PowerPoint on Netbook Computer

[Bob]

I am trying to use PowerPoint on my Acer Aspire One netbook, which has
Windows 7 starter edition operating system. I have no problem mirroring my
desktop on an external monitor, but I can't get PowerPoint to recognize the
presentation view. I'm not sure if this is because of the limited
capabilities of Windows 7 Starter, a function of whatever graphics
capability comes with my netbook, or maybe just something I'm not doing
correctly (though I have used PowerPoint quite a lot with regular laptops
without problems). It would sure be a lot easier to carry the little
netbook with me to give a presentation if I can get it to work. By
mirroring the desktop, I can actually show a presentation, but I can't see
the presenter's notes (often quite helpful!). Any suggestions?

 

[John Woram]

By mirroring the desktop, I can actually show a presentation, but I can't see
the presenter's notes (often quite helpful!). Any suggestions?

The following works in regular Win7:
1. Click the Taskbar's "Start" icon.
2. Type "project" in the Run box and you should see "Connect to a Projector."
3. Click on it to display four options: Computer Only, Duplicate, Extend,
Projector Only.
4. Select Projector Only.
If you don't see all 4 options listed in step 3, then my guess is that the
Starter edition doesn't support this mode.

 

[John Woram]

4. Select Projector Only

Oops!! (fingers working faster than brain) I meant select "Extend."

 

[Bob]

The following works in regular Win7:
1. Click the Taskbar's "Start" icon.
2. Type "project" in the Run box and you should see "Connect to a
Projector."
3. Click on it to display four options: Computer Only, Duplicate, Extend,
Projector Only.
4. Select Projector Only.
If you don't see all 4 options listed in step 3, then my guess is that the
Starter edition doesn't support this mode.

I can do the four options without any problems. I can extend from my
netbook screen to an external monitor. What I cannot do is show the
presentation on one monitor and the PowerPoint "presenter's view" (with
notes) on the other monitor. What I'm trying to figure out is if this could
be fixed simply by upgrading to a higher version of Windows 7 (not
difficult) or whether it is the hardware itself that prevents this
regardless of the operating system. Both the operating system and the
hardware are relatively scaled down in these little netbooks, so I may be
trying to do something my netbook was never designed to do.

 

[John Woram]

:

"Both the operating system and the hardware are relatively scaled down in
these little netbooks, so I may be trying to do something my netbook was
never designed to do."

On my own laptop, the "multiple monitors" option is grayed out if I don't
have an external monitor or projector connected, and "Show presenter view"
brings up a message that only one monitor is available. I don't know a thing
about the Win starter edition, etc., but I would have thought something
similar would be displayed if your netbook and/or OS didn't support it, even
if an external monitor is connected. But that's just a guess -- maybe someone
else can give you better info on this.

 

[Matti Vuori]

:

"Both the operating system and the hardware are relatively scaled down
in these little netbooks, so I may be trying to do something my
netbook was never designed to do."

On my own laptop, the "multiple monitors" option is grayed out if I
don't have an external monitor or projector connected, and "Show
presenter view" brings up a message that only one monitor is
available. I don't know a thing about the Win starter edition, etc.,
but I would have thought something similar would be displayed if your
netbook and/or OS didn't support it, even if an external monitor is
connected. But that's just a guess -- maybe someone else can give you
better info on this.

From page
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windows7/archive/2009/05/29/let-s-
talk-about-windows-7-starter.aspx

Windows 7 Starter does not include:
* (...)
* Multi-monitor support.
* (...)

 

[Bob]

I upgraded from Windows 7 Starter Edition to Home Premium Edition and now
Power Point works just fine from my netbook. Thanks for your help.

Bob