Force DVI/HDMI resolutions and refresh rates

How to Force DVI or HDMI Resolutions and Refresh Rates in Windows 7

   Information
There have been innumerable posts on SevenForums about things like 59Hz refresh rates and 1080p 16:9 HDTVs that display only 1024x768 when connected with DVI or HDMI. After a ton of research and development I think I've got a working solution for virtually all of these issues.



Starting with Vista, Microsoft has required graphics vendors to read and respect monitor capability information from the display itself if they wanted to pass Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification. This display capability data is encapsulated in an EDID. Few HDTV manufacturers sought WHQL and it's unclear whether Microsoft tests display EDIDs from monitor manufacturers as a WHQL requirement. Please let me know if you have a WHQL display that seems to have a bad EDID.

As a result, many DVI/HDMI connected HDTVs and some monitors are locked into displaying only those resolutions and refresh rates that are specified in the EDID. No graphics adapter or driver is supposed to allow configurations not listed in the EDID at least as a default. Newer ATI drivers allow for a small number of HD resolutions to be forced but it's been hit or miss for the users I've surveyed and nVidia's offerings don't seem to be a 100% solution either.

The natural solution would appear to be changing the EDID information in the display. Rarely, this is possible with Powestrip if the display stores the EDID in a flash memory but more commonly the EDID is stored in an EPROM that can only be updated with specialized hardware. I've talked with several display vendors during the development of this tutorial and none of them consider a bad EDID grounds for warranty service. So if next to no displays support updating the EDID through software and the manufacturer won't fix the hardware, what are we left to do? Break out the toolkit and warm up the soldering iron?

While that's well within my capabilities it seems to put some end-users off a bit, although I really can't understand why -- I love the smell of solder in the morning! :geek: But there has to be a better way right? Again, Microsoft has a solution if you really dig for it and do your homework: How to Use an INF to Override the Monitor EDID While it's not intended for end users, what really fun stuff is? The challenge was to develop a method accessible to a greater audience -- to improve on the solution that Microsoft provides that's intended for hardware manufacturers and make it work for us.
   Warning

Prerequisites
  • Read and understand both linked documents above.
  • Post questions if anything is unclear before you proceed.
  • Don't blame me when you ruin your $3000 HDTV. Smoke can happen.
  • Read up on what your displays true capabilities are stick close to them.
  • This is more of a coffee tutorial than a beer tutorial...






Procedure
  1. Download View attachment Phoenix.zip and extract it to a working folder.
  2. Run it and click the registry toolbar button.
  3. Click the pencil toolbar button for edit mode.
  4. Change the EDID settings to reflect you display's true capabilities
  5. Pay special attention to the Standard Timings tab.
  6. Detailed Timing blocks 2-4 provide some very interested additional options.
  7. Save the EDID to a .DAT file in the working folder.
  8. Download moninfo.exe and install it.
  9. Open the saved .DAT with MonInfo and make sure it doesn't complain about it
  10. If it does post here for help
  11. If MonInfo reads in an displays the settings the way you configured them in Phoenix then...
  12. Select Create INF... from the file menu and save it to the working folder.
  13. Feel free to edit the strings in the INF to your liking.
  14. Open Start, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
  15. Select the monitor you want to change, right click and select Update Driver Software
  16. Use the tried and true "Have Disk" method to select the INF and install it.
  17. Reboot and enjoy your new resolution!




 
Last edited by a moderator:
I've installed Windows 7 RTM Home Premium (7600) as well as Nvidia driver 190.38, Updated customized EDID driver for my CRT.

Now I can stay at 1024 by 768 with 120Hz, but cannot Create Custom Resolution higher than 120Hz in NVIDIA Control Panel. Unable to create 1024 by 768 with 150Hz like I can do on Vista.

Just my speculation: As I said before, the maximum refresh rate created in EDID with Phoneix EDID Designer cannot exceed 123Hz. So that I cannot create refresh rate higher than 123Hz in any resolution. Thus any CRT have been able to handle above 123Hz gotta downgrade to 123Hz if supported or 120Hz without 12th pin removal.

