Classroom Projector Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Sharp Classroom Projectors

Classroom projectors problems usually fall into five categoies:

1) Video sychronization issues

2) Input selection issues

3) Projector setting issues

4) Power-up sequence issues

5) Loose connectors

Video Synchronization

Video Synchronization issues usually occur with laptops.

• Windows PC  uses a function key on the keyboard for video synchronization.
  

A typical sequence on IBM is function-F7 -- press this combination twice to see the display on the screen and on your laptop display

• Macintosh uses the Displays panel in the System Preferences

  • Go to the System Preferences
  • Select Displays
  • (Figure 1) In the Display Pane click the Detect Displays after making sure that the projector connections are made and the projector is on.
  • (Figure 2) In the Arrangment Pane click on Mirror if you wish for the same screen to appear on your display and the screen.
    

Figure 1

Figure 2

Input Selection

All rooms containing LCD projectors have carts with a video input switch on the right side of the cart (usually right side). The switches are = a knob that can be set to "A" or "B." "A" is the setting for the computer on the cart and "B" is for a laptop. If this switch is set wrong the LCD will not receive a video signal.

Projector Settings

The most common problem with projectors involves input selection. This is solved by pressing the input button on the remote control to select input 1.

Power-up Sequence

With some computers the projector must be turned on before the computer is started up to sync correctly or you may press the sync button on the remote.

Loose Connectors

When troubleshooting LCD projectors it is always a good idea to check for loose connections at the wall connection and on the back of the projector.

ITS 5/12/08