[Riemann Zeta]

From what I have read concerning the DellEFI package and its GMA950 driver, display mirroring with an external analogue display doesn't work. That is fine. However, does this mean that all external display modes are also dysfunctional--can I plug in another VGA device (which has a maximum of 1024*768, so it shouldn't be too stressful) and run them in parallel? I would test this out myself, but I just got this machine working perfectly and don't want to risk f*cking things up (for example, once a few months ago while running 10.5.6, I hypothesized that turning off HFS+ journaling might be a good idea for the write-crippled SSD...bet you cannot guess what happened after that).

[Nethfel]

Yes, you can put an external monitor on and it will extend the desktop. I do it regularly on my display at work that is 1280x1024 without any problems. I have also got it setup to use the external display as my primary display as long as it is connected, so my dock and menu bar, etc. are on my external screen.

[SkyWriter]

i am able to use two different monitors as an extended desktop without issue. however if i mirroring them, they don't work.

additionally, i have tried to use a Dell brand projector (with VGA) - it will not work in either extended or mirrored mode. it behaves liked mirrored. perhaps the system identifies the projector differently and sets mirrored automatically.

this unfortunately prevents me from ditching my windows netbook

[Super Nova]

Originally Posted by Nethfel

Yes, you can put an external monitor on and it will extend the desktop. I do it regularly on my display at work that is 1280x1024 without any problems. I have also got it setup to use the external display as my primary display as long as it is connected, so my dock and menu bar, etc. are on my external screen.

Could you tell how you set up your external display as the primary so that the dock and menu bar are on your external display, please? I cannot figure it out...

[Riemann Zeta]

^^In the Display Preferences panel, go to Arrangement. You will see that one of the little display representations has a tiny white menu bar--drag that white bar to the display you wish to use as the primary panel.

[Nethfel]

Reimann beat me to it =) I also use two different backgrounds on the screens (on the mini I use a background I downloaded here, and on the main screen I use a default background. It's quite nice what you can do with two separate displays.

to skywriter: you might want to try the mirroring off trick with the external projector, have a terminal open, type in mirroring off but don't press enter, connect the projector, after screwed up screen has settled, press enter and see if that forces it back to extended instead of mirrored.

[SkyWriter]

Originally Posted by Nethfel

to skywriter: you might want to try the mirroring off trick with the external projector, have a terminal open, type in mirroring off but don't press enter, connect the projector, after screwed up screen has settled, press enter and see if that forces it back to extended instead of mirrored.

yup, tried all that, oddly nothing works with the Dell.

[ian]

Wanted to say thank you for the "mirroring off" fix. Was doing a demo this morning and got vertical bars when I plugged in the projector. Did a search here and found this thread and it sorted my problem.

[Super Nova]

Originally Posted by Riemann Zeta

^^In the Display Preferences panel, go to Arrangement. You will see that one of the little display representations has a tiny white menu bar--drag that white bar to the display you wish to use as the primary panel.

My mini is not with me. Will try this weekend. Thank you!

[gurucuku]

i'm using mine with ext lcd monitor up to 1280x1024 resolution, working quite well IMO but you have to plug your lcd right before turning your mini from cold boot. A draw back? you'll lose the ability to switch to your screen back to mini without shutting down, unplug and startup again