New ATI scaling behavior since driver update

[emachine]

I got my T60p 2623-DDU a few months ago and just last week I ventered into ThinkVantage -> Update my System, and for the most part let it update most of the stuff it found to update. This included a video driver update.

For various reasons, I typically run my thinkpad @ 1024x768 (scaled & fuzzy).

When I'm at home and done using my laptop, I return it to it's advanced mini dock.

Here's the new behavior, which started with the driver update:

When I undock the thinkpad, my logical resolution remains at 1024x768, but the panel itself flips back to it's native res (I presume). So that leaves me with a very sharp looking but very little 1024x768 desktop floating out in the center of an otherwise black screen.

To remedy this, I:

Right click desktop -> Properties -> ATI CATALYST(R) Control Center

And from there

Notebook Panel Properties 1 -> Attributes

And in the Panel Settings group box, I change the radio button from "Use centered timings" to "Scale image - full panel size".

And that gets me to where I want to be.

What's *frustrating*, is that this option isn't "sticky". I have to run through the above process every single time I undock the computer (which can be upwards of 5 - 10 times per day). meh!

Here's specifically when it happens in the process:

I'll click the undock button on the mini-dock, or, go Start -> Undock computer (either way)

The mini-dock eventually changes it's little button colors and I get an XP tray baloon indicating that the Undocking is complete.

It's when I hit the button on the dock, and the thinkpad is physically removed, the following three things happen somewhat simultaneously:

My access connection switches me from the "Dock" location to my "Wireless" location.

My presentation manager switches me from the "Dock" setting to the "Default" setting.

The the panel switches from "scaled 1024" to "centered 1024".

I can't find anything in the presentation manager about scaling the image though.

Edit: Oh yea... It happens going back onto the dock as well. Click it back down onto the dock and it goes back into mini-centered-1024 mode again.

[Scratch]

Sounds like it might be related to Hardware profiles.

I run my 2623-DDU at native 1600x1200 when on the panel. I scale everything up for size, but prefer the sharper native rez as a base.

My dock has an 18.1" 1280x1024 LCD attached and when I place the T60p in sleep mode in the dock and resume, it displays on the desktop LCD at 1280x1024 without a problem. The sizing settings from the laptop panel remain though, so I had to do a bit of size balancing, but otherwise it's been quite a workable arrangement.

When not docked try going into ControlPanel>System>Hardware>Hardware Profiles and delete all, but your current profile. Then close the cover (sleep mode on mine) and place in the dock. When you bring the machine out of standby it should recognize the dock and create another profile. Make your setting changes and Suspend and remove to test it out.

BTW are you using Presentation Manager for a reason? Just getting out of it's profiles control might solve the problem.