Lappy, ATI 9600, Dual Monitor headACHE

nowhereatoll · May 31, 2005, 03:07 AM

I cant get the 15.4 wide screen Notebook w/ ATI Radeon 9600 to work properly with the second monitor (expanded desktop) : Acer AL2032W 20.1 wide screen. After using modded ATI desktop drivers I had no mode selection in 1680 by 1050 (Acer native resolution). Only offered was 1600 by 1200 in the 1600 range. Is it true the 9600 desktop series does not support 1680 by 1050? I did get 1280 by 800 or 1920 by 1200, but too dam small icons and print and really fuzzy (non native).
After installing Omega drivers I get the resolution 1600 by 1024 or 1680 by 1050 offering but the 1680 by 1050 doesnt display properly; it is still fuzzy (non native looking fonts) and the bottom of full screen windows is cut off. No corrections in verticle offered by Acer OSD. I am currently running in 1600 by 1025 but the fonts are not as sharp as the lappy display. I really want this monitor to run in native resolution mode.

Any Suggestions? I like the ATI drivers better if I can get the correct resolutions for this secondary monitor because I can color correct and calibrate the monitors separately in the control panel, whereas with Omega, both monitors are corrected simultaneously, not separately. Either that or is there a way to get the Omega driver to adjust each monitor independently? And also to display 1680 by 1050 correctly?

BigRain · May 31, 2005, 07:14 PM

I'm in the same boat as you. I've 64mb MR9700 on my notebook and want to get a 20" wide LCD (1680x1050) to work. However, sony's driver doesn't support that. I was wondering if Omega Driver will provide that (which it does according to your post). However, seems like it's not functioning well. I've tried using the Catalyst driver w/ that PatJE mod but 1680x1050 was not available.

Can someone help us? I assume there's not much of a diff between 9600 and 9700's?

Meaker · May 31, 2005, 07:17 PM

Well CCC and the modded ATI 5.4s let me do this.

nowhereatoll · May 31, 2005, 08:54 PM

Hey Meaker thanks for the reply. i used modded 5.5 (Patje solution) and no 1680 by 1050 was available. I did not however install CCC, I was using the regular control panel. I guess I will have to go back and try again and then check out the resolutions inside CCC. Appreciate the help

BTW >BIGRAIN<: Omegas drivers did offer this solution to it didnt work correctly on my Acer 20 inch monitor. It may work on yours however. If you try and it is successfull please reply.

BigRain · May 31, 2005, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowhereatoll

Hey Meaker thanks for the reply. i used modded 5.5 (Patje solution) and no 1680 by 1050 was available. I did not however install CCC, I was using the regular control panel. I guess I will have to go back and try again and then check out the resolutions inside CCC. Appreciate the help

BTW >BIGRAIN<: Omegas drivers did offer this solution to it didnt work correctly on my Acer 20 inch monitor. It may work on yours however. If you try and it is successfull please reply.

Sorry but I haven't bought a 20" yet. I was just aware of the situation this past wkend and started reading intensely on these driver issues. If Omega doesn't work good w/ Acer LCD, then I don't think it'll perform good on other 20"s neither. Afterall, there's nothing special to LCD's.

Doesn't ATI's 5.5 catalyst driver alone provide 1680x1050? I'm at work so don't have time to try it out. However, I wonder why would DELL's notebooks w/ MR9700 suppoer 1680x1050 but not Sony's.

nowhereatoll · Jun 1, 2005, 02:41 AM

ATI 5.5 driver does not give me resolution of 1680 b y 1050. It only offers 1600 by 1200. (unless I have a bad installation or driver). This could be a limitation of the LCD however, and it could be kicking the compatible resolutions back to the graphics adapter. But it is funny Omega works (with problems) at that resolution. I got another program however that mods the LCD drivers, and it looks like it may help me. I will post the name of the program as soon as I get home. With the new utility I alreadty changed the gamma of the Acer independenlty which is all I really need for now if I accept the 1600 by 1025 resolution. I still have half inch cutoff at the bottom of full windows at the prescribed Acer 1680 by 1050. Acer claims this is the maximum aperature too which is bull, I am able to run at 1920 by 1200 with the ATI 5.5 drivers. I havent tried that resolution with the Omegas yet, I dont like it as the icons and fonts are so small.

