[MrForgetable]

then when I unplug the display, I get a blank desktop even though System Prefs->Desktop shows that the desktop I had is already running. Is there any way around this? I'm thinking this is an OS thing.

[tooki]

What exactly is your question? I can't figure out exactly what you want to know.

By "Desktop", do you mean your icons on the desktop, or the desktop picture? Something else?

Clamshell can't be with a second display — if you are running in clamshell mode (lid-closed operation), then the external display is the only display.

tooki

[MrForgetable]

When I run clamshell on my Powerbook and run one external display, it is fine. Then when I change back to the internal display, the desktop background image turns grey. System Prefs->Desktop and Screensaver->Desktop shows that it is on, but it really isn't. Or it just isn't showing it.