I dunno. Maybe there is software can modify EDID without refresh rate limitation.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic N x86
Just my speculation: As I said before, the maximum refresh rate created in EDID with Phoneix EDID Designer cannot exceed 123Hz. So that I cannot create refresh rate higher than 123Hz in any resolution. Thus any CRT have been able to handle above 123Hz gotta downgrade to 123Hz if supported or 120Hz without 12th pin removal.

I dunno. Maybe there is software can modify EDID without refresh rate limitation.
The 123Hz limitation in PED is because the Hz value and the aspect ratio are stored in a single byte (disregarding negative values, minus aspect ratio reprezentation equals up to 123 (integer values) for refresh rate. This limitation is not present in Windows. I repeat, the Pin mod is not required in your case (and hopefully will never ever be required again). I have just tested a custom resolution with 150Hz, it works just fine. There is a litle shortcomming in nVidia cpl, some custom resolutions don't apear there as it's the case for my 640*480@150 test one. If you cannot see it in nVidia control panel, go on and add another one, you should see the previous ones listed there. Now go to Screen Resolution - Advanced Settings - List All Modes and search for it, you can apply it from there.
 

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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
tried to set 150Hz on 640x480, 800x600, and 1024x768 as always on VISTA. Reported test successful by NVIDIA Control Panel, but during 15 seconds until I click yes or no, I press setting button on Monitor it displayed 120Hz, click yes to add them anyway and they are all marked 120Hz at custom resolution list.

Still cannot use 150Hz or higher at all. My CRT monitor is Sony CPD-G520P.

The only thing I altered in EDID by Phoneix EDID Designer is on tab Standard Timings, change H. Active pixels of ID 5,6,7,8 to 640, 800, 1024, 1280 with all refrsh value to 120.

monitor.inf CRT Driver
Code:
; INF file generated by Monitor Asset Manager, 8/3/2009
; Copyright (c) EnTech Taiwan, 1995-2009.
; Internet: http://www.entechtaiwan.com

[Version]
Signature="$WINDOWS NT$"
Class=Monitor
ClassGUID={4d36e96e-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Provider=%MFG%
DriverVer=8/3/2009, 1.0.0.0
;CatalogFile=YourSignedCatalogFile.cat

[DestinationDirs]
DefaultDestDir=23

[SourceDisksNames]
1=%DISC%

[SourceDisksFiles]
;YourColorProfileFile.icm

[Manufacturer]
%VENDOR%=EDID_OVERRIDE,NTx86,NTamd64

[EDID_OVERRIDE.NTx86]
%PRODUCTID%=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install, MONITOR\SNY00B1

[EDID_OVERRIDE.NTamd64]
%PRODUCTID%=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install.NTamd64, MONITOR\SNY00B1

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install.NTx86]
DelReg=DEL_CURRENT_REG
AddReg=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.AddReg, MODE1, DPMS
CopyFiles=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.CopyFiles

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install.NTamd64]
DelReg=DEL_CURRENT_REG
AddReg=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.AddReg, MODE1, DPMS
CopyFiles=OVERRIDDEN-EDID.CopyFiles

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install.NTx86.HW]
AddReg=OVERRIDDEN-EDID_AddReg

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.Install.NTamd64.HW]
AddReg=OVERRIDDEN-EDID_AddReg

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID_AddReg]
;Base EDID
HKR,EDID_OVERRIDE,"0",0x01,0x00,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0x00,0x4D,0xD9,0xB1,0x00,0x01,0x01,0x01,0x01,0x17,0x0D,0x01,0x03,0x0E,0x28,0x1E,0x96,0x2B,0x0C,0xC9,0xA0,0x57,0x47,0x9B,0x27,0x12,0x48,0x4C,0xFF,0xFF,0x80,0xE1,0x4F,0xD1,0x59,0xA9,0x59,0x81,0x99,0x31,0x7C,0x45,0x7C,0x61,0x7C,0x81,0x7C,0x86,0x3D,0x00,0xC0,0x51,0x00,0x30,0x40,0x40,0xA0,0x13,0x00,0x84,0x23,0x11,0x00,0x00,0x1E,0x00,0x00,0x00,0xFD,0x00,0x30,0xAA,0x1E,0x82,0x25,0x00,0x0A,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x00,0x00,0x00,0xFC,0x00,0x43,0x50,0x44,0x2D,0x47,0x35,0x32,0x30,0x50,0x0A,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x00,0x00,0x00,0xFF,0x00,0x38,0x30,0x32,0x36,0x37,0x36,0x37,0x0A,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x20,0x00,0x0F

