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    Using a monitor with a macbook

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by colettestuart, Dec 25, 2011.

  1. colettestuart

    colettestuart Newbie

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    We just purchased a Samsung monitor to use with our macbook. I am sure it is connected properly as the display settings come up but I can not see the desktop, icons or play movies....not sure what I have to change to have this work properly!
     
    colettestuart, Dec 25, 2011
    #1
  2. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

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    Welcome to the forum!

    Try looking in System Prefs-Displays, and see if the Samsung is there. You may need to set that as your output screen when it's connected.

    Windows notebooks usually have a function button combo to set the LCD external out, but Mac products don't.
     
    ClearSkies, Dec 25, 2011
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  3. mmoy

    mmoy Notebook Deity

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    Do you have a little monitor icon in the bar at the top on the right-hand side? If so, what do you get when you right-click on the icon?
     
    mmoy, Dec 25, 2011
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  4. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    Usually if it doesn't work its because its defaulting to resolution or refresh rate that the external display cannot handle.

    It should run both screens at once... so open up System preferences, under Display, then plug in your external monitor... if your only seeing the built in display, then move the mouse over onto it, and press "Gather windows" on the Display Properties so all the display windows will show up on that screen, then try changing the settings for the external display to something it can run, and see if any work.
     
    doh123, Dec 27, 2011
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