Dual Monitors, Monitor 2 "Blurry" Incorrect Resolution

[mthoene]

Hello, I have read several different threads all over the internet regarding a resolution problem in Windows 7 that has to do with the resolution, refresh rate, etc. I have tried to force a "custom" resolution using nVidia's Control panel, but it doesn't seem to do anything to fix the issues.

I have 2x22" monitors, and while using Windows XP, there was never a problem such as this.

It seems as if the monitor that is labeled as "Monitor 2" cannot have a proper 16:9 resolution set, and it is making "Monitor 2" be blurry.

Monitor 1 is set to 1680x1050, which is correct and everything is clear as day, but the best I can do for monitor 2 is 1600x1024, and that just makes it blurry and difficult to read, which is an extremely bad strain on my eyes.

Any solution or tips that I can try would be great, I was hoping a new driver would solve my problem so I was waiting for one to come out, but since the newest one came out yesterday 11/26, and it's been over a month Windows 7 is out, I am losing hope, so now I must ask for help.

Thank you so much for any help!

 

[torrentg]

Hey.


1680 >>> 1600

and

1050 >>> 1024

is enough of a difference to makes things blurry? I don't think so. The difference is minute and practically indiscernable (less than 8%.)

You could try locating and installing the .inf for the 2nd monitor but 1600 might be the max resolution it can go.

You could also try making a custom res for the monitor.

 

[mthoene]

Yeah.. those are different proportions..different aspect ratios. The native resolution for the Acer is 1680x1050.

1600 isn't the max resolution, I said it look's the best. Have you ever tried opening up a picture that was 500x500 and changes its dimensions to 500x550? Look's a little messed up, doesnt it?

Here's some more info:
My "Monitor 1" is a Hanns-G HG216D
My "Monitor 2" is a Acer AL2216W

The only way I can set the resolution to what I want is by making the monitor my main display, if the monitor is NOT my main display, I am stuck with a somewhat crappy aspect ratio, which makes it blurry. It doesn't matter which monitor is set to the main display, one is always going to be "blurry", again "blurry".

 

[torrentg]

The aspect ratios are practically the same.

1680/1050 = 1.6

1600/1024 = 1.5625

1.6/1.5625 = 102.4% difference

Sorry. Not a good explanation. Almost too minute to tell.

I told you what you can do to try to force 1680*1050.

 

[noyb]

The 102.4% difference will mean that the display width will be in error by 2.4%.

Have you checked to see if the Monitors have Updates for Windows 7
When I checked for M$ updates .. It had new drivers for my Samsungs and my Video card.

As torrentg said ... Your monitors are a 16:10 Ratio .. not 16:9
If the display ratio doesn't match the monitor ..
Then the attached Perfect Circle/Square will not look as such.

 

[mthoene]

http://x.tf2couch.com/1/8b681c90dd44bb598a41c14d4c0789c4.jpg

There is an example, I had to kinda make a mock-up of my own since if I take a screenshot everything will look totally fine.. but, the picture in the background is "normal" there are no glitches in any of the words the page, and everything is legible (just shrunk down so it can fit in that box..). The picture in the foreground is the opposite, it is hard to read certain things, because it is skewed and chopped up a little bit.

I hope that explains my problem, and again, this doesnt matter if it is monitor 1 or 2, but only the PRIMARY display is "clear" - that's essentially the problem in a nut shell.

 

[torrentg]

You complained about it being blurry. Nothing else matters for that, such as aspect ratio.

The refresh rate matters for that. See if it is set to 60 Hz. If not, set it so then pick the correct res after.

 

[mthoene]

It is set to 60, and changing the refresh rate doesn't change my resolution options.

Please stop thinking of me as a moron, I am not like your normal users. I hate to ask questions such as this but I cannot find a solution anywhere. I am describing my problem as best I can without inviting you over to my house.

