[Keith in Iowa]

I bow to your knowledge here - I'm not that savvy about this stuff. Come to think of it, I've seen PP presentations and don't they project directly from the computer?

Exactly. The connection between the computer and the projection systems does not even have the ability to transfer storable data - it's just voltages that the projector uses to display the image - the only way it would be storable would be to convert it from R-G-B video to standard video that could be recorded on a VCR - but someone at the hotel doing that would be highly unlikely.

[Elkiejg]

Thanks for clearing this up -- wonder why the Prowler went with this story?

[mikesmad]

Most of the newer data projectors have the ability to read data from a PC Card that contains flash memory. If someone left the flash card in the projector it would be very easy to remove it and make a copy then place it back. No more than a minute or two and no one would be the wiser.

[DB]

They may have a computer that is dedicated to their high-resolution overhead projector. The projector could well require special drivers and hardware making it much easier just to use the already setup computer for the presentation. Most Windows computers are already setup to run PowerPoint presentations so they could have simply transferred over the data via a CD-ROM or network connection and run it from there.

A CD-ROM would be the most likely and easy method of moving the presentation around without any hassles. Virtually any machine today has a CD-ROM drive. Sticking the CD into someone else's computer and running a PowerPoint presentation could well leave temporary files of that presentation on that machine.

Not far fetched at all.

[LouD]

Not necessarily correct. Some projection systems are more than just a projector, and do have a PC, which also controls room lighting, drapes, etc. It also serves as a backup for people who have laptop problems.

Using such a system, you would basically put your laptop on the same network, then copy the file to the AV system PC.

My former employer had this type of system in their training center. Whenever I presented anything sensitive, I would crawl around under the console and disconnect the monitor output cable, so that I would not have to make a local copy on the other PC.