Resolution not sticking on LCD monitor

eyc · 16 Oct 2009

Grandma's computer - trying to troubleshoot from Chicago for a computer located in California. About to kill myself. Please help.

Graphics card on computer is an integrated Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family adapter. I purchased a VGA splitter so that she can connect it to her LCD monitor and Plasma TV.

The monitor's native resolution is 1680 x 1050. HDTV is 1280 x 768.

My grandma complained that the resolution was messed up (I later learned that it was set to 800 x 600). I asked her to set the resolution to 1680 x 1050, but when she does, she gets the message that "the current input timing is not supported by the monitor display." I checked the refresh rate -- it was set to 60hz. None of the other 1.6 ratio resolutions would even show up on the available list of resolutions.

I had her plug the LCD monitor directly into the computer (sans splitter). No error message. The resolution stuck right away.

So, how do I use this splitter and still get 1680 x 1050 on her LCD? I don't even want to know what will happen to the TV's resolution when we do this, but I can pray.

thefabe · 16 Oct 2009

In device mngr is the LCD listed as PnP or is the driver installed for the LCD? I'm not sure how it is going to work having it go through a splitter, does the display control panel show 2 different displays? At any rate you have come to the right place Someone here will be able to help you figure this out. Fabe OK from what I've been able to find on the web, you can only run 1 device at a time without having to stretch the screen resolution on the other. since your running 1 stream of video out the onboard video. so if you set it to run the resolution you want to on your computer the one on the plasma won't be set properly. I'm sure now someone will correct me but it wouldn't be the first time and in the end we both learn.

eyc · 17 Oct 2009

thefabe - good points.

I can't troubleshoot the distant computer right now, but I do recall that the display properties window only recognized one monitor. That makes sense, as there is only one vga cable that runs out of the computer.

That said, I am utterly confused as to how some people are claiming that they are getting different resolutions from the split signal. See reviews for VGA splitter.

I don't know if the monitor is listed as PnP or if the driver is installed. I was in there earlier tonight, but only checked the graphics card drivers, which I updated.

I will get that information and post it up here asap.