Intel GMA3100 and external monitor

Hi,

I use a Panasonic Y7 computer but I am hoping the HP folks can help me out. Basically, I would like to use an external monitor in portrait mode (1200 by 1600) with thie notebook which has the GMA3100 graphics controller. I couldn't find the rotate option under Graphics Properties in Vista. I can do the landscape fine (1600 by 1200). Anyone know how to rotate the image from landscape to portrait under Vista? Thanks in advance.

 

Open up the Intel Graphics Properties > Display Settings > Rotation

You can go to Intel’s driver properties from
Personalize > Display Settings > Advanced Settings… > Intel ® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile > Graphics Properties
OR
you might have a menu option in the desktop RMB menu (i.e. Graphics Properties…)

 

Thanks. But there's no Rotation option there. I only see: Color Quality, Screen Resolution, Refresh Rate, and Aspect Ratio Options. Is there anyone successfully using GMA3100 in portrait mode with an external monitor?

 

Have you updated the graphics drivers? It might unlock this option

 

Try installing the Intel drives (from intel site). Right now I also have a DELL Vostro 1400 with me with a X3100, in that the rotation option is available.

I even hooked up my external monitor to make sure. Its there (and working) even for the external monitor :

 

Thanks for your post. Updating the video driver did make the rotation option to appear and now I'm able to use the portrait mode. Yeah!

A related question to this: I noticed the picture quality of the notebook-VGA-monitor setup is noticeably poorer than my desktop-DVI-monitor setup. (using the same monitor at the same resolution and same refresh rate) Is there any way to get a sharper image out of my notebook? Unfortunately, the notebook does not have a DVI interface. (Btw, the desktop is Windows XP whereas the notebook is Vista).

 

Unfortunately NO. unless you use a docking station or an external graphics card [very new technology and too expensive at the moment] with a DVI output

When using a VGA cable the video signal is converted twice (digital to analog at the graphics card before sending) and then analog to digital at the LCD monitor (after receiving, since LCD monitors are digital devices unlike old CRT monitors). This causes some quality loss and sharpness ( you might also notice some ghosting or shadows). Whereas with DVI there is no conversion therefore you see exactly what the graphics card outputs. In addition VGA signals are susceptible to external magnetic fields (but normally this is not a problem since most VGA cables are shielded to prevent it).

 

yeah unfortunately theres no way to improve the quality.

VGA is analog, DVI is digital