[ladyuser101]

Okay, I finally took time to set up my new 20 inch Apple display. It was relatively easy. Connect all the cable and turn it on.
I went into system preferences to select the external as the primary monitor and the display power button to only turn off the display and not the computer.
I had to have the power connected, a keyboard connected, and a mouse connected to turn the 15inch Al Powerbook (1.67GHz, 1GB, 100GB) display off. I shut down, hit the power button, and immediately closed the PB at the chime. It booted with the external Apple display running and the PB display off. I opened the PB top and can use the keyboard etc. I can turn off the external Apple display and turn it back on with the powerswitch on the side without affecting the PB. To disperse heat, I put the PB on a fan base since it can run on 24/7.
What happens if I turn off the PB and disconnect the external Apple display? Will the PB display not come on? If it comes on, will it be a secondary display without controls available? Do I have to reverse everything to get back to the portable PB configuration?
I hooked up an external DVD player with VLC and played movies. Oops, with the PB display closed I lose my good internal PB sound. I had to hook up an external speaker system.
If there is a pixel problem on this monitor I can't see it.

[macnuke]

In reply to:

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What happens if I turn off the PB and disconnect the external Apple display? Will the PB display not come on? If it comes on, will it be a secondary display without controls available? Do I have to reverse everything to get back to the portable PB configuration?

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four questions.
1) it becomes a portable again /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
2) actually, it will come on.
3) nope, it will be primary and all controls will be available.
4) nope, you will probably have to reset it to your desktop configuration tho. it will always default to original when you unplug all the externals.
/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ladyuser101]

macnuke, you have been delightful help. Thank you very much. I feel like I'm able to get some work done on this Powerbook. I can use iPhoto (combined with Photoshop), iMusic (although it won't replace my Sansui stereo and wall of CD's), iMovie (if I make clips to work with), iDVD (although I have to preplan the drop zone material), an external DVD player (region free so I can play movies from my main 1, 2, and 4 zones), external firewire boot/storage drives, and I can control the heat from the Powerbook. All this for only US$6000. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I bought Final Cut Express a couple of weeks ago when I bought the Apple cinema display. I'm ready to take some time and work with it.
I notice that you are from Louisiana. I went to high school there a few parishes east of you.
Thanks again for all your help.

[macnuke]

yer welcome.
and you sure it was a parish east of me? the Imperial Calcasieu is quite large you know /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
It does sound as if you have a nice setup going there with your 'book. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ladyuser101]

Okay, here is the good stuff.
I disconnected the Apple 20inch display/monitor, dismounted the DVD R/W, the Firewire 400 drive, and the Firewire 800 then booted the PB. It went right into portable mode without a hitch. So I reconnected all the devices and rebooted. It went right into desktop mode without a hitch. To start the PB without the builtin display screen but in desktop mode, I hit the power button and close the top at the chime. Once it is set up for desktop, it seems it will switch back and forth without a problem.
Just for the fun of it, I switched the display/monitor to White on Black. What a hoot!
BTW, the Apple display/monitor runs at 1680x1050 resolution. The PB does not seem to have a problem running the builtin display at one resolution and the external at another resolution.
The Imperial Calcasieu was divided up into five parishes on the west of Louisiana. I lived in the parish with East in its name - hint(o). I went back for a reunion a few years ago but that was the only time I've returned in 15 years. I, of course, celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans during my high school years so I am disappointed at the ongoing devastation allowed to continue there.
Thanks for all your help.

[macnuke]

outstanding.. I rarely plug all my "desktop" stuff in the same when i do plug it in, so i wasn't sure if it would remember your "desktop" settings"
and yeah.. the pb drives the 20" just fine.. even for gaming as my child has been known to do. ( I would never dream of that /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
dad was in the "awl bidness" and I have lived just about everywhere from NO to texas south of I-10.
I live HERE ... that's Rita headed in btw.

[Nobody]

Man, you guys got hammered last year with storm after storm.... glad to notice that you are well! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[macnuke]

thanks Alam
still bad around here, but not as bad as some of the Gulf Coast.
I miss my trees most of all. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Nobody]

"I miss my trees most of all." /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I can imagine... I live in a moderately old home with much older trees (the backyard extends into a protected area of "no build zone"). One of the reasons we bought this house is the setting and trees played a big role. It would make me very sad if something happens to them. But even so, health and happiness of you and your loved ones trumps all else.