PowerPoint - Troubleshoot running a slide show on a laptop and a projector

The projected image is cropped or the text quality is poor.

If the entire computer image is not projected onto the screen or if the text appears choppy, try the following:
Adjust screen area    For optimal image quality, adjust the screen area of the computer’s display settings to match the projector’s native resolution. The Projector Wizard will help you set this up correctly.
Disable laptop display    With certain laptops, you might need to disable the laptop display to obtain the best image, especially when the native resolution of the laptop exceeds the native resolution of the projector.
Get font smoothing    Font smoothing will automatically generate a cleaner font outline on your laptop and on the projector.
Refer to your projector documentation for the optimum or native resolution setting for your projector model. If you cannot find this information or are uncertain, most projectors support a maximum of 800 x 600 pixels (SVGA resolution).

The projected image goes blank during periods of computer inactivity.

This might be caused by a power-saving utility on the computer that disables the video output signal after a specified period of inactivity.
Disable all power-saving utility programs and screen savers on the computer to prevent signal interruption. These can sometimes be disabled by using the Power and Display icons in Control Panel (Windows Start menu, Settings submenu). On some computers, it might be necessary to check the system BIOS settings. See your computer documentation if necessary.

The projected image is dimmer than it used to be.

Some projectors use a metal halide lamp, the brightness of which will fade over time. Check your projector documentation for information regarding lamp timers. If the lamp life is expired, replace the lamp for maximum brightness.

The projected image is not rectangular.

To fix this, try one or both of the following:
Check the projector    Make sure the projector is perpendicular to the viewing screen.
Adjust elevator mechanism    Raise or lower the elevating mechanism on the projector to obtain a rectangular image. You might need to place the projector on a higher or lower surface to completely eliminate the distortion.

The projected image displays vertical lines, "bleeding," or spots.

Try one or more of the following:

• Adjust the brightness of the image.
• Check the projector lens to see whether it needs cleaning.
• Adjust the sync and tracking on the projector.

No sound is emitted from the projector.

Try one or more of the following:
Volume adjustments    Adjust the volume on the projector and the laptop. The volume must be turned up and the mute turned off on both the video source and the projector.

• Adjust the audio source on the laptop. Double-click the Multimedia icon in Control Panel (Windows Start menu, Settings submenu). Some laptops also have volume controls on the hardware.
• Adjust the audio on the projector. Some projectors have sound buttons on the remote control and/or the projector. Refer to your projector documentation for information about volume control.

Audio input connections    Make sure your audio input connectors are working.

• Make sure the audio input connectors are completely plugged in and are connected to the correct outlets.
• Make sure you are using the sound cables that were provided by the projector manufacturer. 

No image or light is projected onto the screen.

Try one or more of the following:
Power source    Make sure the projector has an active power source.

• Check the AC electrical outlet for functionality.
• Check the connection of the power cord to the projector.
• If the projector is plugged into a power strip, make sure the strip is turned on.
• Make sure the power for the projector is turned on.

Projector lamp    If you have power to the projector but the lamp still isn't working, try the following:

• Check to see whether the projector is in standby mode.
• If your lamp has a timer, check to see whether the lamp life has expired.

Video connection cable    Check for bent pins on the video connection cable between the video source and the projector.
Lens cap    Make sure you have removed the lens cap on the lens in the front of the projector.

The computer desktop image isn't projected onto the screen.

This is usually caused by a lack of signal transmission between the computer and the projector.

• Turn off the projector and the computer. Turn on the projector first, and then turn on the computer. If you are using a laptop, you might need to manually activate or deactivate the laptop video port in order for your laptop to send a signal to the projector.

Some laptops provide three states for video port activation: State 1: Activation of laptop display only
State 2: Activation of external video port only
State 3: Activation of both the laptop display and the external video port simultaneously
The command for activating the video port will toggle through these three options. If activation of the video port does not cause an image to be projected, wait 45 seconds and then press the function keys again.