Dead Men Walking

dMw Chit Chat => The Beer Bar => Technology Section => Topic started by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 08:03:03 PM

Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 08:03:03 PM
I may or may not have a slight problem with my windows pc. I recently bought a Samsung ST220 monitor which has a native resolution of 1680 x 1050 (WSXGA+). Trouble is that I cannot get a screen resolution higher than 1280x900 (1280x1024). I've removed the old drivers and installed the newest Nvidia ones 182.08 and then the Omega 1.169.25 drivers and neither lets me increase the resolution above 1280 x 1024. I've also installed the drivers that came with the monitor and the newest versions from the Samsung site. Nothing seems to work. I've also treid using the 'all modes' selection in the control planel and there is nothing higher showing. Any ideas would be very appreciated.

I'm running the following

Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit
Nvidia 8800GT 512mb
AMD Duel Core 145 Opteron 1.8GHz
Gigabyte A8N -SLI mobo
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: T-Bag on March 13, 2009, 08:10:03 PM
If this is in games then there is usually an aspect ratio setting to allow you to view the widescreen resolutions.
If it's on your desktop be sure to use DVI to connect up your monitor and install any drivers that came with it. Shouldn't be any hastle. Shouldn't need lastest drivers for your graphics card etc.
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 08:16:28 PM
It's the desktop resolution I'm having an issue with and yep I'm using the dvi cables. But I'm stuck solid at 1280 x 1024 or 1280 x 900 :g:

Update HL2 also only allows 1280 x 1024 max res
CoD4 only allows the same
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 09:00:36 PM
Anther update. Messing about has given me 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz but the monitor over pops up ands moans about it not being an optimum display.
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Snokio on March 13, 2009, 09:40:27 PM
Quote from: smilodon;268272Anther update. Messing about has given me 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz but the monitor over pops up ands moans about it not being an optimum display.

that might be down to the refresh rate (at a guess) you could try changing it.
 
This might help:
 
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/EM/200803/20080315150139015_T220_Eng.pdf
 
Taken from the above:
 
 
"Q: Can you see "
[/SIZE][/FONT]Not Optimum Mode", "Recommended Mode 1680 x 1050 60 Hz" on the screen?

A: You can see this message when the signal from the video card exceeds the maximum resolution

and frequency that the monitor can handle properly.
A: Adjust the maximum resolution and frequency that the monitor can handle properly.
A: If the display exceeds SXGA or 75 Hz, a "
[/FONT][/SIZE]
 
 
 
Not Optimum Mode", "Recommended Mode 1680

x 1050 60 Hz" message is displayed. If the display exceeds 85 Hz, the display will work properly

but the "
[/FONT][/SIZE]
 
 
 
Not Optimum Mode", "Recommended Mode 1680 x 1050 60 Hz" message appears

for one minute and then disappears.

Please change to the recommended mode during this one-minute period.
[/FONT][/SIZE]
 
 
(The message is displayed again if the system is rebooted.)"

and:

 
Check if the scanning ratio of the video screen is set to between 56 Hz ~ 75 Hz.

(Do not exceed 75 Hz when using the maximum resolution.)
[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
 
Manual here:

 
 
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200803/20080329132905671_BN59-00716A-Eng.pdf


See page 78 & 80 for resolution vs Hz table
 
Edit: Also see page 87

 
 
[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 09:55:36 PM
Well it get's more odd. I created a 1680 x 1050 custom resolution. Sadly it failed but did then show me a 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz res that I had never seen before in the normal selection screen. This is the one that doesn't work.

