How to Display Your Computer Screen on a Projector

An LCD projector is a great way to show your work from your computer screen. It's a great application for business presentations as well as for educational settings. Setting your computer screen to display on an LCD projector is a simple task.

Shut down the computer and unplug it from its power source. Connect the projector's VGA cord to the laptop. Depending on the type of laptop you have, you may need an adaptor.

Turn on the projector. From the display settings options, choose VGA. On some projectors, you do this from the projector, but for most projectors, especially ceiling mounted models, you can make the selection from the remote.

Power up the laptop. Some laptops automatically detect when they are in projector mode. Others need to have their display settings changed.

Try holding down the "Function" or "Fn" key. Simultaneously press the appropriate "F" or "Function." For example, some models have you hold the "Fn" key and the "F4" key, while others may use "F6." Your laptop should have an image of a screen on the appropriate key.

Toggle between internal, external and simultaneous as you hold the "Fn" key and the appropriate "F" key. This should switch your computer from the laptop screen only, the LCD display screen only or both.

Set up the display manually. Go to "Start." Select the "Control Panel." Pick "Displays" and then choose "Settings." Click on "Identify." The flashing blue box tells you which monitor is in use. If you don't have two boxes, right click on the box that is not flashing. Choose "Enable Display." Adjust the settings if necessary and hit "Apply." You should have a picture on the projector screen at this point from your computer.