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Multiple Monitors for iBooks

Posted by pudge on from the i-wonder-if-the-warranty-covers-open-firmware-hacks-gone-bad dept.

nevershower writes "I found this while reading MacOSXHints. It's a firmware script for Radeon iBooks that allows them to use monitor spanning! DO NOT run this script if you have a Rage iBook. It might permanently bork your laptop." Borking is bad, especially if it is permanent.

4 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. you're good. by Bizzarobot · · Score: 5, Informative

    This post says "RageM6" looks like what you're supposed to have to enable spanning.
    This one tells you how to revert. Good luck!

  2. Get your terminology right by azav · · Score: 4, Informative

    The term "Monitor spanning" does not apply to macintoshes since you are NOT spanning one screen to multiple monitors.

    The correct term is "multiple monitor support" because the macintosh has been built with support for multiple monitors from day two.

    Please use the correct terminology.

    --
    - Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
  3. Works a treat... by Colitis · · Score: 4, Informative

    Was easily done, and now I have monitor spanning enabled and working fine. No obvious problems with apps yet.

    I only have a 15" LCD so I can't try what happens when the external screen has higher res than the built-in one, but with both displays in the same res I'm quite happy.

    (this is on my 700MHz iBook with Radeon chipset).

  4. Re:Hmmm by fader · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have a 14" 700Mhz iBook. Unfortunately it reports "ATY,RageM6" on the Apple System Profiler. Should I risk running the script?

    Well, I wouldn't want to be responsible for telling you to try something risky with your laptop... but having said that, I saw this on MacOSXHints.com last night. I have a 12" 700Mhz iBook, which reported the same video card. But I tried the hack anyway, and it works perfectly. I can't believe Apple didn't enable this on the iBooks that support it.

    The funniest thing is, the video card supports waaay higher resolutions than the laptop display will do, so you can slam on an external monitor and have a decent desktop size when you're at your desk.

    --
    - fader