new 24" acer monitor not getting good resolution with HP DV4-1313dx

I have a brand new, 1080P Acer 24" LCD monitor model number H243H.

The highest resolution I can get my computer to go to is 1280x800, but it doesn't look very crisp or clear.

I did a windows update and my computer is up to date, but I guess my question is.... is there anything I can do to make the display more crisp or display a higher resolution?

I was excited to have all this extra screen real estate, but I'm not pleased with the outcome thus far.

When I hook it up to my 42" TV I believe I can get it to display a higher resolution (i think....)

Any help is appreciated.

 

well i bet your acer's native resolution is 1920x1080 so thats a big factor. try downloading updated video card drivers

 

x2 , thats what it says on the box. I tried installing the latest video drivers (well... I did a windows update, and it said it was all up to date ) I guess I'm kind of a noob when it comes to this.

And when I load up the display software that the monitor came with, it notifies me right away letting me know that I'm not running a desired resolution and the box to change the resolution is grayed out so I'm unable to change it.

It seems like it's a driver issue with my video card, but I don't know where or how to go about doing so...

From what I see in my control panel, my graphics card is a ATI Radeon HD 3200. Is it possible that my graphics card is unable to produce a higher resolution?? If so, that would be crappy.. it's a new laptop with HDMI out, I figured I'd be set for sure.

 

try this:

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx

though it looks light your card is a low power card and may not be possible without some INF modifications which might possibly leave you with a scrambled image

 

The card is fully capable of producing that resolution. If the latest drivers don't do the trick, try PowerStrip. It will allow you to define and use almost any custom resolution. http://entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm

 

hmm...I downloaded the PowerStrip program now and am trying to a "custom configuration" for it.. but still haven't fixed the issue.

For whatever reason, this program is still saying my monitor has a "resolution cap" of 1280x800. I can't figure out why?!

Doesn't make any sense to me... Anyone else had similar issues? My computer is saying it's highest output resolution is 1280x800 and I know that's simply not true.

 

did you download updated drivers?

 

I downloaded ATI's catalyst 10.1 from the website (which I'm guessing would contain it's latest drivers) but the installer doesn't work, it crashes everytime I try to install it.

here's a link to the discussion regarding that installer:
http://blogs.amd.com/play/2010/01/27/ati-catalyst™-10-1-driver-–-what’s-new/

I don't really know what to do at this point. I guess I've pinpointed the issue to it being a driver issue and that ATI apparently can't get their act together.

I'm not very knowledgeable (as if it's not apparent in this thread already) about drivers. Apparently that PowerStrip program will allow me to "write a custom" driver... but I haven't been successful at that yet... I don't really know how to use the program.

I just want to turn my damn resolution up and have to go through all the BS. I'm trying not to get frustrated.

 

I'm poking around on HP's website to see if maybe they have the current drivers there...

 

Is your Windows Update set to DL/install ALL types of updates, even not provided by Windows? If not, enable that, and then check for updates. Re-plugging the monitor into your laptop should trigger an update.

 

Well I got it.

Thanks for the help. It was a combination of not having current drivers (It took forever to get them to update...I got them from ATI's website, and from HP's... then Windows Update picked up some)

I don't know if my issue with the driver was because mine were so outdated that it wouldn't jump from my version to the newest (for example... it wouldn't go from version 5 to version 10, but rather I had to do small updates, then scan for new, update, scan for new, update, etc. etc. until now I finally think I have the latest version.)

My other issue was in my Windows 7 control panel for my "Display" settings. I had it (default settings) under the Multiple Display setting, it said "Duplicate Displays", but I needed to change it to "DISPLAY ONLY ON SCREEN 2 AND NOT 1"

Now it turned off the display on my notebook, and it ONLY showing on my laptop. I know this may seem like a beginner mistake, but that's why I'm updating this thread... in case future people have a similar issue with hooking up a monitor to a notebook. Be sure the settings in the Control Panel turn off the display on the notebook, and don't let it try to "Duplicate display" because it'll only output the max res. the laptop screen itself can produce (if I understand this correctly...)

Appreciate the help, thanks for being patient.

 

One more quick question....

It says my "recommended resolution" is 1920x1080 but when I put it at that resolution, it doesn't fill the entire viewing area of the screen?

I have about 1" on each side of the monitor (left and right) that is not in use, and about .5" on the top and bottom that are black.

 

you can adjust that in the ati catalyst center...doh i cant remember how though...

 

me either.. I'm playing around in there right now, but I'm not comin' up with anything..

Weird. I thought maybe I just needed to play with my settings on the actual monitor.. but can't find anything in there.

 

i think i got it...go to desktop and displays then right click on your monitor as its shown below in the lower left corner of the CCC then click configure and scale that ish.

 

What version of CCC do you have?

 

2009.1123.1057.19591 aka 9.11

 

It's possible your monitor supports 1920x1200 res? But your graphic card can do a max of 1280x1080? Idk, throwing it out there

 

Well, then the garbage I have on my system isn't the latest software still because this process isn't something I can do.

When I right-click my Monitor, and select "Configure", I get this screen:



Just so we're on the same page here... I have about an inch, around the edge of my entire screen that isn't displaying anything. I swear, if it's not one thing, it's another.

 

Lol click options on the upper right hand corner and click about (I think) what's your version number?

 

version (ah crap... lemme grab a pen, lol):

2009.0813.2131.36817

 

Hmm I would say do a search for the hp envy video drivers I know they're the most up to date mobility drivers or try playing around with any monitor configs you can find in the CCC/display properties in windows. I know it's fixable bc I read about other ppl having the same problem on this forum.

 

damnit... now my laptop display WONT work unless it's plugged into HDMI, and the screen isn't even full screen anymore..

 

i doubt it's the drivers. you won't need fancy programs or new drivers. it's probably your settings. here's a question for you, is your laptop screen and external screen running simultaneously? try closing the lid.

 

Well it's now doing the same thing when I hook it up to my 42" TV screen... I can get it do go to the desired resolution... but there's a black 1" on the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen that is not being used.

It's gotta just be a setting within Windows that I don't have set properly.


Anyone have any idea?

 

This is what I'm talking about. It's on the top, bottom, left, and right... of any display I set it up to.

Why would that be? So on my 24" monitor, I'm getting more like a 20" viewing area. On my 42" monitor.. I'm getting like 39"-40" viewing area. Before, the display would fill the entire screen. There is a problem somewhere it my settings, but I'm completely lost and I feel like I've tried EVERYTHING. I'm sure it's an easy fix

 

go to ATI Catalyst Control Center, Desktop and Displays ---> Lower left corner (or maybe not) click the black triangle on the upper right corner of the picture of your screen--->configure -----> under DTV (HDMI) ---> Scaling Options, Select 0% and Apply.

 

Finally got it. Apparently the drivers/downloads you get from ATI don't work and you have to get them off your computer manufacturers site (from other sites that i've been reading)

I downloaded and installed the drivers/CCC about a dozen times, and it still never actually installed. The installer would silently crash and wouldn't do any updates to my machine.

I finally was able to get the CCC to install from a file I downloaded from HP's website. Wow, what a nightmare.

Well, the monitor is up and running at the desired resolution, with no black boxes. ATI gave me quite the headache.

Now I just noticed the monitor kind of hisses a little bit, is that normal?

 

That's part of a stupid agreement they have with laptop makers. You can always use the Mobility Modder from DriverHeaven to make them compatible though.

As for the monitor, yes it's normal. It's coil whine. It does indicate poor quality parts, but that doesn't mean it'll break, it just isn't the most well-built thing in the world. Besides, if you get a replacement you're almost guaranteed to have the same whine.