I have already tried changing refresh rates, changing resolutions, etc. I can ONLY get one of them to be "clear". I never had this problem in XP, I could set both monitors to 1680x1050 without a problem.

 

[torrentg]

You said it, I didn't.

You already have been given the answer to your problems with 2 solutions.

 

[mthoene]

Okay. You said "check the .inf for the monitor because 1600 might be the highest it can go" which is wrong, I NEVER had this problem with XP before. So you're "solution" is anything but a solution.

I was also told to check Windows Update, Windows is 100% up to date, so that doesn't help either.

Forget this forum, I shouldn't have signed up. Worthless. Good day.

 

[torrentg]

Okay. You said "check the .inf for the monitor because 1600 might be the highest it can go" which is wrong, I NEVER had this problem with XP before. So you're "solution" is anything but a solution.

I was also told to check Windows Update, Windows is 100% up to date, so that doesn't help either.

Forget this forum, I shouldn't have signed up. Worthless. Good day.

I said "might." I can't be wrong like that. That means could be or could not be. 100% covered either way. You were told to try to force a res and/or locate the monitor .inf.

Here's another way for good measure...modify the video card driver .inf.

 

[noyb]

Hummm .. Too bad .. I would have liked to see two independent screen shots of each monitor.

I know that W7 has to be able to see the monitor .. Which is causing me fits with my KVM setup.
I'm now wondering if W7 can handle two different monitor types at the same time.

 

[torrentg]

Hummm .. Too bad .. I would have liked to see two independent screen shots of each monitor.

I know that W7 has to be able to see the monitor .. Which is causing me fits with my KVM setup.
I'm now wondering if W7 can handle two different monitor types at the same time.

Sure it can. Look at my specs.

Maybe the op is running with a vga cable instead of dvi, messing things up.

 

[noyb]

I'm currently running my W7 to a 24" 16:10 ... and a 20" true 4:3 .. but both are Samsungs.

Windows updates gave me a new video card driver ... But I didn't take their Samsung update .. Yet
I'm still running VGA because of my KVM setup ... sharing two computers.
About the only thing that impresses me about W7 is how good my displays look.

 

[stormy13]

I'm now wondering if W7 can handle two different monitor types at the same time.

How about 3 at once,



From right to left,

32" Westinghouse LCD TV at 1366x768 - running of my onboard HD3200
22" Acer LCD at 1680x1050
19" Acer LCD at 1440x900 - both Acer's running off my HD4830

One thing I noticed from mthoene's screen shot, in both cases it shows the monitor as "Generic non plug and play". If that is the case then then he needs the driver/inf for the monitor(s) for them to display properly. Check both HannsG and Acer for them, or if available through Windows Update.

P.S. This is one of the few types of driver I would recommend through WU; don't ever install a video driver from there, always get them from the card manufacturer.

 

[noyb]

Interesting screen shot and Info.
There are a couple of other problems, or handicaps, in Windows 7 ...
that puts me in a Foul Mood also.

But, I hear that SP1 is due soon .. So I'm going to wait.

I wonder if he's having better luck with M$
:roflmao:

 

[torrentg]

Noyb, Windows 7 doesn't have handicaps in relation to video, drivers or anything like that.

 

[torrentg]

P.S. This is one of the few types of driver I would recommend through WU; don't ever install a video driver from there, always get them from the card manufacturer.

On par with the best advice ever given at this forum.

 

[noyb]

Noyb, Windows 7 doesn't have handicaps in relation to video, drivers or anything like that.

I know ... It's the removal of the good tools found in XP .. And some User interface problems.
W7 is just too unfriendly to use for any serious work ...
Probably because I've been spoiled by XP .. But let's don't go there.

 

[torrentg]

It's alright. I find Win 7 to be the most configurable, usable and plain out best OS Microsoft has ever developed for home use.

If you want, let us know exactly what you're trying to do or what Win 7 won't let you do. We can then suggest things to try or advise on things you may not realize are possible with or without 3rd party tools.