2400FPW - Startup resolution problem

Question

Hi there, I'm using the Dell 24' 2400FPW monitor, but I'm having a rather odd problem with it. My desktop resolution is set to 1920x1200, but whenever I start the computer, the monitor seems to be trying to display that image as 1600x1200, which means my desktop ends up either all stretched out to fill the screen, or else squashed up with black borders on either side, depending upon whether Fill or 1:1 is selected under the monitor's image settings. Fortunately I've found that I can correct this by turning the monitor off and back on again after the desktop has fully loaded up, however it's annoying to have to do so each and every time I use the computer. I was wondering whether anyone else had experienced this problem, or whether any advice could be offered as to what might be causing it and/or how to fix it. Oh, and if it's relevant, my current hardware setup is as follows: Intel Pentium IV 3.2GHz, 2GB RAM, ATI Radeon X850XT graphics card. I'm using all the latest drivers for all installed hardware, and I'm fairly computer-savvy, so I know this isn't because of some odd resolution option I've selected. Any advice would be appreciated.

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

geosmith21,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Do you have the latest catalyst driver from ATI for this video card? Click the link below to view the specs for this card as well as information on the catalyst driver.

http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx850/specs.html

geosmith21 · Answer

Yes, as mentioned in the orignal post, I'm using the latest drivers for my video card (Catalyst 6.3) and all other installed hardware. I also had the exact same problem with previous versions of the Catalyst drivers, and even with my previous video card (prior to the Radeon X850XT I was using a Radeon 9800XT). I honestly don't think this is a fault with the video card or drivers, but in fact with the monitor itself. I've got to say though - and I honestly don't mean to sound confrontational, but even contacting Dell technical support hasn't been the easiest process in the world - the online form doesn't seem to recognise the service tag from the monitor, so at present I haven't even been able to get an e-mail address for tech support. It's kind of frustrating.

noritsugu · Answer

I guess you're not using a dvi cable. I sometimes have the same problem, also. I think there is no way to solve this on this monitor with vga cables.

geosmith21 · Answer

I'm not sure about the cable type to be honest... can either type be used, or is it the case that some graphics cards connect with vga and some with dvi? (if so, any idea which the Radeon X1900 XTX uses? I'll probably be getting a new system which uses that over the next couple of weeks) Message Edited by geosmith21 on 04-07-200606:34 PM

noritsugu · Answer

I think your graphics card have the both connectors, and 2405FPW comes with the both types of cables. You should use white one, which is digital and the quality is supposed to be much better.

geosmith21 · Answer

Wow. Just wow. Noritsugu, thank you for your advice - in two posts you solved a problem which has literally been frustrating me for months. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

litmin · Answer

I have the same problem when starting up the monitor. The resolution is set to 1920x1200 but sometime during startup, the video board scales down the 1920x1200 resolution and displays it as 1600x1200. Note that I'm using the VGA analog cable. I've tested this against a GeForce 2, Geforce 2MX, geforce 3, and geforce 5500. From testing the display, I think that during startup, the system tries to detect the max plug & play resolution of the monitor. Some times this detection works and sometimes it doesn't. I think the problem may lie in the plug & play monitor driver but I'm not sure. Any help will be appreciated. Also, none of my available graphics board support DVI. So, I'm currently stuck with the VGA cables.

noritsugu · Answer

There is always the problem with VGA cables. I think everybody should upgrade to DVI, because graphics cards which support 1920x1200 with DVI are cheap now. I can find them easily under $50 on the Internet.

Monitors

Was this post helpful?