help changing resolution

[orentha]

I just got a ATI Fire GL4.
I just downloaded the latest drivers from ATI's website.

Now here's my question. I cannot set it to 1600x1200 resolution...
The manual says that it supports this resolution, and I know my monitor supports it. I have a Dell 2001FP.

When I go to Display Properties/Settings. I can only get the resolution "close" to what I need. My only options are 1600x1024 or 2048x1536. I cannot use these, I have to have 1600x1200...

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get it to the correct resolution ??

I'm running Windows 2000 w/ all updates installed.

[sia]

Have you installed the monitor driver?

[ski]

Good suggestion from sia.
However, if your monitor does not have any drivers, then select a different monitor in 'Display Properties', like either 'Plug N Play' or 'Super VGA 1600 x 1200'.

[orentha]

my monitor didn't come with any drivers. All it came with was a cd with the manual on it in pdf format...
also, the website doesn' thave older drivers listed

[orentha]

Ski, thanks for the suggestion. I checked in display properties, and didn't see how I can select a different monitor ??

[123456]

Go to display properties/the place where you change the resolution/advanced tab/monitor tab/change

[orentha]

i just went to display properties/ settings/ advanced/ monitor tab/
and I do not have a change button or anything...

all that's there is Monitor type and properties. If I click on properties, it has plug and play monitor properties. there is nowhere to change the monitor...

there is also the monitor settings where I can change the refresh frequency...

[ski]

Forgot that you have Windows 2000.
See if this works:
Click on the "Properties" button.
Click on the "Driver" tab.
Click on the "Update Driver" button.
In the Update Driver Wizard click "Next" .
Select "Display a list of known Drivers".
Click "Next".
Select "Show all hardware" .
Select "Dell" under "Manufacturers".
Select the correct monitor model under "Models".
Click "Next" .
In start device driver installation click "Next ".
Click "Finish".
Click "Close".

NOTE: If your specific Dell monitor model is not listed, then select '"Standard Monitor Types" or similar under "Manufacturers"(it's normally the 1st selection at the top of the list), then select "Plug N Play" or "Super VGA 1600x1200" under "Models", and proceed with the remaining steps above.

[orentha]

THAT WORKED PERFECTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you very much.
I really really appreciate it.
You have no idea how much trouble i've been having. long story short, I had to have all the capacitors on the motherboard replaced, and then my Windows install got corrupted, so after reinstalling that, i get this video card problem...


Thanks again

[ski]

You're welcome.
Glad that you were able to fix things, and thanks for posting back with the solution.

[saphalline]

long story short, I had to have all the capacitors on the motherboard replaced, and then my Windows install got corrupted, so after reinstalling that, i get this video card problem...Woah! :eek: That's quite the tale of horror! I've heard worse stories, but still - headaches are headaches. ;)

[orentha]

ok, I'm back... :)

I just got another monitor so I can have a dual monitor setup, and I am trying to set it up so I can display 3200x1200 resolution (1600x1200 on both monitors)


It's the exact same monitor.
the max resolution it lets me set is 2560x1024

i went into advanced settings, and enabled dual monitors also
any ideas ??

[orentha]

update:

I was able to get the resoltion up to 3200x1024.
i did it by going into advanced/monitor/ and set both left and right monitors to SuperVGA 1600x1200

actually, I can turn up the resolution to 3200x1200, but when I do, the second monitor goes black, and says "cannot display this mode"

[pangea33]

What refresh rate are you trying to run at? Your second monitor might support the resolution at a lower rate. I'd recommend starting at 60hz and see what that does for you.

[orentha]

well, both monitors are exactly the same.
They are Dell 2001FP's
they are supposed to run at 1600x1200 @ 50Hz

but when I go to advanced/monitor. the only available setting is 60 Hertz

so it seems like i need to find a way to change it to 50Hz and then maybe i can use the 3200x1200 resolution

[pangea33]

50hz isn't a typical display "standard," so it probably isn't listed in the "Screen Resolution" slider of the "Settings" tab of your "Display Properties." In order to access non-standard resolutions on my computer, I have to click the "Advanced" button on that tab. Next I select the "Adapter" tab in the control that pops up, and click the button marked "List All Modes."

This lets me choose all the resolutions/rates not normally used, but 56hz is the lowest available for this particular ATI card. That could be due to my monitor though, because it's capabilities will restrict the entries in that list.

[orentha]

thanks for the reply
i just tried that, and in "list all modes"
there is a 3200x1200 true color, 50 hertz (Interlaced)

but when I click on that and then accept the settings, the 2nd monitor goes black, and says cannot display this mode...

[pangea33]

If you swap the monitors, does the same thing happen to the monitor that originally worked? I have a suspicion the problem is not so much trying to display a 1600x1200 resolution, but with the first horizontal pixel as starting at location 1601. I thought this was all dependent upon the graphics card, but maybe there is more data being passed to the monitor since you're in PnP mode. Just a thought. That's a real bummer.

[orentha]

what exactly is PnP mode ?

[pangea33]

Plug and Play. More info is sent to the monitor because it is a *smart* device, and communicates with your machine bidirectionally. This is what allows the monitor to say "I can support these modes," or "I am running at these modes."

I suspect it's best to leave this enabled though. As far as I understand, this also protects your equipment in the event you try and send some signal that could be damaging.

[saphalline]

According to Anandtech's review (http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=1918&p=3), that monitor is capable of 56-76Hz refresh rates. 50Hz is too low, and I haven't seen a computer monitor go that low since the days of CGA and monochrome! Check that again. I'm pretty sure that modern LCD monitors work best at 60Hz.

[burnselk]

My brand new 17" LCD Acer Model AL1716 says 50/60Hz it's set at 60Hz.