[DEL_CURRENT_REG]
HKR,MODES
HKR,EDID_OVERRIDE
HKR,,MaxResolution
HKR,,DPMS
HKR,,ICMProfile

[DPMS]
HKR,,DPMS,,1

[MODE1]
HKR,,MaxResolution,,"1280,1024"

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.AddReg]
HKR,"MODES\1280,1024",Mode1,,"30.0-130.0,48.0-170.0,+,+"

[OVERRIDDEN-EDID.CopyFiles]
;YourColorProfileFile.icm

[Strings]
MFG="EnTech Taiwan"
DISC="Monitor EDID Override Installation Disk"
PRODUCTID="Sony CPD-G520P (EDID Override)"
VENDOR="Sony"

EDID open with Notepad
Code:
EDID BYTES:
0x   00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
    ------------------------------------------------
00 | 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF 00 4D D9 B1 00 01 01 01 01
10 | 17 0D 01 03 0E 28 1E 96 2B 0C C9 A0 57 47 9B 27
20 | 12 48 4C FF FF 80 E1 4F D1 59 A9 59 81 99 31 7C
30 | 45 7C 61 7C 81 7C 86 3D 00 C0 51 00 30 40 40 A0
40 | 13 00 84 23 11 00 00 1E 00 00 00 FD 00 30 AA 1E
50 | 82 25 00 0A 20 20 20 20 20 20 00 00 00 FC 00 43
60 | 50 44 2D 47 35 32 30 50 0A 20 20 20 00 00 00 FF
70 | 00 38 30 32 36 37 36 37 0A 20 20 20 20 20 00 0F

Asset Information in MonInfo
Code:
Monitor
  Model name............... CPD-G520P
  Manufacturer............. Sony
  Plug and Play ID......... SNY00B1
  Serial number............ 8026767
  Manufacture date......... 2003, ISO week 23
  -------------------------
  EDID revision............ 1.3
  Input signal type........ Analog 0.700,0.300 (1.0V p-p)
  Sync input support....... Separate, Composite, Sync-on-green
  Display type............. RGB color
  Screen size.............. 400 x 300 mm (19.7 in)
  Power management......... Active off/sleep
  Extension blocs.......... None
  -------------------------
  DDC/CI................... n/a

Color characteristics
  Default color space...... Non-sRGB
  Display gamma............ 2.50
  Red chromaticity......... Rx 0.625 - Ry 0.340
  Green chromaticity....... Gx 0.280 - Gy 0.605
  Blue chromaticity........ Bx 0.155 - By 0.070
  White point (default).... Wx 0.283 - Wy 0.298
  Additional descriptors... None

Timing characteristics
  Horizontal scan range.... 30-130kHz
  Vertical scan range...... 48-170Hz
  Video bandwidth.......... 370MHz
  CVT standard............. Not supported
  GTF standard............. Supported
  Additional descriptors... None
  Preferred timing......... Yes
  Native/preferred timing.. 1280x1024p at 85Hz (4:3)
    Modeline............... "1280x1024" 157.500 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync

Standard timings supported
     720 x  400p at  70Hz - IBM VGA
     720 x  400p at  88Hz - IBM XGA2
     640 x  480p at  60Hz - IBM VGA
     640 x  480p at  67Hz - Apple Mac II
     640 x  480p at  72Hz - VESA
     640 x  480p at  75Hz - VESA
     800 x  600p at  56Hz - VESA
     800 x  600p at  60Hz - VESA
     800 x  600p at  72Hz - VESA
     800 x  600p at  75Hz - VESA
     832 x  624p at  75Hz - Apple Mac II
    1024 x  768i at  87Hz - IBM
    1024 x  768p at  60Hz - VESA
    1024 x  768p at  70Hz - VESA
    1024 x  768p at  75Hz - VESA
    1280 x 1024p at  75Hz - VESA
    1152 x  870p at  75Hz - Apple Mac II
    2048 x 1536p at  75Hz - VESA STD
    1920 x 1440p at  85Hz - VESA STD
    1600 x 1200p at  85Hz - VESA STD
    1280 x 1024p at  85Hz - VESA STD
     640 x  480p at 120Hz - VESA STD
     800 x  600p at 120Hz - VESA STD
    1024 x  768p at 120Hz - VESA STD
    1280 x  960p at 120Hz - VESA STD

