I have just bought a new monitor being an HP 22" widescreen.

It says the ideal setting for this is 1920 x 1200 pixels. But if I set it to this using Control Panel the screen sizes go haywire and half of the screen shot disappears.

Chap on the phone says my graphics card may not be up to the job and it is a fairly old PC. Is this likely?

But I can't even establish what graphics card I have - in this respect I have gone into Control Panel and System but there is no mention of a graphics card. Would it be listed as something else in computer speak?

So what do I do now please?

I have the screen settings back on 1024 x 768 which were the settings on my old monitor (old style shape) but the picture on the new monitor is pretty stretched and distorted.

Advice appreciated.

David

 

If it will let you select this resolution then it should mean the graphics card supports it. Also check the refresh rate is compatible, the monitor should have an optimum value for this too, typically something like 60Hz. If it's set too high then it may not work and typically on old CRT type monitors you set it as high as you could to reduce screen flicker e.g. 85Hz.

 

david

yep your card may not have the frame buffer memory to display such resolutions. are you sure you have an actual graphics card in the case or do you have on board graphics from your mother board. your old resolution will not suit the wide screen display so until you get a new card or mother board it will be a compromise.

 

Thanks a lot chaps. I have brought down the refresh rate to 60 Hz as suggested. I just don't know about the graphics card. How the hell do I find out what I have got or do I need to bring someone in? Even if I took the back off I wouldn't know a graphics card from a dump valve

David

What sort of price is a standard type graphics card and would I be able to install it? Can I get an external card to make it easier with a USB connection - I should be able to manage that (just).......

 

David,

If you look at this picture the white and blue ports at the top of the picture are what is classed as on board graphics (actually on the motherboard, hence onboard).

If these ports were down where those two antenna are on the picture, then that would be a separate graphics card.



If you can see a name/make/model on your pc, let us know and we'll see what we can find out about it.

J

 

Can you look in 'Device Manager' under 'Display Adapters'? Might list the make/model.

If you have onboard graphics, there might be an option to increase the memory available to it in the bios.

 

Thanks guys - you are being really helpful. I'll have a close look tomorrow and report back.

When you say "increase memory in the bios" - sorry you'll have to give me some pointers. How do I access bios settings?

David

 

OK Judge - thanks so much. I have hauled the computer out and the only thing plugged in around the antenna area is the monitor itself into a horizontal slot.

Information of what PC it is seems to be a bit limited. It is a few years old now and was built by a local shop (I have since moved btw). It is listed as an AMD Hammer Family Processor, 1.8 GHz with 1.00 GB Ram. I know I need to get a better PC but I can't afford it at the moment. Actually I did get a decent spec Toshiba laptop but my daughter nicked it for her studies!

Does that take us forward at all?

David

 

RADEON 9200 PRO Family (Microsoft Corporation)

d

 

Maybe update the drivers if xp, here is link
http://xpdrivers.com/ati/_2_135301.c...FUFC4QodoWE2yw

there are a couple of links down the page in the text that may help

 

Thanks Ray - would you mind just checking that link as it doesn't take me directly to anything. Google gives me a long list of sites but I am always nervous about working blind. Cheers, d

 

http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/Pa...ords=&items=20

 

you will need the catalyst 6.11 radeon drivers. only available for win 95, 2000, me and xp.

Wikipedia R200 article is quite informative. your graphics card is nearly 10 years old

Catalyst 6.11 drivers from 3D Guru

 

Using XP

So can I just update what I have or do I need to get a new one?

And if I got a new one is this an external thing I can plug-in or does someone have to access the internals, which is a black art to me.

Thanks all btw

David

 

just download the new catalyst 6.11 drivers and install them. if with the latest driver your card still doesn't display 1920x1200 then it's just not up to the task. the radeon 9200 only had 128MB of video memory so will be limited in the resolutions it can display. if thats the case then you will need a new video card that has enough memory on board to display the resolutions you want. the problem you have is that your motherboard may only have AGP slots and not PCI slots (which new videocards use). your only real solution is to upgrade your computer. i would leave well alone to be honest and accept the maximum screen resolution the new catalyst 6.11 drivers will allow.

 

If the card can't run that resolution with the new drivers then either accept a lower resolution or get a new computer.

 

If you're not gaming on the machine then you can just change the card on it to something like:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191705

30 ish quid delivered, bit cheaper than a new PC. It has the same connector type as the card you have in there at the moment (AGP) so it should just drop it with new drivers.

The card supports 2048 x 1536 so shouldnt be a problem with your new monitor.

J

 

Cheers guys, seems sensible advice. And I do need a new PC...... (some time later this year perhaps). David

 

I think this is the bit that scares the OP. Opening the case, pulling out the old gfx card and installing a new gfx card should be pretty simple.........BUT.................

as an aside do older AGP cards have the wee plastic locks on the end of the mobo connectors like the new PCI-e cards? i found these to be as fiddly as **** for fat sausage fingers.

 

Umm, err, umm YES

d

 

never worry yerself, a few more weeks in this section we will have you building a 48U blade server farm in your spare bedroom

 

Well I've always wanted one of those......

I can put the plug on?



Thanx boys,

David

PS - Sinky. Liked the colour blind line - my sort of humour

 

We'll get you building your own computer by the end of the year

 

If you have the ability to put a piece of toast in the toaster, then you are able to install a graphics card

 

I think my Dad's got that one backwards