ThinkPad X31: Second monitor will not run in widescreen mode

[Norman]

Hey folks...

At work, I am using a second monitor with my X31. But I have a problem: the second monitor is widescreen while the X31 is not, and I cannot get the second monitor to display in widescreen. Does anybody know a way to get around this?

[Quattro]

Try 16-bit mode on the external monitor. My external will not run its native resolution in 32bit. Not good for photo editing.

[kunfuchopsticks]

Try 16-bit mode on the external monitor. My external will not run its native resolution in 32bit. Not good for photo editing.

is this monitor issue or X31 issue?

[Norman]

Sorry, I wasn't clear about that I guess... I'm using the external monitor as a second monitor so I can run with two screens... Make sense?

I tried going to 16 bit, but that didn't work.

I did a search on the forum and found out about a program called "Powerstrip". When I installed it, I was able to get the monitor to run in 1440x900 @ 60 Hz. I think this will work!

However, if there is a way to do it without manually changing settings, that would be better. I'd prefer not to damage the monitor through screwing up a setting!

[faberryman]

The external monitor has to be plugged in the laptop and turned on before you turn on the laptop in order to be recognized.

[Maccess]

Download and install the pstrip.exe utility to set "non-standard" resolutions (which is what widescreen resolutions are).

It is shareware but you only need it to register the resolutions in the Displays database, then you can delete it (or you can leave it on).

Also, it may help to be install the latest ATI Catalyst drivers for your machine. Tip: even though ATI says the latest Catalyst doesn't support Radeon 7000, it does, using the 7500 drivers.

But, do the pstrip thing first.