Report information
  Date generated........... 8/4/2009
  Software revision........ 2.30.0.797
  Operating system......... 6.1.7600.2

Raw data
  00,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,00,4D,D9,B1,00,01,01,01,01,17,0D,01,03,0E,28,1E,96,2B,0C,C9,A0,57,47,9B,27,
  12,48,4C,FF,FF,80,E1,4F,D1,59,A9,59,81,99,31,7C,45,7C,61,7C,81,7C,86,3D,00,C0,51,00,30,40,40,A0,
  13,00,84,23,11,00,00,1E,00,00,00,FD,00,30,AA,1E,82,25,00,0A,20,20,20,20,20,20,00,00,00,FC,00,43,
  50,44,2D,47,35,32,30,50,0A,20,20,20,00,00,00,FF,00,38,30,32,36,37,36,37,0A,20,20,20,20,20,00,0F
 

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My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic N x86
tried to set 150Hz on 640x480, 800x600, and 1024x768 as always on VISTA
Your EDID is fine. Also tested your monitor driver enforced on my hardware, and for some reason, adding custom resolutions is not so easy as in my case, but doable. Try harder!
What you should do:
- Change to the resolution you want modded. REQUIRED!
- Modify only the GDI refresh rate and timings standard (choose GTF).
This means that if you are on 1024x768 and want to add a custom resolution for 800x600, you first have to change your desktop resolution to 800x600.
Repeat the procedure (change desktop res, open nvcpl, add res, close nvcpl) for all your custom resolutions.
Some low resolutions are not available in nVidia CPL, use Screen Resolution - Advanced Settings - List All Modes to change to them.
It should work, 120Hz is already the first sign that you are no longer limited.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
- Modify only the GDI refresh rate and timings standard (choose GTF).

My apologies. But I am new and a newbie to this and not have more idea about it. Could you explain it more detailed?

Still only use Phoneix EDID Designer to modify? Where to choose GTF, then to find "GDI refresh" and "timings standard"? I'm unable to find them in Phoneix EDID Designer.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic N x86
Sorry, I meant "Refresh rate (Hz):" in the Create Custom Resolution dialog (in previous versions it wass called GDI refresh rate). And the GTF timing standard is found in the same dialog, click on the drop-down button named "Timing" and then choose GTF instead of Automatic near the Standard label.

You no longer need to customize with Phoenix Edid Designer, your driver .inf file works. I was only talking about the Create Custom Resolution.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
Yay, just tested with PCSX2 and it behaved as Vista usually does. I can finally use 640x480@163Hz, 800x600@160Hz, and 1024x768@150Hz againg as always. Now it works for me and I don't have to purchase an additional CRT Cable to perform pin hack.

Thanks a bunch, man.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic N x86
Just to point something out...LCDs are not really affected by refresh rates. However for LCDs, the refresh rate really deals with how often the video card sends an image to the LCD. Should also not there is a strict limitation in the DVI connection (single link). The largest resolution possible at 60 Hz is 1915 x 1436 pixels (standard 4:3 ratio), 1854 x 1483 pixels (5:4 ratio) or 2098 x 1311 (widescreen 8:5 ratio). Anything higher must lower the refresh rate, or use a dual link connection.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware Aurora ALX R4
OS
Windows 10 Pro (x64)
CPU
Intel Core i7-3930K (3.2GHz - 4.5GHz)
Motherboard
Alienware Aurora-R4 x79
Memory
4x Samsung 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (16GB 1600MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 690
Sound Card
SteelSeries Siberia Elite
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U3011
Screen Resolution
2560x1600
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro 256 GB, Seagate 1TB Desktop Hybrid HDD, 2x Western Digital 4TB Green HDD
PSU
875W Some Dell PSU <.<
Case
Alienware Aurora ALX
Cooling
Custom Liquid Cooling (EK CPU & GPU blocks) dual EK 480RAD
Keyboard
Logitech G710+ Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios (50 mbps average)
Other Info
Server: Intel NUC D54250WYK: i5-4250U, 16GB, 256 GB mSATA, Windows Server 2012 R2
Hi people,
first of all i want to say that im newbie in this stuff.

