kotography4u

Hi All - I have a 27" mid-2011 iMac i7 with 16GB RAM running High Sierra that I'm trying to use as a second display with a new PC whose video card has only HDMI (2) and Displayport (2) video connectors (GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ELITE 8GB GDDR6 PCI Express). The instructions I've seen online for using the iMac as a second display are mostly for using an iMac as a target (secondary) display with another Mac as primary (not a PC as primary, as I'm trying to do), and using Thunderbolt connectors on both ends. My video card has HDMI and Displayport connectors only. I've tried using both the DisplayPort connection and the HDMI connection on the PC video card, and get nothing on the iMac. Also the instructions online for using the iMac as a "Target Display" say to use the F2 key to activate Target Display mode on the iMac, and this yields nothing (no change on screen). I suspect that that's because it wants two Thunderbolt connectors joining the iMac and another computer, but am just guessing. Anyone have any thoughts, experience or suggestions on a possible solution? Thanks for any help!
Kevin

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I think you are flogging a dead horse
I can't see that working

sabfish

Apple support is excellent and usually free. Why not give them a call? They may tell you it is impossible, but then you will know that is the answer.

Harry02 Loc: Gardena, CA

It WILL work ... on another Mac.
The Apple software works on the Mac. GIGO to a PC.
AND (as a well experienced fool) the pinouts differ, so the hardware doesn't interchange.
Sorry buddy but you're SOL on this one.

jcboy3

Try this article:

https://www.alphr.com/how-to-use-an-imac-as-a-monitor-for-pc/

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I don't know if what you are doing is possible, contact Apple support. I had a 2009 iMac that could display the output from a PC (wanted to use that beautiful 27" display to play games). That was over 5 years ago and I have forgotten all the details. Also, try searching on PC game forums, someone there may have found a way.

BebuLamar

When you ask a manufacturer about using product from others with their equipment they are likely just to tell you that's impossible regardless whether it's possible or not. So if the OP is going to ask Apple he might as well not trying to do what he wanted.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Are you sure hitting F2 is correct. One of the responses had a link to an article that says:

"Trigger Target Display Mode
Turn on both the iMac and the PC, then hold Cmd + F2 or Cmd + Fn + F2 on the iMac keyboard to trigger Target Display Mode. In a few seconds, you should be able to see the screen of your PC mirrored on the iMac."

Did you try this keystroke combination?

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I wanted to use my 2015 iMac 27 inch as the display for a new M1 Mini Mac but was told it could not be done... But I hope you will find a way.

jcboy3

You might be able to do this with the Luna Display from Astropad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFi_7OVy2BQ

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Thanks.... I know what Santa is going to bring for Christmas

xtoothdr

The one thing you might try solved my problem in similar situation
There are 2 cables that look identical but in fact are totally different. Make sure you are using a DISPLAY PORT CABLE...
Good luck

kotography4u

Thanks - I did try the Cmd+F2, but hadn't seen suggested the Cmd+Fn+F2 - I'll try it and post result

kotography4u

What's the other that looks similar/identical? Is it Thunderbolt?
Thanks

xtoothdr

correct