Apples

When you connect an external display monitor to an older Apple notebook computer, the computer expects to "see" an Apple monitor. It "knows" that an Apple monitor of some type is connected because it receives a signal, or voltage from that monitor. Unfortunately, when a video/data projector is connected to an Apple notebook, the computer does not "see" the projector, so it does not activate its external monitor port.

To get around this during boot up a termination adapter is connected to the external monitor port. This termination adapter has dip switches that permit you to designate the type of monitor you want to ouput to the external monitor port. After the boot up process is completed, remove the termination adapter and connect the video/data projector to the port. You can then go to "control panels" and "monitors" and switch internal and external monitor signals.

Powerbooks

New Apple notebook computers such as the Powerbook series vary in the configuration of their external monitor ports. Older units have a small wafer-like connection. These were designed for docking stations. This doesn't help much when your trying to connect to a video/data projector. Consequently, an adapter is needed that will either adapt this port to MACII or to SVGA. We have one of these adapters which we call a pigtail.

Newer models of the Powerbook may come with an SVGA external monitor port. The port still needs to be activated either during the boot up process or through additional software. 

After installing this software on your computer do the following:
While holding down the Control Key, click on the Monitors Resolution Control Strip module. A list of all the resolutions that the PowerBook can support will be shown. You can click on the appropriate resolution for your monitor or projection system and the PowerBook will start displaying video on it. You will need to hit the "OK" button on a confirmation dialog that will appear on the new screen. If you do not hit the "OK" key, or if you hit the return key, the video will return to your LCD screen.

The G3 Apple laptop has this capability built into it.