- Iiyama 454, which can do 120Hz in 1280*1024
- Windows 7 RC (7100) x64
- 190.62 nvidia drivers
- GTX275
- cant use monitor drivers.. not for x64.. so i have "Generic PnP Monitor" driver

How can i set up 120Hz? I downloaded "Phoenix 1.3", but i dont understand what to do in.. So im stucked at 85Hz. In nvidia control panel i can choose 120Hz but its still 85Hz.

Can someone help me?


edit:
it can work with 182.50 vista x64 drivers + refresh lock.. but some games are ****ed
 
Last edited:

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
Phoenix can't find any EDID on my machine. Nvidia GTX295/Viewsonic VX2240w LCD monitor in Windows 7 x64.
 

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My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware® ALX X58
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
CPU
Intel® Core™ i7-975 Extreme O/C to 4.02 GHz, 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Asus® P6T Deluxe V2 X58 LGA1366
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295 Dual Core
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED backlit 23" W/S 2ms response time
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080
Hard Drives
2 x 500gb SATA II
1 x 1TB SATA II
1 external eSATA LaCie 3TB
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1Gb/s
Antivirus
McAfee LiveSafe
Browser
Firefox - latest
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find RAID to be too temperamental.
Now set to AHCI
I have a Soniq 27" LCD TV with a bad EDID so when I install video drivers it defaults to a mode it cannot display. I have two monitors so I can get around it but I would like to fix it with an EDID Override. I made a new Monitor.inf with the Entech software but my Windows 7 x64 RTM does not want to install it. How can I get that inf to install or edit the registry to add the information contained in the inf? I tried but I could not work out how to add the binary data needed in the EDID_OVERRIDE key.
 

My Computer

OS
Win 7 x64
CPU
Q9550
Motherboard
XFX 780i
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
2 x 8800GT
Monitor(s) Displays
Soniq 27" LCD + Phillips 21" CRT
Hard Drives
2 x 30GB Vertex Raid 0
Case
Fish Tank
Cooling
20,000L Swimming pool
Hi, I'm so happy to read this tutorial!

First of all, Please excuse me for my poor english, but you are my last hope and i've registered only for this post. (even if I read your forum often)

My configuration: HTPC with nvidia 9800GTX+ and a panasonic video-projector PTAX-200 (HD-ready native resolution of 1280x720)

My story: I was having a panasonic PTAE-900 video-projector wich was the previous model, it was a HD-ready projector too and picture quality under windows was excellent. The picture was really clear, and the fonts was perfectly readeable. For sure it was a perfect 1:1 pixel mapping when displayed in his native resolution of 1280x720.

Then I changed it for the new model panasonic PTAX-200, and it was a drama! I never managed to have the same picture quality as my previous projector. The fonts are not clear, and it's obvious that the display is not in a good 1:1 pixel mapping.

After a lot of research, I figured it was an EDID/driver problem.
It seem's that PTAX-200 EDID is really messed up!

For example, in the nvidia control panel, you can see that the driver think his native resolution is 1920x1080 (wich is not, even if it can be displayed)

I really think that I can solve my problem by doing a good inf driver, but this is out of my capability. When I open the EDID, every information seems to be wrong, and I don't know what I should write to make a good INF.

By searchng the web I have found usefull EDID informations about the previous panasonic projector (PTAE-900 and PTAX-100) but nothing about my PTAX-200. Maybe this informations could help to make the good *.inf, because the three projector are pretty much the same.

I really need your help, I can provide you every information I have, I can make screen shot of everything. just tell me what you need to help me.

thank a lot,
Gus.
 

