How to Connect an Acer Laptop to an Optoma Projector
By Mindi Orth
Your business’ Optoma projector contains various video input ports, allowing you to connect it to a variety of devices. Connecting an Acer laptop to your Optoma projector allows you to present slide shows and other information stored on the laptop to customers, potential customers and colleagues. Setup includes connecting a single cable between the two devices and providing a power source.
Connect the Optoma projector to a power source such as a wall outlet or surge suppression strip, but don’t turn on the projector yet. The projector’s LED status light will glow red.
Connect one end of the video cable to the VGA output port on your Acer laptop and connect the other end of the cable to the VGA input port on the Optoma projector. A VGA connection is the most common method to connect your laptop to a projector. If your Acer laptop features an HDMI port, however, you can connect the two devices using an HDMI cable. An HDMI connection provides the sharpest video.
Press the power button to turn on the Optoma projector and wait for the lamp to warm up. The projector’s LED status light will glow blue during use. A light will project from the front of the projector once the device is ready. The warm up process typically takes 30 seconds but may take longer.
Turn on your Acer laptop and wait for it to boot completely. The computer should detect the projector automatically. If not, press the “Menu” button on the projector, select “Setup” and verify that the Source Lock option is set to “Off.”
Adjust the display settings on your laptop, if necessary. Press the “Fn” and “F5” keys on your keyboard simultaneously to toggle between viewing your desktop on the projector, the laptop monitor or both. Alternatively, press the “Windows” key and the “P” key simultaneously if running the Windows 7 operating system to bring up a dialog box containing different display options. Selecting the “Duplicate” option displays your desktop on both the projection screen and your laptop’s monitor. Selecting the “Projector Only” option displays your desktop on the projection screen only and results in your laptop monitor going black. Restore your laptop monitor by selecting the “Computer Only” option after you complete your presentation.
Tips
Turn off the projector when not in use to prevent it from overheating.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Mindi Orth began writing in 1996 as a technical writer for a consulting firm. She has experience in business documentation and has authored training and instructional materials. Orth holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baldwin-Wallace College.