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MacBook double problem

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  MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-03 20:24 +0100
    Re: MacBook double problem Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-03 20:35 +0100
      Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-03 21:05 +0100
        Re: MacBook double problem "David B." <BD@hotmail.co.uk> - 2025-09-03 21:38 +0100
        Re: MacBook double problem Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-03 22:52 +0100
          Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-04 08:12 +0100
            Re: MacBook double problem Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-04 08:22 +0100
              Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-04 08:43 +0100
                Re: MacBook double problem David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> - 2025-09-04 09:33 +0100
                Re: MacBook double problem Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-04 09:39 +0100
                  Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-04 16:08 +0100
                    Re: MacBook double problem Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-04 16:55 +0100
            Re: MacBook double problem Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-05 08:05 +0000
              Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-05 11:08 +0100
                Re: MacBook double problem David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> - 2025-09-05 16:48 +0100
                  Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-05 19:18 +0100
                    Re: MacBook double problem Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-06 08:11 +0000
                      Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-06 09:19 +0100
                        Re: MacBook double problem David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> - 2025-09-06 14:16 +0100
                          Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-08 15:06 +0100
                            Re: MacBook double problem - followup liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-10 08:45 +0100
                              Re: MacBook double problem - followup Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> - 2025-09-10 10:26 +0100
                                Re: MacBook double problem - followup liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-10 11:20 +0100
                                  Re: MacBook double problem - followup David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> - 2025-09-11 16:07 +0100
                        Re: MacBook double problem Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-06 18:30 +0000
                Re: MacBook double problem Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> - 2025-09-06 08:17 +0100
                  Re: MacBook double problem Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-09-06 07:27 +0000
                    Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-06 09:19 +0100
                      Re: MacBook double problem Phil Taylor <nothere@ail.invalid> - 2025-09-06 10:24 +0000
    Re: MacBook double problem "David B." <BD@hotmail.co.uk> - 2025-09-03 20:42 +0100
    Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-18 21:57 +0100
      Re: MacBook double problem "David B." <BD@hotmail.co.uk> - 2025-09-18 22:36 +0100
      Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-18 21:54 +0000
        Re: MacBook double problem Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-09-19 06:45 +0000
          Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-19 10:42 +0000
            Re: MacBook double problem Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-09-19 11:33 +0000
              Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-19 20:54 +0000
                Re: MacBook double problem Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-09-20 07:49 +0000
                  Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-20 19:38 +0000
                  Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-20 19:50 +0000
                    Re: MacBook double problem Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-09-20 19:53 +0000
        Re: MacBook double problem liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) - 2025-09-19 12:22 +0100
          Re: MacBook double problem Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> - 2025-09-19 11:31 +0000

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#181807 — MacBook double problem

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year.  The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience.  Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the
output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
chance of working.

Does anyone know?

-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181808

Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year.  The battery was
> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
> from the power supply if I needed to use it.
> 
> Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

Probably it needs a good battery in it.  Can you borrow one to try?

[snip]
> 
> Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
> check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the
> output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
> chance of working.

What you've written doesn't make sense to me.

I would connect the camera into an INPUT port on the MacBook, and route 
the signal through the MacBook to the projector which is connected to 
the display output of the MacBook.

Alternatively, can the camera be connected directly to the projector?


-- 
Graham J

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#181810

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year.  The battery was
> > swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
> > from the power supply if I needed to use it.
> > 
> > Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
> > of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.
> 
> Probably it needs a good battery in it.  Can you borrow one to try?
> 
> [snip]
> > 
> > Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
> > check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the
> > output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
> > chance of working.
> 
> What you've written doesn't make sense to me.

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181811

On 03/09/2025 21:05, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
>>> I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year.  The battery was
>>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.
>>>
>>> Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
>>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.
>>
>> Probably it needs a good battery in it.  Can you borrow one to try?
>>
>> [snip]
>>>
>>> Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
>>> check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the
>>> output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
>>> chance of working.
>>
>> What you've written doesn't make sense to me.
> 
> I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

Why didn't you read my response, Liz?

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#181812

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

> 
> I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook 
screen.  You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a 
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display 
outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may 
depend on how new it is.  I've no idea what the projector will have - it 
may only be VGA.

Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?


-- 
Graham J

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#181814

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> 
> [snip]
> 
> > 
> > I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
> > MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.
> 
> OK that makes more sense.
> 
> As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook 
> screen.  You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.
> 
> So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
> outputs there are on your MacBook.
> 
> Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may 
> depend on how new it is.  I've no idea what the projector will have - it
> may only be VGA.

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows). 

The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
camera needs to be.  I have noticed that presentations in that hall have
always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the
connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

> 
> Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?

Next Tuesday is the only chance when I have access to the hall.  The
talk is a week after that but in the meantime I have to go away for
several days and might even have to give another talk on a different
subject (which doesn't need a camera).   For that I use an even older
PowerBook running OS9 and my own projector which includes 75 Hz frame
rate (which none of the modern projectors can cope with).

-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181815

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

> The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
> have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
> on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

If you know the model number of the MacBook you can find out (from 
Google, or the Apple website) the name of the connector.

[snip]

>> Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?
> 
> Next Tuesday is the only chance when I have access to the hall.  The
> talk is a week after that but in the meantime I have to go away for
> several days and might even have to give another talk on a different
> subject (which doesn't need a camera).   For that I use an even older
> PowerBook running OS9 and my own projector which includes 75 Hz frame
> rate (which none of the modern projectors can cope with).

So:

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their 
projector;

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

-- 
Graham J

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#181817

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

[...] 
> == Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their 
> projector;

I've already asked: not a chance.


> == Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
as the demonstration.  Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a
thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
appropriate positions on the board.  The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be
displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
the night agree with the curves!).

The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have
narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance.  If I
only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
won't be able to see properly.


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181818

On 04/09/2025 08:43, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> [...]
>> == Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
>> projector;
> 
> I've already asked: not a chance.
> 
> 
>> == Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;
> 
> The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
> the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
> as the demonstration.  Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a
> thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
> wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
> The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
> appropriate positions on the board.  The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be
> displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
> the night agree with the curves!).
> 
> The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have
> narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance.  If I
> only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
> them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
> won't be able to see properly.

Your earlier description implies that you have a Powerbook G4 or some 
such with removable battery and DVI video out, where you still have the 
DVI to VGA adaptor, and the projector in question is VGA.

So you will be able to connect the projector to your laptop, either as a 
second screen or duplicating the main screen.  Only possible missing bit 
here is whether the VGA cable to connect the two together (what you call 
the projector lead) is long enough - it does sound like you might have 
to give the demo from the side table.

These leaves two questions, firstly how are you going to arrange the two 
projectors and screens, then is the built-in camera good enough to 
display what you want on the screen.

This last bit you can test this now, if it's OK on the laptop screen it 
will be OK in the hall, if it isn't, it won't get any better.

Good luck,

D

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#181819

Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> [...]
>> == Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
>> projector;
> 
> I've already asked: not a chance.
> 
> 
>> == Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;
> 
> The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
> the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
> as the demonstration.  Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a
> thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
> wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
> The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
> appropriate positions on the board.  The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be
> displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
> the night agree with the curves!).
> 
> The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have
> narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance.  If I
> only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
> them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
> won't be able to see properly.

Warn the audience to bring opera glasses!

I remember thermionic valves!  What are you using in your demo? 
Something tiny like the ECC88? Or EL34? Or a transmitter valve such as 
the 807?

-- 
Graham J

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#181826

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> > 
> > [...]
> >> == Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
> >> projector;
> > 
> > I've already asked: not a chance.
> > 
> > 
> >> == Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;
> > 
> > The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
> > the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
> > as the demonstration.  Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a
> > thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
> > wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
> > The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
> > appropriate positions on the board.  The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be
> > displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
> > the night agree with the curves!).
> > 
> > The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have
> > narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance.  If I
> > only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
> > them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
> > won't be able to see properly.
> 
> Warn the audience to bring opera glasses!
> 
> I remember thermionic valves!  What are you using in your demo? 
> Something tiny like the ECC88? Or EL34? Or a transmitter valve such as
> the 807?

