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FAQ & Troubleshooting


General Questions and Problems


1. There is no sound coming through the wall-mounted speakers.
2. I see no image from the projector.
3. General projector troubleshooting.
4. How do I use the Audio/Visual station in the classroom?
5. How do I play a DVD?
6. How do I play a VCR?
7. How do I play an audio and/or video from the computer?
8. How do I access DVD menus, fast forward, zoom, slow motion, etc?
9. How do I insert paper into the printer?
10. How do I change the printer's toner?
11. How do I fix a jammed printer?
12. How do I clean printer parts?
13. General printer troubleshooting
14. General projector advice and maintenance


Mac Projector Troubleshooting


1. I see no image from the MAC projector or the "InFocus" screen is on instead of the computer desktop. The projector also displays "no signal detected."
2. The screen resolution isn't right. It's HUGE, and nothing fits. OR I can't get the projector to change resolutions, only the computer monitor changes resolutions.
3. The image displayed on the MAC projector is off-color, garbled, and/or unintelligible.

PC Projector Troubleshooting


1. I see no image from the PC projector or the "Epson" screen is on instead of the computer desktop. The projector also displays "no signal detected."
2. The screen resolution isn't right. It's HUGE, and nothing fits. OR I can't get the projector to change resolutions, only the computer monitor changes resolutions.
3. The image displayed on the PC projector is off-color, garbled, and/or unintelligible.

I have tried all of the above, and I am still having problems

1. There is no sound coming through the wall-mounted speakers.

  • Check to see that the receiver is on and set to the correct component.
    • CD -> Computer
    • DVD -> DVD
    • VCR / DVR -> VCR


  • For the Mac: Check to see that the audio cables are properly connected to the computer.

    • A picture of the back of the iMac ComputerA picture of the male/female cables that connect to the receiver

  • For the PC: Check to see that the audio cables are properly connected to the computer.

    • A picture of the front of the PC Computer

2. I see no image from the projector.

  • Check to see that the projector is on. Press the power button on the remote control. A green power light should be visible on the projector and an "Epson" or "InFocus" should be projected on the screen.
  • Make sure that the switch box is set to "Computer"

    • A picture of the computer/doc switch

  • Make sure the projector is set to the correct component. To project the computer desktop, press "Comp" or "Computer" on the projector remote control. To project a DVD or VCR, press "S-Video" for the Epson Projector, and "Video" for the InFocus projector.

    • InFocus remoteEpson remote


3. General protocol for projector issues

  • Make sure all cords are connected completely
  • Be patient pressing buttons--some are less sensitive than others and some take 30 seconds or so to activate
  • If all else fails, restart both the projector and computer (in that order).
  • Call our Systems Administrator, Hampton Finger (471-4510).


4. How do I use the Audio/Visual station in the classroom?

  • Note: On the slim chance that you do encounter problems while using the equipment, DO NOT TOUCH any wires or move any of the equipment around. Get a proctor to assist or email support@support.cwrl.utexas.edu.

    • console

  • Each console is equipped with a receiver, VCR with remote, DVD player with remote, and a remote control for the projector.
  • To use any of the audio/visual capabilities, you must first insure that the receiver is ON. The receiver is ON when there is something displayed on the input display. The default input should be "C D" which allows sound from the dedicated A/V computer to be heard through the speakers. The red standby light ON when the receiver is OFF.

    • receiver

  • The two dials on the right are all you need to switch between components. The bottom dial is the volume control and the top is the settings dial. The input device you are using will show up in the display area.
  • Please note that the speakers can get quite loud, and that different sources (DVD, VCR, computer) project sound at different volumes. Please START with the receiver at a low volume (-50dB or less) and gradually increase the volume until it is comfortable (be aware of how the volume might affect other classes). Lower the volume back to -50dB when finished.


5. How do I play a DVD?

  1. Turn on the DVD player.
  2. Insert your DVD into the player.
  3. Turn the Input Switch on the Receiver until "DVD" appears in the display area.
  4. For InFocus projectors in FAC 7, FAC 10, and PAR 6, switch to "Video" by pressing the "Video" button on the projector remote control. For the two, larger EPSON projectors in PAR 102 and FAC 9, you will have to press "S-Video."

    5. InFocus remoteEpson remote

  5. Switch projector to "video."
  6. Press play on DVD player.
  7. To play a CD on the DVD player, Input Switch on the Receiver until "DVD/LD" appears in the display area.
  8. Press play on the DVD player.
  9. To switch the projector back to the computer, press "Data" or "Computer" on the projector remote control.