BigRain · Jun 1, 2005, 04:43 AM

What was wrong with the Omega driver used on your Acer 20" wide LCD? Just the font and icon is too small. I guess you weren't able to adjust the DPI size for the fonts and icon? Any other problem? Blurry... etc.?

nowhereatoll · Jun 1, 2005, 06:58 AM

got 1680 by 1050 on the Acer with the Omegas but not quite right. The bottom of the screen cutoff and the fonts fuzzy , unlike the laptop display. If 1680 by 1050 is suppose to be the native resolution of the Acer, the fonts should look right and not be fuzzy. They looked as if a unnative resolution was forced on the screen. The size was fine (same size as the 1200 by 800 screen fonts on the lappy as a matter fact). Focus and clock adjustments didnt help. Like I said with the factory ATI drivers I couldnt get 1680 by 1050 at all, only 1600 by 1200. I could however get 1920 by 1200 (way over factory max claims) on the ATI driver, but this font size too small and fuzzy also.

nowhereatoll · Jun 1, 2005, 07:01 AM

BTW I am going to mod the Omega or the ATI drivers for resolutions with Powerstrip (google it). It may solve the problem: will let you know.

BigRain · Jun 1, 2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowhereatoll

BTW I am going to mod the Omega or the ATI drivers for resolutions with Powerstrip (google it). It may solve the problem: will let you know.

I tried to set the resolution w/ RefreshFix and RefreshForce lastnite and it's still not giving me 1680x1050. Didn't want to try Omega as it gave you some problem. I know about PowerStrip, but then it requires $30 purchase of license after trial isn't it?

nowhereatoll · Jun 1, 2005, 11:32 PM

from what Ive seen with Powerstrip it is worth it. They may only nag tho.
Possibly your lappy wont do that resolution. Do the specs claim it? I recommend Omega, Im just having trouble with the second moniotor is all.

matom · Jul 10, 2005, 11:37 AM

So has anyone found a solution to this problem yet?

I have a laptop with x600 and wan't to buy Dell 2005FPW LCD, but it has the 1680x1050 resolution.

long_h_lam · Aug 24, 2005, 01:34 PM

matom.

i think the Dells will work. but dont hold me to that.

FYI i have managed to get the 1680x1050 working on an Apple Cinema widescreen with my laptop (HP nc6000) running with the Mob Rad 9600 and drivers from the HP website. i dont know if this is the same as the Catalyst drviers.

but was unable to get this resolution working on the Acer AL2032.

the funny thing is that i managed to get it working on the Acer temporarily after i plugged it into the Apple screen. and then plugged straight back to the Acer. but after a reboot this resolution disappears from the display option.

the image is crystal clear btw. so it does run properly. no fuzziness at all.

in talks with Acer to see if they can fix this problem for me. i hope so, as we have got 5 screens here at work...

will post if i get a fix.

regards,
Long.

long_h_lam · Aug 24, 2005, 01:35 PM

PS the Apple Cinema screen has the same resolution and i have been informed that it has the same TFT panel as the Dell.

long_h_lam · Aug 24, 2005, 03:39 PM

Great news guys.

just downloaded Powerstrip and after setting up and adding this widescreen resolution. managed to get the Acer to display correctly. even after reboot...

setup:

Mobility Radeon 9600, HP graphics drivers (or Catalyst, but i havent tested this) from their website for my HP nc6000, Powerstrip 3.61.

have fun guys!

Long.

MMCC.com · Aug 25, 2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by long_h_lam

Great news guys.

just downloaded Powerstrip and after setting up and adding this widescreen resolution. managed to get the Acer to display correctly. even after reboot...

Great news indeed, for you! But what about us!? What settings did you use in PowerStrip? I have it, have used it, and have still had no luck! The best I can get is 1400×1050 (using DVI — analog VGA has a whole ’nother list of problems). At least in that mode the pixels map correctly and text is not distorted. If I try 1680×1050, the ATI Omega driver stays at 1400×1050 but scrolls horizontally. With the monitor in “WIDE” mode, everything is stretched. In “NORMAL” mode, everything is the correct aspect ratio but there are black bars left and right, and the display aspect ratio is 4:3.

