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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

By Tim.Doyle ·
I havea t work two Infocus LP530 projectors, which work flawlessly with every laptop and desktop at my disposal except one model: the Compaq EVO N1020V, which uses the new ATI IGP 340M display adapter. Whenever I plug the laptop into the projector it kicks the projector resolution down one notch while still displaying a full screen image; by this I mean the laptop is set to 1024x768 resolution and it displays a 1024 image on the wall but the projector refuses to go into 1024 mode and only shows the middle 800x600 pixels on the screen, so I can't see the first row of icons, the taskbar or any of the screen edges. The laptop works just fine with any other external display adapter (NEC projector, tft monitor, 17" crt) and the projector works in 1024 mode with any other laptop or desktop I have (Compaq Armadas and EVOs, Dells and HP's)...they just won't work together is all. This problem exists even if I use a command prompt boot disk so I odn't think its a driver issue or a Windows XPissue.

I've called both Compaq and Infocus, naturally based on the information available they both point their fingers at each other as the source of the problem. Thus far I've played with all the menus on the projector, upgraded the firmware onthe laptop as well as all the drivers available (the video drivers are at version 1.00a though so no help there). Also messed around with every video setting on the laptop that I can find to no avial.

Anyone have any ideas short of returning 4 new laptops to Compaq?

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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

by timwalsh In reply to Laptop/Projector Incompat ...

It sounds like you've done pretty much everything I would think to do, so I'll throw a couple things out there just in case:

1. The Infocus Tech Support page for the LP 530 recommends the following: Starting the projector before the computer and setting the laptop's display so that the display only shows on the projector.
2. Try setting the laptop display to 800 X 600 and check the results.
3. Try checking with ATI tech support to see if they have heard of any known incompatibilities.ATI does warn that the vendors that use their products have so much leeway in customizing them that the same display adapter in two different vendors products may have completely different capabilities.

Compaq can logically claim that because thelaptop works with any other display, it MUST be an Infocus problem. BTW, there was a new ROM update issued 28 Jan 03 if you upgraded your firmware prior to that.

Likewise, Infocus can claim that because the projector works with any other laptop other than this model, it must be a Compaq problem.

If you can't get any support from the 2 suspect vendors, you don't have many choices.

Possible alternatives to returning the 4 laptops:

1. Return the projectors.
2. Don't use these laptops/projectors in combination if you have a choice.
3. Use the combination in lower resolution (if that works).

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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

by Tim.Doyle In reply to Laptop/Projector Incompat ...

Thanks for your suggestions, unfortunately I've already done everything suggested above. If I kick the laptop down to 800x600 the projector goes to 640x480 while still showing an 800x600 desktop so no joy there.

Projectors are more than a month old so they are not a returnable item so if anything it'll be the laptops that are returned...I've already opened a dialog with my Compaq sales rep and told him about the situation so he is basically waiting to hear from me as to what I want to do (Ibuy a fair amount of product anually). Compaq support has escalated this issue to their design and engineering test lab and has promised me some info by Friday 2-14-03, my sales rep is also looking into this issue along his own channels of investigation. Infocus said "its a Compaq problem" and not much else. ATI told me to call Compaq for help, they apparently don't do a lick of support for their mobile video chipsets due to the tremendous leeway they grant their partners with cusomization.
Thanks anyways.

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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

by GuruOfDos In reply to Laptop/Projector Incompat ...

The problem is with the Compaq!!!

I do AV installs and projector repairs for the majority of my time and so know a thing or two about this subject!

Compaq laptops are very projector unfriendly!! It is to do with the refresh rate used by the Compaq as well as the signals used on the VGA connector. You MUST set the monitor type for the Compaq to Standard SVGA 800x600 and set the frequency to either 60 or 72Hz. The InFocus is also not the most tweakable of projectors as it does not allow custom tuning of the H and V sysnc timings to allow matching the signal to non standard sources. For future reference, Sanyo projectors are the best for this unless you have the budget for a 'proper' multimedia projector such as a Barco.

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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

by Tim.Doyle In reply to Laptop/Projector Incompat ...

I tried these suggestions but to no avail. No difference made in the displayed image. 800x600 wouldn't do me any good anyway, but thanks for trying.

Out of curiosity what laptops do you find to be more friendly than Compaqs?

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Laptop/Projector Incompatibility

by Tim.Doyle In reply to Laptop/Projector Incompat ...

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