Thinkpads Forum

When I set the res to either 1024 x 768 or 800 x 600 the full screen size is reduced to 6.5" x 5" in the middle of the display. Only when I set it to 1280 x 1024 does the display use the entire 13.7 screen.
Is there a setting I'm missing?

cspgsl wrote:When I set the res to either 1024 x 768 or 800 x 600 the full screen size is reduced to 6.5" x 5" in the middle of the display. Only when I set it to 1280 x 1024 does the display use the entire 13.7 screen.
Is there a setting I'm missing?

Enable screen expansion at the Bios maybe? I dont know of a thinkpad with that resolution, so maybe you havent set up your graphics card correctly - worth a check.

"Enable screen expansion at the Bios"
The only thing I can do in the bios is select single or multiple displays

"maybe you havent set up your graphics card correctly - worth a check."
I am not familiar with how to do so. Could you please explain?

Thanks

You don't identify your model or your OS, but okay, let's assume that you have either a 770X or a 770Z with the 13.7" screen. The native screen resolution for those machines is 1280x1024. When you reduce the resolution, the screen shrinks to use only the number of pixels you select. So the effect you are seeing is the normal, correct response for those machines running at those resolutions.

Screen expansion on the 770 series can be enabled under Windows 95/98 by using the Fn+F8 key. I think this key combination also works under Windows 2000/XP.

If that key combination doesn't work then you can change the setting using your ThinkPad Configuration (may be called Access IBM under 2000/XP) software. In ThinkPad Configuration, select the LCD icon and then choose to enable Screen Expansion.

Screen expansion will make some things appear blurry at 800x600 or 1024x768, especially certain fonts within graphic boxes, since the screen is forced to change the thickness of all the lines based on adding an additional pixel or not to expand the screen. However, if you use 640x480, that should look pretty good, since it can simply double the pixels in both directions.

Phil.

Unfortunately, the Fn+F8 combo doesn't work in XP and the "screen expansion" option in Thinkpad Configuration doesn't do anything either. The other issue with 1280x1024 is that (on the 770X, at least) you can only use 16 bit high color...32 bit color only works up to 1024x768 (which won't work full screen).

As the proud new owner of a 600 The shrinking screen really bothers me, my 760CD didn't pull this stunt. Yes the FN+F8 does give me a full screen but its worse than the small version for reading text.

With a 600 series machine, if you want your screen to be crisp, then you should set your screen resolution at 1024x768 because that is the "native" screen resolution of your LCD panel. Any other resolution and you will either have a screen with a black frame around it (if screen expansion is disabled) or you will have a slightly blurred screen (if screen expansion is enabled).

This is normal and I would argue that it is a good feature for any laptop computer to have. It gives you the choice about how you want your display to work.

Phil.