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    Help connect LG projector to R52 thinkpad?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Judy Smith, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. Judy Smith

    Judy Smith Notebook Consultant

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    Preliminary Q:
    Is it OK to close the thinkpad, once my external viewer (actually projector) is up & running?
    Note: All i'd be using is the thinkpad's CPU, hooked up to external keyboard, mouse & projector. So is it OK for thinkpad's CPU to be running while the cover is closed? Thanks.

    Now on to main Q:
    Anyone here know how to connect LG's HS201 projector to an R52 thinkpad?

    Some pics:
    http://im.tech2.in.com/images/2010/aug/img_243602_rear_640x360.jpg

    Then there's a triple RGB mini cable (approx. 3")
    sorta like this, but without the black connector:
    http://www.buyincoins.com/gallery/pc/vga-4pin-3rca-adapter01.jpg
    How does the latter get connected to R52?

    Then there's a VGA cable:
    http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Product/20115/China_vga_15pin_cable2011591415325.jpg

    The LG manual shows a very unclear diagram, rather than a photo.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
  2. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    Having the lid closed can increase heat build up, as some of the heat does leak through the keyboard. It becomes even more apparent if you're doing processor intensive tasks.
     
  3. k2001

    k2001 Notebook Deity

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    Just use the vga-vga cable should works. I don't think you will run into any problem with the lid close, unless you work the CPU very often.
     
  4. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Use the blue male VGA-male VGA cable and select VGA input on the projector, and everything should work itself out.
     
  5. Judy Smith

    Judy Smith Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks everyone - to be on the safe side, can I keep the laptop lid sorta 90% or 95% closed?

    MidnightSun, what's your opinion re: closing or "mostly" closing the lid?
    Also, when you state the below, did you mean i should connect the VGA cable to the corresponding VGA receptacle on projector?
     
  6. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    If you're going to close it, keeping it slightly open isn't going to make a difference. I'd say to try it closed; if your laptop runs hot to the touch, you can leave it open in the future.

    And yes. Often, projectors will make you select what video input source to display from (though usually they'll auto-scan to find the active input).
     
  7. jimbob83

    jimbob83 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you're going to close the lid, check that you have your power options set to do nothing when you close the lid, otherwise your computer will shut down or go to sleep.
     
  8. Judy Smith

    Judy Smith Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks to both of you - now if i can figure out where to go from here:

    Control Panel > performance & maint > power options
    how do i find "disable hibernation when lid is closed"?

    (so that I can safely experiment with lid closed)

    btw, I already have it set as follows:

    Minimal power management
    Turn off monitor after 15-min. if plugged in (it's always on AC)
    Turn off hard disks - Never - if plugged in
    Sys. standby - Never - if plugged in
     
  9. Judy Smith

    Judy Smith Notebook Consultant

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    P.S. Setting aside for awhile Post #8 above, i've a more priority question.

    I finally tried actually connecting the projector, following the user manual instructions.

    The instructions state:

    Connect power cord (I did)
    Press POWER button on top cover (I did that),
    or the POWER button on remote control.
    The light on the control panel will be turned on.

    Press INPUT button on control panel to select the input signal you want.
    (I clicked INPUT and right-arrow to the pic. which depicted 15-pin RGB, then clicked OK)

    But all I see flashing on my wall is NO SIGNAL flashing on various spots of the wall.

    Where did i go wrong??
     
  10. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I assume the VGA cord is connected? If so, on your Thinkpad, press Fn + F7, which should have an icon on it that shows a built-in monitor and an external monitor. Once you press it, depending on the OS, you should be able to toggle between the desired setup.
     
  11. Judy Smith

    Judy Smith Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks!
    I spent hours just now with LG support, who didn't even know what a thinkpad is, and instead, compelled me to drag the paraphernelia to my Dell desktop in my other room, whereupon we ascertained that the projector worked there instantly, and that therefore it must be a quirk of my thinkpad.

    Turns out that FN-F7 is a 3-way toggle (either laptop screen OR wall OR both).

    The rest of this post may belong on a projector forum - or maybe on the accessories forum or home theater forum?
    Which?

    Thing is, both the underpart of the projector, as well as the LG-power-adapter are VERY HOT to the touch (unlike the thinkpad's power adapter).

    Is this normal? The projector is brand new.


    Also:
    Is it safe to close the thinkpad's lid, once F7 is toggled to display on the wall?


    P.S. Also having issues with visibility, but that's a quirk of the HS201 as well as my setup - difficulty focusing it properly, and figuring out how to set up the poster board in this tiny room. Pushing the HS201 closer to the wall made the text more legible albeit too small to read from distance. Turning the FOCUS knob wasn't helping. There's also a noisy whirring coming from it (so why is it so hot? shouldn't the whirring fan be cooling it?) I may try phoning LG again for help getting my setup right, but thus far, none of their reps were too helpful (long pauses reminding me of outsourced reps. yada yada)