My Computer

OS
windows 7
CPU
E8500
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q deluxe
Memory
4Go OCZ
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9800GTX+
Monitor(s) Displays
Panasonic PTAX-200 (video-projector)
PSU
corsair HX620
Case
LC17
A more detailed guide by me

I've told baarod some time ago that I've summed up a more detailed procedure, sent him the drafts, but I guess he is again very busy. This is mostly geared towards CRT's or other displays with analog connection (VGA) as it's the most affected hardware but the guidelines can be used for digital connection too. So here it is folks:

I. Choose the monitor to hack.

Leave only the monitor that you want to hack connected to your card. Reboot.
Open an elevated command prompt. Enter there:
> set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
> devmgmt.msc

In the now opened Device Manager, View->Show Hidden Devices.
Remove all on Monitors. Reboot.

II. Dump the monitor's EDID (extended display identification data).
Get softMCCS from entech. Select your monitor's name. File -> Save EDID as... and choose Save as type Raylar EDID file (*.dat).

III. Customize the EDID with PED.
Get Phoenix EDID Designer from tucows.com:
Open your Raylar EDID file (*.dat) into it. File -> uncheck Read only.
On the Detailed Timings Tab, select the Descriptor Block featuring Monitor Range Limits.
   Warning
Monitor Range Limits
  • These are the absolute maximum supported settings! Don't go beyond them, as your monitor could die in flames (less common on modern displays).

  • Check your monitor's printed manual for the correct settings if you believe you have an incorrect EDID, do not modify otherwise.
Use this modeline generator (PED Helper) to create presets for your EDID that do not exceed the hardware limits. It's a simple excel file with no macros (safe). Preview here.
  • Input in the colored cells from the left area, the data found in the Monitor Range Limits block.
  • Input a safety margin (defaults to 2.0%) to prevent Out of Range.
  • Input the horizontal resolution (the vertical one is self-generated) and choose the aspect ratio (from 5:4,4:3,16:9 and 16:10).
  • The excel sheet will return a range of safe refresh rates for both the Phoenix Edid Designer and the Create Custom Resolution tool in Windows, for the selected resolution.
On the Standard Timings Tab, choose your presets starting from the lowest resolution:

  • Input H. Active pixels = resolution's width. Common values are 720, 1024, 1280, 1440...
  • Select Aspect Ratio, used to calculate the resolution's height, Height = H. Active pixels/Aspect Ratio. Example: 1280/4x3=960 or 1280/5x4=1024
  • Input Refresh = Use the PED Helper with the selected resolution, and choose a value (integer) between the limits for the EDID.
  • Repeat the above (eight user presets possible in PED).
   Information
- Because the refresh and the aspect values are stored both in a single byte, you can only input a refresh rate value (integer) up to 123.
- PED also limits the minimum refresh rate to 60.
Setup your native resolution and refresh rate:
On the Detailed Timings Tab, select the Descriptor Block featuring Timings, Stereo Display and Sync Scheme.
Use the PED Helper again, with the resolution you want to be selected by Windows as default (native). Input the generated values in the Timings Descriptor Block:

  • The excel sheet will generate values for the maximum safe VESA GTF refresh rate, while retaining a round pixel clock (some sort of GTF/CVT hybrid), providing better compatibility with various graphics card's.
  • You can choose your own refresh rate by typing in the colored cell from the Timings area in PED Helper, as long as it is in the recommended range (not limited up to 123 here).
  • Hints are available to determine a refresh rate with a round pixel, too (recommended).
From the File menu -> Save EDID As... EDID DAT File (*.dat).

C
reate the new monitor INF modded driver:
Open this tool (moninfo from EnTech). File -> Open -> your EDID DAT File (*.dat). File -> Create INF...

U
pdate the monitor's driver with your new INF, ignoring the non-whql driver prompt. Reboot and enjoy.

