This document provides a 4-step guide to connecting a laptop to a projector: 1. Identify the blue VGA port on the laptop and the computer in port on the projector. 2. Connect the projector's VGA cable to the computer in port and the laptop's blue VGA port before turning on either device. 3. Power on the laptop first, then the projector, and use function keys to project the laptop screen. 4. Adjust the projector's keystone, sync, tracking, and focus settings if needed. Power down by letting the projector fan run before disconnecting cables.

1. Technology Tip Sheet
College of Agriculture and Home Economics
Technology Help Desk
Overview
Connecting Your Laptop to a Projector
4 Simple Steps Multimedia projectors function
as a modern day replacement
Step 1: Getting to know the laptop and projector for a slide projector,
transparency adapter, or a
whiteboard. Follow this step by
step guide for easy setup.
Blue VGA port located on
the back of the laptop.
Instructor: Sonja Jo Serna
(505) 646-5659
sserna@nmsu.edu
Computer In port located
on the projector.
S For More Information
CAHE Technology
Help Desk
(505) 646-3305
Step 2: Making the connections
cahe_help@nmsu.edu
Important: Make all connections BEFORE turning on the laptop http://cahe.nmsu.edu/help
or projector.
Connect the projector VGA cable end to the port marked computer in on the projector. Connect
the blue VGA cable end to the blue VGA port on the back of the laptop.
Make sure the power cords to the laptop and projector are plugged in.
AXED 300/590: Application of Computer Technology in the Workplace
Computer Success at Work

2. Connecting Your Laptop to a Projector • page 2
Step 3: Power up sequence
Once the cables are connected and the power cords are plugged in, turn on the laptop first, then
the projector.
With the laptop connected and powered up, you can press
Fn+F8 key combination to cycle through various display
modes.
Press once to have the projector display the laptop screen.
Pressing both keys again will black out your laptop display,
but the image will still appear on the projector screen.
Pressing Fn+F8 a third time will remove the image from the
projector screen and display the image on the laptop.
Step 4: Final adjustments
Keystone Adjustment: If the projector is not directly in line with projection surface, the image
may appear trapezoidal. This can be adjusted using the Keystone features on the projector control
panel.
Sync+ and Sync- : Adjusts the vertical image displayed. This can
make the display larger or smaller and is useful if the projector is
projecting at an up or down angle.
Tracking+ and Tracking- : Adjusts the horizontal image displayed.
This can make the display larger or smaller and is useful if the
projector is not placed directly in front of the projection surface.
Focus: Adjust focus by sliding the focus lever on lens.
Disconnecting the laptop and projector
Do not immediately disconnect the projector from its power supply. Switch off using the projectors
on/standby button and let the fan run until it stops so the projector can cool down properly. After the
unit is cool, turn off the projector and disconnect all the cables.
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and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under
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