Laptop lid still needs to be opened and then closed to use native resolution supported by external LCD monitor

If I don't open and then close the laptop lid once Windows 7 loads the desktop, I can only choose 800x600 and 1024x768 ('Display->Screen Resolution->Advanced Settings->Monitor->Hide modes that this monitor can not display' is unchecked). If I close the laptop lid and use an external monitor, other resolutions higher than 1024x768 appear in Control Panel-Display-Screen Resolution.

So to use my external monitor's native resolution, I have to open and then close the laptop lid once Windows loads the desktop, otherwise my external monitor will display in 1024x768 (non-native resolution). Anyone know a solution or workaround and what causes Windows to have different resolution settings when the laptop lid is open and closed?

I am currently using an external LCD monitor for my laptop, connected thru VGA. Its native resolution is 1360x768. The external monitor is a Samsung BX1950 http://www.samsung.com...

Screenshot of Control Panel-Display-Screen Resolution options:
Left - Laptop lid is open and no external monitor connected; Right - Laptop lid is opened & then closed, and external monitor is connected



Other details:
• Video card is ATI Xpress 200M
• Using v. 9.11 ATI Catalyst Legacy drivers with Catalyst Control Center (latest available version moddable by Mobility Modder)
• Laptop monitor native resolution is 1024x768; external LCD monitor native resolution is 1360x768
• Laptop is an old 2004-2005 era ASUS A6R laptop
• Laptop is set to 'Do nothing' if lid is closed on Control Panel->Power Settings (both plugged in and on battery)
• When laptop lid is open, Multiple Displays is set to 'Duplicate these displays', there is no Multiple Displays option when the laptop lid is opened and then closed
• External monitor is connected to laptop thru VGA
• Refresh rate is set at 60 HZ for both laptop monitor and external monitor

 

I tend to find that ATi drivers unless it's the high end consumer notebook or desktop do not accept officially branded forceware drivers. Have you tried rolling back the drivers to a point where it was working?

 

I also have to wait a few seconds after opening and closing the lid, when Windows changes the resolution from 1024x768 to 1360x768, for it to rearrange the icons, widgets and other desktop stuff before Explorer is usable (some of them aren't even arranged properly after that).

Another issue is that Windows goes into a resolution unsupported by the external monitor when it's shutting down, so I don't see the shutting down screen on the external monitor, just a black screen with a message stating unsupported resolution.

v. 9.11 Legacy was the first driver I installed. I will try uninstalling the current drivers and try the Windows-update provided drivers instead.

 

I agree, and even more, it is nearly impossible to install any forceware driver on ATI GPUs

Michael

 

Well I installed 5870 Mobility drivers on a G73JH once, I was very surprised but that's a high end gaming GPU. But on IGP or like 3650 or other mid range cards it either fails to detect the GPU or the drivers install but when you reboot it's still on the old version of the driver.

 

I tried rolling back to the Windows update-provided drivers, but the problem became worse: Even if the the laptop lid has been opened and closed, the external monitor supports only 800x600 and 1024x768.

 

The poster you're quoting was having a laugh at your expense. Forceware is NVIDIA's driver brand. AMD/ATI's is Catalyst.

 

Le sigh I have been sleep deprived for a week...lol my mistake.