At least on nVidia with the latest driver, by using the Create Custom Resolution inside the driver's control panel you are now able to fix this issue. From a previous post:
- Change your desktop to the resolution you want modded. REQUIRED (or not, seems that latest cpl from nvidia is more stable)
This means that if you are on 1024x768 and want to add a custom resolution for 800x600, you first have to change your desktop resolution to 800x600.
UPDATE:
- Modify the "Refresh rate (Hz):" in the Create Custom Resolution dialog and "timings standard" (found in the same dialog, click on the drop-down button named "Timing" and then choose instead of Automatic:
* GTF for CRTs and plasmas.
* CVT for LCDs when you have selected a higher than 60Hz vertical frequency.
* CVT-reduced blanking for LCDs when you have selected 60Hz (recommended by VESA only on 60Hz) useful in higher resolutions, most of the time the only standard that works.
* Manual if you want to input the data supplied by PED Helper in the "Add Custom Resolution..." section.
- Press Test, and then repeat the procedure (change desktop res, open nvcpl, add res, close nvcpl) for all your custom resolutions.
- Some low resolutions are not available in nVidia CPL, use the Windows Screen Resolution - Advanced Settings - List All Modes to change to them (take care to choose the right bitrate - 32bit recommended).

If it's not working for you, and you cannot update the EDID using PowerStrip, the hardware pin breaking mode (to block EDID) is still a choice :) but then again, not recommended anymore.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
The hardware pin breaking mode :D

   Information
For some users, mostly owners of a CRT or other monitors with VGA interface, this guide alone was not enough, Windows 7 was enforcing the default EDID no matter what.
No longer recommended, software workarounds are fine now
!
Kept here just in case :D

You can use Powerstrip from EnTech (the purchased version only) to update your monitor's EDID, but chances are your's could be read-only (many manufacturers opted for a cheap memory that is not software flash-able to store the EDID).

A
workaround for this would be to block your monitor from reporting the EDID profile to Windows - it will no longer be seen as a Plug and Play Monitor featuring auto-configuration. Windows would need a driver for it to describe it's capabilities, and lucky you, you have just created one using part one of this guide.

There is no generic software way of doing this under Windows, Ati had (still has it?) "ignore DDC" settings for this, nVidia had nothing, so one solution is to physically alter your hardware, which involves breaking a pin on the connector that goes from your monitor into your graphics card.
   Warning
Working with your hardware at the physical level is dangerous,
please review all the safety measures applicable,
and proceed at your own risk!

Before any hardware modification, you must create your modded INF driver using the guide above, because once done, Windows will no longer have access to the EDID reported by your monitor.

To prevent permanent damage, do not apply the mod directly to your monitor's cable, use a suitable adaptor, suggested below.

While you work on your mod, keep your monitor unplugged from the mains AC power line and from your computer graphics card, same applies for the external adaptor, it should be unplugged on both ends, too.

C
ommon CRT monitors have their VGA cable fixed on the back, very hard to replace (only by a technician) if anything goes wrong. You must do your modification on:
  • a VGA extender cable (female-male) if you use the VGA port of your graphics card.

  • a DVI-VGA adaptor if you use the DVI port of your graphics card.
Some high-end CRT monitors, Plasma TVs and few LCD monitors without DVI interface have replaceable VGA(male)-VGA(male) cable. You must do your modification on:

  • a extra VGA(male)-VGA(male) cable if you use the VGA port of your graphics card.

  • a DVI-VGA cable for the DVI port of your graphics card.
Modding the cable for the VGA port of your graphics card.
A picture is worth a thousand words:
Full-size

Pin number 12, marked in red+white, must be removed.

Modding the cable for the DVI port of your graphics card.

Two pictures are worth a thousand words:
Full-size Full-size

Pin number 7, marked in red+white, must be removed.
   Information
To remove the pin without special tools, a small point screwdriver will suffice, apply force to bend the pin, slowly, in one direction and then in the other, until it breaks.

Now connect your monitor to the modded VGA extender/ DVI-VGA adaptor/DVI-VGA cable and further connect it to your graphics card VGA/DVI port. Power on.

Windows should detect a Generic Non-PnP Monitor if the mod succeeded. Update the driver with the one you've created. Reboot and enjoy.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
I just wanted to say this was a kick ass tutorial and the tool you developed made is easy as pie. In XP I could ignore the EDID stuff easily to get 1366x768 on my old Sharp LCD. Windows 7 didn't let me off the bat, I followed your instructions and had it working within 10 minutes!
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
First of all, many thanks to you guys that tweak things and come up with such solutions... This all make me see how much i still gotta learn about computers xD

