[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

That last part should have read:

"I am not very tech savy...."

[SIDENET]

IBTZ!!!

Just kidding. The light bulb may be bad. I've seen that even in new projectors.

[NittanyLion]

Are you using a desktop or laptop?

[NewHampshireDuo]

Does the light come on but the projector just projects a blank (usually blue) screen? Or is it dead?

[MikefromOhio]

What kind of connector do you have running from the projector to the computer?

It sounds like it isn't hooked it correctly or the machine doesn't read the projector correctly when it is connected.

[RunningJoke]

Is there gas in the tank?

[DoctorMichael]

I have seen that in some computers (depends on the Drivers and software you've got) that the Projector must be turned on, running and hooked by the cable to the computer BEFORE the computer is 'Booted' otherwise the computer (if already Booted) will not recognize thats its got a 'Peripheral'; (Projector). Boot the computer last so it will 'recognize' the projector during the 'Boot'.

Also..........Some computers also require you depress the 'F8' key so the computer 'send' to an LCD device.

Good Luck!

[VOA]

Vanity: Can't get our powerpoint projector to project, help please!

I can't really help you...but can give you some consolation.

One fun thing in academia: watching a room full of science PhDs trying to
get a digital projector running.
I've seen this more than once at one of the major research universities
on the west coast.

So don't feel so bad about having some challenges.

[MainFrame65]

The nature of the connection REALLY matters here. Are you trying to have a picture on both your desktop monitor AND the projector? If so, you need to have both of them connected at the same time to your computer.

I always use a laptop, so there is no confusion - I switch from one to the other, or both at once, with shift-F7.

Your computer might have an on-board graphics adapter, a plug-in video adapter card, or both. Whatever you have, you need appropriate drivers for each, plus cables to connect each if you will use both at once. If you will use only one or the other, you need to switch the cable with power OFF, then turn it on and let it find and install the hardware driver it needs.

[SampleMan]

This is often the problem for what you describe. Check the bolded part first.

From PowerPoint HELP:

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.

Notes Most laptop computers require a function key or software command to activate the laptop video output signal. Locate a function key labeled CRT/LCD or a function key with a monitor symbol on it. Press and hold down the function key and the labeled function key simultaneously.

Learn about activating the external video port of a laptop computer.

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.

[JRios1968]

Make sure the button is in the O-N position...