HP HDX18t External Display Resolution Issue

I have a HP HDX18t w/ Windows 7 Home Premium and the Nvidia GeForce GT 130M video card. I'm trying to hook up a Dell 30" LCD monitor with a native resolution of 2560x1600 via the HDMI output using a HDMI to DVI cable. Doing so, the system will only allow the external Dell a max resolution of 1280x800 while the HDX screen stays at 1920x1080. The 1280x800 look really bad. I want to use its native resolution of 2560x1600 or atleast the 1920x1080. When I use VGA output, nothing shows up on 30" (blank black screen).

Using my 24" Dell, I can get 1920x1080 either via the VGA or HDMI (to DVI) fine. Based on my research it seems to be a limitation of the Nvidia GeForce GT 130M because it just doesn't allow that high a resolution (i.e. no dual-link DVI capabilitiy). Is this true? Or am doing something wrong?

Is there any solution in using a 30" monitor with the HP HDX18t? Will one of those Matrox DualHead2Go devices work to run the 30" and 24 inch monitor simultaneous at 1920x1200. I'll be fine with that. My wife is firm in using the 30" monitor we have. Is this a loss cause and I have to get another laptop that will support a 30" external monitor? If so, any advice on which one. Please help. Thanks.

 

I highly doubt it's a hardware limitation. Try disabling "Hide modes not supported by this device" in Screen Resolution -> Advanced.

 

try to set up your external display as your primary display

 

I did look under Screen Resolution --> Advance and did the "hide modes not supported by this device" and it did nothing, showed no more resolution choices.

And yes, I have my external display set s my primary.

 

You may be able to force it. Try PowerStrip.

 

Whats PowerStrip. Can you elaborate? Thanks.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=PowerStrip&l=1

 

In the future don't talk in code. And summarize the contents of the link please.

 

Are you a moderator or anything?

LMGTFY = Let Me Google That for You. Are you sure that a site that shows you how simple it is to Google something needs a summary of contents? What's it with people these days. If you tell someone "just f***ing google it" it's rude, if you link them to Let Me Google That for You it's at least a bit funny.

 

I've spent almost a week now w/ research to no success. The best I can achieve is probably 1920x1080 but with some sort of external adaper, but still no guarantee. Now I have to figure out which I want to try. Any suggestions?

1) ViDock 2 external graphics/video card thing - $300
http://gizmodo.com/5031028/lightnin...play-enhancer-adds-two-monitors-to-your-setup

1) Matrox DualHead2Go graphics expansion Modules - $239
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/

2) A Lenovo USB to DVI adaper that uses the BizLink's DisplayPort technlogy - $129
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...6&OID=:00000026:000027D1:&cid=cnetdf_45K5296&

 

That wasn't a directive, it was a suggestion. Sometimes people take for granted not everyone here is fully computer literate. Nevertheless, I was merely making an observation. My apologies, if it came off as offensive.

 

Well have you actually tried PowerStrip? I'm pretty sure it will allow you to get that resolution. If you can't figure it out tell me, i've been using that software for years and it allows custom resolutions (and refresh rates for CRT guys like me) with just about every video card.

Nah, no problem. But most people simply click links whenever they see them, so i didn't feel like giving any extra directions. Btw, the "click everything blue" habit also is the reason why people get so many viruses.

 

I've googled PowerStrip and kinda know what it is in general. But I'm afraid its too "technical" and I really don't know how to go about it. Also afraid to mess up the computer with any further unnecessary softaware, etc. If you can provide detail instructions on how do PowerStrip, that would be great.

 

Well, PowerStrip is one of those pieces of software that never falls in the "unnecessary" category. Now, i'm too lazy to install it on my laptop as i don't need it here, but i'll fire up my main rig in a moment, i have it on there and actually it is what makes it possible to use a custom resolution (1440x1080) on my 19" CRT monitor.

Expect an update in an hour or so.

 

Thanks. Hoping this will be the solution before I start buying some hardware to try out.

 

Oh, i forgot about it yesterday. Anyway, here goes. Right-click the PowerStrip icon, go to Display Profiles, Configure. Click the Advanced Timing Options button. In the window that appears click Custom Resolutions.

Now, as you can see, there already is a 2560x1600 resolution, defined as 2560x1600p (LCD). Click on that, and then on Add new resolution. Click Close. You will be informed that your new resolution will be available after reboot, do so and you should have 2560x1600 on your resolution list now.

Hope it works.

 

I downloaded PowerStrip. Follow your instructions to the TV and still does not allow me to do 2560x1600. When I set it in Custom Resolutions, it says my monitor does not support it. I can't get 1920x1080 either. It shows up in the resolution pulldown options. But when I select it, it does nothing. Resolution doesn't change. Thanks though. Guess I'll try the hardware stuff now.

 

One last thing to try - switch sources (Fn+F4) so that the display goes to the external monitor only. Now see what PowerStrip tells you. I had no problems defining resolutions unknown to my monitor. But like the Windows control panel, it has a "Hide modes not supported by this monitor" box that you have to untick so that you get max resolution.