Hmmm, to the problem now... I just got a PC with the new windows 7 build and i was using the RC before, up to the RC all the configurations worked, i mean i never even got past the first post...
But now i can't see to config my monitor(Samsung T220) in any way listed here, i learned from the beggining the monitor EDID is junk file, but configuring new EDID's were working... till now =x

I was doing the last procedures and got stuck on the PED file, since it didn't calculate the clocks and thingies, every formula cell got a #DIV/0 error(i use Excel 2007)...

any idea on how to proceed?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 x64 RTM
CPU
Phenom x4 9550
Motherboard
ECS A780GM-A Black Series
Memory
2x2gb Kingston T1 1066Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1gb
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung T220
Hard Drives
1 Samsung 80gb
1 SeaGate 1tb
PSU
Corsair HX520W
I was doing the last procedures and got stuck on the PED file, since it didn't calculate the clocks and thingies, every formula cell got a #DIV/0 error(i use Excel 2007)...

any idea on how to proceed?
I've used Office XP, OpenOffice, Kingsoft Office 2009 and it works fine. I took another look now and opened it in spread32 (which is less than 1MB!) and found a problem - the dropdown aspect thinghy was getting calculated (4:3 becomes 1.3333). It works correctly if you manually input the Aspect ratio as pointed. Maybe it's the same problem in Office 2007, I cannot test it.

I've done a small hotfix by adding extra space near ":" and now it works fine in spread32 also.
Please re-download it
.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Foxconn
OS
Windows 98SE
CPU
E2180
Motherboard
Foxconn 945P7AD
Memory
Geil 2x1GB DDR800
Graphics Card(s)
Palit 8800GS 384MB
Sound Card
Realtek 861
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 795DF CRT
Screen Resolution
1280x960
Hard Drives
Maxtor 80GB SATA1
PSU
FSP ATX-400PNF
Case
TLA-570A
Cooling
Schyte Mugen
Keyboard
Logitech ps/2 Black Internet Keyboard
Mouse
MSL4 (A4Tech inside)
Internet Speed
10mbit
ok I'm not too sure how to do this and I was hoping someone can make an INF for me if I give all the details as im scared to do it and burn my lcd tv! ok here goes! I have vista64x and nvidia 9800gtx video card which is connected via DVI to a 46" sharp aqous 120mhz.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus clone / Gateway DX4850-57
OS
Se7en X64 ultimate/Se7en X64 ultimate
CPU
Intel quad [email protected]/intel i7 quad [email protected]
Motherboard
Asus P5KPL-CM/Intel H67
Memory
kingston 4GB/32GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD5770 1GB/NVidia GeForce GTX560 2GB
Sound Card
5.1 onboard/5.1 onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
sharp Aqous 46" 120MHz/LG 32" LCD/Asus VW266H 26"
Screen Resolution
1824X1026/1920X1080
Hard Drives
2x150GB=300GB raptor drives 10,000rpm+1TB seagate portable hard drive for movies/music/pictures/game iso's /programs
Gateway: Kingston 240GB Solid State Drive and 1.5 TB for storage
PSU
700 watts / 700 watts coolermaster extreme/on board
Case
Asus mid tower / Gateway mid tower
Cooling
stock / stock
Keyboard
logitech / razor Lycosa gaming
Mouse
logitech gaming mouse G500 5700DPI/Razer Lycosa & DeathAdder
Internet Speed
60MB/s
When I saw this tutorial I thought... this is it ! But it seems my TV is more problematic than expected... (although the tutorial is great ^^)

I've tried many things, i've removed the pin from my DVI/VGA adapter, but still my TV won't show 1920x1080 (while it works perfectly with XP) :(

When I input "1920" in the excel file you provide, it shows "Decrease the horizontal resolution" and numerous DIV/0.
I found out it is because my "Min V Rate" is 60 in PED... If I input 56 in the spreadsheet, it works, but is it good ?
With these settings, the spreadsheet does not recommend something as "high" as 60hz... but it's suppose to work @ 60Hz...

Furthermore, I've got a description block featuring timing for 1920 and they are really different from the one calculated by the spreadsheet...

So... Is my EDID file corrupted ?
I'm begging you to take a look on my file... I'm desperate...

2shared - download SAM046F.dat
(link "Save file to your PC: click herejavascript:startDownload()" at the bottom)
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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