Video and data projection

Why won't my laptop send an image to the projector?

This is one of the most common complaints when attempting to use a laptop computer with an external display for presentation to an audience. If you are the presenter, this can be a very embarrassing situation. Print out the following chart and keep it with your projector to be prepared for most situations.

If you are sure everything is connected correctly, and you have turned on the laptop only after everything else is connected and turned on, you may need to use a keyboard command to tell the laptop something is connected to its external output port. Below is a fairly comprehensive list of keyboard commands as provided by the manufacturers, compiled by Extron Electronics and edited by United Visual.

In most laptops, when an external display is used, the internal LCD display is disabled. In some cases the laptop may offer an option of simultaneous display. However, depending on the specific computer and the projector or panel being used, this may prevent the external display device from working correctly. Always disable the internal display first to make sure things are working right before trying to use simultaneous display modes when available.

Note: a listing of "Automatic," means that if you follow standard operating procedures the laptop will automatically send a signal to the external display device. (Standard procedures means, you attach all cables first, turn on display device second and turn the computer on last.)