Monitor unable to display at max resolution in some circumstances 2

[Nebulosity]

My monitor (Acer H243H) is SOMETIMES unable to be set to its maximum resolution and refresh rate when connected to my laptop computer (Dell Studio 1737) using HDMI - unless I open the laptop computer first. Specifically,
- If I start or restart the computer without opening up the computer, I don't have the options to adjust the monitor to its max.
- If I open the laptop computer - now using both displays - I CAN set the monitor to its maximum
- If I then close the computer, the monitor maintains its maximum settings
- When I reboot, this process repeats again

I use Vista Home Premium 64-bit
The monitor's max settings are 1920x1080/75Hz.
The laptop display's maximum settings are 1440x900/60Hz.

I've toyed around with settings in Vista's Display Settings Control panel, the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator for mobile Control Pane, and the Acer eDisplay Management utility. I've tried these with the computer open (using both displays) and with it closed.

Quite honestly, it became confusing and overwhelming trying to track what happened differently in each scenario with different settings.

In the end, I simply have the problem described above - I can't get max resolution or refresh rate unless I first open my laptop - which is inconvenient in my setting.

Should I have to do this? This is the first peripheral monitor I've ever used with a laptop, so may it's normal?

I've attached a PDF with screenshots that I think will be helpful.

BTW, Acer's tech support is useless. First, it's extremely difficult to find a Web location for their USA support. When I finally did (through archive.org, I think), the support analyst and I carried on an email conversation. After much elementary troubleshooting and bad advice, he actually said to me "Acer technicians cannot know about all of Acer's products." And that was the close of the case!

Thanks for any help you can provide!

jb

 

[Nebulosity]

Thanks kjv1611.

Are there such things as good, reliable, 3rd-part utilities and control panels that might allow me to customize the resolution and refresh rate?

I'm not sure if I understood what you suggested.I'm not ready to reinstall Vista. This is my business computer (I'm a business consultant), and there's just too much time a rebuilding at stake for me to get into that.

But you suggested looking up the LCD model/part #s for a Vista driver. I do have an up-to-date Vista driver specific to this monitor (Acer H243H). Is that all you're referring to, or something more specific (under the hood)?

In top of that sits the "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver For Mobile." That is essentially a control panel and, I assume, the driver for the Intel video card. I think that's what you mean by the chipset driver, correct? Or are you talking about the CPU? Either way, I do have all of those up-to-date. I'm fairly meticulous about that.

As mentioned, I did run into a problem (such that I had to do a System Restore) with updating the Intel thinng - it screwed me up completely. So I assume I have the most up-to-date stable version of that available.

Unfortunately, Intel's driver finder won't help me. Because it's a Dell, they refer me to Dell. And Dell is the one who instructed me to install the bad Intel update.

I can live without the Acer control panel. It was decent - when it worked - in helping me adjust colors and such on the monitor. But if it can't be fixed, I'll still go on.

Are there such things as good, reliable, 3rd-part utilities and control panels that might allow me to customize the resolution and refresh rate?

 

[kjv1611]

Here's another thought. This person used the Riva Tuner to try and resolve the same or similar issue with the same monitor, it seems:

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=92409

Another thing I would probably try to find out (if possible) is who made the monitor originally. It has an Acer model #, but if you can find who made it for Acer, you might be able to find a better driver from them - at least I'd check, can't guarantee.

There's another display-specific took I can think of off hand, called Power Strip. I've used it in the past, and even recently used it on a Win7 machine just to play around with it. You could take a look at it if you prefer. It's free for a "limited" version, so if the limited doesn't cut it, you'd have to pay for the pro version.

As for the monitor driver, I suppose the other thing you could do is look for the hardware IDs, and search for possible drivers based on that. What you posted about your monitor was what I was suggesting to look for. Of course, I'd definitely look up the model # (and also check around the back of the montor, or anywhere with small text, to see if it's a specific revision number, or gives any other details... then search online, you may find plenty others with the same issue as yours, who have posted their own solution(s).

 

[RichLee]

I'm currently having a similar problem with an Acer monitor, but with a desktop. Monitors native resolution is 1680x1050, but it wouldn't display this with a new Windows 7 PC - only 1600x1200 - which looked blurred.

I discovered it was due to the vga cable! If I use one with ALL 15 pins connected, it works correctly. Some cables only use 14 wires and the PC doesn't recognise the monitor!

Richard

 

[cdogg]

Nebulosity,
Are you able to provide a source for your information that this monitor (Acer H243H) requires a 75Hz refresh rate at its max resolution of 1920x1080?

All of the sources I found selling the monitor list it as 1920x1080@60Hz. Acer's official site sometimes mentions the refresh rate like it does on the H233H, but for your model it doesn't. That could be the problem right there! Maybe it should have been 60Hz all along!

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[Nebulosity]

~cdogg:

You are correct, and I'm sorry I haven't updated this post with that info. The original ad I purchased the monitor from listed it as 1900x1080/75hz, and I never actually checked the documentation. 60Hz is its maximum capability.

I still have the same sorts of issues, as the refresh rate wasn't my main concern. I did find that it works better for me to use "Extend Desktop" rather than "Clone Desktop" for the multiple monitors setting.

But still, when I boot the computer with only the Acer monitor (i.e., I don't open the laptop) the highest option it provides me is 1440x900. If I then open and close the laptop (or if I boot with the laptop open and then shut it), I can get the max resolution and refresh rate.

Minor inconvenience, really. But it shouldn't work that way.

jb