urgent projector problem

[sirbleedsalot]

Ok here is the problem. We are supposed to be giving a power point presentation on a laptop and a projector tomorrow morning and it does not work. We are running Win XP and the projector is a CTX projection system. We connect the cords when powered down and we see the windows startup screen but as soon as it is booted up it goes to a blue screen with the CTX logo on. I realize that it is hard to trouble shoot over the Internet so if there is anything else you need please tell me.

[NoodleKnight]

There should be a Function button that allows the laptop to switch between the built-in LCD or the auxillary monitor plug. See if you can find that button on your keyboard (usually you would have to press the Function key (on some laptops it has the letters "Fn" written on it) and one of the F# buttons)

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by sirbleedsalot

Ok here is the problem. We are supposed to be giving a power point presentation on a laptop and a projector tomorrow morning and it does not work. We are running Win XP and the projector is a CTX projection system. We connect the cords when powered down and we see the windows startup screen but as soon as it is booted up it goes to a blue screen with the CTX logo on. I realize that it is hard to trouble shoot over the Internet so if there is anything else you need please tell me.

The laptop needs to be configured to output the display to the extra device. When it is booting, it shows on all output devices, but when Windows loads, it only outputs to what it is configure to. The blue screen with CTX logo is the projectors screen that it displays when it is receiving no data.
Try Ctrl+F5. If that fails, try this:

Right click desktop->Properties
Next you will likely goto settings, but it may be different. You are looking for an option to enable the second device.

Wetzel

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by sirbleedsalot

We connect the cords when powered down and we see the windows startup screen.

This part confuses me. Anyway, have you tried pressing the source button on the projector? Or maybe Fn>F4 on the laptop?

[Kevin Sevcik]

There's only 2 possibilities, really. You'll need a seperate monitor to troubleshoot this. Hook the monitor up to the laptop instead of the projector. The possibilities:

1. Your laptop stops putting out a signal for some reason. If this is the case, The monitor will go black and stay black at the same point your projector does. If this happens, try re-enabling VGA output on your laptop. This is usually the Fn key and a key that says CRT/LCD or looks like two monitors with a slash.

2. Your laptop is putting out a signal/resolution that the projector doesn't like. If this is the case, the monitor will probably work fine. There might be a menu on the monitor somewhere to tell exactly what it is, but it doesn't really matter. If this happens, you need to lower your resolution. Start up your laptop seperate from the projector, and set the resolution at 800x600 to start. Connect to the projector and do the Fn thing above. If nothing comes up, try restarting. If still nothing, then I'm stumped. If it comes up, try bumping the resolution up to 1024x768. This is almost definitely the max you'll be able to do.

There ya go. My best shot at fixing your problem. FYI, the problem is probably #2

[Pierson]

If you are using a Dell... use the combo of Fn+F8 to cycle between CRT and LCD outputs. Also, if you have done this to no avail, lower the screen resolution on the laptop. Some projectors can only handle low resolutions. Try dropping it down to 800x600 and then look on your keyboard for little text on your F keys that says either CRT/LCD or has a picture of two monitors side by side separated by a |. Hold down the key that color codes to the CRT/LCD or monitors and press that combo a couple times.

[sirbleedsalot]

Ok thanks I can't believe that I overlooked that.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Whaaat? I think I speak for everyone in the thread when I say: What exactly was it that you overlooked?

[NoodleKnight]

Switching between LCD and aux monitor port via Function keys

[sirbleedsalot]

Sorry about the first reply I had not seen your other replies as I had not reloaded the page yet. But yes it was switching between LCD and aux monitor. Thanks for everyones fast response, I know I can count on you guys