ASUS F3SA-a1 DIV output no higher than 1440X 900!

Ok, I really didn't wanted to start a new thread, but after looking everywhere, posting to existing threads and getting no replies, this was my only option.

So here goes

I just got an F3SA(with ATI 2600HD, 512 ddr2) last week along with an 22inch Viewsonic monitor(1680X1050).

Everything works great. However when I tried to output to the 22 inch using the DVI port, under the DISPLAY PROPERTIES in vista, it doesn't have the option of 1680X1050 the highest it goes is 1440X900.

Funny thing is, when i unplug the dvi, and use the analog, the option of 1680X1050 altomatically apears in the DISPLAY PROPERTIES.

I have updated to the newest bios verion from ausus, along with catalyst 7.11XXX.

Anybody else have experienced this?
It really kind of a waste is i cant use the dvi with a 22 inch scree!

thanks in advance for any ideas or imputs!

 

What is the output refresh rate? (should be 60, it might cause problems if it's higher)

Do you have a dual-link DVI cable? (ie: does your DVI cable have a "gap" in the middle of the rows of pins? If yes, it's single-link, otherwise it's dual link, see picture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DVI_Connector_Types.svg ). if it's higher than 60, the max resolution DVI can display is lower, though 1680x1050 should've been fine even with single link cables)

Was the DVI connector plugged in before you turned on the PC or after? Does the secondary display actually say Viewsonic Vx22xx or does it say Plug and Play monitor? If it doesn't actually say the monitor model name, it's possible it might not have properly detected the resolutions available to that monitor.

 

Hey alex,, thanx for the quick reply, I will double check about the refresh rate, as i remember it being default 60, and i didnt do anything to change it.

The cable is a single.

And i did connect the cable after the laptop was on, however i also restarted the laptop the the cable connected, so that should have taken care of.
I believe it should be a plug n play, as most of the new ones are, but i dont recall seeing it writen on the box.

However it detected just fine at 1680X1050 with the analog conector, which is whats weird!

Specs for F3SA
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=F3SA-A1&Category_Code=AS15

Specs for monitor:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/xseries/vx2245wm/

 

Buy a Dual Link DVI cable should solve your problem.

 

you mean the cable that it came with the monitor doesn't suport the monitor?

 

Not sure what cable they provide, you want want to check to see if it's a Dual Link cable.

 

That's not what Alex meant. If your monitor is listed just as "Plug and play" in Windows, that means its type was not detected correctly, therefore the supported resolutions may not have been detected correctly. You might need to install a driver for the monitor explicitly (if at all possible).

 

It's a single link. Just checked. So you think thats the problem? Why would viewsonic provide a cable that downplayes their monitors? Unless the dual link cable is really expensive? I dont know is it?

I also made sure that its at 60Hz like alex sugested.

In the specs pg above from viewsonic, it doesnt mention anything about plug and play, where can I find out about that?
If its not, how come it detects the resolution in analog? And the monitor didn't come with any drivers either.

 

Try going into Display>Advanced Settings> Monitor tab,

There should be a check mark "Hide resolutions that your monitor cannot display". This is for XP though, I'm sure Vista would have a similar option. Basically overide the resolution that your graphic card could support and force it on your monitor.

It could be that the ATi Drivers not recognizing the monitor's native resolution properly. Try an older driver or the ASUS's official and see if you still have the same problem. ATi/AMD Drivers are far from bug free, I'm still using catalyst 6.7 on my W3V simply because their driver refuses to remember dual display settings, and all the new driver never worked. So I'm not surprised.

 

A lot company do that they only ship with single link cable.
there are many DVI cables out there some monitors needs to have dual link cable in order to display full resolution on DVI mode.

The cable might be the problem since you are able to display 1680X1050 using VGA analog cable.

 

WHAT ARE SINGLE AND DUAL LINKS ?

