[kilechki]

I've been using my 12" G4 on an external Apple display since the internal screen was broken a few months ago. Everything's fine, except that the 12" is a nice little heat factory that get even hottier when running lid closed. And heat = fan, which is really, really loud and stressful, while black traces are visible behind the screen.

So I'd like to give it more air and have it run lid opened.
Problem : it's not very accessible (under my desk) and I can't open/close it everytime after it goes to sleep so that it doesn't wake up on its internal display.

Question: does anyone know how to modify hardware or software to have the PB "forget" about its internal display and always use external display, even after waking up from sleep?


Thanks a lot

[ibook_steve]

You could unplug the LVDS video cable to the internal display, but I have no idea if that would have the effect you are looking for. A laptop always looks for its internal display, except for closed lid mode. If it doesn't find it, it does not necessarily default to using an external display. If the fan bothers you that much and you can't leave the lid open, you may really want to considering repairing or replacing the display (check iFixit for parts) or getting a new machine.

Steve

[iREZ]

you could also try getting one of those laptop cooling fans.

i also remember an individual here at macnn that posted a setup of his 15" powerbook with no screen attached to his computer. it was basically a keyboard/trackpad/computer that always ran off his monitor.

[hookem2oo7]

doesn't the computer use a reed switch and magnet to determine if the lid is closed? i know i had an ibook g4 that had a crazy reed switch problem and to test it i used a tiny (think watch battery size) magnet over the reed switch. if you knew where the reed switch was located you could place a magnet over it with the lid open and the PB would think the lid was closed.