6. How do I play a VCR?

  1. Turn on the VCR.
  2. Insert your video tape into the VCR. Note that the VCR will start playing immediately (that is, without you pressing "play") when you put a tape in.
  3. Turn the Input Switch on the Receiver until "VCR/DVR" appears in the display area.
  4. For InFocus projectors in FAC 7, FAC 10, and PAR 6, switch to "Video" by pressing the "Video" button on the projector remote control. For the two, larger EPSON projectors in PAR 102 and FAC 9, you will have to press "S Video."

    5. InFocus remoteEpson remote

  5. The projector will display a blue screen with "CH 2" in the upper corner. The VCR should stay on "Ch 2."
  6. Press "play" and you will see your video.
  7. For InFocus projectors in FAC 7, FAC 10, and PAR6, to switch the projector back to the computer, press "Computer" on the projector remote control. For the two, larger EPSON projectors in PAR 102 and FAC 9, you will have to press "Comp."


7. How do I play an audio and/or video from the computer?
To play any audio or video file using Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or Real Player on the computer

  1. Turn on the receiver.
  2. Turn the Input Switch until "C D" appears in the display area.


8. How do I access DVD menus, fast forward, zoom, slow motion, etc?

    dvd remote


9. How do I insert paper into the printer?

  • When the printer is out of paper, a red light on the top of the printer will indicate a need for attention. The display will advise you that paper needs to be added.

    • image of the printer, with arrows showing the red light and the paper tray that pulls out from the front bottom of the machine

    1. Pull out the printer paper tray.

      2. image of the printer's paper drawer, situated at the bottom front of the machine, being pulled out toward the user.

    2. Add more paper. A ream of paper should be nearby--look around first--but is officially located near the copier in FAC 8, on the shelves in PAR 102a and in cabinets in PAR 6.
      image of stack of paper being added to drawer.
    3. If necessary, email support@support.cwrl.utexas.edu indicating that we need more paper.


10. How do I change the printer's toner?

  • When the toner is low, the display on top of the printer will indicate that the toner needs to be replaced. This is not always the case. Sometimes the toner inside the cartridge needs to be redistributed by rolling or gently shaking the cartridge. To remove the cartridge to roll or replace it, follow the steps below. Be careful not to smudge your hands or clothes.


    1. Open the top of the printer.


      image showing how to lift up the top panel of the printer


    2. Grab the toner cartridge pulling up and towards you.


      image of pulling toner cartridge out


    3. First, try shaking the toner cartridge gently from side to side and then re-inserting it to see if this corrects the problem. If it doesn't, get a new toner cartridge from the tall cabinets in PAR 6 or the proctor station in FAC 9a and insert it.
    4. It may be necessary to shut the printer off and then turn it back on again before users can print to it.
    5. Save the old cartridge so we can recycle it. Put the old cartridge in the box the new cartridge came in. Mark the box "Used" and take it down to the DRW office (PAR 3).
    6. If necessary, email support@support.cwrl.utexas.edu indicating that we need to order more toner.


11. How do I fix a jammed printer?

  • When paper jams in a printer, you will need to open the printer up and search for the offending sheet of paper to remove it. The most common place to find jams is where the new paper feeds into the printer. Also check the paper drawer.


12. How do I clean printer parts?

  • If the printer wheels or other printer parts are leaving streaks and smudges on the printer, you can clean these using denatured alcohol and cotton swabs (both of which are available in FAC 9a). Both the rollers and the print wire can be cleaned this way.


13. General printer troubleshooting

  • I don't know what's wrong with the printer. What General Troubleshooting procedures should I follow?


    1. Make sure the job was sent to the correct printer.
    2. Check to see if the printer is turned on. The "ready" button should be lit.
    3. Make sure the printer has paper.
    4. See if the printer has a paper jam.
    5. Check that the print monitor is open on the machine you are trying to print from (Mac) or check the Printer Settings (PC) to see if anything looks unusual.
    6. Check cables to ensure that everything is securely plugged in.
    7. Try turning the printer off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.


14. General projector advice and maintenance


When using the projector in your classroom, keep the following general advice in mind:

  1. Always have a backup plan for any tech-based lesson plans
  2. Give yourself time--come in 5 to 10 minutes early and make sure everything's working
  3. During the day, the computer should be projecting at all times.
  4. Only use the power button to turn the display on and off. Only turn the projector off at the end of the day.

