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April 01, 2005
The black screen of death
By Julie Hill
Ten minutes to showtime, you connect your notebook computer to the projector and there it is, staring at you in all its evil nothingness: the black screen of death.
As your brow beads up with sweat and your mind races, the BSOD mocks your desperate attempts to thwart it. Unfortunately, if you do not find a way to defeat the beast, it will defeat you — or, at the very least, your presentation.
Chances are good that at some point in your professional career you will face the BSOD, especially if you are a traveling presenter. And when it happens, you will need at least two things to combat the beast: a troubleshooting strategy and a backup plan.
Let's start, then. Suppose the BSOD has suddenly made an unwelcome appearance in your meeting room. What can you do?
1 First, consider the worst
Is there a tiny mushroom cloud of smoke rising from the projector or your notebook? Is either unit in flames? If so, it's game over before you even begin. Go straight to your backup plan and do the best you can.
But if it's not that…
2Take a deep breath. Start with the obvious.
1. Locate the power cords for the projector and the notebook. Are they both attached to an outlet? Check all the connections.
2. Are both the projector and the notebook turned on? If so, make sure neither one has gone into a sleep or fail-safe mode. This happens more often with notebooks, but some projectors have a lamp-saving mode that powers down the lamp after a certain period or when the projector is getting dangerously hot.
3. Check to make sure there is a VGA or DVI cable connecting the notebook to the projector. Did you tighten the screws? If not, do so. A simple tightening will prevent jostling of the connection and may make your picture magically reappear.
4. Is the lens cap off? Sounds ridiculous, we know, but you'd be surprised how many times an unremoved lens cap has been mistaken for the BSOD.
3Okay, I checked the obvious. What now?
The next move requires a gut judgment. Which piece of equipment do you suspect is the culprit, the projector or your computer?
I think it's the projector
1. Is the lamp working? Perhaps the lamp indicator is blinking, indicating a failure of some sort. This is often accompanied by a metallic burning smell. Unfortunately, if your lamp is blown you are out of luck, unless you have a spare $400 lamp and a screwdriver in your bag.
2. Is the projector dialed into the correct source signal? Many projectors automatically sync to the source signal, but not all of them do. Most projectors have a source or input button on the top of the unit or on the remote. Sometimes you have to push this button to initiate the electronic handshake between the projector and the source.
3. Can you try a different connection? Perhaps the notebook has a video connection? If so, get the proper cable and try that.
4. Power down the projector, reconnect the cord and then wait at least 30 seconds. Say a short prayer and power it back up again. Re-sync the notebook connection as well (Step 1, below, under "None of these steps helped.")
5. Is the unit still under warranty? Did you pack the card or booklet with the projector manufacturer's support line? It's a long shot at this point, but try calling them if you have the time.
4None of these steps helped.
Either turn your attention to the notebook, or proceed directly to your backup plan.
I think it's the notebook
1. Did you sync it? Most notebooks have a Function key designated for syncing it to an outside display. Take a look at our handy-dandy chart, broken out by notebook manufacturer.
Acer F5
Apple F7
Compaq F4
Dell F8
Fujitsu F10
HP F4
IBM F7
Panasonic F3
Toshiba F5
Simply press and hold down the FN button and the appropriate key from the chart. If you don't automatically sync up, here's a trick: Completely disconnect the cable connecting the notebook and the projector, make sure the projector and notebook are on and now reconnect the cable, CONNECTING it to the projector first and the notebook second. Trust us on this one, it makes a difference.
2. Restart, restart, restart! If you are also dealing with the BSOD's notorious little cousin, the Microsoft Windows blue screen of death, try booting up the computer in "Safe Mode" (restart the computer, then hold down F8 as it starts back up), and see if it behaves. If it doesn't, calmly walk outside, shout a colorful curse at Bill Gates, then proceed to your backup plan.
If you are a Mac user facing the spinning beach ball of eternity or the old-school bomb icon (pre OS X), restart as well. If a restart does not fix it, walk outside, shout a creative curse at Steve Jobs, then proceed to your backup plan.
Tip: Have a story or anecdote you can tell while the computer is rebooting. Having something amusing to say at such moments settles your nerves and actually opens up an opportunity to develop a better rapport with your audience. Use it.
3. How's your battery? You should always try to use AC power when presenting, if only because notebook batteries are notorious for running out in the middle of presentations.
5Nothing worked. I'm doomed!
OK, its time to go to your backup plan, so don't give up hope just yet.
(You do have a backup plan, right? If not, it's time to admit that the BSOD has won. Go directly to the "Building your backup plan" sidebar on page 36 and vow you will never be defeated by the BSOD again.)
For those who have a backup plan, smile and locate the extra copy of your electronic presentation. If your computer is dead, borrow someone else's. If the backup presentation is saved on a flash-memory drive or CD, all you have to do is pop it in and you're home free. Borrowing a projector is a bit more difficult, but it is sometimes possible as well.
Congratulations, you have just defeated the BSOD with grace and aplomb. Let roses be strewn at your feet. But the BSOD is always lurking near the podium. Your best defense is to be prepared.
Julie Hill is managing editor of Presentations.
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