My old 19" Samsung 940 BW can display 1900 x 900 so I don't think the problem is down to the graphics card or the drivers? I think I have a duff monitor. I have read on several forums that Samsung T220 can have all kinds of problems working in Vista. it may be a load of typical forum rubbish but I'm loosing confidence in this monitor. Might cut my losses and go back for a refund or a different model.
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Snokio on March 13, 2009, 09:57:31 PM
Looking at the table (link above) to get 1280x 1027, the refresh rate needs to be 75Hz, and to get 1680 x 1050, you need to set the refresh rate at 59hz, unless im not reading this correctly :g:
 
I also had a 8800GT 512 not long ago and it was fine with 1920 x 1200, so the card should handle it fine
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Jabbs on March 13, 2009, 10:25:05 PM
This looks like driver issues to me.  What with all the comings and goings of your drivers installs and uninstalls it could have got its knickers ina twist.

I have the T220 also and with a fresh install of Vista 64 and the latest drivers everything was fnie.

Is there a way of uninstalling all the drivers. rebooting and then installing the latest?
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: kregoron on March 13, 2009, 10:59:44 PM
try reinstalling the monitor driver instead of the graphics driver

Link supplied (http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=dk&CttFileID=1842681&CDCttType=DR&ModelType=N&ModelName=T220&VPath=DR/200802/20080211105738453_T220.exe)
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 13, 2009, 11:30:49 PM
Thanks for the advice but I'm stuck solid with the crappy resolution. Refresh rates and driver reinstalls won't do anything. I'm currently getting a better resolution with my old 19" monitor than this new one. It's a shame as the Samsung T220 is a stunning looking monitor with a wonderful picture. Refund time I think though :sad:
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Dingo on March 14, 2009, 12:54:05 AM
Quote from: smilodon;268289It's a shame as the Samsung T220 is a stunning looking monitor with a wonderful picture. Refund time I think though :sad:

Yes, I had a girlfriend like that, but refunds weren't available......time to move to a Viewsonic methinks!!  :)
(oh, and not the one that Ron bought, although we will never know which model that was!!:devil:)
 
Trust me Greg.....this is the one to buy
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142696
 
 
Not necessarily beautiful in the eyes of many beholders, but in five years time, when the money you have saved will be your pension, you will bow to the God of Viewsonic.........quality over advertising.......and practicality over "sexy".................although Uma Thurman is clearly the exception to the rule!!  Hubba Hubba:woot2::woot2:
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Jabbs on March 14, 2009, 06:47:11 AM
Bit pricey that Viewsonic though isn't it?

Smilo? Have you tried plugging the Samsung into a different PC and installing drivers etc there?

If you did this and it STILL didn't work then obviously a monitor fault and you can use that as evidence to backup your return to supplier.
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: smilodon on March 14, 2009, 09:17:27 AM
Indeed I did. The PC runs a Samsung 19" LCD at 1440 x 900. When I plug in the 22" T220 and the PC suddenly reports that 1280 x 1026 is as good as it gets and that's a 5:4 ration and not even widescreen?
A Linux Ubuntu PC with an nVidia 7600 can get me 1366 x 768 with the 19" but again the 22" only shows the lower res. Finally a Mesh laptop (I can't remember the spec but it's a pretty solid three month  old gaming laptop with Windows XP) also sticks at 1280 x 1024.
I'm sure the monitor is telling the PC's that it's something other than a T220. I've read several forums where geeks are reporting that lots of these monitors shipped with the wrong firmware. Who knows.

Thanks for all the good advice and the Viewsonic looks interesting if a little pricey. This Samsumg was only £180.00. I'll start my hunt for a decent 22" again.

Cheers
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: T-Bag on March 14, 2009, 09:52:13 AM
Sounds like the monitor then. I've got a 22" Dell, and when I plug my laptop (Netbook - Aspire one) which only has very modest graphics, even that pumps out 1680x1050. Those laptops should have worked.
Title: Max resolution issue
Post by: Jabbs on March 14, 2009, 10:35:45 AM
It does sound like the monitor but just because you had one duff one I wouldn't dismiss it straight away (get a replacement).  As I said I got one recently with this new PC I built and it's been fine. More than fine - I love it!  Had to turn the brightness down because full brightness was too much!