T42 & Dell 20" 2005fpw quality problems VGA&DVI

[tdzido]

Just bought the new dell 20" 2005fpw lcd. Not able to hook it up thru DVI cause ibm's docking doesn't support anything higher than 1280x1024 on the DVI port.

With VGA, I'm getting double image. There is ghosting visible especially on the fonts. Did anybody have a problem like that?

Also, found an interesting post about making DVI possible at 1600x1200:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... pw&start=0

But what about 2005fpw's native resolution of 1680x1050???

Wondering if anybody has any positive experience with using older drivers to support this external monitor...

[fartonmyear]

i get the same exact problem. i guess it's just cuz it's going from analog to digital.

[simscitizen]

Uninstall the factory ATI drivers. Install Radeon Omega drivers to enable all possible resolutions using the DVI output. Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to your computer. If you must use analog, make sure you have run auto-adjust from the 2005fpw's image menu.

[RonS]

On my T42p, I'm able to run up to 1920x1200 DVI with the standard IBM drivers. I remember I had problems when I installed the monitor drivers, so I removed them and all is well.

So, try removing the Dell monitor driver. You'll be able to pick your monitor's native resolution without it.

Previously, IBM drivers limited the external resolution to 1280x1024, but IBM removed that restriction about a year ago.

[tdzido]

OK, I just tried Omega drivers - they work fine.
(I used Radeon Omega Drivers 2.6.75a (Catalyst 5.10a), newest at the time, and then DH Mod tool V3 from http://www.driverheaven.net/patje/)

DVI Image quality is awesome now and can't be compared to VGA.

I'm only not sure how these changes will affect the battery life...

[tdzido]

BTW, standard, newest IBM drivers didn't help on my T42. I also tried IBM November driver that was supposed to work with 1600x1200 based on this thread:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=6753

I guess 1600x1200 is not the same as 1680x1050...

IBM (or ATI) should have released better drivers long time ago. I'm surprised that they cripple down the capabilities of their hardware. We'll need to stick with Omega for the time being.

Anyone who has experience with the battery life in this setup?

[simscitizen]

It should be the same. There should be a powerplay tab in the driver settings if you want to play around with having the GPU run at a low frequency while on battery power.

[Esteban]

This thread seems like a good time/place to ask: how many external monitors can be used with T42?

Does the number of external monitors increase when a docking station is used?

My Thinkpad is a T42 2373M3U. My desktop is a P4 "white box" with a Matrox video card I use with two 19" monitors. Really like the extra desktop real estate with a multimonitor setup. Would like to be able to use the T42 with multi-monitors, too, if possible.

[vutown]

Guys,

I also have a dell 2005FPW LCD, but I'm not able to run it at 1600x1200. I've been reading on here and seeing everyone's success stories on using the November drivers.

My question is.......where do I get the November drivers?!?!?!


-Thanks,
Vu

[davidspalding]

Vutown: My answer isn't authoritative, but I updated ATI video drivers this past weekend on a visit to windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Also, the Thinkpad Software Installer thingie ought to alert you to new driver versions.

I myself am having trouble with an HDTV from the Dock II DVI output (limited res' choices), and a Sony CPF-200sf from the Dock's VGA out(ANYTHING above 1280 seems to behave like a virtual desktop ... and the monitor will go up to 1600x1200). I'm going to try these Omega drivers within the first 15 minutes that I'm home tonight.

[vutown]

davidspalding,

Thanks for our response. I finally found the November drivers and tried it, but no luck here. Well, sort of. Of course the LCD can only reach 1440x1050, (which I understand), but the DVI seems kinda funny.

What I mean by funny is that when using it the DVI for the extended desktop, the screen "seems" like it's not at 1600x1200 (the viewable background), but in actuality, it runs full.

Now my question is, am I able to use the DVI (for the external Dell 20") as my main monitor? The only way I can use the external LCD at 1600x1200 is by running Extended Desktop.


-Thanks!
Vu

[davidspalding]

I'm with you, my man. I'm having a similar dilemma with my VGA out to a Sony CPD200sf (17" Trinitron monitor). Even after installing the Omega rad_w2kxp_omega_2675a_7z drivers, my external monitor as primary display will only work at 1280x1024 and the default 1450(?) resolutions. Even with 16-bit color and 60 hz refresh rate, the the higher resolution is treated like a virtual, panning desktop on the monitor.

I'm highly skeptical that such a fancy video card (more advanced than my desktop's Voodoo 3 TV card, right?) can't do more with such a basic CRT monitor. Makes me want to take it to CompUSA or Best Buy and plug it in to something newer.