Plug and Play Monitor

[ralph]

The documentation for my HP w2207 LCD monitor states that because the
monitor is
Plug and Play it will function correctly without INF and ICM files
installed. However, HP also furnishes INF and ICM files which presumably
means that they have some use.
Question: For a plug and play monitor, is there any advantage in installing
these drivers?
thanks...ralph

 

[Jerry]

Don't know if an advantage will accrue but I did notice that my Samsung
SyncMaster 225bw LCD showed as Plug and Play in Device Manager until I
installed the Samsung drivers, which were the INF and ICMs.

 

[RJK]

Your supplied monitor *.inf file "installs" the accompanying monitor,
and possibly "drivers" into your Windows system, so that your Windows knows
what refresh rates, and other specifications it supports, ...and are
available to you

....almost everything you need to know about *.icm and *.icc files is here
:-
....fascinating subject, ...you'll be here for hours andd hours !!!!

http://www.normankoren.com/

regards, Richard

 

[M.I.5¾]

The documentation for my HP w2207 LCD monitor states that because the
monitor is
Plug and Play it will function correctly without INF and ICM files
installed. However, HP also furnishes INF and ICM files which presumably
means that they have some use.
Question: For a plug and play monitor, is there any advantage in
installing
these drivers?
thanks...ralph

Most monitors function as plug and play. However, installation of drivers
sometimes allows Windows to operate with the monitor more effectively in
some way. This may be by way of adjusting the colour profile or merely only
allowing valid display options. Always use drivers supplied by the monitor
manufacturer and never by Microsoft.

 

[milleron]

Most monitors function as plug and play. However, installation of drivers
sometimes allows Windows to operate with the monitor more effectively in
some way. This may be by way of adjusting the colour profile or merely only
allowing valid display options. Always use drivers supplied by the monitor
manufacturer and never by Microsoft.

I agree. The trouble is that many manufacturers of PnP displays don't
even provide drivers at all these days. I'm always comforted a little
by seeing the actual make and model of my monitor in Device Manager.
Using two monitors, one a 22" Westinghouse and the other a 22" Chimei,
I have no monitor drivers, and Device Manager just displays:

Plug and Play Monitor
Plug and Play Monitor

I can't even tell which one is which. Fortunately the ATI video
driver does distinguish, but I still wish the manufacturers supplied
drivers.

 

[M.I.5¾]

I agree. The trouble is that many manufacturers of PnP displays don't
even provide drivers at all these days. I'm always comforted a little
by seeing the actual make and model of my monitor in Device Manager.
Using two monitors, one a 22" Westinghouse and the other a 22" Chimei,
I have no monitor drivers, and Device Manager just displays:

Plug and Play Monitor
Plug and Play Monitor

I can't even tell which one is which. Fortunately the ATI video
driver does distinguish, but I still wish the manufacturers supplied
drivers.

My monitor *is* provided with a drivers disc, but even when I load it, I
have yet to fathom what it actually does.

 

[milleron]

My monitor *is* provided with a drivers disc, but even when I load it, I
have yet to fathom what it actually does.

If it's loaded a driver, then, for one thing, Device Manager will list
the actual brand and model#. Also, you'll see the brand and model# in
Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/Monitor rather than just "Plug
and Play Monitor." It assures that the OS knows what refresh rates
your monitor can use and what resolutions it's capable of. These data
should also be available through PnP, but it sort of gives you a
double check. Also, the driver disk may have installed an ICM file to
allow for proper color matching between monitor and printer -- a nice
touch for users who have need of such matching.

 

[M.I.5¾]

If it's loaded a driver, then, for one thing, Device Manager will list
the actual brand and model#. Also, you'll see the brand and model# in
Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/Monitor rather than just "Plug
and Play Monitor." It assures that the OS knows what refresh rates
your monitor can use and what resolutions it's capable of. These data
should also be available through PnP, but it sort of gives you a
double check. Also, the driver disk may have installed an ICM file to
allow for proper color matching between monitor and printer -- a nice
touch for users who have need of such matching.

Ordinarily, I would agree, but even with the driver loaded, Windows
continues to offer the same resolutions that the monitor doesn't support.

 

[milleron]

Ordinarily, I would agree, but even with the driver loaded, Windows
continues to offer the same resolutions that the monitor doesn't support.

Have you checked the box to "Hide modes that this monitor cannot
display?"

 

[M.I.5¾]

Have you checked the box to "Hide modes that this monitor cannot
display?"

Certainly have. Three modes are offered that are not supported.

 

[milleron]

Certainly have. Three modes are offered that are not supported.

Faulty driver? Really, all that monitor drivers do is to point the OS
to an INF file describing the model # and the capabilities of the
monitor. It's probable that you could locate that file and manually
edit it. Just make a copy of it, open in Notepad, and look for lines
that you can delete or change. For example, there may be a line that
contains 'MaxResolution.' If it specifies a resolution higher than
your monitor can produce, it's easy enough to manually edit the line.