Rules of Thumb in Case of an Emergency

  1. Make sure all cords are connected completely
  2. Be patient pressing buttons--some are less sensitive than others and some take 30 seconds or so to activate
  3. For PCs try restarting your computer.
  4. If all else fails, restart both the projector and computer (in that order).
  5. Call our Systems Administrator, Hampton Finger (471-4510).

Pictures of the Projectors

   Epson Projector (FAC 9, PAR 104)                                    InFocus Projector (FAC 7, FAC 10, PAR 6)

A picture of the Epson ProjectorA picture of the InFocus Projector

General Checkpoints for Projector Maintenance

Projector Operation for Proctors and Instructors

  • The default projector state should be on and projecting the screen image. The projector should be on and projecting at the beginning of every class (all day long).
  • Be patient, especially when turning on the projector or waking it up from standby: it could take up to a minute.

Proctors

  • It is your responsibility to turn projector on and make sure it is projecting properly before each class begins.
  • At the end of the day, be sure to turn the projector off by pressing the power button twice. NEVER leave it on.

Instructors

  • If you use the projector during your class, leave it on. Do NOT turn it off at the end of your class.

You can help prevent problems on both projectors by checking the following conditions:

  1. First, always check cable connections to and from the computer, the projector and the electric socket.
  2. Verify that the projector is on.
  3. The computer monitor display should be on optimal resolution (800x600). You can check the monitor's resolution in by selecting the display icon (see below) if working with a Mac, or from "Control Panels"->"Displays" if working with a PC (see below).


MAC Projector Troubleshooting


1. I see no image from the MAC projector or the "InFocus" screen is on instead of the computer desktop. The projector also displays "no signal detected.

  • Check hook-ups in the back of the projector computer. The projector port should be connected to an apple DVI cable which in turn should be connected to a black projector cable

    • A picture of cables properly connecting mac to projector

2. The screen resolution isn't right. It's HUGE, and nothing fits. OR I can't get the projector to change resolutions, only the computer monitor changes resolutions.

  • You need to reset the projector resolution. Click on the monitor icon to left of the sound icon. Set the projector resolution to 800x600 72Hz.

    • A screen capture of the display icon

  • The projector and computer monitor have their own separate resolutions. Simply click the monitor icon and select the correct resolution for both. As seen above, the default setting should be "800x600, 72 Hz, Millions" for the projector and "800x600 (stretched), Millions" for the monitor

3. The image displayed on the MAC projector is off-color, garbled, and/or unintelligible.

  • Try logging in if you haven't already done so, sometimes the projector will correct itself.
  • The projector is probably set to a resolution higher than it can project. Open the display icon and set the resolution to "800x600, 72 Hz, Millions." See PROBLEM 2 above.
  • Sometimes, simply toggling or wiggling the Computer/Document Camera switch back and forth should resolve this issue
  • If the problem is still not fixed, double-check the cords.
  • Try pushing the "Comp" button on the InFocus remote.


PC Projector Troubleshooting


1. I see no image from the PC projector or the "Epson" screen is on instead of the computer desktop. The projector also displays "no signal detected."

  • Check hook-ups in the back of the projector computer. The projector port should be connected to a white adapter which in turn should be connected to a black projector cable

    • A picture of cables properly connecting PC to projector

2. The screen resolution isn't right. It's HUGE, and nothing fits. OR I can't get the projector to change resolutions, only the computer monitor changes resolutions.

  1. You need to reset the projector resolution. Open the monitors control panel and set the resolution to 1280x1024.
  2. On a PC, you'll find display window in the control panel under the start menu.

    3. A picture of the Control PanelA picture of the PC Display Properties

3. The image displayed on the PC projector is off-color, garbled, and/or unintelligible.

  1. Try logging in if you haven't already, sometimes the image will correct itself after logging in.
  2. The projector is probably set to a resolution higher than it can project. Open the display window and set the resolution to "1280x1024" See PROBLEM 2 above.
  3. Sometimes, simply toggling or wiggling the Computer/Document Camera switch back and forth should resolve this issue
  4. If the problem is still not fixed, double-check the cords.
  5. Try pushing the "Computer" button on the Epson remote.


I have tried all the above, and I am still having problems

  • If it is a problem that must be resolved immediately, call our Systems Administrator, Hampton Finger (471-4510).
  • For all other questions and or inquiries e-mail OTRS: support@support.cwrl.utexas.edu
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