The following information is provided to assist you with using a laptop computer in a technology classroom. Please note that because there are literally hundreds of laptop models and configurations, we cannot know specifically how each laptop may function in the classroom. The information presented here is no substitute for reading your instruction manual, testing beforehand, or hands-on training. Spending 30 minutes testing the equipment before the semester starts can save you time and frustration. If, after you have reviewed this information and you need further assistance, please call us at 353-3960.

Attaching your laptop computer to the projector in the classroom:

Attach the VGA cable from the cart or podium into your laptop computer.
The cable attaches to your laptop via the EXTERNAL MONITOR port on the back of your laptop:

 

Important note: Some specific models of laptops like the Sony Vaio, the Apple iBook and some new Powerbooks do not have standard VGA monitor connectors. Make sure you have any adapters with you or you will not be able to connect to the VGA cables in the rooms. If your laptop does not have the standard VGA connection similar to the picture below, you will need an adaptor (user supplied) to connect to the projectors in the classroom.

This is the VGA monitor out connector on the back panel of a Dell laptop. Most "PC" laptops will have a similar connector.

Order in which to do things:

1. Connect the VGA cable from the Tech Cart or Podium into the VGA port of your laptop.
2. Turn on the projector, let it warm up and select the proper COMPUTER input using the INPUT button on the remote control (normally INPUT #1).
3. Turn on your computer LAST. Always use your AC Adapter in the classroom (never rely on your laptop's battery). Waiting to turn on your laptop after the projector is important because it looks to all the ports and connectors to see what's hooked up to it. So theoretically, the computer will know there is a projector connected and send the image that you see on the screen out to the projector.
4. In Technology Classrooms with carts, there is generally a Computer Switch Box (similar to the picture below). When using a laptop, this should be switched to INPUT #2 (laptop). This is located on the cart.

 

 

What do you do when it doesn't send the image to the projector?

ALWAYS CHECK THIS FIRST: Is the projector's input set to the correct COMPUTER input? This is almost always INPUT 1 or COMP 1/2 on the projectors in the classrooms. If this is set correctly, try the following:

For PC users: If you get an image on the laptop screen but not on the projector, check the following:

1. On your laptop's keyboard, find the key marked "FN" (FUNCTION) (usually on the lower left corner of the keyboard).
2. Then, search for a key that has either the letters "LCD/CRT" or a little monitor icon (see pictures below). Most often, it will be in the top row of keys marked F1 through F12, but not always.
3. When you have both keys located, press the FUNCTION key and then the LCD/CRT key that you located before. It might take a couple of seconds for the computer to react.
   This should toggle the screen image through a cycle like this:  Image on Laptop Screen | Image on Projector | Image on Both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So if you press the "Function F" key sequence once, you'll get an image on the projector, but your laptop screen will go black. Press the key sequence again and you'll see the image through the projector and on your laptop. (This information will be in your laptop's instruction manual).

Some newer laptops have been shipping with advanced video card capabilities which could override the FN + F8 toggling combination. Enter the Advanced Display properties in your laptop and look for a tab, which would resemble the image below. You may need to activate your external VGA port via this method:

 

If you do not have your manual and are unsure of which keys to use to activate your external video, try linking HERE to see an "acitvation chart" of many different laptops.

For MAC OSX users:

The instructions for setting your display and mirroring preferences are available HERE.

Know your laptop! Read the manual and carry it with you. Always do a test run before your class starts!

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After attempting all of the above and you are still having problems displaying your laptop in the classroom, contact us at 353-3960.

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SCREEN RESOLUTIONS:

Screen resolution affects what you see projected and how it looks.

Many different resolutions are possible from 640x480 up to 1600x1200 pixels. So-called "standard" resolutions are: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024. Anything else is going to cause problems with a projector. Projectors in the Technology Classrooms can display up to 1024x768 (higher resolutions will be compressed down to 1024x768).

Please note: 1024x768 is the recommended resolution.

Just to confuse you further, some laptops can only display 800x600 pixels using the laptop's screen, but can output to a video projector a 1024x768 resolution image. The newest Mac laptops even split the display so half the desktop is in the laptop's screen, the other half is sent to the video projector.

Some older or less expensive laptops may not be powerful enough to send the computer's image to the laptop screen and to a projector at the same time. This means you will have to "toggle" off the laptop screen to get an image on a projector. This especially occurrs when playing back video on the laptop. In some cases, you may see the video playing on the laptop and just a "black (or blue) box" on the projector. If this happens, press applicable "Function" and "F" keys until the image is displayed just on the projector.

Set your laptop or desktop computer to 1024x768. If you are going to use your laptop as your primary display device, do this. That removes the possibility of problems.

How do you know what resolution you're using?

Windows 98 and above: Start>Control Panels>Display>Settings Tab. On the right, you'll see the current resolution setting and a slider to change it. (This is in your instruction manual or in the Help feature on your laptop).

Mac OS X: System Preferences -> Displays. Apple iBooks and the 12" G4 Powerbook have three standard display options. Apple 15" & 17" G4 Powerbooks have non-standard display resolutions. You will also need to bring any monitor adapter that came with the laptop with you.

Once again... If you need further assistance, please call us at 353-3960.