I am using an EL34, first wired as a diode, then as a triode.  I have
been asked by the organisers not to go beyond a triode at this stage.
An 807 would have been nice, as it is visually more interesting - but I
didn't have one or the special valve base they need.


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181828

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]
> 
> I am using an EL34, first wired as a diode, then as a triode.  I have
> been asked by the organisers not to go beyond a triode at this stage.
> An 807 would have been nice, as it is visually more interesting - but I
> didn't have one or the special valve base they need.

I remember building a power supply with a transformer and (probably) a 
GZ34.  I mis-wired it so the output was shorted.  The valve glowed a 
nice cherry red until I switched off.  After correcting my error the 
valve still worked fine!  You can't do that with semiconductor diodes!


-- 
Graham J

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#181830

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
>> 
>> [snip]
>> 
>>> 
>>> I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.
>> 
>> OK that makes more sense.
>> 
>> As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook 
>> screen.  You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
>> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the
projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something. 

>> So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
>> outputs there are on your MacBook.
>> 
>> Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may 
>> depend on how new it is.  I've no idea what the projector will have - it
>> may only be VGA.
> 
> The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
> have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
> on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows). 

What model mac? See under About Mac. 

Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds
like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays. 

> The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
> camera needs to be.  I have noticed that presentations in that hall have
> always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
> screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the
> connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted
and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and
you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one. 

How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.

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#181831

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
> > 
> >> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> >> 
> >> [snip]
> >> 
> >>> 
> >>> I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
> >>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.
> >> 
> >> OK that makes more sense.
> >> 
> >> As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
> >> screen.  You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
> >> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.
> 
> Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the
> projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
built-in?
> 
> >> So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
> >> outputs there are on your MacBook.
> >> 
> >> Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
> >> depend on how new it is.  I've no idea what the projector will have - it
> >> may only be VGA.
> > 
> > The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
> > have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
> > on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows). 
> 
> What model mac? See under About Mac. 

It won't start, so I can't check.

>
> Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds
> like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays. 

If I take along my adaptor on Tuesday, I'll be able to check if it fits
the connector on the computer; I already know it fits the hole in the
computer.

> 
> > The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
> > camera needs to be.  I have noticed that presentations in that hall have
> > always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
> > screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the
> > connections are for the roof-mounted projector.
> 
> Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted
> and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and
> you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one. 

I have a selection of adaptors, so I'll take all of them.

> How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.

Will a MacBook with a broken aerial connection support Airplay?


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181832

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Liz Tuddenham wrote:
>>>>
>>>> [snip]
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
>>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.
>>>>
>>>> OK that makes more sense.
>>>>
>>>> As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
>>>> screen.  You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
>>>> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.
>>
>> Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the
>> projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.
> 
> That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
> built-in?
>>
>>>> So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
>>>> outputs there are on your MacBook.
>>>>
>>>> Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
>>>> depend on how new it is.  I've no idea what the projector will have - it
>>>> may only be VGA.
>>>
>>> The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
>>> have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
>>> on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).
>>
>> What model mac? See under About Mac.
> 
> It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this 
in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the 
model

>>
>> Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds
>> like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays.
> 
> If I take along my adaptor on Tuesday, I'll be able to check if it fits
> the connector on the computer; I already know it fits the hole in the
> computer.
> 
>>
>>> The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
>>> camera needs to be.  I have noticed that presentations in that hall have
>>> always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
>>> screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the
>>> connections are for the roof-mounted projector.
>>
>> Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted
>> and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and
>> you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one.
> 
> I have a selection of adaptors, so I'll take all of them.
> 
>> How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.
> 
> Will a MacBook with a broken aerial connection support Airplay?
I am not sure that anything here is modern!

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct 
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.

Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera 
onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years 
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

But as you say double problem!

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#181833

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]
> > It won't start, so I can't check.
> 
> Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this
> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
> model
>

Update:

I've managed to start it.  I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it,  the little  green
light came on.  I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).


[...]
> The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the
battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

> But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct 
> adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.
> 
> Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera
> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years 
> ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

> But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I
might not have looked in the right place yet).


