Setting up and Using the Computer Projection Unit

Teacher Education Department 1

Setting Up and Using a Computer Projection Unit

Set Up and Operation

1) Plug in the VGA cable to connect the video signal between the laptop PC and the projection unit.

a) Plug one end of the VGA cable into the back of the laptop PC.

b) Plug the other end of the cable into the computer VGA 2 port on the back of the projection unit.

2) Turn on the projection unit.

a) Turn on the main power switch on the side of the projection unit.

b) Press the power button on the top of the projection unit to switch on the lamp.

3) Turn on the laptop PC.

4) When the projected comes into view, do the following:

a) Adjust the feet on the projection unit to the desired height.

b) Manually turn the zoom and focus portions of the lens to establish a viewable projected image.

5) If there is no picture, do the following:

a) Press the computer button on the top of the projection unit to select the source (Remember: you are plugged into computer VGA 2).

b) On the laptop PC, hold the FN key and press the F5 key. (Notice that the F5 key contains an icon of a monitor. Pressing these keys toggles the monitor on exclusively, the external monitor on exclusively, and both the monitor and external monitor on simultaneously.)

6) If the picture needs adjustment, select from the following:

a) Press the keystone button on top of the projection unit along with the arrow keys and select key to adjust the perfect “squareness” of the projected image.

b) Press the menu button on top of the projection unit to display options. Then use the arrow keys and the select key to change options.

Power Down

1) Press the power button on top of the projection unit to turn off the lamp. Notice that the fan will continue to run to cool off the bulb.

2) Turn off the laptop PC when desired.

3) After the fan has stopped running, press the main power switch on the side of the projection unit.

Controls on top of the projection unit.

Turning Off Automatic Shut-offs on a Laptop PC

Wouldn’t it be terrible if the PC just shut down in the middle of your presentation? Laptops can automatically shut down to save power, or the screen saver can come on to save the monitor display. Take the following precautions to ensure this will not happen!

1. Turn off the screen saver.
Press the start button and select settings -- control panel -- display. Select the screen saver tab. Disable the screen saver by selecting no screen saver from the drop-down arrow of screen saver types.

2. Turn off automatic power management.
Press the start button and select settings -- control panel -- power management. Adjust settings to never.

Suggestions for Positioning a Projection Unit

: Set the computer so that the presenter can see the computer screen during the presentation. When set up in that fashion, the presenter does not have to face away from the class in order to see the projected image.

: Whenever possible, place the projection unit on a separate table from students to avoid shaking of the image.

: Make sure the panel or projector is 90 degrees to the vertical center of the screen, and not projecting from an angle.

: Position the projector so that no direct sun, incandescent, or fluorescent light will fall on the projected image, or the image will wash out.

: In a room with a lot of windows, position the screen against the window wall so direct sunlight will not reach the image.

: Don't run the laptop on battery power. With laptop computers, don't chance your entire presentation by running on the battery! Your battery may run out in the middle of your presentation. Also, some laptops will not drive the external monitor port when running on battery.

: Don't point at the screen. If you point at and touch the screen with your hands, you will block some of the light that is creating the image. Rather than physically pointing at the screen, use PowerPoint's on-screen drawing/pointing functions, or consider using a laser pointer.