[sniperscope]

I've just done a fresh format of windows XP, and installed the latest drivers for my XFX 7800GT graphics card. However, when I went to set the resolution, the options I had on my old setup were not there, and strange new resolutions are there instead!

I thought it was supposed to prevent the user from setting a resolution that the monitor can't support. My monitor can support anything up to 1440 x 900 resolution, and this used to be the max option, as expected. However, now, my max option exceeds 2048 x 1536! Worst thing is, I was used to using 1440 x 900, now I can't even select that resolution!! My screen is widescreen, so I'm used to a little squeeze/ stretch, however, the best resolution I can get now is far too stretched, and I cannot cope with it. I want my old resolution back!

What has gone wrong? I tried the drivers I was using before (both Nvidia forceware), but it makes no difference. Is my card broken in any way? The display does not look right, please help me to get it back.

Cheers

*p.s. another thing that isn't supposed to happen - when I right click on the nvidia icon in the system tray, the screen flickers, goes black, then comes back again, as if changing resolution, but it isn't. What the heck is going on! That never used to happen!!

 

[Stillhouse]

Did you install the monitor driver?

 

[RuSo]

maybe your refresh rate is too high and your monitor cannot cope with that,.......try to lower your screen refresh rate, found under the advanced > monitor tab in the display properties, than check your resolution options again,.......edit: you can also see with everest or sisoft sandra what resolution your screen is capable of, at each refresh rate

 

[sniperscope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillhouse Did you install the monitor driver?

Yeah I did.

Thank you very much to you two, I've now resolved the problem. RuSo's post helped - he was right, the refresh rate was too high, but something was still strange. I had to work around the problem - so first, I had to set the refresh rate down to 60 Hz, then 1440 x 900 popped up as an option. Then, I could reset the refresh rate back to 75 Hz and hey presto, my screen is back to normal!!! Reps for you both

 

[Fusion Racing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniperscope Yeah I did. Thank you very much to you two, I've now resolved the problem. RuSo's post helped - he was right, the refresh rate was too high, but something was still strange. I had to work around the problem - so first, I had to set the refresh rate down to 60 Hz, then 1440 x 900 popped up as an option. Then, I could reset the refresh rate back to 75 Hz and hey presto, my screen is back to normal!!! Reps for you both

nvidia drivers having a brain fart then....

when i right click it does that flashy black thing you described - but it doesnt really matter too much

other thing is.... i had to set a refresh rate override in games, or it ran at 72hz at 1600x1200, and this made the screen not fit properly. so it set so when ever its at 1600x1200, it forces 75hz refresh

you may find that could happen too^^

 

[thenut]

For future reference - Right click on desktop > Properties > Settings > Advanced > Monitor > Make sure "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" is selected

 

[Fusion Racing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenut For future reference - Right click on desktop > Properties > Settings > Advanced > Monitor > Make sure "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" is selected

yes... this does work as long as it knows what your monitor is

if it just says analog display - it wont work

 

[thenut]

That's why you should always make sure to install the latest video card drivers as well as the latest drivers for your monitor.

It will generally ensure the greatest compatibility. If you don't install both, the blame shouldn't be placed solely on the graphic card drivers.

 

[Fusion Racing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenut That's why you should always make sure to install the latest video card drivers as well as the latest drivers for your monitor. It will generally ensure the greatest compatibility. If you don't install both, the blame shouldn't be placed solely on the graphic card drivers.

yes indeed.... only thing is i have a £25 CRT - so i didnt have to install anything, but it still knows what it is.

also the drivers tend to be a bit safe, like not letting me run 75hz refresh, even though it works - just override it and its fine

 

[thenut]

Windows can recognize hardware too so Windows Update can also be used if you already have video card drivers but can't find monitor drivers.

You just have to be careful when you choose modes that the drivers believe won't work. Stubborn safety is better than risking it and letting users choose possibly unsupported resolutions and refresh rates.

Of course it works sometimes, unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't.

NVTray is a great resource for things like this as well.

 

[sniperscope]

Odd thing is, after I turned on my pc after being off all night, when i clicked on the nvidia tray icon, it didn't flash the screen anymore, which was good, but weird, as it kept doing that before... and then suddenly I was able to get the settings I wanted. Strange.

 

[sniperscope]

oops double post

 

[Fusion Racing]

a double post with like 12 mins in between... nice one snipe