Preventing macOS from Detecting Monitor Disconnected Changes on Switchbox

Preventing macOS from Detecting Monitor Disconnected Changes using SwitchBox

SwitchBox is a powerful and versatile KVM switch that supports EDID, allowing users to seamlessly switch between multiple computers while maintaining the display settings. However, some users have reported that their MacBook still detects when a monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox, which can be frustrating.

Understanding EDID and SwitchBox

EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is a data structure provided by a graphics card that contains information about the monitor's capabilities, such as its resolution, refresh rate, and color depth. SwitchBox supports EDID, which means it can store and emulate the EDID information of connected monitors, allowing for a smooth transition between computers.

However, there may be instances where macOS still detects when a monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox, causing the display settings to change or the system to prompt for a reconnection. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including macOS's power management features, display driver issues, or the way SwitchBox handles EDID information.

Disabling Directly Connected Monitor Detection in macOS

One way to prevent macOS from detecting when a monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox is to disable the detection of directly connected monitors. This can be done through the following steps:

1. Connect the SwitchBox to your MacBook and ensure that the monitor is connected to the SwitchBox.
2. Open Terminal on your MacBook and enter the following command:
```bash sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist DisplayDisableDirectConnect -bool true ```
3. Restart your MacBook and test the SwitchBox to see if the monitor is no longer detected when disconnected.

Note that this method may have unintended consequences, such as preventing your MacBook from detecting any external displays. It is recommended to only use this method if you are experiencing issues with the SwitchBox and macOS's monitor detection.

Using SwitchResX to Emulate EDID Information

Another way to prevent macOS from detecting when a monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox is to use a third-party tool like SwitchResX to emulate the EDID information of the monitor. This can be done through the following steps:

1. Download and install SwitchResX from https://www.madrau.com/
2. Connect the SwitchBox to your MacBook and ensure that the monitor is connected to the SwitchBox.
3. Launch SwitchResX and select the monitor connected to the SwitchBox.
4. Click on the "Edit" button and select "New EDID" from the dropdown menu.
5. Enter the desired EDID information for the monitor and click "OK".
6. Restart your MacBook and test the SwitchBox to see if the monitor is no longer detected when disconnected.

By emulating the EDID information of the monitor, SwitchResX can prevent macOS from detecting when the monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox. However, it is important to note that incorrect EDID information can cause display issues, so it is recommended to only use this method if you are familiar with EDID and SwitchResX.

Preventing macOS from detecting when a monitor is disconnected from the SwitchBox can be done through a variety of methods, including disabling directly connected monitor detection or emulating EDID information using a third-party tool like SwitchResX. By understanding the key concepts and using the right tools, users can ensure a smooth and seamless experience when switching between computers using SwitchBox.

References

• What is EDID?
• SwitchResX
• How to stop macOS from detecting disconnecting external monitors?