On a D600 MS Project not working with Projector.

Question

I have a weird problem on D600 series laptops running XP with SP1 or SP2. Microsoft project runs fine when displaying through the laptop LCD. The second I switch to an external projector as the second display, MS Project hangs. I’m unable to run MS Project again until System has been rebooted without projector connected to the external display connector. I’m running the newest version of the display driver available form Dell.

I have tried building a second D600 for testing and the problem still exists. Bios on 2nd laptop is A13 vs A14 on the first. Have tried Project 2002 no SP or updates through Project 2003 all SP’s and updates.

Happens on Both our Projectors InFocus LP-70 and Phillips ?? (can find out if relevant). Does not happen on a standard 15 TFT display.

I’m posting this hear because I believe this is a video driver issue.

Dan

daskas · Answer

I also have a D600 running WinXP Pro and I have the same weird problem with MS Project 2003 Standard.  I have tried it with two different projectors, as well, but no difference. I suspect ir relates to a faulty driver or something with the screen resolutions changing when connected to a projector. However once the problem occurs, even if I disconnect the projector, I cannot get Project to run again unless I reboot.   Any fixes?   Michael

danb_22 · Answer

Since My initial post, I’ve placed a call with Dell Corporate support. The technician I’ve been working with has escalated the call to manufacturing. It’s been a few days now and I’m still waiting to hear back. I will post any results I come across.

Here is a work around I have found that seems to work for us. If you switch to a monitor instead of a projector project seems to start ok. If you then disconnect the monitor and connect the projector, it continues working.

xen0blue · Answer

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stratus8 · Answer

We got the same problem, MS-Project (2003) does not start, or crashes if started before the projector connection.

- it does not depend on either WinXP or Win2000

- external Monitors (TFT, CRT) work without problem

- several projectors have been tested, all with the same problem

- Dell Inspiron was cross checked, all works fine there

Dell technical or software support can't or doesn't want to help

If anyone finds help, please tell us.

danb_22 · Answer

Thanks for the additional info stratus8, I'm still working with Dell support on this issue and hope to find a solution. If I find anything that works, I'll let you know. I'm using the work around I stated above and this is working for the time being.

Colin D · Answer

Hey, Just to follow up on what's here. I too had the same problem, and had several conversations with Dell Tech Support.

Dell released an updated video driver for the D600, on 2nd May 2005, which fixes this problem(R98704.EXE).

Hope this helps.

Colin D

danb_22 · Answer

Thanks for the Update Colin. I've been meaning to get back here to update this thread, but apparently you beat me.

Yeah, after much time and work with Dell support I was able to get the issue escalated to Dell engineering and then working with a rep there they released the new driver.

I've now been testing it for a few weeks now in our environment and it seems to be working ok.

gomiller · Answer

I have updated the bios and the video drivers, but cannot get a Hp SB21 to work with the Fn +f8. Any other ideas?

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On a D600 MS Project not working with Projector.

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