Setting up a laptop computer and LCD projector

What you need:

- Laptop

- VGA or HDMI cable

- Projector

Here's How:

1. Start by making sure the laptop and projector are both turned off before you start trying to make any connections.

2. Locate the video cable and use a VGA male-to-male cable to interconnect the laptop and the LCD projector. Connect one end to the Projector "Computer In" or "RGB" port and connect the other end to the Video (external monitor) port on the laptop. It doesn't matter which end you connect to either device.

3. Make sure both ends are securely connected and tighten if necessary. Loose connection at either end will prevent you from displaying your presentation.

4. If you are using audio out of the presentation locate the audio cable and connect the audio cable to the projector from the Audio Out on the laptop and Audio In on the projector, making sure these connections are tight. If it is a large audience you may want to put the audio output from the laptop in to a larger audio system. (Please note: you will need to know a little about the audio system it is going in to make sure you have the correct cables.)

5. Make sure to check all connections to ensure they have been properly connected. Start your projector first and switch it to the correct input - in this case computer or RGB.

6. Start or boot up the laptop. As the laptop is booting up the image of windows generally appears briefly on the projector before it disappears. If this happens you are on the right track.

This is where there are some differences with a lot of different laptops.

Sometimes the output to the projector will just turn on first time. If this happens go to step 7.

If this does not happen, don't panic, especially if you saw the window symbol pop up on booting up of the laptop. You will need to locate the function button on you laptop. This is generally next to the left "ctrl" button on the keyboard and will say "Fn" the next step is to find the "F" key This will toggle between 3 options: Monitor, Projector, or both. If you wish to see the display on both the projector and the monitor, hold the "Function" key and then press the F key that does that function until the display is being projected and also is on the laptop's monitor.

7. You may need to adjust the projector's focus or zoom to sharpen the image and make it fit on the screen. Depending on the projector, this is done either by selecting those options on an internal menu or by using manual focus and zoom controls.

8. Run through your presentation to make sure it looks the way you want and that sound (if used) is set to an acceptable level and works properly. Keep in mind that you want the sound to be louder so that it will be heard with a large group of people in the room. We can help by adding additional speakers if required.

 

Tips:

1. Always do a dry run of your presentation to check the device connections and to ensure other technical aspects are ready.

2. Be prepared in case of power outages by having sufficient battery backup available for the laptop and projector.

3. Take a deep breath and start your presentation when your audience is present.

 

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