How can I disable the built-in screen from an external monitor?

Hi, this is my first post here, so I hope this is in the right place.


I somehow broke the screen on my Air. They want $600 to replace it, and I don't have the money. I do have an external HDMI port that goes to a TV. I have been able to login suscessfully, but the display isn't mirrored on the external monitor. This is my first mac, and I've only had it for a few months, so I'm not familiar with all the keyboard shortcuts. I'm looking for a way to pull up the terminal in that screen so I can disable the factory monitor and just use the external.

Doing some searching, it looks like I can disable it by using

sudo nvram boot-args="iog=0x0"

But I can't get to the terminal.


Please help!

giddyup306 said:

I do have an external HDMI port that goes to a TV. I have been able to login suscessfully, but the display isn't mirrored on the external monitor.

I'm looking for a way to pull up the terminal in that screen so I can disable the factory monitor and just use the external.

Doing some searching, it looks like I can disable it by using

sudo nvram boot-args="iog=0x0"

But I can't get to the terminal.

Click to expand...

You are over-thinking things! Just run your MacBook Air in "clamshell mode":

Mac notebooks: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

HTH,

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

You are over-thinking things! Just run your MacBook Air in "clamshell mode":

Mac notebooks: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

HTH,

- Nick

Click to expand...

Hey thanks a bunch! Didn't know you could do that!

giddyup306 said:

Hey thanks a bunch! Didn't know you could do that!

Click to expand...

You are welcome!

Yeah...it's a pretty cool feature (especially if the laptops display gets busted)! I run my MacBook Pro with an external monitor like this quite a bit.

- Nick

Anytime you get tired of that 30" beauty Nick, I'll personally drive to your place to pick it up! I'm still trying to convince the wife we need a new 27" Thunderbolt display. ;D

chscag said:

Anytime you get tired of that 30" beauty Nick, I'll personally drive to your place to pick it up! I'm still trying to convince the wife we need a new 27" Thunderbolt display. ;D

Click to expand...

Ha Ha Charlie! I know that you're just "itching" to get a super-big external display.

To be honest...I think that the 27" Thunderbolt display in many ways is superior to the older 30" display. The 27" has:

- built-in speakers
- more ports
- ability to power/charge the laptop that it is attached to
- LED vs. LCD
- faster refresh rate
- probably consumes less power

The two plus's for the 30" are:

- more screen real estate (slightly larger than the 27")
- since it is a 30" panel (versus 27")...text is slightly larger than it would be on the 27".

For the price I paid for the 30"...I'm very happy with it...and strangely...the 30" size doesn't seem nearly as MASSIVE as it once did! I actually have been thinking of posting it on Craig's List or e-Bay...and seeing what I could get for it (above what I paid for it). If I can get a couple hundred more than I paid for it...that would get me close enough to purchase a refurbished 27" display from the Apple online store! And since I do have the original box...shipping would be easier too.

- Nick