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auto change screen resolution when docked

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:21 am
by mikek
Anyone got a definitive answer for this please?

T60 has 1400x1050 native resolution display - ATI chipset. Currently got latest drivers.

In the past, with previous drivers, the PC would detect that it had been plugged into its port replicator where there is a 1280x1024 monitor - and change to the lower resolution - and change back again when undocked. It sometimes needed the lid opening and closing to force the change - but it did it automatically.

But with latest drivers it doesn't even attempt it. Please don't suggest that I use Presentation Director - it's not loaded on this PC - and anyway it used to work with previous drivers without PD - so that is only a kludge, not a fix. Can of course roll back to previous ATI drivers, but I think they have known problems too.

Interestingly it also wouldn't do this when new - it needed driver update to make it do it in the first place. Whereas my old T42 did it reliabably all the time, panned the screen as well, and never gave any trouble like this.

Any advice?
Thanks

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:00 pm
by Dodge DeBoulet
Is the laptop suspended when plugged into or removed from the dock?

I've got a Dell DVI-connected 24" display with 1920x1200 resolution on my Mini-dock. When I dock my t60 and wake it up, it automatically reconfigures for the external display's native resolution. When I suspend it to remove it from the dock, then open it to use it elsewhere, it adjusts to the proper resolution for the internal display at 1600 x 1050.

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:48 pm
by meditate2001
same problem here with an additional monitor.....and i have an ati card...so probably a lenovo problem ???? i also tried other drivers - no affect...

:evil:

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:18 pm
by mikek
Laptop not suspended or hibernated.

Very irritating. If my old T42 could do this seemlessly, why can't this new fangled stuff do it?

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:59 pm
by Dodge DeBoulet
mikek wrote:Laptop not suspended or hibernated.
That must be why I don't see the problem; I always follow the undock procedure. Hit the undock switch, wait for the red light on the release button to go green, then hit the release.

You guys that live on the edge . . . :D

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:59 am
by mikek
Err.. what undock procedure... I don't think I have an undock button... and certainly not one with lights in it....

Is this a feature of a sophisticated docking station? It doesn't sound like the port replicators I use.

But do your screen resolutions change automatically to match the native pitch of whatever monitor you're using?

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:29 am
by Zender
Undock, set correct resolution, restart, dock, set correct resolution, restart. Worked for me with similar problem.

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:23 pm
by Dodge DeBoulet
mikek wrote:Err.. what undock procedure... I don't think I have an undock button... and certainly not one with lights in it....

Is this a feature of a sophisticated docking station? It doesn't sound like the port replicators I use.

But do your screen resolutions change automatically to match the native pitch of whatever monitor you're using?
I'm using the Advanced Mini-Dock. The manual that came with it was also for the port replicator, so I assumed the PR had all the same buttons and gizzies on it (minus the DVI port).

On the L-shaped piece that wraps around the upper left hand corner of the laptop when docked, there's a silver bar-shaped button that, when pressed, causes Windows to suspend. Once suspended, a green light displays on the "undock/eject" button, which is simply a mechanical ejection mechanism that releases the laptop from the dock. Press the silver bar, wait a couple of seconds for the green light on the eject button, and you're good to go.

And yes, the screen resolution switches automatically to 1920x1200 on the DVI display when plugged into the dock, and back to 1600x1050 internal resolution when unplugged. Using the correct procecure, of course :)