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181838

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:
> 
> [....]
>>> It won't start, so I can't check.
>> 
>> Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this
>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
>> model
>> 
> 
> Update:
> 
> I've managed to start it.  I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
> Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it,  the little  green
> light came on.  I pressed the power button and it burst into life.
> 
> It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
was capable of back then. 

> 
> [...]
>> The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)
> 
> I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the
> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.
> 
>> But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct 
>> adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.
>> 
>> Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera
>> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years 
>> ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.
> 
> I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
> an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
> recognise the camera.

Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have
downloaded way back when?

>> But as you say double problem!
> 
> Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
> doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I
> might not have looked in the right place yet).

Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the
projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so
both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
monitor if you have one to hand. 

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#181839

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:
> > 
> > [....]
> >>> It won't start, so I can't check.
> >> 
> >> Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this
> >> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
> >> model
> >> 
> > 
> > Update:
> > 
> > I've managed to start it.  I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
> > Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it,  the little  green
> > light came on.  I pressed the power button and it burst into life.
> > 
> > It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).
> 
> OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
> was capable of back then. 
> 
> > 
> > [...]
> >> The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)
> > 
> > I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the
> > battery compartment lid with the battery attached.
> > 
> >> But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
> >> adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.
> >> 
> >> Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera
> >> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
> >> ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.
> > 
> > I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
> > an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
> > recognise the camera.
> 
> Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have
> downloaded way back when?
> 
> >> But as you say double problem!
> > 
> > Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
> > doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I
> > might not have looked in the right place yet).
> 
> Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the
> projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so
> both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
> monitor if you have one to hand. 

Where do I find that?


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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#181842

On 06/09/2025 09:19, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>> [....]
>>>>> It won't start, so I can't check.
>>>>
>>>> Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this
>>>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
>>>> model
>>>>
>>>
>>> Update:
>>>
>>> I've managed to start it.  I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
>>> Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it,  the little  green
>>> light came on.  I pressed the power button and it burst into life.
>>>
>>> It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).
>>
>> OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
>> was capable of back then.
>>
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>> The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)
>>>
>>> I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the
>>> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.
>>>
>>>> But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
>>>> adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.
>>>>
>>>> Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera
>>>> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
>>>> ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.
>>>
>>> I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
>>> an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
>>> recognise the camera.
>>
>> Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have
>> downloaded way back when?
>>
>>>> But as you say double problem!
>>>
>>> Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
>>> doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I
>>> might not have looked in the right place yet).
>>
>> Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the
>> projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so
>> both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
>> monitor if you have one to hand.
> 
> Where do I find that?

I agree Display Mirroring is certainly the way to go.

It'll be in what is now Apple menu->System Settings...->Displays when 
you have connected a second display - my recollection is that the name 
might have been slightly different back then, but should be findable.

If you don't have a monitor kicking around and your TV has a VGA input 
and you have a VGA cable you could try connecting that, otherwise when 
you go to the hall.

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#181854

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

> On 06/09/2025 09:19, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:
> > 
> >> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >>> David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> [....]
> >>>>> It won't start, so I can't check.
> >>>>
> >>>> Does it have its serial number written on the back?  If so, enter this
> >>>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
> >>>> model
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> Update:
> >>>
> >>> I've managed to start it.  I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
> >>> Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it,  the little  green
> >>> light came on.  I pressed the power button and it burst into life.
> >>>
> >>> It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).
> >>
> >> OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
> >> was capable of back then.
> >>
> >>>
> >>> [...]
> >>>> The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)
> >>>
> >>> I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the
> >>> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

[...]

Progress:

I've now connected my own projector to the MacBook with the adaptor,
which adapts the rectangular Mac connector to (I think) VGA.  Using
QuickTime I can display a picture from the camera without recording it
and set it to full screen to give higher definition.

System Preferences > Screen   gives many options for the video output,
so I ought to be able to find something suitable when I try it on the
hall projector tomorrow evening.

If the hall projector can cope with the 75 Hz frame rate from the
PowerBook, I could put the slide show on the bigger screen and keep the
smaller one for the enlarged view of the apparatus.  My experience of
modern projectors is that they offer huge range of pixel definition
formats but hardly any frame rate options.


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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