Please share the detailed settings that you used to get it to work! Post a screen cap of the Custom Resolutions and Advanced Timings screens if you can. Thanks!

The problem appears to be that the Acer reports itself as being 1600×1200 in its E-EDID, and the ATI (including Omega) drivers look at that instead of at the .inf profile that I built using PowerStrip. ATI sees that 1680 > 1600, and backs down to the next lower resolution with the same height, and enters desktop scroll mode.

FoLKeN^ · Sep 6, 2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMCC.com

The problem appears to be that the Acer reports itself as being 1600×1200 in its E-EDID, and the ATI (including Omega) drivers look at that instead of at the .inf profile that I built using PowerStrip. ATI sees that 1680 > 1600, and backs down to the next lower resolution with the same height, and enters desktop scroll mode.

You must deactivate the "use DDC information" at Ati's Control Panel, at "Screens" tab (clicking on "monitor" or whatever you are using -TV, LCD screen...)

Then set your resolution and driver will look at the inf file.

Cheers

long_h_lam · Sep 9, 2005, 11:38 AM

mcc.com,

i didnt change any of the settings. just choose one of the default ones. i'm using the latest PowerStrip, 3.61. so just download that and select the "1680x1050p 60Hz".

but here are the timings:

__________________________________________________ _________________
PowerStrip timing parameters:
1680x1050=1680,112,80,272,1050,3,6,30,139860,3

Generic timing details for 1680x1050:
HFP=112 HSW=80 HBP=272 kHz=65 VFP=3 VSW=6 VBP=30 Hz=60

Linux modeline parameters:
"1680x1050" 139.860 1680 1792 1872 2144 1050 1053 1059 1089 -hsync +vsync
__________________________________________________ _______________

again, i have to stress that i must have got lucky with the combination of monitor/graphix card.

best of luck,
Long.

long_h_lam · Sep 9, 2005, 11:41 AM

Joel (mmcc.com),

i know what u mean about the MonInfo program showing the max res of the Acer as 1600x1200, but that doesnt seem to matter, as the settings work find.

regards,
Long.

photoguy · Sep 24, 2005, 02:43 PM

Thanks a million guys.. I was so frustrated when I got my 2nd Acer 2032 (1st one went bad), plugged it in and couldn't get it to display 1680x1050 that the 1st one did. Tried to get support from Radaon/ATI and Acer..even more frustrating. Great tips and advice. Really appreciate it..thanks again.

charbar · Mar 3, 2007, 05:26 AM

hi everyone - i have the same problem. i have a sony s360 notebook. it doesn't have 1680x1050 by default. i just downloaded powerstrip.

what do i do from here? can someone please help? please can you post the detailed step by step on what i need to change in the settings? i have the nec 20WMGX2 monitor.

Shuflie · Mar 14, 2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charbar

hi everyone - i have the same problem. i have a sony s360 notebook. it doesn't have 1680x1050 by default. i just downloaded powerstrip.

what do i do from here? can someone please help? please can you post the detailed step by step on what i need to change in the settings? i have the nec 20WMGX2 monitor.

You shouldn't need to mess about with powerstrip, just get updated catalyst drivers installed on your laptop. The later versions of catalyst seemed to fix the AL2032W problems so should probably do the same for your NEC monitor. If sony aren't on the "approved supplier" for the mobility drivers then use the mobility modder (available here on driver heaven in the tools section) to add support for your MR9700 to the main catalyst driver.

May 31, 2005, 03:07 AM	#1
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Lappy, ATI 9600, Dual Monitor headACHE I cant get the 15.4 wide screen Notebook w/ ATI Radeon 9600 to work properly with the second monitor (expanded desktop) : Acer AL2032W 20.1 wide screen. After using modded ATI desktop drivers I had no mode selection in 1680 by 1050 (Acer native resolution). Only offered was 1600 by 1200 in the 1600 range. Is it true the 9600 desktop series does not support 1680 by 1050? I did get 1280 by 800 or 1920 by 1200, but too dam small icons and print and really fuzzy (non native). After installing Omega drivers I get the resolution 1600 by 1024 or 1680 by 1050 offering but the 1680 by 1050 doesnt display properly; it is still fuzzy (non native looking fonts) and the bottom of full screen windows is cut off. No corrections in verticle offered by Acer OSD. I am currently running in 1600 by 1025 but the fonts are not as sharp as the lappy display. I really want this monitor to run in native resolution mode. Any Suggestions? I like the ATI drivers better if I can get the correct resolutions for this secondary monitor because I can color correct and calibrate the monitors separately in the control panel, whereas with Omega, both monitors are corrected simultaneously, not separately. Either that or is there a way to get the Omega driver to adjust each monitor independently? And also to display 1680 by 1050 correctly? __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

