monitor resolution changed after windows update

Question

PC: Dell Vostro 220S

OS: Windows XP Professional SP3

Monitor: Dell 2009WFP LCD, native resolution is 1680 x1050 (according to CNET review)

Problem: After a Windows auto update, my monitor resolution was changed to 800 x 600, where the font was huge and fuzzy on screen. I then realize the Display settings now only have 5 options, 800 x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600 x1200 and 1920 x1440. The last one is out of range. So I set it to 1600 x1200, but still everything on the screen looks stretched.

I have tried 1) system restore to earlier days, 2) unplug the monitor and reconnect the monitor, 3) download the WFP2009 monitor driver from Dell website, nothing works.

Does anything have similar problems, how do I get the resolution close to 1680 x1050, which is listed as the native resolution for this monitor per CNET website, and I vaguely remember that is the maximum resolution in the display settings before.

Appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

DELL-Sundeep B · Accepted Answer

Hi mumimi,

It appears your system has been shipped with Intel display adapter. As multiple drivers are appearing with exclamation marks, I would suggest you to download the latest drivers from Here -> Enter the service tag of your system -> Select the operating system -> Download/install the drivers in correct order as given Here.

Please reply with the findings. Will take it further from there.

DELL-Sundeep B · Answer

Hi mumimi,

It appears to be an issue with the video drivers on your system. Vostro 220S is shipped with Intel, ATi and nVidia video controllers. Please share the exact VGA controller shipped with your system model.

If you are not sure about the configuration, please share the system Service Tag via Private Message (Click on my name and click Start Conversation). I will look into the system details and determine further course of action.

mumimi · Answer

Under device manager, I see

Display Adapters: Intel(R) G45/G43 Express Chipset

Sound, video and game controllers has: Intel (R) High Definition Audio HDMI Service

All with onerous escalation marks in front of the name, perhaps an alert that they are corrupt as you are suspecting?

mumimi · Answer

Thank you for the instructions.

a) However, the Dell site you gave me for downloads only pulls up 6 updates available for my service tag, 4 of them for Dial Up Modem, one for removable storage and one for Serial ATA. As these items do not seem to be relevant to issues on hand. I then,

b) removed the service tag filter to pull up the download lists for Vostro 220 and Windows XP. Now I do see a few updates listed under the Chipset, Audio and Video category, all dated 2008 and 2009. I wasn't able to do anything with the Video stuff (click on "add to my download list" and nothing happens). So I selected the drivers listed under the Chipset and the Audio categories to dowload

c) following a few steps on screen, a process started to detect the PC, then an error message comes up that

We're sorry there is an issue with the dell system detect installed. Please uninstall and try again Return to Drivers Home Page.
“ Dell System Detect is experiencing an issue with Internet Explorer 8. Please retry using another browser or an updated version of Internet Explorer.” I was using Chrome not IE 8. Not sure what it is talking about. Gave up on the downloads from Dell at this point.

d) I went to Intel website download center, but couldn't find the Chipset software installation utility or video G45 drivers for download

e) I then go to the PC's control panel -> Systems-> and right click on the item with escalation marks to do windows update process, only to learn that "the wizard cannot find a better match ...."

At wits end....... :emotion-9:

mumimi · Answer

omg ! Yes !!!!

I followed your instructions again, this time tried using Internet Explorer (was using Chrome browser before) to download the Chipset, Audio and Video drivers listed on Dell site for Vostro 220 + Windows XP. And after download, installation and restart the PC, Viola, Now the display setting is back to my monitor's native resolution 1680 x1050 max

Thanks. I finally don't have to look at fat fonts and stretched faces on the screen.

DELL-Sundeep B · Answer

Hi mumimi, I am glad the issue has been resolved. Feel free to reach us if you have any further questions.

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monitor resolution changed after windows update

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