How do I set my Powerbook desktop background to be completely black?

February 12, 2007 8:52 PM

How do I set the desktop background of my Mac to be pitch black? I'm running Mac OS 10.4.8. This would really help for when I watch DVDs on my laptop, but I can't figure out the answer to what seems like such a simple question.
posted by invisible ink to Computers & Internet (14 answers total)

Can't you just make a pitch black picture file and set it as the background?
posted by snowleopard at 8:57 PM on February 12, 2007

There was a MacBreak episode that discussed this, For some reason the post on 43 Folder is broken, but you can see it here and see Merlin's comment about what he uses to make the bulk of his dekstop go away. The short answer is what snowleopard said. The longer answer will go the extra mile.
posted by jessamyn at 9:10 PM on February 12, 2007

Think
posted by plokent at 9:17 PM on February 12, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks to everyone who answered:-)

If I were to use snowleopard's method, is there any program already pre-installed that I can use to do this? If not, what's out there that's free (or at least cheap)?
posted by invisible ink at 9:18 PM on February 12, 2007

You might try Backdrop.
posted by stefanie at 9:20 PM on February 12, 2007

Seconding Backdrop.
posted by unixrat at 9:23 PM on February 12, 2007

Best answer: You can click here. Actually, do this...

1. hold down the CTRL key and click that link
2. choose "save link as" from the menu
3. save it to yourharddrivename/Library/Desktop Pictures/Black & White
4. go to system preferences
5. choose desktop and screen saver
6. go into black & white folder
7. select black.jpg
8. presto!
posted by jessamyn at 9:25 PM on February 12, 2007

Best answer: Desktop Black Background
posted by plokent at 9:27 PM on February 12, 2007

Best answer: Save this PNG file to your Mac > Library > Desktop Pictures > Solid Colors folder. (The system Library, not your user Library.)

In System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Desktop, scroll down to Solid Colors.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:31 PM on February 12, 2007

Why not just make the DVD playback in full screen mode? Choose Video -> Enter Full Screen in DVD player (or press &x2318;0).

If you're watching in QuickTime, you can use a simple AppleScript to make it go full screen without having to buy the Pro version.
posted by DrSkrud at 9:32 PM on February 12, 2007

Well, it worked in preview... that "&x2318;" is supposed to be the Command character
posted by DrSkrud at 9:33 PM on February 12, 2007

I too am wondering that if this is DVD specific, why not just view it in full screen mode? (Command-0 as DrSkrud pointed out.)

But just downloading (or using GIMP) a black background is probably the easiest thing for you.

Think, mentioned above, is free and pretty sweet too.
posted by smallerdemon at 10:17 PM on February 12, 2007

Or you can download and use VLC, then hit Command - F to go fullscreen - has the advantage it'll play any region code without coughing up a hairball like the shipped DVD app
posted by Happy Dave at 1:31 AM on February 13, 2007

I use backdrop for this. I prefer not to watch movies in full-screen mode, as the pixelation is distracting, and launching an app seems like less trouble than changing the background.
posted by adamrice at 6:47 AM on February 13, 2007