1024x768 max resolution with Intel GMA driver

[xichael]

I've had this driver running on all 6 of the Dell laptops I've had over the years, and never seen this.

I just had the screen die on this laptop, so I've plugged in a monitor. But the only two resolution options are 800x600 and 1024x768. I've reinstalled the Intel driver a few times, and while it's installing, the screen flashes to the proper native 1280x1024 resolution for a brief moment, but then never offers it as an option when done.

I had partial success when I uninstalled the driver, allowing the default windows driver (vgapnp.sys) to take over. It gave me access to a wide range of resolution settings, but prevented standby/hibernation, and had no OpenGL support. Then it would be overwritten automatically by Windows with some other copy of the GMA driver every time I would restart. So it wasn't really working out.

I've now reinstalled again, and I'm hoping someone knows of a way to force the correct resolution. There must be a way. How could one of the most ubiquitous graphics chipset/drivers in existence be this broken?

By the way, this is a Dell D520 with a T7200, 4GB RAM, and 945GM chipset.

 

[xichael]

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
—Albert Einstein

...

 

[Darician]

What I would suggest is using Windows Key + P to select the "Projector Only" option so it only outputs to the external screen. Then attempt to adjust the resolution. If this works with the generic driver, try installing the Intel GMA 945 driver and try the same thing once again after installing the driver. You may not have the 1280 x 1024 as Windows is thinking it's going to a laptop screen and it may be limiting its resolution on purpose if in "Duplicate Mode".

 

[xichael]

I've been making sure it's going only to the external monitor after each reinstall/uninstall. This, unfortunately, is not the cause. Any other ideas?

 

[Darician]

Using the Intel GMA Driver Options, can you click on "Graphics Properties" and then add 1280 x 1024 as a custom resolution? Additionally, have you tried installing the latest 945 drivers for Windows 7 from the Intel website? http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx?lang=eng

 

[xichael]

There doesn't seem to be any custom resolution option in the GMA settings. I've tried both the most recent driver from the Intel site, as well as the OEM version from Dell's.

This might be a solution, though I'm not looking forward to figuring out how to make it work.