December 2002

Fixing Common Problems With Presentation Technology

Have you ever had this happen to you? You are ready for that big presentation. You arrive at the room early, plug in your laptop, connect it to the data projector, turn the power on and ... nothing is displayed. Or, if you do get an image, it isn't the clear, crisp image you expected. Before you get that panicked feeling, check these common causes of computer presentation display problems.

Problem #1 -- Display toggle

Every laptop computer has multiple display modes combining display on the laptop screen, out the external video port or out an external RCA TV jack. If the computer is not set in a mode that displays an image out of the external video port, then there will be no image on the screen. There is usually a key combination that will toggle between the different display modes. Look for a key (usually one of the function keys) that has a picture of a display or the letters VGA or LCD/CRT on it. You usually have to hold a special Function key (usually labeled Fn) and press this key to switch between the different modes. After you press the key combination, wait at least five to ten seconds for the new setting to take effect before you toggle to the next setting.

Problem #2 -- Loose Cables

It is amazing how many display problems are caused by loose cables between the computer and data projector. Make sure all cables are securely connected to the appropriate port with the thumbscrews used to secure each end of the cable to the port on the equipment.

Problem #3 -- Projector Input Source

On data projectors that are often used with TV and computer input sources, the input source selected on the data projector may still be in the TV mode and not in the computer mode. There is usually a button on the top of the projector which allows you to toggle between the different input sources. You may have to go into the data projector menu to change the input source on some older projectors.

Problem #4 -- Power Switched On

Incredible as it seems, power being turned on is one of the common problems. This happens because when we turn on our laptop, if it is not plugged in, it will still run on battery. We don't realize that the projector has not been plugged into the power outlet and when we turn it on, nothing happens. Check that the power cord is in the wall outlet if the projector does not turn on.

Problem #5 -- Projector Standby Mode On

If you plug your computer into a projector that someone else has just been using and your display does not come up, check if the projector's standby mode is on. This standby mode keeps the projector fan running but does not light the bulb. It is usually used for cooling a projector after a presentation. The standby mode should be able to be changed using a button on the top of the projector.

Problem #6 -- Projector Cover Loose

When data projectors are moved or transported, the cover can sometimes come loose. When this happens, they will power up but not turn on the bulb for safety reasons. Turn off the projector and check to see that all covers are securely on. Never check for loose covers with the projector on, you will risk being electrocuted or burned by hot components inside the projector.

Problem #7 -- Resolution mismatch between projector and computer

If your computer's display resolution is higher than the native display resolution of the data projector, the image may seem to be of poor quality or even missing some of the image. This is caused when a data projector adjusts a higher resolution image down to a lower resolution that it can display, usually by dropping some of the image. To solve this problem, there are two choices. The first choice is to get a data projector that has the same native resolution as the computer. The second choice is to adjust the display resolution of the computer to match the resolution of the data projector through the display settings in the operating system.

Editor's Note: In Windows, right-click on the desktop and choose Properties from the shortcut menu. In the dialog box, click on the "Settings" tab and note the resolution or "Screen Area" setting (e.g., 800x600 or 1024x768) for your laptop.

This information is courtesy of Dave Paradi, Presenters University (www.presentersuniversity.com).

Reprinted with permission from SCREC Tech Tips, November 2002

CIT Information is published by Communications and Information Technology - Computing section, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Newsletter articles may be copied and distributed for nonprofit, educational purposes only and the source must be acknowledged. Direct all correspondence to the editor, Pamela K. Peters (E-mail: pkpeters@unlnotes.unl.edu; Phone: 402/472-5630; FAX: 402/472-5639).

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