How do I hook up this video projector?

How do you hook a video projector to a laptop? The exact technique depends on the specific projector and laptop, but here are some general instructions to get you started:

• Cable the projector and computer together first. The projector will have a video input cable or jack that's a D-style connector with 15 pins. Connect this to the VGA-output connector on the back of your computer.
• Turn on the projector. Give it a few minutes to warm up. Make sure it's projecting some sort of image.
• Turn on the computer.
• The computer may automatically recognize and use the projector as well as its own screen. If not, use the appropriate function key to toggle between projector/screen/both. On many Toshiba and IBM Thinkpads, it's Fn+F5. On some Thinkpads it's Fn+F7. It may be Fn+F8 or some other key on other laptops.
  Check here for an extensive listing of video toggle keys
  There's usually an icon on the function key that looks like a computer and a plain screen.

If this doesn't work, try restarting the PC without the projector attached, then attach the projector after the PC has started and Windows is running.

Here's a handy guide to the different types of video connectors you might find out there. (Thanks to PowerPoint MVP Todd Dunn for that one)