T42 VGA output < desktop VGA output?

[acidreign]

Hi all,

I have a 21" Compaq P110 monitor from a desktop computer which I don't really use anymore, so I want to use it as an external monitor for my T42 2373-3UU.

I'm currently using IBM's latest video drivers, and I set up a new presentation scheme that goes only to the external monitor at 1600x1280x32, 85Hz, which are also the same settings that I used on my desktop (I think the vid card is a Geforce Ti4600).

The problem was when i switched over to the external monitor, through the VGA port (I don't have a docking station). For one thing, the brightness of the monitor was less than when I used my desktop. It wasn't because of the brightness/contrast settings. It just seemed darker, I guess I would say that there were less lumens.

Also, there was an annoying flicker, as if the monitor was displaying at 60 Hz instead of the 85 Hz which I specified. When I tried bumping up the refresh rate to 100 Hz (dangerous), there was a little less flicker, but again, not as good as when the monitor was connected to my desktop.

Has anybody else encountered this problem before, and if so, how was it solved?

TIA,

Jeff

[davidspalding]

Try starting at something safe like 1280x1024, 32, 60 Hz. Then work your way up, 1400x1050, 1600, etc. Then go back down to 1280, and see if the Monitor tab of the advanced area of Display properites, you can change the rate to 75, 85. Again, work your way up, testing. you might find that some combos don't work. My Sony 17' monitor does 1600x1200, but not without reducing the refresh rate so low that I don't get a really nice picture. YMMV.

If you have it, check your monitor's manual. Mine specifies what refresh rates are supported at a variety of resolutions.

Also ... you might see if your card supports the third party drivers, like Omega's for the ATI Radeon cards. His/their drivers can support resolution settings that the ATI drivers don't.