Symptoms

You are running a presentation on a portable computer and a projector, but the projector doesn't seem to be projecting any images or light of any sort.

Resolution

Check the following:

• Lens cap   Sometimes it is the little things that get overlooked. Make sure that you have removed the cap from the lens at the front of the projector.
• Power source   Make sure that the projector has an active power source:
  • Make sure that the AC electrical outlet is functional. One way to do this is to unplug the projector, and then plug another device into the same socket to test whether current is flowing.
  • If the projector is plugged into a power strip, make sure that the power strip is turned on.
  • Make sure that the power cord is properly connected to both the outlet and the projector.
  • Make sure that the power switch on the projector itself is set to its "On" setting.
• Projector lamp   If you have power to the projector but the lamp still isn't working, try the following:
  • Make sure that the projector is not in standby mode. If you are not sure about this setting, check the projector documentation.
  • Make sure that the projector lamp is firmly seated in its housing.
  • If your projector has a lamp timer, check whether the lamp life has expired.
• Video connection cable   Make sure that none of the pins on the ends of the video connection cable that connects the video source and the projector are bent or damaged.