External Monitor Refresh Rate

cmanning:

You should be able to achieve a higher refresh rate with an external monitor. You may want to try downloading and installing the latest video driver available for your system from the Dell File Library. If this doesn't help you may want to install a monitor driver specifically for the model of external monitor you are attempting to use.

I have the latest video driver installed.

When I looked in the Dell File library for external monitor drivers the only ones listed were for Dell monitors. I'm using a Sony G520. Do I get this from Sony?
TIA

cmanning:

Yes, Sony's website does have the INF file for this monitor. Click here then click "Product FAQ" on the right". Scroll down until you find the CPD-Exx/Gxx/Lxx/Mxx link and click on it. Then click on the CPD-G520 link or G520WinXP if you are using XP.

Thank for that. Installed it as directed but no success.

In Control Panel if I go to Display > Settings > Advanced then click on Monitor tab I now have 2 entries in the Monitor Type list:
Sony CPD-G520
Default Monitor
(in that order)

With Sony CPD-G520 selected in the Refresh Frequency list I still only have the option of 60Hz. If I click Properties I get:
Device type: Monitors
Manufacturer: SONY Corporation
Location: on NVIDIA GeForce2 Go (Dell Mobile)

On the other hand if I select Default Monitor in the Monitor Type list and click Properties I get:
Device type: Monitors
Manufacturer: (standard monitor types)
Location: on NVIDIA GeForce2 Go (Dell Mobile)

Any suggestions?

(Incidentally, I think the GeForce driver is up to date. If I click on the Adapter tab it tells me Bios Informastion: Version 3.11.0144 and if I click Properties>Driver it says NVIDIA 1.7.6.0 )

Thanks in advance.

Use NView and choose to Clone the monitor. Then you can set the refresh rate on the other monitor.

Thanks. I tried that, bujt it still doesnt seem to work.

If I select TwinView it says the TwinView Mode is 'Clone'.
Display 1 is set to 'Analog Monitor'
Display 2 is set to 'Digital Flat Panel'

If I click Device Settings for the Analog Monitor and choose Screen Adjustment I do not see any option refresh rate. There are just tabs for Screen Adjustment and Display Timing.

If I click Device Settings for the 'Digital Flat Panel' and choose Screen Adjustment there *is* a tab for Monitor Settings. In there it says 'Plug and Play' monitor and lists 60hz as the only option.

Any suggestions?
TIA

Are you docked to an APR?

John
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Hi. No. Machine is never docked.

I had this problem on occasion. Remove the monitor (forget the exact wording) so that it’s not cloned anymore. OK all the way out of device settings. Your external monitor should turn off. Then choose to clone it but don’t choose OK, choose Apply. It should add the monitor and turn it back on. If the settings are still not there OK out of properties and then go back into them.

If that doesn’t work I don’t know. Works for me.

85Hz has landed. Took 3 tries, each of which ended up with different combination of external/lcd on/on on/off off/on, even though I was doing the same thing each time, but finally it clicked. Thanks VERY MUCH.

Dell: please take note that the way this is configured leaves a great deal to be desired.

This old thread proved very useful. Finally got the external monitor on my brand-new Inspiron 9100 to go to 75 Hz after futzing with it for a full HALF HOUR! Almost two years later and this is still brutally difficult! Dell please fix this!

WEG