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unix · Jan 4, 2008, 02:06 PM

i just bought a 24'' samsung display (sweet) and i wanna hook it up to my macbook, but when i connect it, it sets it to extended desktop mode, but i dun want that, i want my 24'' to be my primary display and nothing else, and when i put it into mirror mode, i cant use the resolution 1900 x 1200 help anyone?? right now i use extended desktop mode but have the samsung as the primary one with the dock and everything but my mouse still runs off the screen onto the macbook side which its lid is closed and isnt the best solution....

seanc · Jan 4, 2008, 02:49 PM

To use the external screen only, you need to have the MacBook plugged into the power and also have a keyboard and mouse plugged in, then close the lid' The internal display will switch off and the external display will be the only one in use.

Andhee · Jan 4, 2008, 03:19 PM

once you've hooked up the keyboard and mouse, close the lid of the macbook, it will send it to sleep, then you can wake it up with your mouse/keyboard.

if there is anyone else out there who knows another way please enlighten me, because its damn annoying as my internet cacks out when i wake it from sleep, meaning i have to restart it :/

seanc · Jan 4, 2008, 04:31 PM

Ah, isn't that the Airport bug?
Is it possible for you to use Ethernet?

boy8cookie · Jan 4, 2008, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Andhee

once you've hooked up the keyboard and mouse, close the lid of the macbook, it will send it to sleep, then you can wake it up with your mouse/keyboard.

if there is anyone else out there who knows another way please enlighten me, because its damn annoying as my internet cacks out when i wake it from sleep, meaning i have to restart it :/

Originally Posted by seanc

Ah, isn't that the Airport bug?
Is it possible for you to use Ethernet?

Sounds like the airport bug to me. The best work around would be to Turn off your airport before you close the book, then once you've woken it, turn the airport back on. Should work.

Andhee · Jan 5, 2008, 07:37 AM

Do you think they will release a fix for this in the near future? It gets on my nerves!

Thanks for the heads up on the bug anyway

p.s I think I can use ethernet to connect to the internet when airport has a dodgy stint, as before I remember being incredibly annoyed that i had to have my macbook connected through it, as airport was just being a complete joke.

seanc · Jan 5, 2008, 08:05 AM

I would expect it to be fixed either in an Airport update or possibly OS update.

Andhee · Jan 5, 2008, 09:25 AM

Is it a problem with everyones macbooks then, or is it just the lucky few who get it?

Thanks

seanc · Jan 5, 2008, 12:00 PM

I think it's a pretty widespread issue. Are you running Tiger or Leopard?

Andhee · Jan 5, 2008, 01:02 PM

Leopard, although I upgraded hoping it would get rid of the problem. I'm pretty sure the problem arised in 10.4.10, as I remember going to the apple store after the update and the so called 'genius' had no idea.

ajprice · Jan 5, 2008, 04:16 PM

Connect everything to your Macbook as if it was a desktop computer as said above, turn on the power and close the lid, it will immediately transfer to the external screen.

If you do want to use both screens and have the macbook open, and will have it set up like that all the time, I'm pretty sure you can set the external to be the main screen with the menubar and dock etc. In the displays preferences there's a diagram of 2 screens, drag the menubar from one to the other.

ghporter · Jan 5, 2008, 06:40 PM

The "AirPort Bug" has yet to be definitively and permanently fixed, even though it's been around since at least the early versions of Tiger. It's because the AirPort card doesn't know that the computer has gone to sleep in the first place, and so when it wakes up as far as it's concerned the network has just gone away. One approach to fixing this is to configure the card to connect to "Automatic" rather than a specified network if you have one specified, and (you're ahead of me on this, right?) to have it connect to a specific network if it's set to "Automatic." Either way, the card sees that it's not connected and then starts looking, rather than treating the loss like a potentially temporary drop in signal. You can also just manually disconnect and reconnect via the AirPort gadget in the title bar, either disconnect/turn off the card before sleep, or disconnect and reconnect once it's woken up.

Andhee · Jan 6, 2008, 06:13 AM

Even when I turn airport off before sleep, when I wake it up and turn it on, it fails to work, I have to do a restart everytime. Is there a way I can actually turn the card completely off or anything?

Thanks.

ghporter · Jan 6, 2008, 08:55 AM

Are you saying that ONLY restarting the computer makes the card once again find your network? Have you tried restarting your wireless router instead? If the former, then it sounds like your card isn't doing its thing correctly. If the latter works, then you may be able to update the firmware on the router and get it to work for you.

Let's take this part of the discussion to the Networking forum. Start a thread there about your AirPort issue, and give as many specifics (including your network hardware, which MacBook version you have, and your OS version. We'll pick it up from there.