The Digital formats are available in DVI-D Single-Link and Dual-Link as well as DVI-I Single-Link and Dual-Link format connectors. These DVI cables send information using a digital information format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling). Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual links use two. The dual link DVI pins effectively double the power of transmission and provide an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1080, while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2048 x 1536

I did remember reading someone about Single Link DVI-I supporting upto 1920x1080. So I searched and found this from a site, I don't think the DVI cable is the issue.

 

Well anybody else has this problem?
Cuz i dont think i am the only one whos trying to display 1680X1050 with this laptop, since there are so many people in this forum with the same laptop and did bench marks.
Unless its a manufacture defect from viewsonic.
Its really flustrating when you get a new toy and it doesn't paly the way you want to specially if the toy was expensive

 

I think you still didn't properly understand what Alex meant by the monitor being listed as "plug and play". It's a bad thing, it means that Windows does not recognize it properly and that might be the cause for which it does not take that resolution. Of course you need to check whether it is indeed listed as "plug and play" or as "viewsonic xxx".

I don't mean to be overly insistent but this is one of the things that might be wrong (since it seems from the post above that the hardware is ok).

 

ok , thanx for explaining,
so assuming that it is plug and play, what can i do to fix it?.
Cus the monitor didnt come with a driver.

 

Did you try my method to uncheck the "Hide native resolutions" to override the resolutions?

 

First, check that it's really listed as plug and play. If it's not, there's no problem to solve there.

 

I been looking for this info, but noone knows about it.even called the tech support. And they don't know either, saying will get a manager to call me back". And at the best buy, they dont know it either.

I guess i will just have to dig it up somewhere on the net

 

Actually, it should be pretty easy for you to check out if it's Plug and Play on your system.

For my desktop running XP (I'm sure Vista has something similar...I'll grab my laptop and hook it up to my monitor to be sure later on, but for know I know through XP...), all you have to do is when at the desktop, right click and select Properties, then go to the Settings tab. In XP, here is where you'd be able to find out if it's plug and play. Mine currently lists my monitor as "Syncmaster ... 216BW ... (digital) on Nvidia 7600 GT" )

the '...' just represent the extra models that the monitor driver supports

But essentially, if instead of something specific like that, you have something like "Plug and Play Monitor" like i did with my old CRT, then that's what EBE is referring to.

Have you been able to find any possible drivers from the Viewsonic website? Or perhaps googled your monitor make and model (ie:"Viewsonic model# Vista driver)? If you can give the model #, maybe we can help you track it down

 

Okay, so just looked on my laptop... right click on the desktop, select 'personalize' and at the bottom of the list, select "display settings"

For my laptop, it currently displays "Generic PnP Monitor on nVidia GeForce 8600m GT"
If, when attached to your external display, it says something of the like, referring to your external monitor (keep in mind with 2 monitors, you'll likely have to click pull-down tab to see what the 2nd monitor is)

The thing I thought of, that I doubt is the issue is whether or not you've got the desktop set to mirror your laptop display, or if it's seperate. I know at least on my laptop, if it's mirrored, the max it'll display is 1280 x 800 on the external monitor. Haven't seen if that's any different in analog, but I would assume so, which is why I'm not sure if this is your issue... but perhaps somehow it is?

 

The extrnal display isnt mirrord. I have it set as a secondary desktop.
I will check like u said to see if its pnp. I called the tech support. and i was told that vista has the latest driver for the monitor. So even if installed viewsonics driver, i would only be downgrading

 

hmm...well, it's a very unusual predicament... I wish I knew what to tell ya bud

 

I did what you guys said. Apparently, it was on PnP So i got the viewsonic driver( 1 common for all models), after which the monitor was idenfied and it added more resolution options.

But heres the messed up part, it only added the option of 1920X1080, and altogether skiping 1680X1050!!

I really dont have a clue now. I even tried a different 22 inch monitor with the same specs, and was the same result. So i m assuming it has to be the video card or the driver.

It weird, this is a pretty popular laptop, and i m assuming so are 22Inch screens. Am I the only one whos got this problem?

