Problems with Wide Screen Monitor and XP

[NoName]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

I could not find any settings under the display features to fix this.
Can anyone either steer me to some settings in Windows XP to adjust
the aspect ratio appropriately, or some generic wide screen monitor
driver than can fix this?

 

[Brian A.]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

I could not find any settings under the display features to fix this.
Can anyone either steer me to some settings in Windows XP to adjust
the aspect ratio appropriately, or some generic wide screen monitor
driver than can fix this?

Try the next resolution or two/three/four etc up. Some of the resolutions
will cause what you see with the fonts/icons while others won't. If your
getting flickering try lowering or raising your Refresh Rate. If it's set at
the highest rate lower it by one for a start, if it's set to the lowest rate
raise it.

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

They don't. This is sometimes related to the brightness setting, not the
refresh rate.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

I could not find any settings under the display features to fix this.
Can anyone either steer me to some settings in Windows XP to adjust
the aspect ratio appropriately, or some generic wide screen monitor
driver than can fix this?

It's not the monitor driver, though you may find an INF file that can help
describe the monitor. The problem is with the resolution and ratio you've
chosen. Try several and keep notes as you go. 1024x768 is not an
appropriate setting for a widescreen monitor and will produce the effect
you're seeing.

You can use text or a circular image to help you judge the appropriate
resolution. When the circle stops being oval, you have the ratio correct.

HTH
-pk

 

[Nonny]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

You need to set your resolution to a figure that you are not used to
using. Your monitor doesn't have the standard vertical and horizontal
measurements, thus the "stretching"

Choose the next resolution above 1024x768

 

[Telstar]

LCD monitors have a single, best, native resolution. Changing this native
resolution always ends up with such problems. Find that resolution. This
is a downside from CRTs.

 

[M.I.5¾]

They don't. This is sometimes related to the brightness setting, not the
refresh rate.

Not strictly correct. Although LCD panels don't flicker in normal use,
there are certain patterns that if displayed on an LCD display cause a
really bad flickering problem. I have one such pattern here on a Unix
machine. It can best be described as a small dog tooth type pattern, but
the display really flickers when it is displayed.

 

[dadiOH]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

I could not find any settings under the display features to fix this.
Can anyone either steer me to some settings in Windows XP to adjust
the aspect ratio appropriately, or some generic wide screen monitor
driver than can fix this?

That's where you change stuff - Display, Settings. Also, Display,
Appearance.

You need to select a screen resolution that has the same length to width
ratio as 1680:1050. An easy way to do that is divide one number into the
other. For example, 1680/1050 = 1.6. The one you tried, 1024/768 =
1.333333 ergo the distortion. Which screen resolutions are available to you
depends on your video card but I suspect there is more than one that will
give you the desired 1.6.

If the one you ultimately settle on still makes things too small you can
modify overall font size in Display, Appearance; you can modify font sizes
(and more) for specific things in Display, Appearance, Advanced by selecting
the item in the "Item" box.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[Keith W]

I have an E-machine with an NVidia graphics chip set (6100, I think,
but I'm not sure of that -- not sitting in front of that machine right
now). I also just purchased the Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat
Panel Monitor, my first wide screen monitor, which has a maximum
resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

I don't want to use the maximum resolution mode because (1) the fonts
are too small, and (2) I think there is some flicker, even though I
thought the flat panel monitors are not supposed to have the flicker
issues associated with the older CRTs.

Either way, I tried to set the monitor to a lower resolution mode
(like 1024 x 768), only to discover that the fonts all were suddenly
stretched out. Apparently the 1680 x 1050 mode has a driver that is
optimized for Windows -- meaning the fonts have appropriate, normal
widths -- but the other modes "think" they are on a monitor with a
standard aspect ratio, and so are stretched out.

I could not find any settings under the display features to fix this.
Can anyone either steer me to some settings in Windows XP to adjust
the aspect ratio appropriately, or some generic wide screen monitor
driver than can fix this?

Check the manual for your monitor. You should use the recommended
resolution (you say 1680x1050) and the correct refresh rate which is
probably 60hz. If the fonts are too small (as mine were on my 19 inch wide
screen at 1440x900 resolution) you can increase the size. Open the
display settings (Control Panel/Display) and click on the Appearance tab.
The bottom item is Font Size where you can select Normal, Large or Extra
Large. I found that Large was fine for mine. If the screen flickers
with these settings then either something else is causing it or you have a
faulty monitor.

 

[Paul]

Not strictly correct. Although LCD panels don't flicker in normal use,
there are certain patterns that if displayed on an LCD display cause a
really bad flickering problem. I have one such pattern here on a Unix
machine. It can best be described as a small dog tooth type pattern, but
the display really flickers when it is displayed.

I recommend this article. Some modern LCDs employ techniques which
can add flicker, compared to older LCD monitors. They do this,
to change the apparent response time.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/lcd-parameters.html

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/lcd-parameters_5.html

"We haven’t yet tested the FP241WZ in our labs, so I can only quote
a review published by the respectable BeHardware (“BenQ FP241WZ:
1st LCD with screening”). Vincent Alzieu writes there that the new
technology indeed improves the subjective perception of the monitor’s
response time, but although only one out of the 16 backlight lamps
is off at any given moment, a flickering of the screen can be noticed
in some cases, particularly on large solid-color fields."

Another possibility, is a mechanism like this. 6 bit panels and dithering.
http://www.geocities.com/icecow88/970p-dithering-en.html

HTH,
Paul

 

[Felicia]

Try 1280 x 960

Check the manual for your monitor. You should use the recommended
resolution (you say 1680x1050) and the correct refresh rate which is
probably 60hz. If the fonts are too small (as mine were on my 19 inch wide
screen at 1440x900 resolution) you can increase the size. Open the
display settings (Control Panel/Display) and click on the Appearance tab.
The bottom item is Font Size where you can select Normal, Large or Extra
Large. I found that Large was fine for mine. If the screen flickers
with these settings then either something else is causing it or you have a
faulty monitor.

 

[M.I.5¾]

I recommend this article. Some modern LCDs employ techniques which
can add flicker, compared to older LCD monitors. They do this,
to change the apparent response time.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/lcd-parameters.html

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/lcd-parameters_5.html

"We haven’t yet tested the FP241WZ in our labs, so I can only quote
a review published by the respectable BeHardware (“BenQ FP241WZ:
1st LCD with screening”). Vincent Alzieu writes there that the new
technology indeed improves the subjective perception of the monitor’s
response time, but although only one out of the 16 backlight lamps
is off at any given moment, a flickering of the screen can be noticed
in some cases, particularly on large solid-color fields."

Another possibility, is a mechanism like this. 6 bit panels and dithering.
http://www.geocities.com/icecow88/970p-dithering-en.html

This is actually a black and white pattern. It has no grey shades in it at
all. This monitor is a fairly standard LCD monitor.