Solved Screen Stretched out/Resolution Out....how to fix?

[BenStonebridge]

Hiya, new to this forum and wasn't sure what section to put this in so just went for General
My laptop recently died, some sort of problem with the hardrive and I gave to a friend of the family to be fixed. He installed a new hard drive into the laptop, and I've just got it back and everything seems to be working fine except the screen is really stretched out, and it seems a little blurry. I've played about with the resolution and display settings with no luck. Any ideas?
The guy had to reinstall windows onto my new hardrive, and I've noticed its windows 32 bit, whereas before it was windows 64 bit, and my laptop screen is pretty big - 17.3 inches i think, maybe this has something to do with it?
Any help would be appreciated. It wouldn't bother me too much, except all photos and videos are also stretched. Can give a screenshot too if you want.
Thanks, Ben.

 

[mitchell65]

HI Ben and welcome to the Forum. Its a pity that the 64bit version wasn't loaded especially if you have more than 4GB RAM installed! I doubt the 32bit version is the cause of the distorted screen, this is more likely to be a video driver probelm (IMHO). Prhaps the 64bit version of the driver got installed. Whats the make and model number of the laptop and ewe can look for a better driver. It would be helpful if you would complete your system specs as it is difficult to come to any conclusion without the full spec of the machine?
You can download and run Belarc Adviser to get the full system specs and then copy and paste the details into the spec section of the User Control Panel (Link at top of this Forum)

 

[BenStonebridge]

Filled out some of the specs for you, hope that helps?

Will having the 32 bit operating system be a problem as I have over 4gb's of RAM? I don't actually know what the difference is between 64 bit and 32 bit

 

[indianacarnie]

Yep , look to the drivers if settings doesn't work.

 

[BenStonebridge]

How do I re-install the drivers? I'm quite slow when it comes to computers.

 

[BenStonebridge]

Actually the card that is is my laptop is a ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 supporting HyperMemory™ technology. Yet when I search for the system specs it comes up saying I have a Standard VGA Graphics adapter. I think this is the problem....is it possible that when he replaced my hardrive/reinstalled windows onto my laptop that something that allowed my videocard to work, wasn't installed again?

 

[gregrocker]

That's the problem: Standard VGA is an installer placeholder driver awaiting update via optional Windows Updates which is how Win7 updates most drivers not in the installer. Check there now. If it's not cued then you may need to look for it yourself.

Go to the Toshiba Support Downloads webpage for your exact model to download and install the 32 bit display driver. Do the same for any other drivers missing in Device Manager, after all updates are done.

Toshiba may not have specfic drivers for 32 bit on that model, which doesn't mean they don't exist but may need to be searched starting on the device maker's Support Downloads webpage.

However if you have 4gb RAM or more I would consider using the 64 bit installer provided here to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. It is a great learning experience which will start to make you the master of your PC. You will have our support every step of the way.

 

[BenStonebridge]

What is the difference between the 32bit and 64 bit systems? What difference will it make to the performance of the laptop?

Had a quick look at that guide, it seems complicated considering I am not that great with computers. I've just got the laptop back with a new hard drive so there's nothing on here that needs to be backed up.

I'm concerned that the product key won't work as I think I used it to activate windows when i first got the laptop, and now if I try and install this 64 bit operating system onto a new hard drive, won't it think I'm trying to use the code on another computer?

 

[gregrocker]

You can reinstall 32- or 64- bit as often as you want as long as you only use one at a time. Retail Win7 can be installed wherever you want it, while OEM must remain on the same mobo but can easily survive a HD change.

32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums
64-bit More than just the RAM bit-tech.net

With 4gb RAM it's a toss-up. You can first try keeping what you have to test performance, importing the missing drivers from the Toshiba Support page for your model. I found 32 bit Win7 drivers for Display and most other devices here: http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/download_drivers_bios.jsp?service=UK

 

[mitchell65]

Sorry my post supporting the idea of re installing the 64bit version crossed with Gregrocker above. Don't want to confuse the issue!
But have just looked up your laptop on the Toshiba site and the motherboard will support 8GB RAM so it might just be worth going for he 64bit version and think about increaing the RAM later especially as it looks as if that graphics card eats a fair bit of RAM as you only have 2.9GB available. You never get more than 3.5GB anyway with 32bit!

 

[BenStonebridge]

How do you increase RAM, out of interest?

 

[gregrocker]

Google the model + memory upgrade and sort through the results.

Run the Crucial Memory scanner. Crucial System Scanner software to find out what type of memory is in your computer

Compare all results. Post back any questions, resolve discrepancies before ordering.

You can also go to a service counter at CompUSA, TigerDirect, MicroCenter type store to get the correct RAM spec'd and purchased at not much more than online, plus have the ability to take it back if it doesn't fit - which it always has for me.

 

[Bongo]

How do you increase RAM, out of interest?

Download More RAM! This is just a joke.

You would need to purchase and install the correct RAM as Greg has pointed out in the above post.
Jerry

 

[BenStonebridge]

Alright cheers guys, sorted out the screen problem and its all working fine. I'll think about changing the operating system to 64 bit, and upgrading the RAM, I do play a fair few relatively high spec games on here after all - I'll come back and seek your help if I decide to do it