The projector powers on and displays an image, the projector does an auto search for a video signal. The projector will not bring up any of the menu's or settings, via the onboard controls or the remote, the remote was tested working and does output a signal.

check laptop output settings my laptop uses f4 with the function key to switch the output mode your laptop may have a similar setting from Laptop only to Dual Screen to Composite screens.

This happens when the computer signal is being used as the input, and the signal disappears or is the wrong type.
It may have tried switching inputs if you were using the video input rather than the pc input.

Press the auto image button to get it to select the correct input.

If you are using the PC as the dvd player, then change the display settings ie computer screen refresh rate, and resolution to suit the projector

When you connect a data projector or external monitor to the external video port on the laptop, power up the data projector or external monitor first then the laptop. The video info will automatically divert to the data projector/external monitor automatically.
If you have already had powered up the laptop first, most laptops will allow you to toggle between the LCD screen and the external video port by pressing the Fn key plus one of the Function keys, this key will have a screen/laptop symbol.

The max resolution on the projector is 1024x768. But the problem you're having sounds suspiciously like the laptop not sending out a video signal...you have to *tell* the laptop to send out an image to an external display. On one of the function keys, like F4 or F8, there will be a small TV screen symbol. You have to press and hold "alt" and then press the key with the symbol. The initial setting is obviously for the laptop only. When you press the keys for the first time, you tell the laptop share the picture with an external display (your projector). Press the keys a second time, and the laptop ONLY displays an image from the projector. And, press the combination again, you're back to just the laptop.The DLP projector should have a menu selection for "auto" under the input menu...that is the easiest and most trouble-free setting. Whatever you connect to the projector, it automatically seeks out the signal and connects to it.---Rick

resolution changes. if you hit auto image, that should correct it.

Using the Display When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external monitor or projector) attached and turned on, the image may appear on either the display or the external device.
Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image to the integrated display only, the integrated display and an external CRT monitor simultaneously, an external CRT monitor only, the integrated display and an external DVI monitor simultaneously, external DVI monitor only, and external CRT monitor and external DVI monitor simultaneously.

Try unplugging the projector. This seemingly works but I can't figure out WHY....

the resolution may have changed. reselect the computer or auto-image.

This is an SVGA projector with a max resolution of 800X600. Even though it can accept higher resolution signals, they are scaled down to 800X600 which causes degradation and artifacting of the displayed image. Obviously setting your computer's resolution to 800X600 will result in the best image the projector is capable of. Standard definition video (480i, 480p, S-Video or composite) signals should also display very well. High definition signals like 720p and 1080i get scaled down to 800X600 with the same issues as a higher resolution computer signal.

One thing that can have a dramatic impact on the quality of your display if you are using Windows XP or Vista is tuning your ClearType settings here:

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearType/tuner/tune.aspx

There is an "Auto search for signal" setting on the projector settings menu. This may be turned off.