Dell E6400 E-Port DVI issue

I've searched but I can't find this particular problem covered.

I've just received a work Dimension E6400 with E-Port Replicator. I have two Dell 2001FP (max res 1600x1200) monitors that I have connected to the VGA port and the DVI port on the E-Port Replicator.

On the VGA connected monitor, I get 1600x1200 resolution. On the DVI-connected one, I can NOT get 1600x1200 (even with 16-bit color on one or both monitors). On DVI, I can only get max 1280x1024 or 1440x900.

I have tried all kinds of combinations but I can't get 1600x1200 out of the DVI. My E6400 has all the latest specs (I've checked) such as the latest BIOS, latest chipset (incl. graphics).

1. Is the E6400 capable of driving two 1600x1200 displays?
2. If I get a DVI to VGA converter and connect to VGA ports on both monitors, will I be able to get 1600x1200 on both?
3. If I buy a E-Port Plus Replicator and connect both monitors to the two VGA ports on that, will that give me 1600x1200 on both?
4. My old Dell monitors don't have DisplayPort connections (just DVI and VGA). Is there some way that I can connect the DisplayPort, on the E-Port, to a VGA monitor?

Sorry about all the questions! Any answers much appreciated!

Thanks

PS: Just found out that if I reduce the colors to 256 on the VGI connected screen, I can get 1600x1200 resolution there.

Dell Latitude E6400 | Win XP | Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.6GHz | Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset | 4GB RAM | E-Port | Two Dell 20" monitors

 

I don't have the dock per say...
I want to to tell you how to force in a screen resolution via the ATI or Nvidia control panel.. but you have an Intel GPU, so I have no idea if you have that feature.

But search for forcing a screen resolution of a display.

 

I use my E-Port to output to my FWP2407, but I don't have a second monitor to test the output. I know that it works perfectly if I have the monitor and the notebook screens on at the same time though. I also know that it is possible to get a DisplayPort to VGA conversion cable. I have one that converts to HDMI that I got from monoprice.com, which I believe has Displaport to VGA and DVI as well. Why Dell went with DisplayPort over HDMI in the first place is beyond me, but you should be able to get VGA output from it with the right cable. However, I don't know if this will or will not allow you to output 1600x1200 to two monitors.

 

HDMI is display port (it's based on that)... In fact it's based largelly on Display Port 1.1 (Video and audio), the big difference for the consumer is that Display port 1.1, the audio is optional in the specs, while HDMI it's a must. HDMI has ridiculously high royalty fees, and has issues, such as the plug can easily fall out, and limited connecting in and out's (as it's focused for TV.. where once you connect you won't change any longer). Display port replaces DVI and can handle even more plug in/out before weakening of the socket.

Display port standard is focused for desktop computer, for instance, the bran new Display Port 1.2 (not in any products out, as it's finalizes it's standards). Allows daisy chain display together, allow up to 6 displays from 1 plug on your laptop (extended desktop) or 3 high resolution displays (1920x1200), and carries USB. The lock system is welcomes for system that moves to ensure solid connectivity. It will take some time until we see Display port 1.2 as it needs to really finalize and pass rigorous testing before seeing product, but it will eventually come, and that would be preaty cool.

Imagine all your peripheral attached to your monitors, and you have 3 monitors (or even 2), and all you need is to plug 1 plug on your laptop... that would basically rule out the need of a dock station (unless you need for other reasons or more USB's or don't have the displays that support Display Port 1.2)

I hope Dell continues support for Display Port, as it's an excellent candidate to have a digital out source for laptops. It's been a year I have my E6400, and I always plug it via Display port to my monitor (Dell U2410). As Display port carries Analogue (VGA) Digital, audio (analogue and digital), it can even replace VGA for that mater.

 

Thanks for your responses.

I didn't want to go the DisplayPort as my (older but good) Dell monitors don't support that.

I've purchased the E-Port Plus Replicator (which has 2 VGA + 2 DVI ports and a number of other connections that I wanted) at a cheap price so I'm waiting for that to arrive. I'm hoping that connecting both monitors to VGA ports will solve the problem.

 

I'm not sure whether this is related, but I have a "quirk" (it's not really an issue) with my E-Port and a Samsung external monitor with native resolution of 1680x1050. When I connect through DVI, Windows seems to think that the monitor is able to go up to 1920x1200.

The funny part is: if I select that resolution, the f****** monitor actually shows that resolution! It looks blurry and hard to read, so I don't use it, but it seems that the DVI interface cannot correctly detect what's on the other side.

However, I am pretty sure this is a problem with this monitor, as my Samsung P2270HD is detected at 1080p with no problems.

 

It's the monitor... you can correct this by installing the monitor drivers (well they are not really drivers, more like specification and default color profile).

 

Thanks. I'll see if that helps.

I've received the E-Port Plus replicator and it didn't have two VGA ports -- I made a mistake. The best that I can get right now, with 2 monitors, is 1600x1200 32-bit on VGA and 1280x1024 16-bit on DVI. Connecting both monitors to the DVI ports on the E-Port Plus doesn't help.

 

Try the following:
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Move the program to the screen which needs to be changed, set teh values, and change the resolution.

 

GoodBytes,

Thanks. Unfortunately, ResolutionSet says it ran successfully but it did not set my DVI monitor to 16-bit 1600x1200 60MHz. The best that I can get is on DVI, connected to the E6400, is 8-bit 1600x1200 60MHz.

I know the Dell 2001FP monitor is capable of 32-bit 1600x1200 60MHz on DVI. My PC has this working along with the same resolution on VGA. (I have four Dell 2001FP monitors).

Edit: I think I'm done After much fiddling and rebooting, I have finally got 1600x1200 16-bit on the DVI and VGA monitors connections. The DVI monitor HAS to be primary though.