How easy is it to hook up a laptop to a projector?

[Ricemarine]

Ok well... Never actually hooked up a projector to a laptop, but I have hooked up a crt monitor to it. Well, I had to change monitors under the display tab, so I don't know how easy it is to hook a projector. Is it just connect connect, it works? Or what?

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Ok well... Never actually hooked up a projector to a laptop, but I have hooked up a crt monitor to it. Well, I had to change monitors under the display tab, so I don't know how easy it is to hook a projector. Is it just connect connect, it works? Or what?

basically

 

[Mik3y]

basically, yes. it's pretty easy. you may have to turn down the resolution to fit the standards of the projector, which i have to do sometimes.

 

[WobbleWobble]

You connect it and toggle it like you would for any monitor through the keyboard (usually Fn + something)

 

[Leros]

your laptop wont know the difference between a monitor and projector.

 

[corkyg]

Agree with all of the above - but some projectors have a sequence to follow, i.e., which device is turned on first and what key to press when. Every projector usually comes with a quick start user's guide on a card.

I have used two different projectors with my laptop, Dell and View Sonic, and the startuip sequences are different for each.

 

[Ricemarine]

Ahh, FN + F5...

I'm just trying to make sure ...
Should both the projector and laptop be off when I connect it? Or can I leave my laptop on when I connect it?

 

[GamerExpress]

Fn+ F8 or F5

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Ahh, FN + F5...

I'm just trying to make sure ...
Should both the projector and laptop be off when I connect it? Or can I leave my laptop on when I connect it?

Doesn't matter. You can have the laptop on already.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Ahh, FN + F5...

I'm just trying to make sure ...
Should both the projector and laptop be off when I connect it? Or can I leave my laptop on when I connect it?

As with any connection, ideally you'd want them to be off to avoid any shocks / sparks, but I've never bothered with that personally.

 

[WackyDan]

Never had to worry about what one was on first -and I've used a multitude of different projectors.