| Frequently
Asked Questions Projectors involving Laptops |
- Question
1: I have just set up my LCD projection unit with
my laptop computer. I am getting an image on my laptop
monitor, but the LCD has no image. Can you help?
- Question
2: When I use my LCD projection unit with a desktop
computer, the image has no distortion or wavy lines.
But, when I use the same LCD with my laptop, I do
experience some distortion. I really need to use my
laptop when I'm on the road, what's happening?
- Question
3: How do I activate my external monitor port?
|
Question
1: I have just set up my LCD projection unit with my laptop
computer. I am getting an image on my laptop monitor, but
the LCD has no image. Can you help?
ANSWER:
Yes, we can!
- Be sure that all of the
cable are connected properly according to the instructions
in the LCD's manual.
- Turn the entire setup off,
then restart in this order:
- LCD unit
- Laptop computer
- Overhead projector (if
using an LCD panel)
- Many laptop computers require
the External Monitor Port (where you connect the
LCD to the laptop) to be turned on manually.
FOR IBM COMPATIBLES:
This is normally done with a specific combination of keystrokes
or in the computer's setup menu. See Activating
Your Laptop's External Monitor Port, or look in your computer's
manual to determine the correct steps for your specific laptop.
NOTE: Most of the time this command works as a 3-way switch:
- Monitor Only
- LCD Only
- Monitor and LCD Simultaneously
FOR MACINTOSH:
Be sure that the Video Mirroring or Simulscan feature
is turned on. This is found in Apple’s Monitor and Sound
control panel or Display control panel. See
Activating Your Laptop's External Monitor Port,
or look in your computer's manual to determine the correct steps
for your specific Apple.
[]
Question
2: When I use my LCD projection unit with a desktop computer,
the image has no distortion or wavy lines. But, when I use
the same LCD with my laptop, I do experience some distortion.
I really need to use my laptop when I'm on the road, what's
happening?
ANSWER:
There are a couple
of things that could be happening. It could be that the LCD
just needs to be "synchronized" with your laptop. Or, it could
be a power usage issue that is very common in laptops.
- Be sure that the laptop
is setup for the same resolution as the projector’s native
resolution (VGA-640x480, SVGA-800x600, XGA-1024x768
or SXGA-1280x1024). This may take care of the problem
immediately.
- Windows 3.1 you will need
to look in the Windows Setup. Choose Options
and select Change Settings. Choose VGA,
then restart Windows.
- Windows '95/’98/ME/2000
and NT you will need to look in the Display control
panel and adjust the screen size using the control slider
in the settings.
- In addition to changing
these settings, you may need to configure your video card
settings (ATI Rage, NeoMagic, Stealth, etc.) as well.
If you are unsure of these settings, please contact your
laptop manufacturer for assistance.
- Macintosh you will need
to look in the Monitors control panel and click
on Options. From the list of Resolution Options,
choose the projector’s native resolution (VGA-640x480,
SVGA-800x600, XGA-1024x768 or SXGA-1280x1024).
Using your LCD manual
as a guide, set the LCD to the factory settings. Then adjust
the various settings to get as clear an image as possible.
Because laptop manufacturers
are very conscious of saving power for the battery, laptops
are designed to "waste" as little power as possible. Often,
this means that the signal being sent from the laptop's External
Monitor Port (where you connect the LCD to the computer)
is not as strong as the signal from your desktop computer's
External Monitor Port. This can effect your LCD image.
There are several things you can do to override these power
issues:
- Be sure to run your laptop
off of AC power (plugged into the wall). When the laptop
is run from the battery, it does not send enough power
to the External Monitor Port (where you connect
the LCD to the laptop). This can cause distortion.
- Most laptops offer power
saving features that can be turned on or off. Consult
your laptop computer's manual to find out which features
you can turn off and how to turn them off. The more power
saving features you can turn off, the stronger the signal
will be for the LCD.
- After going through steps
A and B, some laptops still will not have a strong enough
signal to the External Monitor Port (where you
connect the LCD to the laptop). In this case, you will
need to turn the laptop monitor off and view the image
from the LCD only.
FOR IBM COMPATIBLES:
This is normally done with a specific combination of
keystrokes or in the computer's setup menu. See Activating
Your Laptop's External Monitor Port, or look in your computer's
manual to determine the correct steps for your specific laptop.
NOTE: Most of the time this command works as a 3-way
switch:
- Monitor Only
- LCD Only
- Monitor and LCD Simultaneously
FOR MACINTOSH:
Be sure that the Video Mirroring or Simulscan feature
is turn on. This is found in the Apple's Monitor and Sound
control panel or Display control panel. See Activating
Your Laptop's External Monitor Port, or look in your computer's
manual to determine the correct steps for your specific Apple.
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