermacman · Jun 6, 2007, 06:15 PM

See the following link for using the display closed mode with wired keyboard and mouse:
How to use your PowerBook G4, MacBook Pro or MacBook with the display closed

See the following article link for Apple's instructions to use a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard with display closed mode:
How to use your PowerBook G4, MacBook or MacBook Pro with the display closed and a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse

BTW, it took me a while to find these; I could find nothing in the Mac Help section that addressed the display closed mode either. Why they hide info on using such a great feature is a mystery to me.

Good luck...