May 31, 2005, 07:17 PM	#3
Meaker #1 INTEL MAINSTREAM Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 0 Rep Power: 0	Well CCC and the modded ATI 5.4s let me do this. __________________ Home: Core 2 DUO @ 2.4ghz \| 2048mb GSKILL 5400 @ 450mhz 5-5-5-12 \| ASROCK P945 A2 based mobo \| ATI Radeon x1650pro \| 17" LCD widescreen \| Hiper Type R 480W PSU \| 250gb seagate HDD \| Uni: Core i7 920 C0 @ 3.8ghz HT on (1.325v) \| 6 Gigs Corsair XMS 3 1333DDR @ 1600DDR 8-8-8-20 1.5v \| Asus P6T-SE @ 200mhz BCLK \|2x Gigabyte HD 4770 Crossfire + Accelero S1s \| 21.6" widescreen LCD \| Sharkoon Rebel 7 + 600W Coolermaster silent PRO \| 2x320GB WD raid edition III Raid 0 \| Razor diamondback G3

May 31, 2005, 08:54 PM	Thread Starter #4
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Hey Meaker thanks for the reply. i used modded 5.5 (Patje solution) and no 1680 by 1050 was available. I did not however install CCC, I was using the regular control panel. I guess I will have to go back and try again and then check out the resolutions inside CCC. Appreciate the help BTW >BIGRAIN<: Omegas drivers did offer this solution to it didnt work correctly on my Acer 20 inch monitor. It may work on yours however. If you try and it is successfull please reply. __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

Jun 1, 2005, 02:41 AM	Thread Starter #6
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	ATI 5.5 driver does not give me resolution of 1680 b y 1050. It only offers 1600 by 1200. (unless I have a bad installation or driver). This could be a limitation of the LCD however, and it could be kicking the compatible resolutions back to the graphics adapter. But it is funny Omega works (with problems) at that resolution. I got another program however that mods the LCD drivers, and it looks like it may help me. I will post the name of the program as soon as I get home. With the new utility I alreadty changed the gamma of the Acer independenlty which is all I really need for now if I accept the 1600 by 1025 resolution. I still have half inch cutoff at the bottom of full windows at the prescribed Acer 1680 by 1050. Acer claims this is the maximum aperature too which is bull, I am able to run at 1920 by 1200 with the ATI 5.5 drivers. I havent tried that resolution with the Omegas yet, I dont like it as the icons and fonts are so small. __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

Jun 1, 2005, 06:58 AM	Thread Starter #8
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	got 1680 by 1050 on the Acer with the Omegas but not quite right. The bottom of the screen cutoff and the fonts fuzzy , unlike the laptop display. If 1680 by 1050 is suppose to be the native resolution of the Acer, the fonts should look right and not be fuzzy. They looked as if a unnative resolution was forced on the screen. The size was fine (same size as the 1200 by 800 screen fonts on the lappy as a matter fact). Focus and clock adjustments didnt help. Like I said with the factory ATI drivers I couldnt get 1680 by 1050 at all, only 1600 by 1200. I could however get 1920 by 1200 (way over factory max claims) on the ATI driver, but this font size too small and fuzzy also. __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

May 31, 2005, 07:14 PM	#2
BigRain DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	I'm in the same boat as you. I've 64mb MR9700 on my notebook and want to get a 20" wide LCD (1680x1050) to work. However, sony's driver doesn't support that. I was wondering if Omega Driver will provide that (which it does according to your post). However, seems like it's not functioning well. I've tried using the Catalyst driver w/ that PatJE mod but 1680x1050 was not available. Can someone help us? I assume there's not much of a diff between 9600 and 9700's?

