Q I have used my MacBook to give presentations, using a video projector. I connected the short Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor to the MacBook first, then the video projector cable, and checked the connections carefully. However I had to fiddle a lot with the cables before the MacBook eventually recognised the projector. Does the problem rest with my MacBook, the projector, or what?

A The order of connection of the cables can be important here. Connect the short adaptor to the projector cable first, then with the projector powered up and running, plug that into your MacBook’s Mini DisplayPort. This should give a good signal at the port, allowing your MacBook to recognise the projector as a second screen, and offer it to you in the Displays pane of System Preferences.

Updated from the original, which was first published in MacUser volume 26 issue 8, 2010.