 

Definately driver. Download and install another one, it doesn't need to be the latest one as long as it recognizes your card. Seriously, ATi Drivers always had problems...

btw, have you unchecked the "Hide resolutions that your monitor cannot display..."? It's on the next tab on your screenshot under >Monitors

 

Oh ya, i did that. And the specs for the monitor goes from 30hz all the way to like 90
And where else can i get the driver? I mean i preatty much got the latest of everything
man, i shoulda gone for the nvidia

 

try using this:

DH Mobility Mod
http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool/

 

That this version is what my laptop came stalk installed with. Mine right now is catalyst 7.11 which is newer.

man this sucks

 

cebalao, I don't know how to get this through to you. It's most definately the ATi drivers that are restricting you in using the proper native resolution of your LCD monitor.

So did you try it or no? (btw, that is Catalyst 7.4! if you even cared to read it) It doesn't matter if it's the "newest" or stock! . If you were an advanced computer user, you know that any revision of driver may be differentand might have different bug issues (especially ATi), I don't even know why you're not even trying.

If you choose to keep ignoring my suggestions, then I might as well abandon you entirely.

 

I appraciate your help.

For the past 3 hours i tried catalyst 7.11 all the way back to 7.06, with the same result every single time: either 1400X1050, or 1920X1080. With no 1680X1050 in beetween. you can see this on the screnn shot bottom right. I will skip couple of versions, and try the 7.04 tomorrow. The time it takes to restart after every install is just insane!

One thing i m wondering is if there is a driver for the monitor, but it seems like the monitor has been detected.

 

I would suggest first finalize the suggestion of D3X with the video drivers. And make sure you are unchecking "Hide the resolutions..."

Afterwards, if that doesn't help, you could try finding a more specific driver for your monitor? (rather than a generic Viewsonic one as I think you have now)

 

That option is unchecked. And from viewsonic's website, there isn't a specific driver for my monitor. They got one for all kinda deal. Only only break it down by different OS versions.

 

That leaves the video drivers...

 

You mean catalyst drivers?

 

I think catalyst are just a kind of modded drivers. If so, that's maybe what I mean...

Actually what I meant was follow the suggestion previous to mine (I'm too lazy to click page #3 and find out what it actually was...)

 

I didn't ignore your sugestions. As matter of fact I appraciate them.
I did try out other versions last week.
And yesterday i tried out catalyst 7.4 as well. And still the same out come.
So i basically tried every single version from 7.4 all the way to 7.11.
I did fresh install everytime(full uninstallation after every trial).
Yet the outcome is the same everytime:

The resolution of 1680X1050 is not there!
i can either go lower to 1440X1050 or next high up 1960X1080.
What I really can't undertand is how come no one else came across this problem. I m not complaying here, I am just comfused as to how none of the gamers who got this ever tried to play games on a 22 inch screen. Not even the local vendors heard about it!
I reasearched this laptop for like 3 weeks in this forum before i decided to get it.
There's not a single thread here that even mentions this
All in all its a good laptop, well build and lots of function as i expected. It's just frustrating to be blind sided by a problem like this.
I knew ati had driver issues, but man, this really sucks balls!lol

 

I was not implying you did not follow suggestions

I do not know what else to suggest...

Except perhaps install the version recommended by D3X, using Driver Cleaner Pro in safe mode, in advance, to clean up the previous version. So:
Remove current version.
reboot in safe mode
Run driver cleaner pro to cleanup.
Install recommended version.

 

Ok will give driver cleaner a try.
Is there a free demo of driver cleaner? The one i found isnt.

 

driver cleaner pro? should be free.

 

Driver Cleaner Pro
http://soft.softoogle.com/ap/driver-cleaner-pro-download-1878.shtml

 

Unfortunatley, to the best of my knowledge ATI has blocked the usage of custom resolutions in Vista, so if 1680x1050 isn't detected by your drivers, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to get the resolution.

 

looks like your not the only one
http://www.driverheaven.net/mobility-radeon-drivers-support/150991-cant-get-full-resolution-dvi-monitor-1680x1050-ati-hd-2600-a.html
Unless that's you

 

Have you tried it with a dual-link cord yet?

