Epson Powerlite 821p Multimedia Projector Users Guide

							Solving Problems81
Solving Problems with the Image or 
Sound
Power does not turn on.
■Make sure the power cable is connected. Also, connect a lamp to 
your power outlet to make sure it’s working.
■If the projector lights turn off and on when you touch the power 
cable, the cable may be defective. Contact Epson as described on 
page 91.
No image appears on the screen.
■Check that the Power light is green, not flashing, and the lens 
cap is off. 
■Make sure that the projector is securely connected to your 
computer or video source.
■The projector may be in standby or sleep mode. If the projector 
has not received any input signal for 30 minutes, it turns off the 
lamp to conserve the lamp life and save energy. If the 
Power light 
is orange, press the P 
Power button to turn the projector on.
■Press the A/V Mute button to make sure the picture has not been 
turned off temporarily. 
■If the power was switched off and then on again, the projector 
may still be cooling down. Wait until the 
Power light stops 
flashing and remains orange; then press the P 
Power button 
again.
■Check the Video Signal or Computer 1 Input or Computer 2 
Input 
setting in the Signal menu to make sure it is correct for the 
selected source. See page55 for more information.
■Have messages been turned off in the Display setting of the 
Extended menu? See page 59 for details.
■Adjust the Brightness setting on the Image menu or select High 
for the 
Brightness Control setting in the Setting menu. See 
page 54 or page 58. 
						

							82Solving Problems
■The attached computer may be in sleep mode or displaying a 
black screen saver. Try pressing a key on the computer.
■If you’re projecting from a video source, press the Play button on 
your video equipment.
Nothing appears on the external monitor.
■Make sure the VGA computer cable is connected to your 
computer’s video port and the projector’s 
Computer1/Component Video1 port. It will not work if you 
connected the computer cable to the projector’s 
Computer2/Component Video2 port.
■Make sure the cable from your monitor is connected to the 
projector’s 
Monitor Out port.
You see a blue screen with the message No Signal displayed.
■Make sure the cables are connected correctly, as described in 
Chapter 1.
■Make sure the power to your computer or video source is 
turned on.
■If you’ve connected a computer and one or more video sources, 
you may need to press the 
Source Search button on the 
projector, or the 
Comp 1, Comp 2, S-video, or Video button 
on the remote control to select the correct source. Allow a few 
seconds for the projector to sync up after pressing the button.
■If you’ve connected a notebook computer, make sure it’s set to 
display on an external monitor. See page 33.  
						

							Solving Problems83
If you’re using a PC notebook:
■Hold down the Fn key and press the function key that lets you 
display on an external monitor. It may have an icon such as 
, or it may be labelled 
CRT/LCD. Allow a few seconds for 
the projector to sync up after pressing it. Check your notebook’s 
manual or online help for details. 
On most systems, the   or 
CRT/LCD key lets you toggle 
between the LCD screen and the projector, or display on both at 
the same time. 
■Depending on your computer’s video card, you might need to use 
the Display utility in the Control Panel to make sure that both the 
LCD screen and external monitor port are enabled. See your 
computer’s documentation or online help for details.
If you’re using a PowerBook or iBook with 
Macintosh OS X:
1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences, then click 
Display.
2. Select 
VGA Display or Color LCD, click Arrange or 
Arrangement, then select Mirror Displays.
If you’re using a PowerBook or iBook with
Macintosh OS 9.x:
1. From the Apple menu, select Control Panels, then click 
Monitors or Monitors and Sound.
2. Click the Arrange icon.
3. Drag one monitor icon on top of the other. This lets you display 
on the projector screen as well as the LCD screen.
4. If the 
Arrange icon isn’t available, click the Monitor icon. 
5. Select one of the listed 
Simulscan resolutions. (Allow a few 
seconds for the projector to sync up after making the selection.) 
						

