USING your PC or Apple Notebook WITH A PROJECTOR
Instructions for PC notebooks
Instructions for Apple notebooks
Instructions for PC notebooks
Connect the notebook
Make sure the projector is turned on.
Next, connect the projector cable's 15-pin, male "VGA" connector (pictured below, left) to the 15-pin, female "VGA" port on your computer (below, right).
| VGA cable from the projector ... | goes into the VGA port on the notebook |
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Some notebook computers (notably, Sony VAIO notebooks) have a DVI port instead of a VGA port, and require you to use an adapter (below, right) to connect the projector's VGA cable. Notebook computers that require an adapter often ship with one. You can also purchase adapters commercially.
| DVI port (found on some notebooks, e.g., Sony VAIOs, instead of VGA) | These require a DVI to VGA adapter |
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Check the resolution
BU classroom projectors generally require that your computer's resolution be set at 1024 x 768 (projectors you find elsewhere might require a different resolution). The default resolution of many newer notebooks is often higher than 1024 x 768 -- typically 1280 x 1024 or 1400 x 1050 -- so you may need to change your computer's resolution. To make sure your notebook display is set to a resolution of 1024 x 768, do the following:
1. Right click on your desktop background and choose Properties.
2. Click on the Settings tab and make sure the screen resolution is set as follows:
3. Click on Apply (if you made any changes) and then OK.
Project your notebook display
Holding down the Fn (or FN) key (usually located at the bottom left of your keyboard) while pressing the appropriate function key (F5, F7, F8, etc., at the top of your keyboard) should cycle through several modes (display on PC screen only, on PC and projector, on projector only, etc.) of projecting what is on your screen. The appropriate function key varies from one manufacturer to another. The function key assignments of some common manufacturers are listed below. The particular "F_" key to use should have a symbol that looks like a computer and a screen separated by a "/," or in the case of Dell notebooks, it will have the characters "CRT/LCD."
| Manufacturer | Key |
| Acer | Fn + F5 |
| Dell | Fn + F8 |
| HP | Fn + F5 |
| IBM ThinkPad | Fn + F7 |
| Sony | Fn + F7 |
| Toshiba | Fn + F5 |
Troubleshooting: Do I need to reboot the computer?
You shouldn't need to restart your computer after connecting the cable. However, if you've carefully followed all the steps above and your computer still doesn't project properly, you should try rebooting. Your computer may need to have the cable connected at start-up in order for the appropriate drivers to load.
Troubleshooting: If your notebook is configured to use a second display...
Please note that if you have configured your notebook to use a second display, you may have to turn off that function in order to use the appropriate function key for projection. The setting for using a second display is located in the same place as the resolution settings shown above (Properties->Settings).
If you require further help or information on using classroom projectors, please contact Boston University Media Services.
Instructions for Apple notebooks
Apple MacBooks, iBooks and 12" G4 Powerbooks have an Apple-proprietary connector, but the older models did ship with the proper adapter for a 15-pin VGA connector. (The Powerbook will also come with an adapter for DVI, but you will not need that for this purpose.) 15" and 17" Powerbooks and MacBook Pros have DVI built in, and will require a DVI to VGA adapter (which ships with the computer). The images below show the typical adapters that may be required in order to connect your Apple notebook's built-in port to a VGA cable.
There are three types of adaptors used by Apple, depending on the model of your computer. Be aware that while the miniVGA and miniDVI adaptors look similar, they are not compatible – the miniDVI connection is slightly larger and more square than the miniVGA.
| Apple miniVGA to VGA Display Adapter (iBooks) | |
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| Apple miniDVI to VGA Display Adaptor (MacBooks, 12" Powerbooks) | |
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| Full-sized DVI to VGA adaptor (MacBook Pro, 15" and 17" Powerbook G4) Note: This is NOT a proprietary Apple connection, so any DVI to VGA adaptor, such as those that commonly ship with desktop video cards or MacMinis, will work fine. |
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| Standard DVI to VGA adapter | Full-sized DVI Port on laptop |
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For most Macintosh computers, you have the proper adapters, all you should need to do is plug them in to the port on your notebook, connect the projector cable, and your notebook should project automatically. On some Powerbooks and MacBook Pros, you will need to press the "fn" and "F7" keys together in order to turn on the DVI Port.
More information: About resolution settings
BU classroom projectors generally require that your computer's resolution be set at 1024 x 768 (projectors you find elsewhere might require a different resolution). Your Apple notebook should sense the required resolution and adjust its display accordingly, when connected. Any necessary adjustments can be made in the System Preferences menu. Go to Apple->System Preferences->Displays (click on the Display button if you happen to be on the Color button, which is unlikely) and make sure that the resolution is set to 1024 x 768.
More information: Coordinating your own notebook display with the projection
Depending on the situation, you may or may not want the display on your notebook to show in parallel to your projection. To change your display configuration, go to System Preferences from the Apple Menu, then click on Displays. Once in the Displays window, you can select Detect Displays to get separate configuration windows for each display unit connected to the notebook.
If you require further help or information on using classroom projectors, please contact Boston University Media Services.