 

Wow, thats conforting to know lol. Sounds like I am F*&d!
But the weird thing is, i can get to 1680X1050 in analog (with a lot of monitor flicking), but not in dvi

Ya, i just posted link to this thread over there. Looks like i m ahead of where they are! Am I really the first one to see this?

No, i haven't. I was told that a single link should have no bandwith problems as it is able to handle res of up to 1920X1080, so basically full HD.
But if all else fails, i guess i will risk wasting 40 bucks on a dual link just find out. And bi&%h at ATI afterwards for being so stupid!

 

This is what i got from the place i ordered:

Central Direct does not accept any opened product for exchange or refund unless the manufacturer's warranty specifies a money-back guarantee. We will gladly forward any available information or specifications that will assist our clients in making an informed decision before buying, however, once opened, we cannot credit products because of errors in ordering or compatibility issues with existing systems.

I don't supose i can return it right? I feel dumb for asking this, but does ASUS have a money back garantee like that? lol
Man i SOOOOOOO should have gotten the F8SV

 

...

Try another DVI cable. I'm beginning to suspect it, since you said it worked with VGA. I'm thinking it might be defective since it doesn't say the name of the monitor. Under Catalyst Control Center, if I go to the Displays Manager, I see the name of the external display: VG2030wm. If it does not say that, the system is not able to talk to the screen. Monitors have ID circuitry which tell the system the name and list of resolutions the screen is capable of doing (this applies both to VGA and DVI).

Just for reference, I have a Viewsonic VG2030wm with the stock DVI cable (it is also single link DVI) and it works fine at 1680x1050@60Hz on my V1J (ATI X1700 w/ Catalyst 7.4).

As far as money-back guarantees, most companies don't do that for laptops. You *might* be able to negotiate if you make it seem appealing (ie: order a higher end model, or buy their extended warranty, etc).

 

I hope not, since 1680x1050 is a standard resolution for all 20" and 22" widescreen display on the market!

Maybe it's a Vista + HDCP crap thing...

 

The weird thing is, under VGA, althoght i can get 1680X1050, the monitor is not identified. ie: it just says GENERIC MONITOR under Display Properties.

And when its connected through DVI, it actually identified the monitor model, but the 1680X1050 option is just unavailable.

Also using VGA i can use the 22inch at the main(and only display), but thats not possible with dvi.

Now you said it works fine for you, what video card do you have?

 

Dunno why you would suspect the cable. If you look at his screenshots, it had 1920x1080 (not native obviously) working through the DVI single link cable.

HDCP encryption/filtering/decoding applies to 1920x1080/full 1080i/p playback from a HD 1080 source ie; Blu-Ray or HD-DVD Drive transmitted to non-HDCP compliant displays like a television or older monitor. This shouldn't apply here.

 

You are not alone, it's not ATI or your laptop problem, it also happen on nVidia card:

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=71983


Try this see if it works:
1: Connect to your Viewsonic use DVI cable
2: disable laptop LCD and use Viewsonic as your primary display
3: Goto Device Manager>Monitors
4: Uninstall the PnP monitor for viewsonic, don't uninstall the laptop LCD.
5: Reboot the computer
6: Windows should detect the PNP monitor again.
7: go back to Device Manger and update the driver for Viewsonic monitor, you should be able to find the driver on Viewsonic's website if they have one.

If that doesn't work, try the dual-link cable and let us know if that works.

 

I'm thinking that it may even be a problem with the monitor not communicating properly (if it's detected as generic monitor under DVI as well as VGA). But this is just a wild idea

 

I tried that, well to be honest i couldnt' get past step 2
Using DVI, it wont let me activate the 22 inch as primary! Like under display options, that option is blanked out, and its unselectable!

It says "Generic..." using VGA, but for DVI it actually says "Viewsonic ......", this is actually funny considering that it works under vga but not DVI.
Other thing is whilre in VGA, even at 60HZ, when the screen is displaying all black, like what you do to look for back bleeding, i can see alot of flickering, like i can actually see the screen being refreshed! dont know if this is the monitor my my video.

And still waiting for the asus tech reply!