							84Solving Problems
The message Not Supported is displayed.
■Make sure your computer’s resolution and frequency are 
supported by the projector. See page 97. If necessary, change 
your computer’s resolution setting as described below. 
■If you’re projecting from a composite or S-video source, make 
sure the correct 
Video Signal is selected in the Signal menu. See 
page 57. It should be set to 
Auto unless you are projecting from a 
60 Hz PAL video source, in which case it should be set to 
PAL60.
Only part of the computer image is displayed.
■If you’re projecting from a computer or RGB video device, press 
the 
Auto button on the remote control. If this doesn’t work or if 
you’re projecting from a component, composite, or S-video 
device, you may need to adjust the 
Position setting in the Signal 
menu. See page 56 for more information.
■If you’ve enlarged part of the image using the E-Zoombutton 
on the remote control, press the 
Esc button to cancel zooming 
and return to full display.
■Try pressing the Resize button on the remote control to select a 
different aspect ratio (ratio of length to height).
■Make sure your computer’s resolution setting is correct. Ideally, 
it should be 1024 
× 768 to match the projector’s native 
resolution. If this option isn’t available, select one of the 
supported display formats listed on page 98.
■Windows:
Right-click the desktop, select 
Properties, click the Settings 
tab, and select a different resolution. 
■Macintosh OS X:
On the Apple menu, choose 
System Preferences, then 
click 
Display (or Displays for OS X 10.3). Select a different 
resolution. 
						

							Solving Problems85
■Macintosh OS 9.x:
On the Apple menu, choose 
Control Panels, then click 
Monitors or Monitors and Sound. Select a different 
resolution. 
If this option isn’t available, select one of the other compatible 
video formats listed on page 96.
■You may also need to modify existing presentation files if you 
created them for a different resolution. See your software 
documentation for specific information.
■If you’ve set up your projector and computer to display the same 
image simultaneously, the projector may only project half the 
image. Turn off the dual display settings.
The image isn’t rectangular, but trapezoid-shaped.
■Make sure the projector isn’t placed off to one side of the screen, 
at an angle, or the image won’t be rectangular. Place it directly in 
front of the center of the screen, facing the screen squarely.
■If you’ve tilted the projector upward, the image will be broader at 
the top. Turn on Auto Keystone correction as described on 
page 57 or hold down the   or   buttons on top of the 
projector until the image is rectangular.
The image contains static or noise.
■If you’re using a computer cable longer than 6 feet, or an 
extension cable, the image quality may be reduced.
■Keep your computer and video cables separated from the power 
cord as much as possible to prevent interference.
■The video signal may be split between the computer and the 
projector. If you notice a decline in the projected image quality 
when the image is displayed simultaneously on your notebook 
computer and the projector, turn off the notebook’s LCD display. 
						

							86Solving Problems
■If you’re projecting from a composite or S-video source, check the 
Video Signal setting in the Signal menu. In most cases, leave it 
set at 
Auto. If you’re using a 60-Hz PAL video source, change this 
setting to 
PAL60. See page 57 for details.
■Make sure the cables are securely connected at both ends.
■If you’re projecting from a computer, select the correct resolution; 
see “Compatible Computer Display Formats” on page 97.
■If you’re projecting from a computer, press the Auto button on 
the remote control or the 
Enter button on the projector to adjust 
tracking and sync automatically. If that doesn’t work, try 
adjusting the 
Sync and Tracking settings in the Signal menu. See 
page 56.
The image is blurry.
■Adjust the focus using the focus ring.
■Make sure the lens cap is off.
■There may be dirt or smears on the lens. Clean the lens as 
described on page 70.
■Make sure the lens is not fogged by condensation. You may need 
to wait before using the projector after moving it from a cold 
environment.
■Make sure the projection distance is within the range described on 
page 14.
■Adjust the Sharpness setting on the Image menu (see page 54). 
You should be able to see the effect on the screen immediately.
■Adjust the Brightness and Contrast settings in the image menu; 
see page 54.
note
If you turn on Auto 
Keystone
 in the Setting 
menu (see page 58) or change 
the 
Sharpness setting in the 
Image menu (see page 54), 
you may have trouble 
adjusting the focus using the 
focus ring. Reset these settings 
to their default values if you 
want to use the focus ring; see 
page 68. 
						

