When I plug in the projector to the mains and to the computer then start the projector followed by the computer, the projector projects the image of the windows start up screen but once windows has started up, the projector projects the acer image and says searching....

pls check the main board..

I believe that's an overheat problem. Check the fan if it's cooling properly. Make sure the unit is in a cool temp room.

If I understand correctly you want to project an image on the wall.

If this is correct, then open following links to Texas Art Supply:
http://www.texasart.com/tools/light-boxes-and-projectors/projectors/artograph-tracer-projector.html
http://www.texasart.com/tools/light-boxes-and-projectors/projectors/artograph-prism-image-projectors.html
http://www.texasart.com/search/index.cfm?searchstring=projector&store=ALL&x=22&y=13

How it works.
Place image on table.
Put projector over top of image.
Turn on projector, and image is projected to wall or piece of paper hanging on wall.
Trace image or paint directly on the surface.

most likely it is your cable. If a for sure brand new cable doesn't fix it it is most likely the main board. Also try flashing the software again.

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

You can fix this in the service menu

Adjust the screen area of the computer’s display settings to match the projector’s native resolution. Refer to your projector documentation for the optimum or native-resolution setting for your projector model. If you can't find this information or are uncertain, most projectors support a maximum of 800 x 600 pixels.
• With certain laptops, you might need to disable the laptop display to obtain the best image, especially when the native resolution of the laptop exceeds the native resolution of the projector.
• Font smoothing will automatically generate a cleaner font outline, both on your laptop and on the projector. To apply font smoothing, do the following:
1.
In Control Panel, open Display.
2.
On the Appearance tab, click the Effects button.
3.
In the Effects dialog box, select the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box, and then select Standard or ClearType in the list.


If the projected image is dimmer than it was on the laptop, check your projector documentation for information regarding lamp timers. If the lamp life has expired, replace the lamp for maximum brightness.
If the projected image is not rectangular, try one or both of the following:
• Make sure that the projector is perpendicular to the viewing screen.
• Raise or lower the projector.
If the projected image displays vertical lines, "bleeding," or spots, try one or more of the following:
• Adjust the brightness of the image.
• Check the projector lens to see whether it needs cleaning.
• Adjust the sync and tracking on the projector.

Hi, I have found out that you must have the laptop set to an external monitor, in the control panel, display area, click on 2, then you must have the projector turned on before you start the laptop so it can recognize that the projector is there. Also make certain that you allow the unit to cool off by turning the lamp off, leaving the fan on and open the door where the projection lens is located.

You are going to have to read the manual, and operate the projector as you read each section

John here, customer advocate at Dell headquarters. If you can nvigate to the On Screen Display Menu, you should see an "all images" section on the main menu. There you will find brightness, contrast, color temp, white intensity, and gamma controls. You should be able to make adjustments from that menu to sharpen and brighten the image.