Forcing Macbook Pro to output via DVI

[P.addy]

Right.. I have a Macbook from a guy at work, cheapy one, screen is busted, comes on once every like 50 reboots.

Couldn't care as its going to output to my monitor.

Does anyone know of a way to force it to output to DVI with the screen open? I need it to be the main screen, and you only get the "arrangement" option when the screen is up... then back to the "its broken and I can't see shit" bit.

Is there something in terminal that I can use to force this?

[prawny1]

so you get the dvi output but it is only the extended screen not the active one?

Or you can't get the dvi to work unless the main screen is working?

I'm not familiar with mac o/s but most dead laptops i've salvaged have automatically switched to external once I disconnect the main screen altogether.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[P.addy]

[prawny1]

do you not have a wireless keyboard/mouse you could use?

That way you can just power it up and leave the laptop with the lid closed.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[P.addy]

[prawny1]

you can get little handheld keyboards or ones with a built in trackpad pretty cheap,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paradox-Touch-Wireless-Keyboard-with-Built-in-Touchpad-Touch-Pad-Sumvision-NEW-/200785087103?hash=item2ebfb94a7f

it wouldn't be that much more aggravation to carry a keyboard with you when you move the laptop from room to room.

I had one of the sumvision keyboards with a separate mouse for a while it was actually better than the Microsoft set I have now for range and mouse surface responsiveness (Microsoft one is crap on anything but a mouse matt or light fabric/paper), the only issue was the keys are a but tight and clicky when new.

I popped a few of the worse keys out and lightly greased them, it was fine after that.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[P.addy]

Would need a Mac one really, they shortcuts are fairly useless without it. That and I'll likely take it to work and blast up on the bigger monitor, or parents etc. I just fancy it defaulting to the DVI to save me any hassle

[AlanC]

Put a fridge magnet near the bottom edge of the left hand speaker.

Seriously.

For some more practical solutions, try https://www.cultofmac.com/176329/

[prawny1]

I didn't think to trick the lid closed switch,

Must be a magnetic sensor to tell the mac when the lid is shut
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[P.addy]

DAT MAGIC.

But no, lid open, DVI connected, we have winrar.

Cheers, seems to be working well