Macbook Pro - Mini Display port to TV - Argggh

[simonp]

Do any of you mac whizz kids know the answer - I've been trawling for ages and can't find.

I'm trying to connect my macbook pro (15") to an external TV (for a demo I'm doing at SEDA next Sunday) - I'm using a mini display port to RGB lead.

When I connect to the TV the display on the mac goes doolally and displays about a quarter of whatevers on the screen - It's hard to explain so I have TP2 on the screen and when I plug the mini display port in it goes like this (pic below) and that is the full screen!!!



My desktop has disappeared and all the progam icons in the bar have increased size - This is the same image being put on the external TV.

When I take out the mini display port lead everything reverts to normal!

What am i doing wrong or missing? anyone?

[WWDJ]

Its probably cloning the screen and defaulting to the lowest resolution of both the TV and the screen on the laptop.

Not at the machine at the moment, but in displays you can choose the resolution and whether to use the external monitor as an extended display rather than clone

[simonp]

Its probably cloning the screen and defaulting to the lowest resolution of both the TV and the screen on the laptop.

Not at the machine at the moment, but in displays you can choose the resolution and whether to use the external monitor as an extended display rather than clone

OOOo Ok - will have a look around and let you know when I can't find what I'm looking for

[simonp]

Don't know what's happened but I opened up display in preferences and the whole macbook has gone foooooked - display has gone completely bonkers, desktops disappeared everythings weird and I can't even find how to restore it to default!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP

edit - managed to mend that by finding the 1440 x 900 - so back to normal phew

Can't find where you would have the option of using an external monitor

[WWDJ]

I think you have to plug the monitor in, then go system prefs, display?

[simonp]

I think you have to plug the monitor in, then go system prefs, display?

And from there?

[Cowlinn]

I don't know what you mean by mini display to "RGB" But..

With a Mini Display to VGA lead (or DVI)

- Plug it in

- Ensure your Magsafe is plugged in

- System preferences > Display > Select Appropriate Resolution

- Arrangement tab > Select your arrangement

(If your closing the lid you'll need to wake the mack up with the keyboard)

Sounds like your using the wrong resolution to me, or you've got your arrangement set wrong.

[simonp]

I don't know what you mean by mini display to "RGB" But..

With a Mini Display to VGA lead (or DVI)

- Plug it in

- Ensure your Magsafe is plugged in

- System preferences > Display > Select Appropriate Resolution

- Arrangement tab > Select your arrangement

(If your closing the lid you'll need to wake the mack up with the keyboard)

Sounds like your using the wrong resolution to me, or you've got your arrangement set wrong.

Yup, sorry it is mini display port to VGA (on the TV remote the channel to select is called RGB)

Quick question, What the hell is magsafe????????

[Cowlinn]

Yup, sorry it is mini display port to VGA (on the TV remote the channel to select is called RGB)

Quick question, What the hell is magsafe????????

MagSafe = Charger

Charger needs to be plugged in.

[simonp]

MagSafe = Charger

Charger needs to be plugged in.

e.g. In plain English do you mean the power supply for the mac?