Need Help with Extended Desktop and Monitor Resolutions

[gkumar]

Hi,

I read your recent threads about extended desktops on multiple monitors. I was wondering how people were able to configure that.

I've a Mini Dock with a VGA and DVI port. I am using a single-link DVI cable. And I have two Dell 2001FP (max resolutions are 1600x1200). I have a Thinkpad T40p with IGP ATI FireGL 9000 Pro graphics card. I installed the latest driver through the Software Installer.

I am able to get the following combinations to work in an extended desktop mode using Thinkpad Presentation Director:
1) Thinkpad LCD (1400x1050) + Dell LCD #1 VGA (1600x1200)
2) Thinkpad LCD (1400x1050) + Dell LCD #2 DVI (1280x1024)

What I cannot get to work is the extended desktop option without the Thinkpad LCD with Presentation Director:
1) Dell LCD #1 VGA (1600x1200) + Dell LCD #2 DVI (1280x1024) with Thinkpad LCD off
I get the following error in a window that's always on top when trying to use or test this scheme:
"The following settings you have selected cannot be applied properly. Change the setting and try again.
External Monitor or Projector
Refresh Rate"
All of my monitors are at a refresh rate of 60 Hz. I've tried other Hzs without success.

Is it also possible to upgrade the resolution of the DVI such that it's like this:
1) Dell LCD #1 VGA (1600x1200) + Dell LCD #2 DVI (1600x1200) with Thinkpad LCD off
2) Thinkpad LCD (1400x1050) + Dell LCD #2 DVI (1600x1200)

I've also tried using Omega Drivers version 252 (latest version doesn't support Mobility) and 3rd party software like UltraMon but to no avail.

Help please?

Thanks,
Ganesh

[pramit]

I've had the same issue (with Presentation Manager bonking with the 'Refresh Rate' error) and I've switched to using UltraMon for managing my configurations as follows on my T42p:

#1: LCD only @ 1600x1200
#2: LCD @ 1600x1200 + work Dell 18" @ 1280x1024
#3: LCD @ 1600x1200 + home Dell 24" 2407FPW @ 1920x1200

#s 2 & 3 are via DVI through a mini-dock.

Methinks IBM/Lenovo needs to push an update to Presentation Manager soon.

In the mean time, switch to UltraMon... it's quite an excellent program and worth every penny of the $39.95 you pay for it.

Hope this helps.

[gkumar]

Thanks for the reply. But I'm wondering how one can disable the LCD on the Thinkpad and enable the two external monitors (DVI & VGA) that I have. I see this option only in the Presentation Director and not in Ultramon. Where in Ultramon do you see this?

Also, how did you bypass the DVI limit of 1280x1024 that the Dock imposes on DVI ports? Does Ultramon bypass this restriction? I read about it but could never figure out how it was done. Did you use IBM ATI drivers or the Omega ATI drivers?

[gkumar]

Interesting. Using Presentation Director, I created a new profile to create dual desktop with both DVI and VGA enabled and Thinkpad LCD off (not the extended desktop version as that gives the "refresh rate error").

And then using Ultramon - I set the resolutions to be 1600x1200 with the sidebar enabled and now I have extended desktop desktop on DVI and VGA with 1600x1200 resolutions.

This way is kind of awkward but it works. Does anyone have a more elegant solution?

[davidspalding]

I find Presentation Manager sometimes refuses to go to a resolution/combo that I've set in Windows. Very annoying, very disappointing (particularly if you're doing a prezo).

My own solution (though Ultramon indeed looks superb if you want 3 screens) is to use the Display properties, Settings tab, Advanced button, and use the ATI or Omega "Displays" tab.

Frankly, I had no idea that T40's could power both the VGA and DVI ports on a MiniDock or Dock II (I have both). That sounds just ... super-mega-friggin-delightful for Photoshop or web design work.