							Solving Problems87
You see vertical stripes, flickering, or the image still looks 
blurry after trying the solutions in the previous section.
■If you’re projecting from a computer and displaying an image that 
contains a lot of fine detail, you may notice one or more vertical 
stripes or bands, or some of the characters may look heavy or 
blurred. Press the 
Auto button on the remote control. This resets 
the projector’s tracking and sync settings.
■If further adjustment is needed, you can fine-tune the Tracking 
and 
Sync settings manually using the Signal menu as described 
on page 56. 
1. Fill the screen with an image containing fine detail when 
making these adjustments. For example, in Windows you can 
select a pattern to appear as your desktop background. Or try 
projecting black text on a white background.
2. Adjust the 
Tracking to eliminate vertical stripes. 
3. Adjust the 
Sync to increase the sharpness of the image or 
eliminate flickering or signal interference.
The colors of the image are not right.
■Make sure the input signal setting on the Signal menu matches 
the signal from the connected device. If the image is too purple 
and you’ve connected a computer or RGB video device to the 
Computer1/Component Video1 or Computer2/Component 
Video2
 port, select Computer1 or Computer2 as the input 
source. If you’ve connected a component video device to one of 
these ports, select 
Component Video1 or Component Video2. 
If you’re projecting from a composite video or S-video source, 
make sure the correct 
Video Signal is selected on the Signal 
message. See page 55 for details.
■Try selecting a different Color Mode. See page 54 for 
instructions.
■If you’re displaying video, adjust the Color Intensity and Tint 
settings on the Image menu. See page 54 for instructions.
■Adjust the Brightness and Contrast settings on the Image 
menu. See page 54.
note
For best results, adjust 
tracking before you adjust 
sync.
note
Because of the different 
technologies used, your 
projected image may not 
exactly match the colors on 
your notebook or computer 
monitor. 
						

							88Solving Problems
■Try adjusting the Color Adjustment setting on the Image menu. 
See page 54.
■Check your computer display settings to correct the color balance.
■If the image seems dark, the lamp may be nearing time for 
replacement. Check the lamp hours as described on page 61 and 
replace it, if necessary, as described on page 72.
There is no sound.
■Press the   button on the remote control or projector to turn up 
the volume.
■If you’ve turned off the picture and sound, press the A/V Mute 
button on the remote control to turn them on again.
■If you’re using a VCR or other video source, make sure its volume 
is not turned all the way down or muted. Also, make sure the 
cables are connected correctly, as described in Chapter 1.
■Make sure the audio cable is connected to the correct Audio port. 
See page 21. 
■If your presentation includes computer audio, make sure the 
volume control on your computer is not turned all the way down 
or muted. Make sure the audio cable is securely connected to both 
the projector and your computer’s   headphone jack or
 audio out jack. See page 21.
■The wrong source may be selected. Press the Source Search 
button on the projector—or the Comp 1, Comp 2, S-Video, or 
Video button on the remote control—to select the correct source. 
						

							Solving Problems89
Solving Password Problems 
You have forgotten the password.
■Write down the request code that appears in the Password Protect 
Release screen and contact Epson. See “Where To Get Help” on 
page 91.
■If you turned on the password protect feature before setting the 
password and no password was set before, try using the default 
password: 
0000.
The remote control is not available.
You must have the remote control to enter the password. If necessary, 
you can purchase a replacement remote control from Epson. See 
page 91 for details about ordering.
Solving Problems with the Remote 
Control
The projector doesn’t respond to remote control commands.
■Make sure you are within 20 feet of the projector, and within 
range of the projector’s front or back sensor (approximately 30° to 
the left or right and 15° above or below).
■The remote control batteries may not be installed correctly or may 
be low on power. Replace the batteries as described on page 48.
■Dim the room lights and turn off any fluorescent lights. Make 
sure the projector is not in direct sunlight. Strong lighting, 
especially fluorescent lights, may affect the projector’s infrared 
receivers.
■Turn off any nearby equipment that emits infrared energy, such 
as a radiant room heater.
■The P Power button is disabled while the Power light is 
flashing. Wait for the light to stop flashing. 
						

							90Solving Problems
You have lost the remote control.
You need the remote control to access many projector features. If you 
have lost it, you can order another from Epson. See page 91 for details 
about ordering.
You can’t control the mouse pointer with the remote 
control.
■Make sure the USB mouse cable is securely connected to both 
your computer’s USB port and the projector’s USB port. For 
details, see page 19.
■To use the USB mouse connection on a PC, your system must 
have a “clean” installation of Windows 98SE, Windows Me, 
Windows XP, or Windows 2000. The connection may not work 
correctly if your system was upgraded from Windows 95.
■If you’re running Windows 98 or Me, you may need to install 
USB drivers from your Windows CD-ROM. After you install the 
drivers, restart both the computer and the projector to 
resynchronize the setup.
■You can’t use the wireless mouse function while using the 
E-Zoom buttons on the remote, adjusting the volume, capturing 
a user’s logo, or displaying a configuration or help menu.
Solving Problems with the Projector’s 
Buttons
The projector’s buttons don’t work.
■Operation Lock may be enabled. To disable it, press the 
projector’s 
Enter button for seven seconds.
■The P Power button is disabled while the Power light is 
flashing. Wait for the light to stop flashing.