Jun 1, 2005, 04:43 AM	#7
BigRain DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	What was wrong with the Omega driver used on your Acer 20" wide LCD? Just the font and icon is too small. I guess you weren't able to adjust the DPI size for the fonts and icon? Any other problem? Blurry... etc.?

Jun 1, 2005, 07:01 AM	Thread Starter #9
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	BTW I am going to mod the Omega or the ATI drivers for resolutions with Powerstrip (google it). It may solve the problem: will let you know. __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

Jun 1, 2005, 11:32 PM	Thread Starter #11
nowhereatoll DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marshall Islands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	from what Ive seen with Powerstrip it is worth it. They may only nag tho. Possibly your lappy wont do that resolution. Do the specs claim it? I recommend Omega, Im just having trouble with the second moniotor is all. __________________ Stranded at edge of world, Please send money or plane ticket NOWHEREATOLL.COM

Jul 10, 2005, 11:37 AM	#12
matom DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	So has anyone found a solution to this problem yet? I have a laptop with x600 and wan't to buy Dell 2005FPW LCD, but it has the 1680x1050 resolution.

Aug 24, 2005, 01:34 PM	#13
long_h_lam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	matom. i think the Dells will work. but dont hold me to that. FYI i have managed to get the 1680x1050 working on an Apple Cinema widescreen with my laptop (HP nc6000) running with the Mob Rad 9600 and drivers from the HP website. i dont know if this is the same as the Catalyst drviers. but was unable to get this resolution working on the Acer AL2032. the funny thing is that i managed to get it working on the Acer temporarily after i plugged it into the Apple screen. and then plugged straight back to the Acer. but after a reboot this resolution disappears from the display option. the image is crystal clear btw. so it does run properly. no fuzziness at all. in talks with Acer to see if they can fix this problem for me. i hope so, as we have got 5 screens here at work... will post if i get a fix. regards, Long.

Aug 24, 2005, 01:35 PM	#14
long_h_lam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	PS the Apple Cinema screen has the same resolution and i have been informed that it has the same TFT panel as the Dell.

Aug 24, 2005, 03:39 PM	#15
long_h_lam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	Success! PowerStrip, 1680x1050, Acer AL2032 Great news guys. just downloaded Powerstrip and after setting up and adding this widescreen resolution. managed to get the Acer to display correctly. even after reboot... setup: Mobility Radeon 9600, HP graphics drivers (or Catalyst, but i havent tested this) from their website for my HP nc6000, Powerstrip 3.61. have fun guys! Long.

Sep 9, 2005, 11:38 AM	#18
long_h_lam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	mcc.com, i didnt change any of the settings. just choose one of the default ones. i'm using the latest PowerStrip, 3.61. so just download that and select the "1680x1050p 60Hz". but here are the timings: __________________________________________________ _________________ PowerStrip timing parameters: 1680x1050=1680,112,80,272,1050,3,6,30,139860,3 Generic timing details for 1680x1050: HFP=112 HSW=80 HBP=272 kHz=65 VFP=3 VSW=6 VBP=30 Hz=60 Linux modeline parameters: "1680x1050" 139.860 1680 1792 1872 2144 1050 1053 1059 1089 -hsync +vsync __________________________________________________ _______________ again, i have to stress that i must have got lucky with the combination of monitor/graphix card. best of luck, Long.

Sep 9, 2005, 11:41 AM	#19
long_h_lam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	Joel (mmcc.com), i know what u mean about the MonInfo program showing the max res of the Acer as 1600x1200, but that doesnt seem to matter, as the settings work find. regards, Long.

Sep 24, 2005, 02:43 PM	#20
photoguy DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for tips!!! Thanks a million guys.. I was so frustrated when I got my 2nd Acer 2032 (1st one went bad), plugged it in and couldn't get it to display 1680x1050 that the 1st one did. Tried to get support from Radaon/ATI and Acer..even more frustrating. Great tips and advice. Really appreciate it..thanks again.

Mar 3, 2007, 05:26 AM	#21
charbar DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	how to use powerstrip to 1680x1050? hi everyone - i have the same problem. i have a sony s360 notebook. it doesn't have 1680x1050 by default. i just downloaded powerstrip. what do i do from here? can someone please help? please can you post the detailed step by step on what i need to change in the settings? i have the nec 20WMGX2 monitor.