Thinkpads Forum

Hi All - I've done some extensive searching and haven't found this topic yet, so I'm hoping I'm not reposting a common question:

I have a Thinkpad T60 with an ATI Mobility FireGL 5200 graphics card built-in. I purchased a Dell 2407wfp monitor and I'm trying to use the laptop on this monitor with a 1920x1200 resolution. The resolution works OK, but no matter what resolution I am on, there seems to be a little "jitter" or "flickering" of the screen. It's slight - but noticeable enough that the end user wants it fixed.

I've tried updating to latest drivers, both on Thinkpad and Graphics card. I haven't really found much with this though. Has anyone seen this before or have any suggestions?

Note: I've also swapped out a brand new Dell 2407wfp in case it was the monitor...it's not. This user has a Dell M1710 laptop at home and uses the 2407wfp with no problems. It's really a sweet monitor.

If anyone has any suggestions as to where I can look for support that would be great. I'm thinking of calling ATI...

First of all welcome to the forums (Not that I should say that, given that I'm quite new myself.)

Secondly, have you tried changing the card's refresh rate? You can do this from in Windows. Although LCD screens themselves don't have a refresh rate as such, there's still a frequency to how often the card renews data for the monitor, and varying this settings does wierds and wonderful things (in my experience).

Thirdly, could it be the cable? Are you using a DVI or VGA interface? The latter can have these problems especially. When you tried the second monitor, did you use its cables? Is there anything that could cause interference around the screen, such as a power adapter?

I think the 2407WFP (which I have at home) can only support 60Hz refresh rate at 1920x1200. That's way above my visual system's flicker fusion frequency and so I am perfectly happy about this monitor, but some people can see it.

Growly wrote:First of all welcome to the forums (Not that I should say that, given that I'm quite new myself.)

Secondly, have you tried changing the card's refresh rate? You can do this from in Windows. Although LCD screens themselves don't have a refresh rate as such, there's still a frequency to how often the card renews data for the monitor, and varying this settings does wierds and wonderful things (in my experience).

Thirdly, could it be the cable? Are you using a DVI or VGA interface? The latter can have these problems especially. When you tried the second monitor, did you use its cables? Is there anything that could cause interference around the screen, such as a power adapter?

thanks for the welcome!

I think paniowizard is right in that the refresh rate options dont look to offer anything more than 60Hz.

I am however using a VGA (blue) cable connector, because on my Thinkpad & Thinkpad docking station there is no port available with a DVI (white) connector. Do you think if I used the DVI cable with an adapter to VGA that would work better? I will give it a shot. I did use new cables when trying the 2nd monitor.

One other thing to add: I hooked up an older X40 laptop to the monitor, and although I couldn't get the resolution to 1920x1200, it didn't flicker. Odd. As mentioned before, the T60 flickers on all resolutions, not just the 1920x1200.

Thanks so much for the help - I will let you know how the DVI cable goes.

I can't stand LCD monitors hooked up over VGA connections. Even with my TP and a 19" monitor, the lines look kind of wobbly to me. With my father's old 17" monitor from like 5 years ago, the wiggliness of the lines drives me nuts. When I connect my media center to the same monitor using DVI, I notice that the shakiness of the display disappears. I would expect at higher resolutions, where you are pushing more data over an analog connection, corruption of the signal would become even more noticable. I would suggest finding a dock that supports DVI and try that out. It could also be a cheap VGA cable, although ultimately I don't think it should make that much of a difference.

If you want to run a wide-screen like that dell, you'll probably need an advanced mini-dock with DVI port. All LCD also use (exclusively) a 60hz refresh rate.

hth!

I run the exact same display using the Advanced Mini Dock with DVI output with GREAT results. Absolutely love the monitor and T60P combination. GP

Perhaps I just can't see as well as you guys, but when I use my T43's, X60s's or Dell desktop's VGA output to drive my 2407WFP, I don't see anything wobble. And when I switch to DVI, it doesn't look any better or worse.

you guys rule.

so I found a T60 docking station that DOES have a DVI port on it, plugged it into that and so far...NO JITTER.

THANKS!!! I have one very happy end user.

Now all I have to do is find out if I can get the 2407wfp working on an X60 laptop (which doesnt have the DVI port on it's docking station, d'oh!!)

thanks again!

greylock wrote:Now all I have to do is find out if I can get the 2407wfp working on an X60 laptop (which doesnt have the DVI port on it's docking station, d'oh!!)

thanks again!

I am using the 2407 with my X60 now using only latest video drivers and latest BIOS via the VGA port and it looks good.

dfumento wrote:I am using the 2407 with my X60 now using only latest video drivers and latest BIOS via the VGA port and it looks good.

That's what I said in my last post too, but it looks like the OP is more sensitive to flickering images than we are and VGA won't cut it for him.

dfumento wrote:

greylock wrote:Now all I have to do is find out if I can get the 2407wfp working on an X60 laptop (which doesnt have the DVI port on it's docking station, d'oh!!)

thanks again!

I am using the 2407 with my X60 now using only latest video drivers and latest BIOS via the VGA port and it looks good.

thanks for the info. I actually just went and plugged in the 2407wfp to the users X60 docking station via VGA and it worked no problem. 1920x1200 resolution and no jitter. Perhaps a wee tiny bit grainy, but nothing to fret over. I'm sure the user won't even notice.

thanks again for all the info!

Good to hear it worked Another reason why VGA is lame (that and the somewhat tautological acronym).

I thought I'd clarify with someone though - while the screen itself uses a 60Hz refresh rate exclusively, can you still not change in windows the card's data rate to the monitor itself? I wouldn't be so confused if I didn't have a Philips LCD whose display changes considerably in terms of flicker by adjusting the frequency under Windows's Display Properties.