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How to project a laptop

January 15, 2009 by Doug Worsham

Projecting a laptop can seem like an intimidating task. But if you follow these tips (in this order), you will be a projector pro in no time!

Usually, the best cure is prevention. Here are our suggestions for getting set up:

  1. Start with the computer off
  2. Plug in all the cords between the projector and computer
  3. Turn on the projector.
  4. Once the projector fan starts running, turn on your computer.

However, if that doesn't work, here are a few handy tips that can help:

  1. Power: Make sure the light on the projector is green. If you've got the green light, move on to step 2. Otherwise:
    • If the projector power light is off, try turning on the projector again. In a mediated classroom, double check that the power for the console is turned on.
    • If the light is steady or blinking red or orange, the bulb might be out or the power has been cycled too quickly. Turn it off, wait AT LEAST three minutes, and try turning it on again.
  2. Cables: Check that all cables are connected where they should be. Also check that all are connected tightly. If the colors on the screen look strange, you may have a loose cable connection.
  3. Source: More than likely, the projector is not looking in the right place, and so the problem is the source!
    • Aim the remote control at the projector (or use the button on the projector) and press "source" or "RGB" (depending on the type of projector). Wait at least 10 seconds for the projector to react.
    • Continue pressing the "source" button until you cycle to the computer as your source. Computers will be set to "RGB" or "RGB1."
  4. Function Keys: These keys should be the next troubleshooting technique you use. They vary on different computers, but it is most often fn + F5/F7/F8. The varying keys will have either a picture of a monitor on them, something that looks like |0|, or say "LCD CRT." If you push this once, the screen should go blank and then toggle between what to show on the screen. Just as with the source button, you need to wait about 10 seconds to allow the projector to react. Continue cycling through the settings until you reach the right one.
  5. Control Panel: If the projector seems to be showing the computer, but it still looks strange, there are two things to check.
    1. First, check the screen resolution. On a PC, go to Start-->Settings-->Control Panel-->Display-->Settings. Set the screen resolution to 1024/768. (You will usually be bumping the screen resolution down.)
    2. Second, the desktop may be extended (which it shouldn't be). Try unchecking the "extend desktop" button within the resolution control panel.
  6. Restart: If none of the the other tips have worked, the next option is to restart the computer. When you do this, make sure that the projector is turned on.

If none of these tips work, there is most likely a problem with the projector. In this case, ask the AV Pool (room 275) for a projector to use, and make sure to let the attendant know which projector was malfunctioning.

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