Videos only display in full screen mode

[peterswan]

Hello,

Whenever I go to the internet to view a video or I play a video from my player (Real Video or Windows Media), the video displays in full screen mode. No video controls are displayed, and my keyboard doesn't have any affect. I can't pause or stop the video. When the video's done, it just sits there in full screen.

The only way back is to put the computer on hibernate, then come back out of it.

What could be the cause of this?

Thanks,

Peter

[odannyboy000]

What Operating System are you using?

Try updating your drivers and software.

[peterswan]

I'm running Windows XP Service Pack 2 on Sony VAIO RS520. Which drivers or software should I update? Where can I go for the update?

Thanks,

Peter

[sassie05]

...my keyboard doesn't have any affect.

No response from your Kb at all? Even Ctrl-Alt-Del ? f11? Esc?

[peterswan]

Nothing at all from the keyboard. The only way out is to reboot or go into hibernation. I might add this is a new monitor, a widescreen HP w2007. This started happening ever since I installed the new monitor.

[sassie05]

When you installed the monitor did you install the drivers for the monitor?

Form the driver download page for your monitor "The setup information, or .INF file, defines monitor resources used by
Microsoft Operating Systems in order to ensure monitor compatibility with the
graphics card installed in your computer."

Here is the driver (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=vc-47742-1&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3357289&os=228&lang=en) for your monitor.

Maybe worth a try?

[sassie05]

Are you using both your analog and digital connections, together?

From Sony's Knowledge Article C358268.

"Videos played using the Microsoft® Windows Media® Player can only be viewed full screen.

If the desktop computer is connected to a display using both the digital and analog connections on the video card, some video player applications, such as the Giga Pocket® software or the Click To DVD™ software, will only play full screen or the media player controls may not work. To resolve this issue, use only one connection from the video card to the display.

NOTE: This issue may also occur if non-Sony video drivers or utilities have been installed and the analog or S-Video outputs are used."

[peterswan]

Hi Sassie,

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure I've installed the proper drivers. The device status says that the device is working properly. Also, if I click on "Update drivers" it tells me everything is installed fine for this monitor and there is no need to update. I checked out the Sony article. It says something about using analog and digital connections together. My computer has 2 cables connected to the monitor. Does this mean I'm using both analog and digital? I tried using just the digital cable, but that changed all of my resolutions and didn't solve the problem.

Please let me know if you have any other ideas.

Thanks,

Peter

[sassie05]

It does seem you were using both connections.
Try using just the analog connection and then install the driver that came with your monitor and restart your PC.

[peterswan]

I tried that but it didn't fix the problem. Also, it changed the resolution, and the fonts and icons looked stretched and blurry.

[sassie05]

Use the instructions here to select your video source on your monitor: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00845847&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3357289&lang=en#N641

[peterswan]

Hi Sassie,

That fixed it! For some reason I had both the VGA and the DVI cables connected to my monitor. I guess my computer won't accept the DVI cable? Looking back at the manual, it says DVI OR VGA, but not both. When you first mentioned it, I hooked it up to the VGA cable, but forgot to change the video input source, as mentioned in the link you posted.

Wow, I thought my system was malfunctioning. Anyway, thanks for the help and thanks for sticking with me.

Peter

[sassie05]

You are very welcome. Glad we could help you here at The PC guide.

But, you should be able to use the DVI connection. You may want to try using only that connection, select your source for that, and you may have to change your resolution on your PC.

The native resolution of a flat panel display can be found on the box, or in the printed material that came with the monitor. Some common native resolutions are 800x600, 1024x768, 1920x1200, and 1680x1050.

1. Right-click on an open area of the Windows desktop and select Properties.
2. Click the Settings tab.
3 Move the slider bar under Screen Area until the native resolution for the monitor is set,(1680x1050) and click OK.